Tsubasa's daily life consisted of nothing but his unwavering cultivation and his exploration of the depths of the Shikkotsu Forest. This Shikkotsu Forest, spanning hundreds of miles, was practically a mysterious green treasure trove. The forest was teeming with precious plants, many of which had peculiar appearances and were unlike anything he had ever heard of. Strangely, however, not a single animal Kageko.
During each exploration, Tsubasa deliberately kept his distance from the Katsuyu Sage's territory. That was a behemoth; just looking at it made one's legs go weak. Even knowing that it was gentle, Tsubasa was still intimidated and simply couldn't muster the courage to approach it.
The edge of the Shikkotsu Forest was firmly sealed by an invisible barrier. When Tsubasa first discovered it, a fierce determination ignited within him, and he was single-mindedly determined to break the barrier. He stayed by the barrier for several days, staring intently at it, his hands constantly gesturing, trying various methods, but the sealing barrier was extremely advanced, a complex and large-scale combined barrier, which he couldn't break with his current abilities. He thought to himself that he would have to ask the Katsuyu Sage for help later.
Tenten passed, and two months flew by. Tsubasa had explored the entire sacred land of the Shikkotsu Forest, except for the forbidden area where the Katsuyu Sage slept. During this time, the Katsuyu Sage never disturbed him. However, on the first and fifteenth of each month, Tsubasa would be enveloped by an inexplicable pressure. It was a spiritual suppression that penetrated to the bone marrow and struck the soul. The closer he was to the Katsuyu Sage, the more suffocating the pressure became. Fortunately, Tsubasa possessed Perfect Sage Body, which somewhat reduced the impact of this pressure.
Each time he felt the oppressive aura, Tsubasa couldn't help but challenge his limits. He approached the Katsuyu Sage step by step, the pressure growing stronger with each step. He only stopped when his head was throbbing and he could no longer move his legs. Once, after enduring the ultimate pressure, Tsubasa was pleasantly surprised to find that his mental strength had actually increased! This unexpected joy kept him awake for several nights, eagerly anticipating the next wave of pressure.
The day after once again pushing the limits of pressure, Tsubasa gritted his teeth and resolved to seek out the Katsuyu Sage. Standing before this "giant mountain," Tsubasa took a deep breath and mustered his courage, saying, " Katsuyu Sage, hello, I wish to return to Konoha."
A tiny Katsuyu split off from the massive body of the Katsuyu Sage, its voice as gentle as a spring breeze. " Tsubasa, are you going home? Then I'll inform Lord Hashirama now." With that, the Katsuyu Sage used Contract Jutsu to contact Hashirama Senju, who was far away in Konoha. A short while later, a small portion of the Katsuyu Sage's body disappeared into the sacred ground, a miraculous scene that left Tsubasa speechless.
To his even greater surprise, a faint light shimmered on the ground beneath the vanished body of the Katsuyu Sage. Curious, Tsubasa jumped over to investigate and found a piece of white jade-like stone lying there quietly. He picked one up; it felt warm and smooth to the touch. Just then, an inexplicable calling surged within him; he knew the Katsuyu Sage's clone from Konoha was summoning him. Before Tsubasa could think further, he instinctively Hand Seals and vanished instantly from the Shikkotsu Forest.
With a "bang," Tsubasa returned to the Senju Clan Compound. The giant Katsuyu beneath his feet, seeing that Tsubasa had been summoned, released the summon and disappeared in the blink of an eye. At the same time, Hashirama Senju walked over and stood beside him as he landed.
When Hashirama Senju saw Tsubasa, his face lit up with a smile. He laughed and said, " Little Tsubasa, how's it going in Shikkotsu Forest? Are you bored to death? It's amazing that you lasted two months! I only lasted three months back then. I even bet your grandfather that you wouldn't last two months! By the way, how long have you been gone?"
Tsubasa smiled and replied, "Two months and one day, Master, it seems you've lost. But to be honest, the Shikkotsu Forest is a great place for cultivation. One day of cultivation there is equivalent to ten days outside. Look, my Spiritual Power has already reached the Clan Head Level."
