In the Shikkotsu Forest, Tsunade stood before the gigantic Slug Sage, waving with a smile.
"Slug, long time no see." (Actually, it should be called Katsuyu, but due to habit, it will be referred to as Slug from now on.)
"Long time no see, Lady Tsunade," came the voice of Slug, sounding like a little girl.
After exchanging brief pleasantries, Tsunade looked up at the mountain-like Slug Sage and politely asked,
"Slug, may I bring someone here? A friend!"
Upon hearing this, Slug nodded.
"Is it Lady Tsunade's boyfriend? Do you need the summoning contract scroll?"
Boyfriend...
Tsunade's face instantly turned red, and she shook her head rapidly, stammering.
"N-No, he's... he hasn't confessed to me yet!"
Saying this, she covered her beautiful face with her hands.
After a moment, Tsunade regained her composure, her delicate face still tinged with a blush.
"I'm starting now."
With that, she skillfully formed seals.
Boar, Dog, Bird, Monkey, Ram.
"Summoning Technique!"
As soon as she spoke, a puff of white smoke erupted, and Rinjin emerged from it, looking in awe at the colossal Slug.
Oh my god!
This thing is huge!
Meanwhile, Slug was also experiencing a wave of shock.
It wasn't that she was surprised Tsunade's summoning brought a person, but rather that this person was quite peculiar!
Every cell in his body was constantly absorbing natural energy.
Looking at the astonished Rinjin, Slug blurted out a thought.
"You... you seem like you shouldn't be running around with legs!"
"..."
What does that mean?
Are you suggesting I should be buried in the ground too?
Sensing Rinjin's puzzled expression, Slug quickly apologized,
"Sorry, I said that subconsciously, don't... don't mind it."
Seeing the massive head lowering towards him, Rinjin instinctively took a step back, waving his hands.
"No, no, I don't mind. It's not the first time I've heard something like that!"
Hearing this, Slug became curious.
"Has anyone else said that?"
"Yes, both Matatabi and Kurama have said similar things. They were even more extreme, suggesting I should be buried in the ground."
Upon hearing this, Slug was taken aback.
Although she didn't know exactly what Rinjin was, her powerful senses instinctively felt that this statement was quite accurate.
Rinjin gave her the impression that he should stay in one place, not wander around.
Beside them, Tsunade watched with interest, secretly pondering the meaning of being buried.
...
Wait, when did this guy talk to Kurama?!
Realizing this, Tsunade's eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at Rinjin.
Kurama was securely sealed within Granny Mito; could it be!!!
Thinking of this, Tsunade's face turned dark, and she grabbed Rinjin's ear, regardless of their surroundings.
"When did you talk to Kurama?!"
Damn!
This woman is sneaky again!
Can you give my ear a break?
Rolling his eyes, Rinjin briefly explained his past as a Jinchūriki.
Upon hearing this, Tsunade reluctantly let go, gently rubbing his ear.
"Sorry, I just get nervous thinking about Granny's age."
"..."
Rinjin was speechless, instinctively taking a couple of steps back to distance himself from this unruly woman.
Slug, watching the two, couldn't help but smile, "You two have such a good relationship~"
"Hehe~" Rinjin chuckled, steering the conversation back on track.
"Slug Sage, the reason I'm here is to seek your guidance on Sage Mode."
Upon hearing this, Slug shook her head and candidly replied,
"You don't need to learn Sage Mode. Your cells are constantly absorbing natural energy every second!
Sage Mode merely increases the proportion of natural energy in senjutsu chakra."
Hearing this, Rinjin was slightly taken aback, a hint of confusion arising in his heart.
Cells absorbing natural energy?!
Then why don't I feel anything?
Could this be the secret to immortality?
Thinking of this, Rinjin looked up at Slug Sage and earnestly asked,
"Slug Sage, can you sense the speed at which my cells absorb natural energy?"
"Yes, I can~"
Hearing this, Rinjin nodded.
"Then please check if the speed of natural energy absorption by my body's cells has increased."
With that, Rinjin internally commanded,
Lightning Release Chakra Mode, activate!
In an instant, a strong gust of wind swept away, and his body was covered in crackling blue lightning.
Immediately, Rinjin raised his right hand, extending his index finger.
"Hell Stab: One-Fingered Assault!"
With a low shout, under the slightly tense gazes of Slug and Tsunade, Rinjin's right index finger pierced the skin of his left palm...
...
Seeing this, Rinjin quickly deactivated the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, raising his scratched left hand in exasperation.
Damn, if I keep practicing, even the One-Fingered Assault won't pierce the skin!
Then, to draw blood, I'd have to resort to cutting hemorrhoids...
Imagining a future battle.
The three Sannin simultaneously bite their fingers, shouting: Summoning Technique.
Katsuyu, Gamabunta, and Manda appear in a grand entrance.
Then, I bite my thumb hard, only to break my tooth, smearing a bit of blood from my gums with my finger, Rinjin thought he might as well bash his head in.
How embarrassing!
As Rinjin's face grew darker, Slug spoke.
"The speed at which the wound absorbs natural energy hasn't increased~"
Hearing this, Rinjin looked at the already healed wound on his palm, dumbfounded.
It seems that the healing of immortality has nothing to do with absorbing natural energy!
Thinking of this, Rinjin looked up at Slug and said,
"Slug Sage, I still want to learn Sage Mode."
Upon hearing this, Slug pondered for a moment and nodded.
"Sage Mode is essentially the combination of natural energy and one's own chakra in a certain ratio to create 'senjutsu chakra,'
a state that allows the use of natural energy."
"What is the ratio?" Rinjin asked curiously.
"I don't know, it's different for everyone."
Hearing this, Rinjin nodded and looked at Tsunade.
"Little Tsunade, why don't you learn Sage Mode?"
Hearing this, Tsunade haughtily raised her chin.
"No need."
In truth, she wanted to say she was somewhat afraid of the side effects of failing the training.
According to Slug Sage, those who failed the training had turned into large trees in the Shikkotsu Forest.
She didn't want to become a tree, spending her life in this dark, damp place.
Watching Rinjin eager to try, Tsunade couldn't help but advise, "Rinjin, why don't you reconsider?"
"No need." Rinjin waved his hand, giving Tsunade a reassuring look.
He knew his own body well.
Immortality—can it still be called immortality if you don't court death?
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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