Shikkotsurin.
The moment they arrived, all three were captivated by the breathtaking scenery.
A thick mist clung to the ground, weaving through the towering trees like a living entity.
The ancient trees, their bark slick with moisture and draped in vibrant green algae, stood tall and imposing.
Every inch of the forest pulsed with life, untouched by human presence, giving the impression of a pristine rainforest lost in time.
"Stay close, and don't take your eyes off me," Katsuyu instructed in her calm yet firm tone. "This forest is vast and ever-shifting—one wrong step, and you may never find your way back."
Naruto and Karin nodded, their eyes scanning the mystical surroundings. The damp air carried the scent of earth and moss, and the distant echoes of unknown creatures rustled through the towering trees.
"This place feels... ancient," Karin muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Naruto smirked. "Kinda feels like stepping into a different world."
Tsunade, unfazed, followed Katsuya. "Don't get distracted.
Shikkotsurin isn't just a sanctuary—it's a test in itself. If you stray, you might not find your way back."
With that warning, the trio stayed close, their footsteps muffled by the damp, moss-covered ground as they ventured deeper into the legendary forest.
They had been traveling for a while now.
As they neared the real Katsuyu, the density of nature energy in the air intensified—something only Naruto, with his sennin body, could perceive. It was overwhelming, a thick presence that seemed to pulse with life itself.
And then, they saw her.
A majestic figure, so enormous that even the tallest trees barely reached her midsection. She towered over everything, dwarfing even the mighty Bijuu. Her presence was both awe-inspiring and intimidating, her sheer size making it impossible to see her in her entirety from the ground.
Naruto stared, his jaw slack. "Tsunade, what is she? She's taller than Kurama!"
Tsunade, who had expected this reaction, smirked slightly. "Yes. And she's not just taller—she's the only true Sennin of this land. Even if you try to summon her, you'll only ever be able to summon a portion of her. No one, not even in the past, has ever summoned her entire body."
She let that sink in, remembering her own first encounter. Even for her, one of the strongest kunoichi alive, standing before Katsuya for the first time had been a moment of pure shock… and maybe even fear.
Naruto tilted his head back, trying to take in the full scale of the massive slug in front of him. Even with his experience facing towering beings like Kurama, this was on a completely different level.
Karin's jaw nearly dropped. "How is she is so huge?"
Katsuyu's soft yet imposing voice echoed through the forest. "I am Katsuya, the Sage of Shikkotsurin. It has been many years since I have welcomed new visitors."
Naruto, regaining his composure, looked up at Tsunade. "So, what now? Do I just say, 'Hey, can I sign a contract?'"
Tsunade smirked. "If it were that easy, everyone would have done it."
Katsuyu's many eyes blinked as she studied Naruto. "For one to wield the power of Shikkotsurin, they must prove themselves worthy. The contract is not just an agreement—it is a bond. Are you prepared?"
Naruto grinned, cracking his knuckles. "You bet I am."
Katsuyu's massive form shifted slightly, her presence alone sending a ripple through the dense mist surrounding them.
"Then step forward, Naruto Uzumaki. The Trial of Shikkotsurin shall test your resolve, your will, and your very soul. Only those who endure may form a contract with us."
Naruto stepped forward without hesitation. "Alright, big lady, hit me with your best shot."
Karin gave him a flat look. "You really don't think before you speak, do you?"
Before Naruto could answer, the ground beneath him softened, shifting like liquid. His feet sank slightly into the damp earth as the mist thickened, swallowing him whole.
Tsunade folded her arms, watching intently. "This is where we leave him to his own strength. No one can interfere."
Karin frowned, clenching her fists. "And what happens if he fails?"
Tsunade exhaled. "Then the forest will reject him."
Meanwhile, inside the mist, Naruto felt an oppressive weight settle over him. The air turned thick, almost suffocating, as an eerie silence fell. Then, from the depths of the fog, glowing red eyes appeared—one pair, then two, then dozens.
A low growl rumbled through the air.
Naruto smirked, drawing his katana. "Well then, let's get started."
The growls grew louder, reverberating through the mist like a chorus of unseen beasts lurking just beyond sight. The pressure around
Naruto intensified like a primal force testing his very existence.
Then, without warning, they attacked.
Shadowy figures lunged from the fog, their movements unnatural, shifting like liquid yet striking with deadly precision. Clawed hands, fanged maws, and glowing crimson eyes surrounded him from every direction.
