When Tsunade mentioned Shikkotsu Forest, Orochimaru also fell silent. He was unsure whether Shikkotsu Forest could cure Tatsuma, but in terms of possibility, Shikkotsu Forest undoubtedly offers a higher chance compared to other places.
After all, each Slug Clone from Shikkotsu Forest can, in a sense, be compared to a medical Ninja, and in some cases, may even be more valuable than a medical Ninja. Some of the Medical Ninjutsu developed by Tsunade also contain many elements of Shikkotsu Forest, so Tsunade's current medical achievements are closely tied to the support from Shikkotsu Forest.
Seeing that Orochimaru did not object, Tsunade began to take action, removing the syringe from Tatsuma's hand and various patches used for testing.
"Do I need to make any second preparations?"
It wasn't until everything connected to Tatsuma was removed that Orochimaru asked hoarsely. Tsunade paused for a moment upon hearing this, then chose to nod and said, "Yes."
If even Shikkotsu Forest couldn't solve Tatsuma's current problem, Tsunade could not just watch Tatsuma's remaining energy slowly deplete.
Seeing Tsunade's agreement, Orochimaru nodded and asked, "How long will you be gone?"
"I don't know. As for the rest, you can talk to the old man about it. I'm leaving now."
With that, Tsunade formed a summoning seal and summoned a slug, then had the slug use Reverse Summoning Jutsu to bring her and the unconscious Tatsuma to Shikkotsu Forest.
After Tsunade left, Orochimaru initially planned to go directly to Sarutobi Hiruzen, but considering that Dan Kato was also his patient, he decided to visit Dan Kato's ward briefly.
Although Tsunade had been summoned to Shikkotsu Forest before, she was still struck by the scene around her.
The mottled, shifting light on the ground was the source of illumination in Shikkotsu Forest, while the surrounding land was extremely moist, with some surfaces even covered in a thin layer of white substance. Large coral reefs shaped like bones were piled into mountains, and amidst the colorful lights, there was an eerie feeling. Many slugs resided on the coral reefs, as if drawing nutrients from them.
Looking up, the light spots seemed to ripple like water patterns. From a distance, Shikkotsu Forest resembled a world encased in a bubble.
Outside the bubble was the ocean.
That seemingly fragile bubble was an important barrier that had protected Shikkotsu Forest for thousands of years. The bubble was not as solid as Stable Rock; every year, countless foreign objects entered.
These could be the bodies of people who had fallen into the sea, fish that had wandered in, or stones, seaweed, and coral reefs carried by ocean currents.
All these things could pass through the bubble's barrier and enter Shikkotsu Forest, ensuring that there were sufficient resources within the forest.
Tsunade's visits to Shikkotsu Forest were actually rare because she disliked its seemingly overly beautiful yet oppressively stifling environment. Only the multiple slugs seemed able to live here long-term and maintain a good mindset.
However, this time, Tsunade had no choice but to come for Tatsuma. Carrying Tatsuma on her back, she walked deeper into Shikkotsu Forest. Sometimes, when she lost focus and looked back, the branches of the coral reefs resembled skeletal remains, causing Tsunade to shiver occasionally.
Tsunade forced herself to concentrate and cope with the disorienting effects of Shikkotsu Forest's bizarre scenery.
"Tsunade."
Suddenly, a gentle voice called out to Tsunade. Following the sound, she found its source and forced a smile as she greeted, "Katsuyu."
Katsuyu moved its seemingly clumsy and obese body toward Tsunade. The light was poor, and it was only upon getting closer that Katsuyu noticed Tatsuma on Tsunade's back.
With a gentle and worried tone, Katsuyu asked, "What happened to Tatsuma? Is the injury very serious?"
Upon hearing this, Tsunade's face showed distress as she said, "Chakra exhaustion, life-threatening. I can't save him; I came to find the Slug Sage."
Although the slugs in Shikkotsu Forest are all split bodies of the Slug Sage, their intelligence varies with their size. Some smaller slugs can only understand orders from larger slugs or the summoner, lacking sufficient subjective awareness.
In contrast, a giant slug like this one not only possesses intelligence comparable to humans but also has independent thought, consciousness, and reasoning. It cannot be considered merely a split body.
Moreover, Tsunade had known Katsuyu for many years and distinguished it from other slugs, regarding it as a friend and partner.
Hearing this, Katsuyu also became somewhat anxious, lowering its body and saying, "Get on quickly; I'll take you to the Slug Sage."
Tsunade did not hesitate and immediately jumped onto Katsuyu's back. She was well aware of Katsuyu's capabilities and knew that despite its seemingly clumsy appearance, it could achieve impressive speeds.
Moreover, within Shikkotsu Forest, Katsuyu is more familiar with the terrain, the slippery ground, and the crawling speed on coral reefs than Tsunade.
