"It's best not to underestimate the ninjas in the village. You should be well aware of their medical capabilities."
After all, the training of the new generation of medical ninjas in Konoha also has a part of Hakushi's efforts in it.
The current medical system of Konoha can absolutely be described as unrivaled and overwhelmingly powerful in the Ninja Realm.
Rather than worrying about the situation over in Konoha, Tsunade also felt that Hakushi over here needed to be monitored.
Originally planning to say goodbye to Katsuyu and leave Shikkotsu Forest, Tsunade found Hakushi also there and felt a bit suspicious of Hakushi's intentions.
She was very curious about Hakushi's purpose in contracting with Katsuyu.
After all, Katsuyu possesses many treasures and legacies that are not found in the Ninja Realm.
"Your contract with Katsuyu... you're not here for Immortal Techniques, are you?"
Tsunade suddenly thought of something, her face changing slightly, looking gravely at Hakushi.
Since ancient times, most ninjas seeking contracts with the Three Great Sacred Lands are after the Immortal Techniques of those lands.
Tsunade was very worried that Hakushi was also here to learn Immortal Techniques.
"Such things don't matter. Katsuyu, may I have a tour of Shikkotsu Forest?"
Hakushi did not respond directly but instead raised his head and spoke to Katsuyu.
"Alright, please follow my avatar for the tour."
Katsuyu readily agreed and split off a slug the size of Hakushi from its huge body to lead him.
"Then, I won't disturb you any longer, Tsunade-sensei."
Hakushi followed Katsuyu's avatar out to explore Shikkotsu Forest. He held great curiosity for this sacred land that had existed for thousands of years.
After Hakushi departed, Tsunade quickly and urgently asked Katsuyu, "Katsuyu, did he contract with you for the sake of Immortal Techniques?"
"Not at all, Lady Tsunade. Lord Hakushi could not have come for Immortal Techniques."
"Why do you say that?"
"I can feel it. Lord Hakushi already has Sage Art Chakra within him. He has long since mastered Immortal Techniques, and his Sage Art Chakra is remarkably stable. He has no need to learn my Immortal Techniques. Besides, my techniques are not particularly suited for ninjas to practice, as you already know, Lady Tsunade."
From the very start, Katsuyu sensed that Hakushi already possessed Chakra and Natural Energy within his body, and they were well integrated. Clearly, Hakushi's Sage Mode had stabilized and did not need to learn Shikkotsu Forest's Immortal Techniques.
To learn the techniques of Shikkotsu Forest would not only waste time but also introduce many unpredictable and unknown risks during training.
Such as swelling all over and turning into a slug.
Even though the contract was just signed, Hakushi gave a different feeling than typical humans: cautious, self-aware, and understanding of what he needed and did not need.
He clearly analyzed what was useful to him and what was not.
"Already learned Immortal Techniques? How is that possible? Where did he study? Mount Myoboku or Ryuchi Cave?"
Tsunade asked in surprise.
"Lord Hakushi's Sage Mode isn't derived from Mount Myoboku or Ryuchi Cave. Humans who learn the Immortal Techniques of a Summoning Beast will bear some of that beast's characteristics. The Hakushi you saw earlier was already in Sage Mode. It should be an Immortal Technique mode that is compatible with humans."
Though it was the first time seeing it, Katsuyu believed her speculation was not wrong.
Moreover, Katsuyu had listened to Hakushi and Tsunade's earlier conversation.
Tsunade's student, a renegade ninja, who killed past comrades... It wasn't hard to guess that Hakushi was the Konoha renegade ninja Tsunade had mentioned, the one who had killed the Child of Prophecy.
"I truly look forward to Lord Hakushi's future. No matter the time, humans are always filled with wonderful possibilities..."
For some reason, Tsunade felt that Katsuyu's tone had become cheerier.
It was like seeing something interesting.
This cheerful mood was the first time Tsunade had seen expressed by Katsuyu.
"But is it really okay? Didn't the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku ask you to look after the Child of Prophecy?"
Tsunade queried with some confusion.
"Lady Tsunade, the relationship between the Three Great Sacred Lands isn't as close and friendly as you might think, and I detest all meaningless disputes and battles... The Child of Prophecy is just one among the many in the Ninja Realm. The development of an era cannot be reversed by a single person. Humans constantly repeat the same errors and arrogance, which I've witnessed countless times firsthand in my thousand-year existence. In essence, we are all just beings labeled as 'creatures,' inherently indifferent."
Thus, although the Child of Prophecy might be a special existence in the eyes of Mount Myoboku, in Katsuyu's view, he was merely an ordinary person among the many.
The power of one person, no matter how monumental, cannot change the world.
This wasn't idle rambling but rather the history of humanity witnessed firsthand by Katsuyu over her thousand-year life.
◎
Shikkotsu Forest, atop a mountain.
A clear hot spring from which Hakushi sensed a dense surge of life energy.
"Lord Hakushi, this is the Life Spring Water I constructed in the past. Soaking in it is very effective for sensing Natural Energy and healing injuries. It can also dispel many kinds of poison."
Before Hakushi could inquire, the nearby Katsuyu avatar took the initiative to explain the functions of the spring before him.
Hakushi gazed at the massive pool, its boundaries unseen. This was the largest hot spring Hakushi had ever encountered.
Even the Land of Hot Water, famous for its hot springs, couldn't compare to the Life Spring Water here.