The next morning, soft sunlight streamed through the windows as Hiro slowly woke up to the sound of birds outside.
His body was sore from the battles, but his mind was clear. Today was the day things would change.
He quickly got dressed, feeling a sense of determination.
As Hiro stepped out of his room, he found Tsunade waiting for him at the edge of the town. She stood with her arms crossed, her expression unreadable.
"Ready?" she asked without preamble.
Hiro nodded. "As I'll ever be."
"Good." Tsunade gave him a brief once-over before summoning Katsuyu. In a flash of smoke, the slug appeared, its calm presence a stark contrast to the intensity of the situation.
"Are you prepared for the journey, Hiro?" Katsuyu's voice was gentle.
"hmm," he replied, his voice steady.
Katsuyu extended a portion of herself toward him, the soft glow of chakra enveloping his body.
"Then let us go to Shikkotsu Forest. But remember, the path of the Sage is not forgiving.
You must respect nature and its energy, or it will overwhelm you."
Hiro took a deep breath and nodded. "Hmm Alright."
In an instant, the world shifted around him as the reverse summoning jutsu took effect.
The town disappeared, replaced by the lush, dense surroundings of Shikkotsu Forest.
The air was thick with natural energy, and an overwhelming sense of life thrummed around him.
Hiro exhaled slowly, feeling the peace of the environment pressing on him already. The forest was ancient, brimming with a power that he had never encountered before.
This was a place where nature beauty is at its peak.
Tsunade and Katsuyu appeared beside him, the slug's form towering over the landscape. "This is where your training begins," Tsunade said.
"You're going to learn to connect with the natural energy of this place. But remember—too much, and you'll turn into stone. Too little, and you won't be able to tap into Sage Mode at all."
"Right."
Katsuyu moved closer. "You will start by meditating, clearing your mind of distractions, and feeling the flow of nature's energy around you. Only once you've done that can we move to the next step."
Hiro nodded and sat down on the forest floor, closing his eyes.
The sounds of the forest surrounded him—leaves rustling, water trickling from a nearby stream, the distant calls of wildlife.
He focused on his breathing, trying to push aside the lingering thoughts of battles, power, and revenge.
For what felt like hours, he sat in silence, trying to connect with the natural energy that Katsuyu had spoken of. But no matter how hard he tried, it eluded him.
Frustration started to build, but Hiro forced himself to remain still. He had to trust the process, just like Tsunade had said.
Suddenly, he felt a shift—a faint pulse of energy in the air around him.
It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but it was there. His breathing steadied as he focused on the feeling, allowing it to seep into him slowly.
"Good," Katsuyu's voice echoed softly. "You're beginning to sense it. Now, remain calm and let the energy flow through you."
Hiro concentrated, feeling the natural energy mingle with his own chakra.
It was different from anything he had experienced—wild, raw, and untamed, yet strangely harmonious. It wasn't about controlling it but letting it flow freely while maintaining balance within himself.
Hours passed as Hiro continued to meditate, his connection with the energy growing stronger with each passing moment. Sweat dripped down his face, but he remained focused.
Finally, as the sun began to set, Hiro opened his eyes. He could feel it—just the faintest spark of Sage energy within him. It wasn't much, but it was a start.
Tsunade, who had been watching silently, stepped forward. "Not bad for your first day. But this is just the beginning. You're far from mastering Sage Mode."
Hiro stood up, feeling a strange mixture of exhaustion and exhilaration. "Yeah."
Tsunade smirked. "Let's hope so. Tomorrow, we'll push further. But for now, get some rest."
As the training wrapped up for the day, Hiro found himself alone with Tsunade near the edge of the forest. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the trees. He glanced at her, a playful smirk forming on his lips.
"You know," he began, stretching his arms behind his head casually, "if I didn't know any better, I'd say you're starting to look out for me a little too much, wifey."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "Wifey? You've been breathing in too much nature energy, haven't you?"
Hiro chuckled, undeterred by her sharp tone. "I'm just saying, we spend a lot of time together. Sage Mode training, and all.. People might start talking."
Tsunade rolled her eyes, but a hint of amusement crossed her face. "The only thing people will be talking about is how I knocked you flat on your back if you keep this up."
"Ooh, feisty," Hiro teased, flashing a grin. "I knew you liked me."
Tsunade leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a low, dangerous tone. "Keep joking, and you'll find out just how hard I can hit."
"Alright, alright, I'll behave."
She turned away, but he caught a glimpse of the faintest smirk.
Hiro watched her leave, still grinning. "Yeah, whatever you say, wifey."
Tsunade didn't turn around, but her voice came back clear.
"Keep calling me that, and tomorrow's training will be the least of your worries."
The next morning came sooner than Hiro would have liked. The relentless training left him sore and exhausted, but his usual energy and playful nature remained intact.
As he walked toward the training ground, the cool morning breeze did little to calm the pounding in his chest.
His mind kept drifting back to his conversation with Tsunade the previous evening, and the way she almost, just for a moment, seemed to soften.
Arriving at the training grounds, he saw Tsunade waiting for him, arms crossed, her usual commanding presence in full force.
"Ready?" she asked, her voice sharp as ever, though there was something in her eyes—just the smallest flicker of warmth—that Hiro noticed.
Or maybe it was just wishful thinking.
"Always," Hiro said with a grin, trying to push away the lingering exhaustion.