[Check Out My P4treon For +50 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! And get chapters before publishing them here for free on my p4treon][https://p4treon.com/roooaaa]
===
Sasame took a deep breath, feeling an indescribable comfort wash over his entire body.
Natural energy—to him, it resembled the "spiritual qi" from cultivation novels, an innate force of the world itself.
Chakra, on the other hand, was an external system.
But because natural energy was too difficult to harness, it had never been widely adopted.
Sasame suspected Sage Mode was the Three Great Sage Regions' attempt to bridge the gap—by blending natural energy with chakra, they'd lowered the barrier to entry.
Otherwise, why wouldn't the native system rely on pure natural energy?
"Let's go."
Tsunade led the way with practiced ease.
Sasame, meanwhile, looked around like a country bumpkin visiting the big city—everything felt fresh and fascinating.
"Lady Tsunade."
A slug half the height of a person greeted them in a voice far gentler than its appearance suggested.
Sasame had always thought Katsuyu's voice was oddly pleasant.
If I remember right, in the original series, it was voiced by Noto Mamiko.
"And this must be Lord Sasame?"
Katsuyu twitched its antennae slightly.
"Just Sasame is fine!"
He hastily bowed. "It's an honor to meet you, Great Slug Sage."
Though Shikkotsu Forest teemed with countless slugs, they all shared a single consciousness—the millennia-old Katsuyu Sennin.
The Great Toad Sage and the White Snake Sage were legendary figures, and Katsuyu, their equal, stood unquestionably at the pinnacle of the ninja world.
But unlike the other two, Katsuyu's temperament was far more serene.
"No need for formalities. I address all my contractors as 'Lord' or 'Lady.'"
Katsuyu's voice carried a faint lilt. "It's been so long since humans last visited Shikkotsu Forest. Seeing you both brings me joy."
Sasame could relate.
If I were stuck alone in one place for a thousand years—with no internet—I'd have lost my mind.
The Great Toad Sage and White Snake Sage at least had disciples and descendants. Katsuyu had none.
"Sasame wants to attempt Sage Mode training," Tsunade explained.
"Then you should meet my main body."
Katsuyu gestured deeper into the forest before departing.
The Heart of Shikkotsu Forest
As they ventured further, they passed countless slugs of varying sizes.
All part of the same consciousness…
Katsuyu must have been really bored to split itself so many times.
Left hand playing against the right, forever.
When they finally emerged from the bone-white trees, Sasame saw it—
Katsuyu Sennin's true form.
Too… too big.
It dwarfed comprehension.
His entire field of vision flooded with sheer white.
The colossal slug lifted its head slightly, peering down at the two ant-sized figures below. Its voice, gentle as a spring breeze, echoed:
"Long time no see, little Tsunade. And you, little Sasame—you're quite interesting."
Interesting?
Sasame froze.
What does that mean?
Can it read minds?
No, if it could, 'interesting' wouldn't be the word it used…
It'd be something else.
"The first requirement for Sage Mode is immense chakra reserves. You barely qualify."
Katsuyu studied him. "The second—and far harder—condition is the innate ability to sense and absorb natural energy. Many ninja fail here, forever barred from Sage Mode."
"How do I know if I have the talent?" Sasame asked.
"Take off your clothes."
Katsuyu replied matter-of-factly.
"…Huh?"
Sasame blinked.
Wait, Naruto trained like this too, right?
Fine. It's just a slug. Not like I'm being ogled.
Except—
His gaze flicked to Tsunade.
The corner of her lips curled.
So bold last night, yet shy now?
Sasame shot her a meaningful look.
Tsunade feigned ignorance. "Did you want to say something?"
This woman.
You're definitely after my body.
"I have to strip," he stated bluntly.
"Sensing natural energy is dangerous. Having me here ensures your safety."
Tsunade fabricated a plausible excuse.
"Little Tsunade, since that's the case, you should apply it for him."
Before Sasame could protest, Katsuyu settled the matter.
A massive wooden barrel materialized out of nowhere, filled with a translucent liquid.
Mount Myōboku uses toad oil to enhance perception…
So this must be Shikkotsu Forest's equivalent.
But what is it?
Sasame decided some things were better left unknown.
Tsunade stiffened, rooted to the spot.
She'd only meant to tease Sasame—not actually see him naked.
Now she had to rub him down?!
The Trial Begins
Sasame removed his clothes and sat cross-legged.
At this point, hesitation would be unmanly.
Tsunade's heartbeat spiked, an unfamiliar tension coiling in her chest.
This… this is new.
She swallowed hard, dipped her fingers into the liquid, and gently spread it across his back.
Cold.
Sasame shivered.
But Tsunade's hands were warm. Soft.
"Close your eyes. Listen with your ears. Feel with your heart."
Katsuyu's voice guided him.
Sasame obeyed.
As the strange liquid seeped into his skin, he sensed natural energy trickling inward.
"…You can do the front yourself."
After a few seconds, Tsunade spoke up.
Sasame raised a brow.
Where'd that boldness from earlier go?
"Don't move."
Katsuyu intervened. "Once you've entered the sensing state, stillness is crucial. Little Tsunade, you'll need to assist him."
"..."
A faint pink tinged Tsunade's cheeks.
After a pause, she scooped more liquid and began applying it to his torso.
Sasame's focus shattered.
What kind of saint could endure this?!
"Maintain a tranquil mind."
Katsuyu observed his struggle. "Become one with nature. Through your stillness, perceive the movement of natural energy."
Too damn hard!
Sasame fought to ignore Tsunade's roaming hands.
Thankfully, the torment ended swiftly.
Half a minute later, Tsunade stepped back, her heart finally settling—
—though not calmly.
Why?
She'd bathed her younger brother before without a second thought.
Was it a matter of mindset?
Her eyes lingered on the meditating Sasame, lost in thought.
"Excellent."
Katsuyu sounded pleased. "At last, another contractor capable of Sage Mode."
The Three Great Sage Regions stood as equals, yet competition simmered beneath the surface—especially among their contractors, who often clashed.
Lately, Mount Myōboku's contractors had held the upper hand.
Hearing this, Tsunade smiled.
The power boost from Sage Mode was undeniable.
Take Jiraiya—without it, he was just another jōnin. With it, he became elite.
Now, Sasame possessed Wood Release. Add Sage Mode to that, and the Senju clan's revival was within reach.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 125 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 65 power stones I will publish the next chapter.
(Give me all your power stones)