"Failed?! How is that possible!"
Tsunade was stunned for a moment, then reacted and tried to run towards the pond to check Tatsuma's condition. A pillar fell, blocking Tsunade's path.
The Slug Sage said slowly, "His body has been invaded by natural energy. Although the cause is unknown, he is still alive. However, if he leaves this place, the consequences could be unimaginable. The natural energy that has invaded him might turn him into flowing nutrients, much like a dissolved slug."
Upon hearing this, Tsunade asked, "Is it like the Sage practitioners from Mount Myoboku who were petrified into toads?"
"You know about that?"
The Slug Sage, somewhat curious, affirmed, "Yes, that's right. The toad transformation at Mount Myoboku and the snake transformation at Ryuchi Cave are both manifestations of natural energy invasion. The characteristics of the three great sanctuaries cause different effects. Snakes are greedy, so those invaded become part of the snakes, shedding their humanity. Toads are stubborn, so those invaded become stubborn stones, like toads watching the sky from a well.
In Shikkotsu Forest, it results in dissolution, like a slug wrapped in strong salt, dehydrating and dissolving until only a withered sack remains. This child has been severely invaded, but his body is resilient, resisting the collapse and maintaining a balance. If he leaves this natural energy, the balance will be broken, and he will undoubtedly die."
Tsunade swallowed, asking, "What should we do then?"
The Slug Sage was silent for a moment, then said, "I made a mistake. I sensed that this child has powerful Chakra within him. If that Chakra merges with the natural energy, it should be fine."
"But the Chakra inside him seems to be unmoved. Even though his body has collapsed, there is no self-rescue action."
Upon hearing this, Tsunade suddenly realized and said, "It's the Yin Seal! It's the Yin Seal left by my grandmother!"
"Oh? Sealed Chakra? No wonder."
The Slug Sage then understood. Tsunade quickly added, "I know how to break the Yin Seal, but I don't know how to break someone else's Yin Seal."
"It's fine. As long as it's a technique, it can be broken."
The Slug Sage's tone was gentle, but it gave Tsunade immense strength.
She looked up at the Slug Sage and asked, "Do you need me to give you the technique for the Yin Seal?"
"No need, I have a method."
As she spoke, the massive head of the Slug Sage lowered, and the two pillars of heaven slammed directly into the ground.
"Boom~"
The entire Shikkotsu Forest trembled. The tremors did not stop; the two pillars continued to probe downward, seemingly searching for something, until they were embedded in the coral reef. The sensation of the earthquake lessened considerably.
But there were still occasional aftershocks, and Tsunade didn't dare to ask, fearing she might disturb the Slug Sage.
After a long time, the tremors began to intensify again. The Slug Sage's head rose once more, and the two pillar-like tentacles withdrew. The ends of the two tentacles interlaced, holding what seemed to be a toothpick? No, under the Slug Sage's immense size, the object held by the tentacles was even finer than a toothpick.
Tsunade watched closely for a while. As the Slug Sage's tentacles drew nearer, she could finally see what it was. It appeared to be the end of a tree root, with the thickest part thicker than a human's waist, and the thinnest part as sharp as a needle.
"What is this?" Tsunade involuntarily asked.
The Slug Sage's tentacles paused, as if taking a moment to think, and after a while, said:
"A thousand years ago, a tree grew in the ninja world, and part of it extended beneath Shikkotsu Forest. This is the root system of that tree."
Tsunade blinked, somewhat confused by the Slug Sage's words. What could such a large tree root be used for? Could it be for acupuncture on Tatsuma?
As this absurd thought crossed her mind, Tsunade quickly shook her head to clear it and asked, "What is this tree root used for?"
"It seems to have the ability to devour all techniques. Your grandfather also seemed to have a similar ability, but the specifics are unclear. Perhaps Mount Myoboku and Ryuchi Cave will have more information."
After the Slug Sage finished speaking, the enormous tentacles began to probe downward again, subtly adjusting their direction. The tip of the tree root was directed towards Tatsuma. As it slowly descended, Tsunade's mouth fell open.
Is this really going to be used as such a large "needle" for Tatsuma's acupuncture?!
"Where is the Yin Seal located?"
The Slug Sage asked. Tsunade instinctively pointed to her forehead. Immediately, the Slug Sage's tentacles moved again, and the tip of the tree root pierced into the diamond-shaped seal on Tatsuma's forehead.
The tree root was so hard that it could easily penetrate the skull without any deformation, but at this depth, Tsunade swallowed. This could surely muddle a person's brain, right?
However, she knew not to disturb those performing the operation. Neither the doctor nor the patient should be interrupted.
As time passed, Tsunade's breathing grew shorter, her eyes fixed on Tatsuma. Suddenly, a black technique appeared on Tatsuma's forehead. The Slug Sage then withdrew the tree root. Tsunade wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but she felt that the tree root seemed to have become more vibrant?
