Returning to Shikkotsu Forest after three days, Tsunade was in an entirely different state of mind.
She was no longer a Hokage mired in worldly affairs, but a ninja training to become a Celestial Ninja!
"Sage Katsuyu, please accept my bow!"
Tsunade knelt respectfully before Sage Katsuyu.
Katsuyu was gentle and easygoing, and she and her summoners had always addressed one another with honorifics... but things were different now. Tsunade was about to receive Sage Katsuyu's personal instruction, and the distinction between master and disciple had to be observed!
Katsuyu nodded. "I accept your bow, and I will teach you the Stillness Sage Art!"
Tsunade froze in surprise.
She was no stranger to the Stillness Sage Art... she had attempted senjutsu training twenty years ago, only to fail!
As the granddaughter of Hashirama Senju and Mito Uzumaki... Tsunade certainly had the aptitude. It was simply that her naturally fiery temperament was incompatible with the state of mind the Stillness Sage Art required.
As the saying went, mountains and rivers could change, but a person's nature was harder to alter.
Back then, Katsuyu had gently told her that senjutsu would probably remain beyond her reach for the rest of her life. Tsunade had abandoned the idea of learning it and focused instead on the Strength of a Hundred Technique!
"Didn't you... say I couldn't master the Stillness Sage Art?"
"Normally, you couldn't. But... there is a way now, though you may have to suffer a little."
Suffer?
Tsunade laughed boldly. "Lady Katsuyu, who do you think I am? I'm willing to endure any suffering to become stronger!"
Katsuyu nodded. "That puts my mind at ease. Orochimaru, you explain."
Orochimaru emerged from behind the seat with a smile.
Tsunade asked, "You have a way for me to master the Stillness Sage Art?"