Shikkotsu Forest
Eiji and Tsunade were currently in a damp, warm forest, where the air was filled with an extremely strong, complex, and unpleasant mixed odor.
The mud underfoot was soft and slippery, and occasionally you would step on something hard—perhaps an insect that had been corroded down to its shell.
It felt like being trapped inside a closing stomach; there was no wind, the air was stagnant, and acidic mist floated in the air like an invisible film.
"Is this the Shikkotsu Forest...? It feels like there's corrosive liquid everywhere."
"Be careful, this place is very dangerous—" Tsunade paused and sighed, "I almost forgot about your Ninjutsu. This place is probably no danger to you at all."
Even so, I still feel very uncomfortable.
The liquid stored on the huge leaf above his head slid down the veins and splashed precisely onto Eiji's body, stopping in mid-air before making contact.
Eiji turned to the side, and the liquid slid to the ground, submerging the still-crawling beetle.
Laugh--
Eiji watched the beetle emit white smoke and its body rapidly corrode, his lips twitched involuntarily.
Even the insects living here can't escape it?
As expected, none of the Three Great Sage Lands are simple. Although Mount Myōboku itself is safe, entering it requires going through countless hardships.
Ryūchi Cave is teeming with strange insects and pythons, making it completely unsuitable for people.
At first, Eiji thought that Katsuyu's voice was so soft and cute, its place couldn't be too bad, but now it seems she was really overthinking it.
"Speaking of which, how did you even find a place like this, Tsunade- nee? Most people would turn around and run away the moment they arrive in a place like this, right?"
It gives you the feeling of being transported to the world of [Contra]. The combination of jungle and corrosive liquid is just too bizarre, as if some strange alien life form will jump out of the woods at any moment, opening its blood-red maw and starting to bite wildly.
"Hmm... I had a big fight with Jiraiya back then, drank some alcohol, and woke up here. I guess I was lucky enough not to get hurt by the acid?"
Eiji was speechless. Perhaps the Sage Katsuyu was looking for a successor and used the Reverse Summoning Technique.
Tsunade has terrible luck when it comes to gambling, but her luck is pretty good at other times.
"Speaking of which, didn't you tell Kushina you were coming here?"
"I already told Kushina, but she said she hates wriggling, shell-less slugs, they're disgusting, so she refused."
Eiji even went out of his way to explain the Sage Katsuyu to Kushina, but she reacted with unusual resistance. It was the first time he had ever seen Kushina show such fear.
"Slug... You can't say that to Sage Katsuyu, she'll definitely be hurt!"
"There's no other way. If there's a chance, I'll ask Jiraiya- senpai for help, although I don't really think Kushina would like Toad."
Eiji shrugged and said helplessly.
The reason we didn't consider Ryūchi Cave is twofold: firstly, its assessment methods are somewhat difficult, and secondly, Kabuto's Sage Mode looks rather unattractive.
◇
Tsunade led Eiji through the jungle until they arrived at a flat path made of the hard shell of a giant snail.
Passing through this area and then through the cave, you'll reach the deepest part of Shikkotsu Forest, the dwelling place of the Sage Katsuyu.
Tsunade often glanced at Eiji unconsciously; ever since her Second Grandpa said those words, Tsunade had cared more and more about Eiji.
The boy in front of her was more than ten years younger than her, and much shorter than her, yet she was looking at him with the eyes of someone looking at their Future husband. Was this some kind of criminal feeling?
Although Tsunade also found it strange, she felt an indescribable sense of pleasure whenever she indulged in such fantasies.
It's still too much to bear. Tsunade usually has a lot of contact with Eiji, so she often overlooks his appearance. If she were to look at Eiji from an outsider's perspective, she would understand why Eiji could attract a series of screams from girls just by walking down the street.
Sometimes Tsunade really envied Kushina, who could hug and rub against Eiji without any restraint, while she could only pat Eiji's head at most.
Did Eiji understand what his Second Grandpa had told Eiji? He felt like his grandfather had never mentioned it at all.
Damn it, I've been hung up by a boy ten years younger than me, and I can't even ask him directly.
Otherwise, how should I say it?
Eiji, what are your thoughts on my situation? Could you perhaps consider our teacher-student relationship... and take my older sister as a concubine?
Tsunade felt incredibly embarrassed just thinking about it; she simply couldn't bring herself to say such a thing.
◇
After passing through a dark and narrow cave, the view suddenly opened up.
It was a huge Acid Pool surrounded by mountains, with green vines growing on the rock walls, exuding a primitive atmosphere.
Bubbling and bubbling were rising from the pond, with acidic gases constantly evaporating from it.
"Sage Katsuyu, I've brought Ryuuzaki Eiji!"
Tsunade stepped forward and shouted, and then ripples began to spread in the Acid Pool.
Splash--
The water surface first swelled up, and the acid slid down the swell.
A huge, withered yellow head emerged from the water, with two tentacles extending out.
Then his entire body slowly floated to the surface of the water, and a large amount of acid flowed down his body and into the water.
Before them stood the sole master of the Shikkotsu Forest — the Sage Katsuyu.
"Wow... it's so big."
Eiji swallowed hard; this was simply enormous.
Unlike ordinary blue Katsuyu, this giant Katsuyu is a withered leaf-like yellow.
She also had striped markings on her body, and a necklace hung around her neck, the largest bead of which was engraved with the word "fairy".
"Long time no see, Little Tsuna." The Sage Katsuyu wriggled its massive body and moved closer to Eiji.
"Hmm, those are indeed very special eyes. I can sense the immense power within him. Perhaps this child's talent will far surpass yours, Little Tsuna."
"I already knew that."
Tsunade, looking completely unconcerned.
The Sage Katsuyu addresses Tsunade as "Little Tsuna," while the Katsuyu refers to her as "Lady Tsunade."
In reality, those Katsuyu were just avatars of the Sage Katsuyu, so does that mean the Sage Katsuyu enjoys role-playing?
"I understand the specifics. You want to learn Sage Mode from Shikkotsu Forest, right?"
The Sage Katsuyu's voice was exactly the same as the giant Katsuyu summoned by Tsunade, giving off a gentle older sister vibe.
"Applying the acid from the pool water to your body can help you master the art of absorbing Natural Energy, ensuring a 1:1:1 balance between Natural Energy, Mental Energy, and Physical Energy. If this balance is lost, your body will gradually turn into Katsuyu, eventually becoming part of my body, so be extra careful! Although I wouldn't mind assimilating with your little brother, hehe..."
The Sage Katsuyu's voice is still the same, but his personality has clearly become much more cunning and ruthless.