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"Wake up, Sasame."
Katsuyu Sennin's voice gently pulled him from his trance. "This is your first attempt at sensing. Don't rush—recklessness invites disaster."
Sasame opened his eyes.
He had started feeling slightly unwell.
If he'd pushed further, he might've risked petrification—or worse.
Then I'd have become the stone statue of a lovesick fool.
"At this stage, you'll need external aids to sense natural energy."
Katsuyu's soothing tone continued. "Once you no longer require them and grasp the technique, you can advance."
"How long will that take?"
Sasame recalled that even Naruto—with his monstrous talent—had needed a week to shed the toad oil.
But his total Sage Mode training had only taken half a month, which was absurd.
By comparison, Jiraiya's progress had been glacial.
"For some, days. For others… it varies. The longest I've seen was a year."
Katsuyu's voice carried the weight of centuries.
That's one hell of a range.
Sasame stood and pulled his clothes back on, already itching for a bath.
The sticky residue was not pleasant.
"Today's session ends here. Return tomorrow."
Katsuyu paused, then added almost cheerfully, "Of course, if you'd like to stay in Shikkotsu Forest for a while, you're more than welcome."
Loneliness really does strange things.
But Tsunade and Sasame had responsibilities in Konoha. Staying wasn't an option.
Reverse Summoning Jutsu!
They reappeared at home.
Sasame bolted straight for the shower.
Tsunade collapsed onto the couch, flipping on the TV—but her mind was elsewhere.
That kid's really grown up…
What happens now?
The thought gnawed at her.
But no matter what, she'd see his Sage Mode training through. Then she'd create distance.
A promise was a promise.
Afternoon – Tanzaku Quarter
Sasame slipped into the underground lab beneath the Qunma Casino.
Built specifically for Yakushi Kabuto's research on Uchiha Shisui, it reeked of medicinal herbs.
"How's it going?"
Kabuto didn't look up from his notes. "Shisui's stabilized. But full recovery will take time."
"Good."
Sasame nodded. "Make sure he doesn't off himself."
"No chance of that."
Kabuto's tone was chillingly matter-of-fact.
Spoken like a true future villain.
Sasame could already see the makings of a legendary antagonist.
"I'll leave you to it."
With no expertise to contribute, he'd only be in the way.
After a quick visit to Uzumaki Ena, he headed home.
Two Weeks Later
Sasame progressed to the next phase of Sage Mode training—the most grueling part.
Balancing natural energy with physical and spiritual energy at a perfect 1:1:1 ratio to create senjutsu chakra.
A brutal time sink.
But Sasame wasn't worried.
In fact, he was thrilled.
Heh.
More cuddle time with Tsunade.
Can't waste this golden opportunity.
Besides, the ninja world was relatively peaceful.
The Akatsuki were busy fundraising.
Konoha and the Uchiha were preoccupied with Shisui's disappearance and the mysterious Wood Release user.
Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure were quiet.
Only Kirigakure suffered—courtesy of Obito's bloody crusade for Rin.
Once Sage Mode was mastered, Sasame planned to visit and farm some Fate Points.
Another Exhausted Evening
Chakra completely drained, Sasame barely managed a farewell to Katsuyu before staggering home.
Tsunade usually supervised his training, but when busy, she left him in Katsuyu's care.
Tanzaku Quarter – Uzumaki Ena's Residence
Sasame collapsed into Ena's lap, eyes shut, utterly spent.
"…Rub my shoulders."
"Just bite me."
She offered her pale wrist, knowing his chakra reserves were depleted from training.
"Don't be ridiculous."
Sasame wasn't about to kill the goose that laid golden eggs.
Ena hesitated, then—cheeks flushing—plucked a grape and pressed it to his lips.
Juice burst sweet and tart across his tongue.
"It's… the Strength of a Hundred Seal. Not complete yet, but…"
Her voice trailed off as her fingers kneaded his temples.
Sasame was speechless.
All he could think was—
The Strength of a Hundred Seal is god-tier.
As his body relaxed against her warmth, his right hand instinctively slid beneath her clothes, reciprocating the "massage."
Ena's eyes glazed over, lips parting in a silent gasp.
A mix of pleasure and panic flashed through her—
What if Karin walks in?!
Yet within ten minutes, Sasame's chakra had fully replenished.
The Uzumaki clan's vitality is broken.
Later
Sasame woke to find himself still nestled against Ena.
The comfort of her touch had lulled him into sleep.
That, and the exhaustion from Sage Mode training.
Wiping his fingers—still damp from their earlier "adventure"—he rose.
"I'll come back tomorrow."
"…Mhm."
Ena's reply was barely audible, her face still buried in the couch.
The moment he left, she melted bonelessly into the cushions.
Focusing on one thing is hard enough…
But three? Exhausting.
Konoha Ninja Academy
On his way home, Sasame paused at the sight of a sparring match.
Two familiar figures clashed on the training grounds—
Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto.
Curious, he moved closer.
"You are…?"
The instructor, Taira Etsuki, eyed him warily.
"Sasame. I know Naruto and Sasuke. Just watching."
His gaze stayed fixed on the fight.
The two were evenly matched in taijutsu and shurikenjutsu—for now.
"Ah, you."
Recognition dawned on Etsuki's face. "I've heard of you. Impressive work."
Hiruzen had heavily promoted Sasame's achievements, cementing his reputation as Konoha's latest prodigy—on par with the legendary Hatake Kakashi.
Then the tide turned.
Frustrated by the stalemate, Sasuke leaped back, hands flying through seals.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
But unlike the massive inferno of the original timeline, his flame was barely basketball-sized.
Still impressive for his age.
Unfortunately, his opponent was Naruto—a walking cheat code.
Where Sasuke had talent, Naruto had sheer, unadulterated chakra reserves.
Wind Release: Gale Palm!
Naruto clapped his hands, unleashing a torrent of wind that snuffed out the fireball and sent Sasuke tumbling.
"Winner: Uzumaki Naruto!"
Etsuki announced. "Once again, Naruto takes first place in this evaluation."
Ignoring the instructor, Naruto bounded over to Sasuke, hand outstretched, grinning.
"You okay, Sasuke? Got lucky this time! Next round's yours. Let's train together!"
Sasuke swatted his hand away with a scowl, pride wounded but determination burning brighter.
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.
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