Before Tsunade could ponder this, the technique on Tatsuma's forehead had fully unfolded. The powerful Chakra, so intense that even Tsunade found it incredible, continuously surged from the blood-colored cavity on Tatsuma's forehead.
The orange-red Chakra instantly enveloped Tatsuma, who was lying in the water. More and more Chakra poured out from the blood hole, condensing into a figure above Tatsuma.
Seeing the familiar yet strange figure, Tsunade couldn't help but take a couple of steps forward and blurted out, "Grandmother?"
The figure formed by the Chakra had red hair styled in two buns, with talismans hanging from them. Her young, beautiful face was marked by a rare aura of heroism.
Upon hearing Tsunade's voice, the figure turned to look. In that glance, Tsunade felt as if her grandma had come to life. She called out again, "Grandmother!"
"Tsuna?"
The figure, Uzumaki Mito, formed from Chakra, was momentarily stunned. She then looked down and saw Tatsuma's condition, her eyes filled with confusion and concern.
The blood hole on Tatsuma's forehead was too large and deep, even exposing the wrinkled brain inside. Uzumaki Mito frowned and asked, "What happened to Tatsuma?"
"He fought Raikage A, exhausted his Chakra twice, and his body is almost lifeless. I brought him to Shikkotsu Forest to seek help from the Slug Sage."
At that moment, Tsunade set aside her shock and joy at reuniting with her grandmother and quickly explained Tatsuma's situation. Uzumaki Mito frowned for a moment, then looked up at the mountain-like shadow and said:
"Are you the Slug Sage?"
"Mm."
Uzumaki Mito's gaze was quickly drawn to the tree root. She said, "What is that? It feels familiar."
As she spoke, Uzumaki Mito raised a hand, and the orange-red Chakra formed an arm to hold the tree root. The Slug Sage then released the tentacles, and the root fell into the giant Chakra hand.
"Indeed, it turns out I only found it after death."
Uzumaki Mito murmured as she looked at the tree root in the Chakra hand, then turned to Tsunade and said, "I didn't expect to see you again so soon."
"Grandmother."
"I can't stay for long, but… I will heal Tatsuma. I just… didn't expect that he wouldn't get to see me one last time."
After speaking, Uzumaki Mito formed another Chakra arm, which grasped the huge tree root. She began to form seals, and as she did, a dark green liquid emerged from the root.
The liquid mixed with the orange-red Chakra, turning it dark green, enveloping Tatsuma, and flowing continuously inside and outside his body.
"Boom~ Boom~ Boom~"
At this moment, Tatsuma's previously weak heartbeat grew stronger, and the pure, viscous water was tinged by the dark green liquid in the flowing Chakra.
The water filled with natural energy and Mito's Chakra were no longer distinct; they merged into one another.
But at this time, Mito's figure also grew increasingly ethereal. The blood hole on Tatsuma's forehead rapidly healed under the dark green liquid's immersion.
"From now on, you'll really have to rely on yourself."
Suddenly, Tatsuma heard something. He tried hard to open his eyes but felt like someone in a lucid dream, knowing he was dreaming but unable to escape.
Exhausting all his strength, Tatsuma finally managed to open his eyes. He saw a woman with a strangely familiar aura smiling at him.
But that took all of Tatsuma's remaining strength, and after just a glance, he closed his eyes once more.
Meanwhile, Tsunade's face was unknowingly streaked with tears as she watched her grandmother wave at her with a smile from her most beautiful years, and then... vanish.
"Is that your grandmother? She's truly powerful and beautiful."
The Slug Sage's words brought Tsunade back to her thoughts. She nodded; her grandmother deserved such praise, even coming from the Slug Sage. Her grandmother was still worthy of it.
Tsunade wiped away her tears and looked at Tatsuma in the dark green pool. Tatsuma's forehead was now smooth, and his skin had turned rosy. The feeling of weakness had completely vanished.
"Slug Sage, is Tatsuma okay now?"
"He's fine, but… wait a bit longer."
With the Slug Sage's words, Tsunade halted her step toward the pool. She was so eager for Tatsuma to recover that she was being extra cautious.
She feared there might be some unexpected issue and nervously watched Tatsuma in the water. Finally, Tsunade noticed something wrong: Tatsuma's blood flow was too fast. His heartbeat was like a drop of water on a hot iron pan, jumping wildly.
Gradually, whether due to the rapid flow of blood or some other reason, something seemed to appear on Tatsuma's face.
On Tatsuma's forehead, a dot first appeared, surrounded by a circle. Gradually, abnormalities also appeared on his eyelids, under his eyes, and in the tear troughs.
This is her grandfather's Sage Mode! Tsunade recalled what her grandmother and second grandfather had said about her grandfather when she was young, but the color of this imprint was different from their descriptions.
It was orange-red and bright.
Just like… her grandmother's warm Chakra.
----
Check out my Patreon for more advanced chapters up to 50 at patreon.com/HellGolt