Uchiha's Taijutsu Supreme

In the Shikkotsu Forest~

Unlike the mountainous terrain of Mount Myōboku, this sacred land consisted of a vast, sprawling plain. The ground was carpeted with lush green grass, interspersed with a few azure lakes.

However, upon closer inspection, this idyllic scene revealed an unsettling detail. The grass was teeming with countless small slugs, their numbers so overwhelming that even the Aburame clan's insect swarms paled in comparison.

At the center of the plain stood a massive temple—this was the abode of the Great Slug Sage and Tsunade's place of training.

Inside the temple, Tsunade sat cross-legged on a cushion, while the Great Slug Sage lazily conversed with itself, evidently bored.

Unlike the toads of Mount Myōboku or the snakes of Ryūchi Cave, the Great Slug Sage had no offspring.

All the slugs here were fragments of its own body, created over thousands of years. When bored, it would split itself apart just for the sound it made, using it as a way to pass the time.

"Ah…"

With a long, weary sigh, Tsunade snapped out of her meditative state, her face full of frustration as she glared at the unbothered Great Slug Sage.

"Why doesn't the Shikkotsu Forest have any tools to assist with Sage Mode training, Great Sage?"

"I heard from Jiraiya that Mount Myōboku has this special oil that helps sense natural energy. Are you hiding something? Give it to me already!"

The antennae on the Great Slug Sage's head twitched nervously as it hurriedly replied:

"No, no, little Tsunade! I wouldn't hide anything from you. I've already passed down the full Sage Mode inheritance of the Shikkotsu Forest to you!"

"In our forest, everything depends on fate. If you can learn Sage Mode, you'll naturally succeed. If not, why force it? Don't stress yourself out."

Tsunade pressed her hand to her forehead, exasperated by the Sage's laid-back attitude. She couldn't help but lament internally:

'The Shikkotsu Forest is great in so many ways—better than those ugly toads of Jiraiya's or the temperamental snakes of Orochimaru's.'

'But this Great Sage's carefree attitude is too much. Even the Sage Mode inheritance is so casual! How can anyone learn this way?'

The Shikkotsu Forest did have a so-called inheritance—a small notebook on Sage Mode training. But it contained only a few lines, written in what appeared to be her grandfather Senju Hashirama's handwriting:

"Just absorb natural energy, mix it with chakra, and don't use too much chakra at once. Then, release ninjutsu as usual. Good luck, aspiring sages! ε(..)з"

These brief instructions seemed to mock her, as if she could hear her grandfather's hearty laughter through the words.

A few months ago, Fuma had told her a classic joke: "How many steps does it take to put an elephant in a refrigerator?" At the time, she had laughed heartily, but now, having faced a similar oversimplification, she found the humor bitter.

"Great Slug Sage, how did my grandfather train in Sage Mode? Did he also rely on the Shikkotsu Forest's inheritance?" Tsunade sighed, a hint of desperation in her voice.

'If Grandpa was so unreliable, maybe the Sage's memories could offer some training details. That might help…'

Her hope was short-lived. What she was about to hear would redefine the meaning of genius.

"Oh…"

"You mean Hashirama-sama? He didn't train in the Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Mode. He mastered it on his own."

"I initially intended to form a contract with him, but as soon as he arrived, he naturally began absorbing natural energy and entered Sage Mode instantly. After writing the note you saw, he left laughing."

"Although we didn't sign a contract, he courteously took the summoning scroll with him. That's how our fates intertwined, little Tsunade!"

The Great Slug Sage's eyes shimmered with nostalgia as it recounted that unforgettable moment.

Hashirama's ability to absorb natural energy was so extraordinary that it rivaled the strength of a world-ending beast. It was as if he were the human embodiment of the Divine Tree itself.

The natural energy he drew from the Shikkotsu Forest nearly dried it out, yet his cells remained unaffected, bending the energy to his will.

Tsunade slumped to the ground, abandoning all pretense of ladylike demeanor as she complained, "What an irresponsible elder! Couldn't he leave a more detailed explanation?"

"I don't care, Great Sage! I have to master Sage Mode, or it'll ruin my future marriage!"

Agitated, Tsunade ruffled her silky hair. Her goal here was clear—to catch up with Fuma.

If she couldn't master Sage Mode, she feared she would once again find herself hiding behind him in battle, reduced to a helpless woman. This was unacceptable to her proud heart.

"Eh?!"

"Little Tsunade is in love? Tell me more about this male! I've never experienced such things before!"

The Great Slug Sage's curiosity was piqued. Being a hermaphroditic creature that could reproduce with itself, it was completely ignorant of the dynamics between two sexes.

Tsunade blushed furiously at the Sage's question, her words stumbling. Her memories of Fuma were filled with sweetness—from their childhood together, to the thoughtful gifts he gave her, to the surprises he planned on the night of his confession.

But as a woman who had tasted forbidden fruit, her thoughts inevitably wandered to Fuma's broad chest, powerful arms, and the overwhelming satisfaction he brought her.

Hidden beneath her desire to master Sage Mode was a secret she couldn't share—a deeply personal reason tied to their most intimate moments.

Clearing her throat, Tsunade redirected the conversation. "Great Sage, let's focus on Sage Mode instead. I heard from Granny Mito that perfect Sage Mode greatly enhances physical strength and resilience. Is that true?"

The Great Slug Sage's antennae twitched thoughtfully before it clapped its tiny hands in realization.

"I see! Little Tsunade, your situation is just like the Sarutobi clan's monkeys—strong males need equally strong partners. Is that why you want to grow stronger?"

Tsunade froze, steam practically rising from her head. The Sage's words, while embarrassing, hit uncomfortably close to the truth.

Since Fuma's strength had grown, Tsunade often found herself unable to keep up with him—whether in training or… other matters.

This growing disparity left her both awed by his abilities and frustrated by her own limitations.

But she would never admit this, not to anyone. It wasn't just a matter of pride but also the dignity of a strong woman.

Yet today, the Great Slug Sage had inadvertently touched on her deepest insecurities. And to her surprise, Tsunade found herself wanting to open up.

She began recounting her story, from her relationship with Fuma to his astonishing growth as a shinobi.

By the time she finished, the Sage was deeply intrigued.

"Little Tsunade, I've noticed something interesting. Fuma's cells seem to mirror Hashirama-sama's in their ability to absorb natural energy. If his power could be transplanted into you, wouldn't that solve your problem? Since you trust him, wouldn't that make it acceptable?"

Tsunade's face darkened at the suggestion. Using her lover's cells to enhance her strength felt bizarre, even scandalous.

But as she thought about it more, a strange sense of possibility—and even romance—crept in.

"If this plan works," she mused, a sly smile gracing her lips, "then Fuma's strength will be mine too. It's almost like we'd be training together…"

Her eyes sparkled with determination. For the sake of her future, she would find a way to make this work.

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