During the journey, Katsuyu even transformed part of its body into smaller slugs to reduce its weight and size, allowing it to navigate complex terrain more effectively.
After a long journey, Katsuyu's speed finally decreased. Ahead was a plain made of coral reefs, with two pillars reaching up to a thousand meters high at the center of the plain.
They resembled towering white jade columns or sea-supporting purple-gold beams.
But Tsunade knew that these were just two of the Slug Sage's main tentacles.
Tsunade had never seen the full form of the Slug Sage, but she had calculated that with her Chakra, even in the best condition and including the Chakra released from the Yin Seal, she could summon less than one-tenth of the Slug Sage.
No one in the ninja world has enough Chakra to summon the full body of the Slug Sage. Tsunade speculated that even her grandfather's Chakra would not be sufficient.
After Katsuyu moved a short distance at a very slow pace, it came to a complete stop. Tsunade jumped off Katsuyu's back, carrying Tatsuma, and shouted towards the two towering pillars:
"Slug Sage! It's Tsunade!"
Fearing that the Slug Sage might not hear her, Tsunade used almost her maximum volume.
A few seconds after her voice spread, the two pillars began to tremble and then leaned towards Tsunade. The coral reef plain shook violently, like an earthquake.
Seeing the two pillars, which seemed on the verge of toppling, Tsunade felt an immense sense of pressure. Fortunately, the pillars did not actually fall but stopped several dozen meters above Katsuyu's head.
Perhaps they were afraid that falling would crush their split bodies.
At this moment, the roots of the two pillars in the center of the coral reef plain began to rise, slowly forming a majestic mountain. Countless coral reefs cascaded down like a waterfall.
The surrounding light also grew dimmer as the mountain rose.
The mountain ceased its ascent, and a voice similar to Katsuyu's, but rougher and more aged, spoke gently.
"Tsuna, long time no see."
Hearing the Slug Sage's response, Tsunade sighed with relief and placed Tatsuma down on the now-stable coral reef plain. She then said, "Slug Sage, this is my disciple, Sakamoto Tatsuma, and also the heir of Shikkotsu Forest. Please examine his injuries."
"You have a disciple now?"
The Slug Sage's voice carried a hint of surprise, followed by a touch of nostalgia. "It turns out you've become quite an impressive Ninja."
As the Slug Sage spoke, the tips of her two tentacles began to move closer together until they touched. A tangible Chakra then slowly descended, enveloping Tatsuma's body like a thick, sticky oil.
"The situation is really bad."
Even though it was a murmured whisper, it became incredibly clear due to her massive form. Hearing the Slug Sage's words, Tsunade's face grew tense.
"Is there a way to help?"
Tsunade asked. The Slug Sage did not answer immediately. The Chakra enveloping Tatsuma continued to flow, seemingly trying something.
After a while, the Slug Sage said, "Medicine, food, and Chakra are all ineffective for him now."
Upon hearing this, Tsunade nodded. The Slug Sage's assessment was the same as Orochimaru's, but her expression grew more serious as she feared even the Slug Sage might be powerless.
After a further period of silence, the Slug Sage said, "Whether it's medicine, food, or Chakra, the concentration of energy is insufficient to awaken his body's vitality. There is only one way."
Tsunade involuntarily took a deep breath, looked up at the mountain-like head of the Slug Sage, and blurted out, "What is the way?"
"Use the water from Shikkotsu Forest."
Hearing the Slug Sage's words, Tsunade was momentarily stunned.
Katsuyu then added, "Water rich in natural energy. Natural energy can be found in the air, land, and water.
The three great sanctuaries each have different methods of preserving natural energy. The snakes of Ryuchi Cave store natural energy in the land, but the land cannot preserve natural energy well. The overflowing natural energy has created unique clans.
The toads of Mount Myoboku do not employ extensive methods to preserve natural energy; they let it remain free in the air. However, a high concentration of natural energy in the air can cause ordinary people to fall into a semi-drowsy state, which is the source of the Labyrinth Mountain outside Mount Myoboku.
In Shikkotsu Forest, we store natural energy in water.
What the Slug Sage mentioned is likely intended to use natural energy to stimulate Tatsuma's body and restore its vitality."
Tsunade nodded but suddenly realized something and said, "But isn't this the same as Grandpa's Sage Mode?"
"Yes."
The Slug Sage confirmed Tsunade's guess. Tsunade, growing anxious, said, "But isn't it said that this method has a very low success rate? If it fails, the body's cells could be eroded by natural energy, leading to death."
"Yes."
The Slug Sage confirmed again. The two tentacles, resembling towering pillars, lifted up, and the thick Chakra, along with Tatsuma, was lifted by the Slug Sage as she slowly said:
"Let's hope this child likes water."
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