Hashirama Senju was slightly taken aback, then circulated his Chakra and carefully sensed it. His face was full of surprise. "Good heavens, it really is the energy of Clan Head Level! Wait, you said you were gone for two months and one day? Why couldn't you have come back a day earlier!" As he spoke, Hashirama Senju exaggeratedly clutched his head, looking heartbroken, as if he had lost some huge bet.
Just then, two familiar figures rushed over. Mito Uzumaki, tears welling in her eyes, hugged Tsubasa tightly. "My dear child, you've grown so much in just two months! Your master's wife has missed you terribly." Then, she pulled Tian Yueqing over, "That girl Yueqing, she talks about you Tenten."
Tian Yueqing's cheeks flushed slightly as she softly said, "Your family has been waiting for you to come home. Welcome home, Tsubasa." Tsubasa looked at his teacher's wife and fiancée before him, his heart filled with warmth.
Tsubasa took out a sealing scroll, his face beaming with excitement. He strode up to Mito Uzumaki and Hashirama Senju, respectfully presenting the scroll, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Master, Mistress, these are special fruits I picked in Shikkotsu Forest. You can't find them anywhere else. I've tried them, and they're all incredibly sweet and delicious. Please have a taste!"
Mito Uzumaki took the scroll, a gentle smile spreading across her face. "Thank you for your kindness, Little Tsubasa. You won't be going to Shikkotsu Forest this time, will you?" Her smile was full of an elder's affection for a younger generation, a wish that this child would stay by her side longer.
Tsubasa scratched his head, a genuine smile appearing on his face. "I still have to go. I'll only stay here for a day. My cultivation speed there is ten times faster than here, how can I not go?" Thinking of the cultivation environment in the Shikkotsu Forest, his eyes revealed determination. He then added, "The main reason I came back this time is to learn medicine making from my grandfather. The plants there are abundant, and I learn medicine making to pass the time when I'm bored."
Hashirama Senju burst into hearty laughter, the sound echoing through the courtyard, "I knew it would be incredibly boring there. You're quite clever, knowing to find something to do to pass the time. Not bad, not bad." His eyes were full of approval, greatly appreciating his disciple's quick wit.
Mito Uzumaki frowned slightly, feigning seriousness as she reprimanded, "You're such a cultivation fanatic at such a young age, and you don't even care about your wives. I don't know if marrying Yueqing to you was a mistake. Spending more time with your family is the most important thing." Her words revealed her heartache for Tian Yueqing, as well as her concern and guidance for Tsubasa.
Tsubasa smiled sheepishly and said earnestly, "Master's wife is right. I'm only seven years old. I'll learn my skills first so I can protect them properly when I grow up." His young face was full of responsibility, and his little heart already held a sense of duty for the Mirai.
Tian Yueqing gently took her aunt's hand, her eyes full of tenderness and understanding. "Aunt, don't blame Little Tsubasa. Little Tsubasa is right. He's at the age where he should be learning his skills." She recalled the misfortunes the Ten Family had suffered, as told by Nanshin Senju's mother, and felt a pang of pain in her heart. " Tsubasa was assassinated not long ago. The stronger we are, the happier we will be. I support him, but we're all worried about him being alone in the Shikkotsu Forest. We're afraid he won't be able to take care of himself. Can I go to the Shikkotsu Forest to be with him?" As she finished speaking, her eyes were full of expectation, but also a hint of worry that she would be rejected.
Hashirama Senju quickly shook his head, his expression very serious. "You can't go. That place is baptized by the energy pressure emitted by the Katsuyu Sage every half month. Without Perfect Sage Body, there's no way to survive." He recalled the tragic fate of his clan's ancestors in the Shikkotsu Forest, and a trace of sorrow flashed in his eyes.
Tsubasa gave a wry smile and said helplessly, "Master is right. There is only the Katsuyu Sage there. All the other animals died under the oppressive aura. That aura covered the entire Shikkotsu Forest and was extremely terrifying. My master and I are only slightly better because of our special constitutions, and we were able to withstand that aura from a distance. Ordinary people would definitely die if they went there." Recalling that chilling aura, his body trembled slightly; it was a fear that went deep into his bones.