Naruto exhaled sharply, gripping his sheathed katana. One step. He twisted his body, dodging a claw aiming for his throat. Two steps. A shadow beast lunged—his blade flickered, slamming its sheathed end into the creature's skull, sending it crashing into the mist.
"Alright then, let's see what you all got."
More came. Faster. Stronger. Their forms shifting unpredictably, phasing in and out of reality.
Naruto narrowed his eyes. Calm down. Read their movements.
He had trained his body, sharpened his reflexes, and honed his awareness. This was a test, and he'd clear it his way.
"Your trial is not of strength alone," a deep voice rumbled from within the mist. "It is of control, of will. Can you tame the chaos, or will it consume you?"
Naruto grinned. "Let's find out."
And with that, he vanished, his katana flashing like lightning in the endless white fog.
On the other side.
Karin looked at Tsunade with concern. "Did you go through this trial too?" she asked, worry creeping into her voice. It had already been half an hour since Naruto entered.
Tsunade sighed, her expression tinged with regret. "Yeah, I did… but I failed."
"What? Then how did you get the summoning contract?" Karin asked, surprised.
"This trial is for Senjutsu. If you pass, Katsuyu will teach you Senjutsu. If not, you still get the summoning contract," Tsunade explained. "Till now, only my grandfather, Hashirama, has ever passed."
"I see…" Karin nodded, falling into silence.
"Yes, Hashirama-sama was the only one to succeed," Katsuyu confirmed. "But I believe Naruto-sama has an even greater chance than him. His ability to perceive shizen enerugī is exceptional.
Because of that, the trial's difficulty has been raised beyond what it was before."
Karin's eyes widened. "Wait… they increased the difficulty just for him?"
Tsunade sighed, crossing her arms. "Looks like it. Not surprising, though. Naruto's body is naturally attuned to chakra in ways even I can't fully understand. Add in his lineage, and…"
Katsuyu's voice remained calm yet firm. "Indeed. His potential surpasses even that of Hashirama-sama. That is why the trial must be adjusted accordingly. True mastery is not given—it is earned."
Karin frowned, gripping her sleeve. "Still… isn't that unfair? If no one else had to go through this increased difficulty—"
Tsunade cut her off with a smirk. "Unfair? Naruto wouldn't have it any other way."
Karin blinked, then sighed in exasperation. "Yeah… that does sound like him."
She turned her gaze toward the dense mist, worry creeping back into her expression. "You better come back in one piece, idiot."
In the Trial.
Naruto wasn't just fighting physically—this was a mental battle, too.
The number of beasts kept increasing. He had already taken down many, their bodies littering the misty ground.
With a swift swing of his katana, he sliced through two more that lunged at him from the front.
"The trial's not exhausting," he muttered, his breathing steady.
But then—everything changed.
All five of his senses shut down. His sight, hearing, touch—gone.
Even his ability to sense chakra vanished in an instant.
A deafening silence surrounded him. An empty void.
Naruto stood still for a moment, then grinned.
"So this is what you call a real trial," he said, unfazed.
A normal person would panic. Even a seasoned shinobi would falter.
But Naruto?
He grinned. "Now this… this is interesting."
Even without his senses, his instincts screamed at him. Something was approaching—fast. He pivoted on his heel, swinging his sheathed katana purely on gut feeling. A sharp clang echoed as his weapon struck something solid.
So, this trial wasn't just about strength—it was about trust.
Trusting his body. Trusting his instincts. Trusting himself.
Naruto took a deep breath, steadying his stance. "Alright then. Let's see who breaks first."
The attacks grew more frequent, erratic—completely unpredictable. Stripped of his senses, Naruto took several hits, but he never stopped. He kept swinging, kept fighting, refusing to fall.
Then, like a whisper cutting through the void, Katsuyu's voice echoed in his mind.
"The trial is over."
Naruto let out a breath, and suddenly—light.
His sight returned. His senses flooded back. He could see, feel, touch everything once more.
"Finally," he muttered, blinking as the mist around him began to clear.
Karin rushed toward Naruto the moment he stepped out of the mist.
Her eyes scanned him for injuries, worry evident on her face.
"Nii-san, how are you? Katsuyu said the difficulty was increased," she asked, her voice laced with concern.
Naruto grinned, scratching the back of his head. "Karin, don't worry!
I'm fine, see? Still in one piece," he said, chuckling.