The Slug Sage said, "My most outstanding summoning contractor has a very good relationship with Uchiha Keizumi. I cannot destroy that relationship because of you, nor can I make things difficult for her. So I'm sorry—Shikkotsu Forest cannot shelter you."
The White Snake Sage thought there must be something wrong with its hearing.
For the sake of a single summoning contractor, the Slug Sage was driving it away?
Could a mere summoner possibly be more precious than the favor owed to the White Snake Sage itself?
The White Snake Sage could not comprehend it!
Just as it was about to speak again, it noticed that the slugs surrounding it were multiplying rapidly, and the body of the Slug Sage before it was also growing larger and larger. Where once they had been able to look at each other on equal height, now it could only gaze upward.
This could only mean one thing—
The Slug Sage was ready to fight.
If it shamelessly insisted on staying in Shikkotsu Forest, the Slug Sage would absolutely strike without hesitation.
Damn it…
A Sage of one of the Three Great Sage Regions—those so-called summoning contracts could be torn apart at will. Such contracts meant nothing to a Sage.
But for a mere human, was it really worth this much?
"…I understand."
Though its mood was foul, the White Snake Sage still maintained the composure befitting a Sage of a Sage Region.
It took a deep breath, gave the Slug Sage a long, steady look—and then turned away without hesitation.
After the White Snake Sage's departure, the Slug Sage separated a small portion of its body.
With a soft puff, the little slug transformed into white smoke and disappeared.
...
"—What? That brat Keizumi chased Orochimaru all the way to Ryūchi Cave, one of the Sage Regions? And he left the place in ruins, scaring even the White Snake Sage so badly that she abandoned the cave and fled?"
If that information hadn't come directly from one of the Slug Sage's split bodies, Tsunade would have thought someone was trying to make a fool of her.
For a moment, even Tsunade was stunned by the intelligence the Slug Sage had shared.
She had long been aware of Uchiha Keizumi's tendency to "cause trouble," but wasn't this time a bit too much?
The voice of the small slug perched on Tsunade's shoulder echoed in her mind: "That Uchiha Keizumi cleansed Ryūchi Cave in order to carry out his Absolute Justice. Many of the snakes living there were cruel and violent by nature—especially the older ones, who had committed numerous acts that human morality could never tolerate. And their victims were all humans."
Upon hearing this, much of the shock in Tsunade's heart suddenly dissipated.
"Then they deserved it," Tsunade said.
Just then, a complex look flashed across her face as she continued, "Slug Sage, if even the White Snake Sage was driven away by that brat Keizumi, does that mean Orochimaru—who fled into Ryūchi Cave—has already been…"
"Mm." The Slug Sage's calm voice echoed softly.
"Hah…"
Tsunade slowly exhaled. Though she had long anticipated Orochimaru's fate, he had once been one of her few true friends, after all.
"For him, this kind of ending might not be the worst. At least he didn't sink any deeper into that abyss of sin. Though honestly, considering the evils he's already done, he was already at the very bottom of it."
"But still," Tsunade muttered, "if he chased Orochimaru all the way into Ryūchi Cave—does he even know how to get back out?"
The Slug Sage said, "I have already sent one of my split bodies to guide him."
Tsunade blinked in surprise.
Why did it feel like the Slug Sage was showing even more concern for Uchiha Keizumi than she was?
Had the two of them even met before?
They shouldn't know each other… right?
…
"Proceed another ten kilometers forward. After crossing a gorge a thousand meters deep, shrouded in thick mist and poisonous miasma, you will be able to leave Ryūchi Cave."
A tiny slug, no larger than a human finger, lay on Uchiha Keizumi's left shoulder. The voice it spoke with carried a distinctly feminine tone.
"Thank you."
Uchiha Keizumi was never stingy with words of gratitude toward those—human or otherwise—who helped him.
He then calmly voiced his doubt: "You suddenly appeared before me, saying outright that you could guide me out of Ryūchi Cave. Surely the Slug Sage didn't send you just for that?"
The Slug Sage answered frankly, "Indeed not."
