"Ryūchi Cave's Senjutsu emphasizes form," the slug Katsuyu explained calmly. "It can modify the physical structures of humans or even grant life to inanimate objects."
"In contrast, Mount Myōboku's Senjutsu focuses on spirit, or mental energy as humans might call it. By channeling spiritual energy, one can greatly amplify the power of both Senjutsu and chakra."
"As for the Senjutsu of Shikkotsu Forest, its emphasis lies in the body—unlocking the potential of one's physical strength, enabling the body to achieve unimaginable possibilities."
"Does this explanation make sense to you?" Katsuyu tilted her head, her antennae swaying as she glanced at Kakuzu by the pond.
Kakuzu processed her words swiftly, mentally summarizing the information:
Shikkotsu Forest's Senjutsu revolves around the body.
Ryūchi Cave's Senjutsu centers on form.
Mount Myōboku's Senjutsu hinges on spirit.
Form, body, and spirit—aren't these the essential components of a person?
His thoughts drifted. It was said that thousands of years ago, the God Tree's fruit granted humans the ability to wield chakra. But what if chakra was actually an external energy? Could it be that the world's original energy was this Senjutsu energy?
If so, it explained why mastering Senjutsu was so difficult—few could succeed, leading people to rely on chakra instead. Over time, Senjutsu, the primordial power of this world, was largely forgotten.
"If I were to master all three Senjutsu forms, merging form, body, and spirit completely, what would the result be?" Kakuzu murmured aloud.
"Uh…" Katsuyu blinked, taken aback. After a long pause, she finally spoke. "Honestly… I have no idea."
"But according to legend, even the Sage of Six Paths only mastered Mount Myōboku's Senjutsu."
Kakuzu wasn't surprised by her response. If anything, it only deepened his intrigue. This world was becoming increasingly fascinating.
"Enough idle thoughts," Katsuyu interrupted. "Let's begin your training."
"Take off your clothes and soak in that pool until noon tomorrow. If you can endure the scorching sun, you'll have passed the first trial."
Shikkotsu Forest had its own unique training methods, and learning Senjutsu required effort. However, before undressing, Kakuzu glanced at Katsuyu.
"Aren't you going to look away?" he asked, skeptical.
Katsuyu scoffed dismissively. "Please. I've seen countless human bodies in my time. Do you think I'd have any inappropriate thoughts about you?"
Fair enough. Katsuyu's role was to guide humans in Senjutsu training, so such sights were likely mundane to her.
Kakuzu shed his cloak, revealing his muscular, ebony physique. His body was a masterpiece—every muscle sharply defined, perfectly balanced. It was the kind of build fitness enthusiasts dreamed of achieving.
Katsuyu's gaze briefly wandered downward, and she let out a peculiar sound of approval.
"Impressive…"
But her task ended there. Training was monotonous, and she had no intention of lingering. Whether Kakuzu lived or died depended on his own perseverance.
As Kakuzu stepped into the pool, the water soaked into his skin. At first, it felt unremarkable.
But two hours later, discomfort began to creep in. The pool's surface appeared calm, yet faint bubbles rose intermittently—each one signaling corrosion.
The water slowly eroded his skin, leaving subtle but tangible scars. Despite the growing pain, Kakuzu remained still, refusing to retreat.
...
The night passed in silence.
By sunrise, Katsuyu called out from the shore, "You can come out now."
Kakuzu opened his eyes, stepping onto the bank.
The moment sunlight touched his skin, a searing pain spread across his body. Wisps of smoke rose as the moisture in his skin evaporated rapidly.
His skin, now dry and brittle, felt as if it might crack at any moment. He realized the next round in the pool would intensify the water's corrosive effects. And after enduring another day of blistering sunlight, his body would resemble parched bark.
It dawned on him why Shikkotsu Forest was filled with so many ancient, gnarled trees.
Lying on the ground, Kakuzu stared at the blazing sun. He couldn't deny it—mastering Senjutsu was no easy feat. Many had come to Shikkotsu Forest with high hopes, only to never return.
No wonder Senjutsu never became the mainstream power of this world.
Slug Katsuyu crawled forward at a leisurely pace, with two male slugs trailing behind her. One carried a pile of mulberry leaves on its back, while the other had a bundle of dewdrops wrapped carefully in mucus. Katsuyu nibbled on the food, occasionally sipping on the dew to moisten her throat. The two male slugs busied themselves tending to her needs, clearly enjoying the task.
At this point, Kakuzu was starting to believe her claim—Slug Katsuyu really did have a legion of admirers in this forest.
Katsuyu picked up a fresh leaf and placed it in front of Kakuzu.
"Fresh, premium cabbage. Care to try some?"
"Miss Katsuyu, your generosity is truly unmatched," Kakuzu replied, shaking his head. "But I'll pass. I brought my own food."
He recalled the meals Naruto had during his sage training—plentiful, protein-rich, and full of flavor. By comparison, the cuisine of the Shikkotsu Forest seemed superior to that of Mount Myoboku. However, Kakuzu wasn't tempted. Instead, he unsealed a scroll, revealing a stash of food he had prepared in advance.
Years of experience had taught Kakuzu the importance of being prepared for prolonged hardships. His stockpile of ration pills was enough to sustain him for at least two years.
Kakuzu and Katsuyu ate their respective meals in silence, gazing at the tranquil surface of the pond.
"Miss Katsuyu," Kakuzu began, breaking the quiet, "is there any shortcut to this?"
He couldn't help but think back to others' attempts at mastering sage techniques. In the original story, Jiraiya had taken a full twelve years to barely manage it. Minato Namikaze, with his extraordinary talent, took about a year. Then there was Naruto, the so-called Child of Prophecy, who achieved perfection in just fifteen days under Fukasaku's guidance.
If Kakuzu had to endure more than a decade of training like Jiraiya, it would be a disheartening prospect.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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