No one can truly describe the feeling of seeing the Slug Sage!
Even with some mental preparation, the moment Kagetsu actually saw its overwhelming size, he was still struck by a deep shock.
His entire field of vision was filled with its endless, blue-white body, towering like a massive mountain of flesh, blocking the way ahead. Mist swirled around it, and when he looked up, he could even see the Slug Sage's back.
The slug that brought them here was already a massive summoning beast, as large as a small mountain. Yet, in front of the Slug Sage, it was nothing more than a tiny infant in an adult's arms.
Judging by size alone, the slug that carried them here was likely larger than Manda from Ryūchi Cave. And that was without even comparing their full scale.
The difference between them was simply too vast!
As for Kagetsu and his companion, they were utterly insignificant before the Slug Sage's colossal body.
At such a size, even if it did nothing—just casually rolling its body on the ground—it would be as devastating as a natural disaster to any ninja.
S-rank ninjutsu?
Tailed Beast Bomb?
Perhaps some techniques could cause similar destruction. But those were ultimate moves, while for the Slug Sage, even an unintentional roll wasn't even an attack—it was just a casual movement.
Moreover, Kagetsu could sense the boundless, indescribable natural energy and chakra contained within the Slug Sage's body.
Even an average Kage-level ninja's chakra, compared to this, was like a mere lake against an entire ocean.
The Slug Sage didn't show any hostility. In fact, among the Three Sage Regions, it was known to have the gentlest temperament—so gentle that it could even be called docile.
Yet, just by lying there, it was enough to erase any thoughts of hostility from anyone who stood before it.
White Snake Sage?
Kagetsu wasn't sure how powerful the White Snake Sage truly was, but based on his first impression and perception, the Slug Sage left a far greater impact on him.
If he factored in the unique power of the Shikkotsu Forest, it was enough to make him lose all desire to fight.
Even if he exhausted himself attacking, to the Slug Sage, it would feel like nothing more than a baby's tantrum.
The difference in size, strength, and energy was simply too vast. And this vastness was enough to crush everything.
Tsunade had mentioned that the Fountain of Living Fluid, the final trial of Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Mode, was just ahead—close to the Slug Sage.
It was as large as a lake.
But compared to the Slug Sage, it was nothing more than a tiny puddle.
Tsunade didn't look much better than Kagetsu. Even though she was the contract holder of Shikkotsu Forest, she had only seen the Slug Sage's true form once, and that was from a distance. She had only interacted with one of its split bodies before.
The Slug Sage was gentle and didn't mind Tsunade's visit. But under normal circumstances, who would casually seek out a being that far surpassed them just for conversation?
The arrival of the giant slug had clearly alerted the Slug Sage—or rather, every slug in Shikkotsu Forest was merely a split part of its body, acting as its extensions and senses.
Here, as long as slugs existed, nothing could be hidden from the Slug Sage if it willed it so.
As the massive slug stopped at a distance, the enormous Slug Sage began to move its upper body.
A gigantic slug's head emerged from the thick mist above. The immense shadow, carrying an overwhelming pressure like the collapse of the heavens, loomed over them.
"So, you are the contract holder of Ryūchi Cave? You have already met the White Snake Sage?"
Despite its enormous size, the Slug Sage's voice was unexpectedly gentle and soft. It wasn't the deafening roar one might expect, but rather like a kind woman whispering in their ears.
"Slug Sage."
Kagetsu steadied himself, raised his head to meet the massive gaze, and respectfully greeted it.
"You can call me Katsuyu. That is my name!"
The Slug Sage's tone was somewhat cheerful, as if delighted to meet Kagetsu and Tsunade. Or perhaps it was simply because the usually quiet Shikkotsu Forest finally had two visitors from the outside world, bringing a bit of liveliness and novelty.
"Katsuyu-sama!" Kagetsu immediately corrected himself.
"Little Tsunade is fine too."
Unlike the other slug clones in the Shikkotsu Forest who referred to Tsunade with formal respect, the main body of the Slug Sage clearly regarded her as a kid.
Tsunade had no objections to this. To her, the Slug Sage's true form and its clones could almost be considered two different beings.
Especially since the Slug Sage had likely existed since the beginning of the ninja world. No one knew exactly how long it had lived or what kind of terrifying power it possessed.
For an existence of such a level, no matter what it chose to call her, Tsunade had no intention of arguing or questioning it.
"I heard from Tsunade-san that you wanted to see me, Katsuyu-sama?" Kagetsu took the initiative to ask about the Slug Sage's reason for meeting him.
"There's no need to be nervous. I'm simply curious about you." Katsuyu reassured the two. "The White Snake Sage has finally found an exceptional summoner. Perhaps it will be very pleased."
"A summoner… Is that really important for someone of your level, Katsuyu-sama?"
Tsunade and Kagetsu exchanged glances, both sensing the other's confusion. As a summoner of the Shikkotsu Forest, Tsunade took the lead in asking.
"How should I put it? It is… important, but also not."
Katsuyu hesitated slightly at Tsunade's question. It wasn't that the question was difficult to answer, but rather that it was considering the best way to explain it to them.
"Summoners serve as a bridge between the Three Sage Regions and the outside world, helping to achieve certain objectives.
Gamamaru holds the ability of prophecy, so Mount Myoboku frequently issues predictions and hopes the world will follow them. Among the three, Mount Myoboku is perhaps the one most reliant on external influence."
The White Snake Sage, who had always been at odds with Gamamaru, followed closely behind. He didn't want to see Gamamaru surpass him in power, so he also maintained some level of involvement with the outside world.
Their relationship was complicated—they could be rivals or friends, just like the summoners they chose.
Gamamaru, possessing the power of prophecy, could always use his ability to select outstanding individuals, make predictions for them, and guide the course of the world.
The White Snake Sage, on the other hand, had the ability to observe the past. Because of this, he had suffered many losses when it came to choosing summoners, losing face more than once.
Tsunade and Kagetsu listened carefully. After all, this was classified information coming from beings who were practically living fossils of the ninja world.
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