Konoha New Era : Third Hokage Ascends

(Edited)

This was a forest, but not like any Masaki had ever seen before. The trees had no leaves, only bare branches that glowed with a pale light, giving the eerie impression of bones. The sight alone was unsettling, evoking a sense of foreboding.

The air carried a damp scent, though its source was unclear. As Masaki inhaled, he felt an unusual freshness, a calm that settled both his body and mind. At the same time, he noticed the natural energy in the area was incredibly active. Without even trying, the natural force seemed to merge with his body effortlessly.

Fortunately, Masaki remained alert, quickly gaining control over the natural energy entering him, preventing an overwhelming surge of power. This strange occurrence confirmed his suspicion—this was indeed Shikkotsu Forest, the legendary land of Slug Sage.

"Huh, it's been so long since I've been here. It's still the same," said Hashirama with a nostalgic tone. Masaki turned to see Hashirama touching one of the trees.

"Hashirama-sama, what is this place?" Masaki asked.

"This is Shikkotsu Forest," Hashirama replied with a smile. "It's different from what you might have imagined, isn't it? The slug sage, Katsuyu, isn't like us, so naturally, the environment here isn't suited for ordinary human life. But don't worry, just stay close to me, and you'll be fine."

Masaki nodded, following Hashirama along a narrow path. The rest of the forest was filled with the strange trees and various pools of water, some large, some small. Hashirama explained that the pools contained different substances—some were filled with healing waters, rich in natural energy, while others contained dangerous acid, a product of Katsuyu's body. Stepping into the wrong one could be fatal.

As they walked, Masaki observed his surroundings with growing interest. He could clearly sense the presence of natural energy all around him. In his perception, everything was glowing, radiating the strongest natural power he had ever seen. Even in Konoha, he had never encountered anything like it.

Given that this place was a source of Senjutsu, it made sense that so much natural energy would gather here. Masaki thought of the phrase "a blessed land," and in his mind, these locations where Senjutsu was passed down were like such places—areas where nature and energy harmonized perfectly. It was no wonder sages chose to live in places like this, far from the rest of the ninja world.

Finally, they reached their destination. Masaki stood behind Hashirama and looked ahead. Before them was a massive pool of water, crystal clear, with a refreshing scent that permeated the air. To Masaki's senses, this pool was blindingly bright, containing the highest concentration of natural energy he had encountered so far.

"You're here at last, Hashirama-sama," came a soft voice. A small slug emerged slowly from the shadows, clearly expecting their arrival. The slug looked up at Masaki. "Is this the one?"

Hashirama nodded with a smile. "Yes, Masaki, this is the spring I mentioned. The water here is special—it not only attracts natural energy, assisting in Senjutsu training, but it also promotes physical growth and strengthens the body."

Masaki compared it to the toad oil of Mount Myōboku, though the added benefit of enhancing physical fitness made this spring unique. "So, by drinking this water, I'll be able to gradually improve my physical condition?"

"Exactly. The effects of this spring are remarkable. If it didn't attract natural energy so intensely, I would've brought more people here. Unfortunately, not everyone is suited to control natural energy, so it would be too dangerous for most people to drink directly. We usually take the spring water out of the forest, but its potency weakens outside. After special treatment, it becomes one of the secret medicines of the Senju Clan."

Hashirama patted Masaki on the shoulder and continued with a grin. "But you've already learned how to control natural energy, so you'll be fine drinking it directly. Just don't overdo it—about one bowl a day is enough. If you drink too much, the energy will flood your body faster than you can control it, and that would be... well, dangerous."

"Hashirama-sama, does Masaki-sama also know how to control natural energy?" The little slug asked in surprise. It hadn't expected the young man before it to possess such a rare skill.

"Yeah, he's like me in that way," Hashirama said with a chuckle. "He began attracting natural energy without even realizing it. I've been teaching him how to control it for a while now. He's made great progress, but his body still needs some improvement. That's where the spring water comes in."

The little slug was astonished. Mastering Senjutsu was an incredibly difficult feat. Throughout the centuries, only a few people had managed to do it, even in the sacred lands of Senjutsu. Hashirama, one of the three people the slug could recall who naturally adapted to it, was a rarity. And now, this young man, without any ancestral lineage from the Sage of Six Paths, had done the same.

"Unbelievable," the slug thought. "This young man may surpass even Hashirama-sama in Senjutsu mastery."

Pushing aside its awe, the slug presented a stone bowl to Masaki. "Masaki-sama, you may drink the spring water from this. As Hashirama-sama mentioned, one bowl a day will suffice. This will help improve your physique and increase your adaptability to natural energy."

"Thank you," Masaki said. He took the bowl, approached the pool, and filled it with the spring water. He hesitated briefly before drinking it all in one gulp.

The spring water was sweet and refreshingly cold, a sensation of coolness spreading through his body. Immediately, Masaki felt the natural energy around him being drawn into his body at a rapid pace.

Maintaining his composure, Masaki concentrated, carefully controlling the natural energy as it merged with his chakra, forming Senjutsu chakra. The familiar markings of Sage Mode slowly appeared on his body, spreading faster than usual. However, Masaki's experience allowed him to manage the transformation without any issues.

The little slug watched in awe. Masaki had not only mastered Sage Mode but had developed his own unique form of it, different from the traditional techniques of the three sacred lands. Even Hashirama's Sage Mode seemed distinct from this one. Although Hashirama had spoken of Masaki's ability, witnessing it firsthand was something else entirely.

Seeing Masaki's calm expression, Hashirama smiled. While he had been confident Masaki would handle the effects of the spring water well, there had been a slight worry in the back of his mind. But now, it was clear that Masaki was more than capable.

As the immediate effects of the spring water settled, Masaki noticed subtle changes in his body. While he hadn't yet felt a dramatic increase in his physical strength, he sensed that his body was undergoing a slow, positive transformation. This would be just the beginning.

Masaki's heart swelled with excitement. With continued use, his physique would gradually improve, and as his chakra reserves increased, so too would his mastery of Senjutsu. Perhaps this spring water could help him unlock a new stage of his abilities.