Hashirama Senju sighed deeply, lamenting, "In the entire thousand-year history of the Senju Clan, only the two of us, besides our Asura, could have fully endured it. Many of our ancestors did not believe in the evil and eventually died in Shikkotsu Forest." His voice was filled with vicissitudes, and his remembrance of his deceased clansmen was evident in his words.
A hint of disappointment flashed in Tian Yueqing's eyes, and she said with some regret, "Then forget it. I guess Tsubasa will have to work hard on his own." She silently prayed for Tsubasa in her heart, hoping that he could cultivate peacefully.
After bidding farewell to his master and mistress, Tsubasa and Tian Yueqing walked back hand in hand. As they walked, the sunlight shone on them, casting long Kageko.
Tsubasa enthusiastically recounted the wonders of the Shikkotsu Forest, his eyes sparkling. " Yueqing, the plants in the Shikkotsu Forest are all exceptionally large, and they have all sorts of amazing effects. I found a herb there whose juice can heal very serious wounds. And there are those glowing mushrooms; at night, the whole forest is like a dream world." As he spoke, he gestured with his hands, trying to make Tian Yueqing feel the wonders of the Shikkotsu Forest more clearly.
Tian Yueqing listened quietly, her eyes filled with longing, occasionally interjecting, "It sounds so amazing, I really want to go see it. But as long as you're safe, that's all that matters." Then, she began to tell about her family's situation after Tsubasa left.
"Business at the Ten Family's three buildings is still booming, and all the mothers and grandfathers are very busy every day." Tian Yueqing smiled slightly. "My sisters are also working hard to become stronger. I come to the Senju Clan Compound every day to learn Sealing Jutsu. With my aunt's guidance, I feel that I have made a lot of progress. I was thinking that it would be great if I could help you in the future." She gently squeezed Tsubasa's hand, her eyes full of determination.
" Muyan actually really likes ranged throwing weapons. Every day, besides going to the Phoenix Tower for delicious food, she spends her time learning the art of throwing weapons from her grandfather. She's so happy she doesn't want to leave. She rarely goes back to the Hyuga Clan Compound. Her parents come to check on her every few days." Tian Yueqing couldn't help but laugh, recalling Tian Muyan's lively personality. "She's incredibly talented. She quickly mastered the techniques her grandfather taught her. She told me she wants to become the most skilled throwing weapon expert so she can protect you in the future."
"Ever since hearing about the Ten Family's past, Tian Uguisu has frequently returned to the Uchiha Clan Compound to train relentlessly, saying she must surpass you and become the strongest. Her second aunt taught her a Senju Clan close-combat technique, supposedly a Ninja Spear Technique created by her second uncle. Since then, she goes out every morning full of energy and returns exhausted at night. It seems she's training like crazy, hoping to gain her second aunt's approval." Tian Yueqing's eyes were full of admiration. "After each training session, although she's very tired, the fighting spirit in her eyes is even stronger. She has a strong will to fight. Her second aunt often teaches her to train hard and become stronger than anyone else, so that Little Tsubasa won't get hurt in any way."
" Flying Swallow goes to the luxury goods store with Third Aunt every day to learn how to run a business," Tian Yueqing continued. "She's very interested in those things and studies very diligently. Third Aunt says she has a good Gozu. Flying Swallow says she hopes to help manage the family business in the future so you won't have any worries."
"The youngest, Shiun, is picked up by her parents every morning for training, and in the afternoon she studies and plays with Senju Ga at home. Don't let her young age fool you, she's incredibly hardworking. She told me she wants to grow up quickly and become as skilled as her older sisters, she's so adorable." Tian Yueqing's eyes were full of tenderness. "And we all miss you so much, we're just hoping you can return soon after completing your studies."
Hearing this, Tsubasa felt a surge of warmth in his heart, a mixture of gratitude and relief. He grasped Tian Yueqing's hand tightly and whispered, "Thank you all. I will definitely cultivate diligently and live up to your expectations."