She didn't bother circling around the issue, but instead stated her purpose openly: "After Tsunade, you are the second exceptionally gifted summoning contractor I've met. Because, like Tsunade, you possess a heart that is genuine and pure. That is what sets both of you apart from the other shinobi of this world."
Uchiha Keizumi said, "Most people describe me as extreme. You're the only one who's ever said my heart is genuine and pure."
The Slug Sage said, "To steadfastly adhere to one's own ninja way—many in the shinobi world can do that. The problem is, not every ninja way is good. Yet I can see that while your pursuit of Absolute Justice may seem somewhat extreme for now, in the larger sense, it will ultimately benefit the entire shinobi world."
"Shikkotsu Forest rarely involves itself in the various conflicts of the shinobi world. Even when it does, it's only drawn in passively. I will not judge you for wanting to bring change to this world—that is your own choice, and I have no right to interfere."
"In short, I wish to invite you to become a summoning contractor of Shikkotsu Forest. That way, after Tsunade, Shikkotsu Forest will have another qualified contractor—one whom I can genuinely admire."
"And I believe that you will not only use the power of Shikkotsu Forest to fight, but also to bring blessings to the entire shinobi world."
"That, truly, is the reason I deem you the best candidate."
The Slug Sage was indeed forthright—she laid out everything, both what could and could not be said, all at once, so that no misunderstanding would arise.
Her meaning was simple: Shikkotsu Forest needed a person like him. Yet it would never interfere with his beliefs or choices, nor demand any price in return.
It was, rather, an equal alliance between two strong forces.
No wonder she alone had built Shikkotsu Forest into one of the Three Great Sage Regions, standing alongside Ryūchi Cave and Mount Myōboku.
That calm, gentle, and worldly-unconcerned nature of hers was something neither the Great Toad Sage nor the White Snake Sage possessed.
Uchiha Keizumi said, "Instead of having Shikkotsu Forest cooperate with me alone, why not include all those who believe in Absolute Justice?"
The Slug Sage paused. She understood that this meant Uchiha Keizumi had accepted her offer—but with a condition.
However, it was a condition she could accept.
She said, "Then I have one of my own. All who claim to believe in Absolute Justice must first pass your test. Those who pass will also be the ones I acknowledge as worthy."
Uchiha Keizumi replied calmly, "Agreed."
...
Konoha, within the Uchiha residence.
After school, Uchiha Sasuke noticed that the atmosphere within the Uchiha clan had become exceedingly strange, leaving him utterly puzzled.
When he returned home, he found that both his mother and father wore visibly tense expressions. Between their brows lingered faint traces of anger that had yet to dissipate.
Sasuke immediately realized that his father and mother must have argued again—
and perhaps, as always, the quarrel had been about Keizumi-sensei.
After all… that was the only source of conflict between them.
Father did not agree with Absolute Justice.
Mother did.
That was their greatest divide.
Sasuke spoke up, breaking the heavy silence that filled the air.
"Father, doesn't the Police Force finish work in about an hour? Why did you come home early today?"
No sooner had he said this than Sasuke saw a subtle crack appear in his father's composure.
Then it hit him—
He had just said something wrong.
"…I am no longer the Captain of Konoha's Police Force. I am not even the head of the Uchiha clan anymore. From now on, I don't have to wait an hour to return home—I can stay here whenever I wish."
After giving his younger son a long, deep look, Uchiha Fugaku turned and walked toward the inner courtyard without another word.
Sasuke was left dumbfounded.
"Your father's in a bad mood. There's no need to mind what he said," Uchiha Mikoto said gently, offering him a soft smile to comfort him.
"Mother… did something happen in the Uchiha clan?" Sasuke asked, feeling as though his mind couldn't keep up.
Uchiha Mikoto sighed softly, then patiently explained everything to him.
After listening, Sasuke found himself unable to describe what he felt.
As the younger son of Uchiha Fugaku, learning that his father had been forced out of both his positions should have filled him with anger.
But…
What if the one who had forced his father to step down was the very embodiment of the Absolute Justice he believed in?
Sasuke realized—he actually felt like laughing!
He quickly stiffened his little face, forcing his expression back under control.