The following day, Hiro returned to the same spot, prepared to dive deeper into his Sage Mode training. Katsuya waited patiently, and Tsunade, standing nearby, kept her usual composed demeanor.
"Ready?" Tsunade asked.
Hiro nodded, settling down into the meditative position from the day before. He focused on Katsuya's calm instructions, feeling the natural energy around him.
With each session, the process became easier. His chakra and nature's energy merged more smoothly, and the connection with the environment felt more natural.
The next few days passed in a similar manner. Each session, Hiro absorbed more energy, learned to balance it, and refined his control.
The initial challenges began to fade as his body and mind adjusted to the new power.
Tsunade observed quietly, offering occasional guidance but largely leaving him to his task. She could see his steady improvement and, though she kept her distance, felt a growing sense of pride.
By the fifth day, Katsuya's tone shifted. "You are nearing mastery, Hiro. Your control has improved greatly. Tomorrow, we will push you further, and by the week's end, you should be ready to fully access Sage Mode."
The next day, Hiro faced his toughest challenge yet. Katsuya guided him through intense bursts of natural energy, forcing him to maintain balance in increasingly difficult circumstances.
Tsunade remained vigilant, ready to intervene if things went wrong.
By the end of the seventh day, Hiro stood before Tsunade and Katsuya, his Sage Mode complete. His senses were heightened, his chakra perfectly balanced with nature's energy, and he felt an overwhelming sense of connection to the world around him.
On the final day, Hiro sat alone, the quiet of the forest surrounding him.
He closed his eyes, breathing deeply as natural energy swirled around him, drawn to him like a magnet. His connection to nature had become second nature itself, no longer the struggle it once was.
Katsuya, perched nearby, observed as Hiro reached the critical moment. "Focus, Hiro. This is the last step," she said softly.
Hiro nodded, feeling the energy surge through his body.
His skin tingled as lines began to form across his face—distinct markings that signified his full connection to Sage Mode. The power felt alive within him, flowing through his veins, amplifying every sense.
Tsunade, standing a few feet away, watched carefully, her arms folded. Her eyes narrowed, not in disapproval, but in silent admiration.
"Maintain control," she reminded him. "You're almost there."
Hiro concentrated, the lines on his face growing more defined as the energy settled, his chakra perfectly balanced with the natural energy.
The world around him felt sharper, clearer—he could hear the rustling of the leaves, the soft breath of Katsuya, and even the quiet rhythm of Tsunade's heartbeat.
Katsuya spoke, her voice gentle but firm. "You've reached it, Hiro. Sage Mode is now yours."
Hiro slowly opened his eyes. His senses were heightened, his vision sharp, and a quiet strength pulsed through him. The markings on his face glowed faintly before fading.
"It's... incredible," Hiro murmured, standing up slowly, testing his newfound power with a slight shift in his stance. He felt lighter, faster, as if the weight of the world was at his fingertips.
Hiro stood there, watching the faint marks of Sage Mode fade completely from his face, feeling a quiet satisfaction settle in his chest.
But just as Tsunade had warned, this was only the beginning. There was still much to learn, both in his newfound power and in the deeper, more complicated connection that lingered between them.
As Hiro stood silently, allowing the last remnants of Sage Mode's energy to settle within him, Tsunade glanced over with a nod. "We're done here. Let's head back to the town," she said, her voice calm yet purposeful.
Hiro nodded.
Katsuya's calm voice echoed in the clearing. "We can return using Reverse Summoning. I'll bring us back immediately."
Tsunade stepped closer to Katsuya, lightly placing her hand on the slug's back. Hiro followed suit, focusing his chakra to sync with Katsuya's summoning ability.
In a flash, space around them shifted, and the tranquil forest disappeared.
In an instant, they were back at the town where Tsunade had been residing, its streets far quieter and more ordinary compared to the bustling Hidden Leaf.
The sun was low in the sky, casting long shadows on the simple market stalls and scattered groups of townspeople.
As they arrived near the entrance to a small inn where they'd been staying, Shizune hurried out to greet them, her expression brightening when she saw the two. "Lady Tsunade! Hiro! I'm glad you're back!".
"Anything we need to be aware of, Shizune?" she asked.
Shizune shook her head. "No major issues, but I've kept everything in check while you were gone."
"Good," Tsunade replied, her tone returning to its usual no-nonsense edge. "Let's rest."
After quickly checking in with Tsunade, she decided to excuse herself. "I'll head to my room now. Let me know if you need anything."
"Thanks, Shizune," Tsunade replied, not noticing the subtle tension in the air. Shizune smiled and nodded before heading off.
Just as Tsunade reached for her door, Hiro spoke up, his tone casual yet oddly direct. "Hey, Tsunade, I think I should sleep hugging you tonight."
Tsunade froze mid-step, turning slowly to face him, her expression shifting to one of confusion. "What did you just say?" Her voice was stern, almost incredulous.
Hiro stood his ground, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "I mean... I worked really hard mastering Sage Mode, and I'm kinda tired. It'd help me relax, you know?"
Tsunade crossed her arms, eyebrows raised in disbelief. "That's not how this works, Hiro. You're not a child."
"But I feel like I've earned it!" Hiro insisted, his tone shifting to a more pleading one. "Come on, just this once? It's not like I'm asking for anything crazy."
Tsunade shook her head, a slight frown creasing her brow. "No way. This is ridiculous."
Hiro's expression shifted to one of mock sadness, his lower lip jutting out slightly. "You're seriously not going to let me sleep hugging you after all this? You can't be that mean, Tsunade."
She rolled her eyes but remained oblivious to his deeper feelings. "Hiro, this isn't a game."
"Just think of it as me needing a little comfort after all that training!" he argued, his voice shifting to a teasing tone. "If you don't let me, I'll just keep teasing you about it until you give in."
Tsunade paused, her resolve faltering slightly. "You wouldn't dare."
"Try me," Hiro shot back, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "I can be very persistent, especially when it comes to something like this."
Tsunade sighed, glancing back at her door as if weighing her options. Finally, with an exasperated breath, she relented. "Fine! Just this once, and only because I don't want to hear you whining about it."
Hiro's face lit up with triumph. "Yes! Thank you, Tsunade!"
As she turned back to her door, Tsunade shook her head, a mixture of annoyance and amusement on her face. "Just don't get too comfortable."
Hiro entered the room after Tsunade, his excitement bubbling over as he approached her. He sat on the edge of the bed, a playful glint in his eyes. "So, where do I get to sleep?"
Tsunade glanced over, trying to maintain her composure. "On the bed, obviously. Just don't get any funny ideas."
Hiro took a breath and moved closer, a bold grin spreading across his face. Without hesitation, he laid back on the bed, pulling Tsunade down beside him.
"I think the best spot is right here," he said, resting his head against her chest, feeling the warmth radiating from her.
Tsunade's eyes widened in surprise as she looked down at him. "Hiro! What are you doing?"
"You said I could hug you, so here I am!" he replied with a cheeky grin, wrapping his arms around her waist and relishing the comforting presence of her body.
He didn't respond further as he slowly closed his eyes, savoring the moment. Her scent was intoxicating, a mix of the fresh air from their earlier training and something uniquely Tsunade. He couldn't help but breathe it in deeply, wishing he could capture it to smell all day.
Nestled against her, he felt a sense of calm wash over him, the softness of her body beneath his head providing an unparalleled comfort.
The warmth enveloped him, and he found himself lost in the sensation of having his head buried against her ample chest.
Tsunade shifted slightly, her heart racing as she felt his warmth pressing against her. Though she wanted to maintain her stern facade, a part of her reveled in this unexpected closeness.