aircannonsinc Chapter 132 Slugs in the Wet Bone Forest
Chapter 132 Slugs in the Wet Bone Forest
Chapter 132 Slugs in the Wet Bone Forest
In the dull room, sunlight streamed in obliquely through the narrow window, illuminating the tiny dust particles floating in the air.
Tsunade had been holed up in this tavern's temporary lodging for several days. The noise of the gambling table and the clinking of dice seemed to have temporarily lost their magic, replaced by a mess of scrolls, scattered notes, and empty bottles.
She wasn't squandering money at the casino; instead, she was organizing the knowledge and experience in her mind like never before, a feeling even more suffocating than losing ten consecutive times in gambling.
"Aaaaah!" Tsunade suddenly let out a short, mournful cry, irritably running her hands into her brilliant blonde hair and vigorously rubbing it until the strands became as messy and unruly as a disturbed bird's nest.
"What a stubborn person! What else is there? Think of it now!" She slammed her fist on the table in frustration, causing the scroll to tremble slightly.
A deep sense of regret welled up inside her. If she had known that fulfilling her promise to Yuan Tuono would put her in this situation, she would have refused no matter what!
Since leaving Konoha, when had she ever felt so overwhelmed by "knowledge" and "responsibility"? It was even more exhausting than performing Creation Rebirth a dozen times in a row.
A tempting thought popped into my head: Why not just stop here? We can finish the rest later when we remember?
Just as I was feeling conflicted and exhausted, the wooden door creaked open.
Shizune's small figure peeked in first, carrying some odds and ends in her hands.
Immediately afterwards, Yuan Tuoye's composed figure stepped into the room, carrying a fruit platter that exuded a delicate fragrance.
On the plate, plump, juicy grapes and bright apple slices are arranged enticingly.
"Lady Tsunade, you've worked hard. Please have some fruit; it might refresh you." Gen Takuno's voice was gentle and polite as he placed the fruit plate steadily on the cluttered table.
"Hmm—" Tsunade mumbled a response. Her exhausted body almost instinctively succumbed to the temptation of food, and she reached out to pick up a piece of apple.
"Slap!" Shizune slapped Tsunade's hand away swiftly, her small brows furrowing with an undeniable seriousness: "Lady Tsunade! Please wash your hands first! This is so unhygienic!"
Tsunade looked at Shizune's serious, housekeeper-like expression, pursed her lips, and ultimately did not refute her.
I got up, went to the basin, splashed some water on myself, and wiped myself clean – that was it.
After sitting down again, she didn't stand on ceremony at all, casually picking up a slice of apple and putting it in her mouth; the juice was sweet and refreshing.
As she chewed, she glanced sideways at Yuan Tuoye, her tone carrying a complex mix of impatience: "Hey, Tuoye, let me make this clear beforehand, I have no intention of taking you as a student. What's the meaning of you sending me things like this every day?"
Deep down, she knew that if she hadn't accepted the other party's daily care—a situation where one is obligated to accept favors—she probably would have quit long ago.
It is precisely this "debt of gratitude" that forces her to sit here racking her brains.
"I understand," Gen Takuno nodded slightly, his tone sincere. "However, since Lady Tsunade has been working so hard on my matter, it is only my duty to bring some fruit to help her relax."
"Tsk—" Tsunade snorted, as if recalling a stark contrast. "Looks like you're still somewhat clear-headed and haven't been completely infected by that Jiraiya guy. If it were that idiot, he wouldn't have thought of these details."
There was a subtle hint of disdain in her tone, but also a barely perceptible trace of nostalgia.
Gen Takuno wisely refrained from responding; the deep and complex bond between the two "Sannin" was something he had no right to comment on.
A brief silence followed. Tsunade's gaze drifted to the window, as if she could see through the wall to the distant Konoha.
A hint of melancholy swept across her brow, and her previous agitation was replaced by a deeper sense of despondency.
She snapped out of her reverie and shook her head vigorously, as if trying to shake off those thoughts.
Without hesitation, she reached out and grabbed several rolled-up scrolls from the table, almost with a sense of relief, and tossed them to Yuan Tuoye with a "thud".
"Here, everything I can think of is here." Her voice was slightly tired, yet carried a hint of relieved determination. "I've stayed in this place for too long; it's time to leave."
"Then I'll go and inform Lord Jiraiya immediately," Takuno Minamoto replied quickly, taking the heavy scroll.
"No need!" Tsunade interrupted decisively. "Besides, you don't need to come with me. If there are any more scrolls later—"
She suddenly stopped, slapped her forehead, and said, "Tsk, my memory! How could I forget that?"
The next second, Tsunade bent down and pulled out an unusually large, old scroll from under the pile of items.
It was almost half the size of a table, and she placed the enormous object on the table with a "thump".
"What is this?!" Takuno's pupils suddenly contracted.
Even without ever seeing the actual object, its unique appearance and aura were enough for him to instantly understand that it was the Spirit Contract Scroll from the Wet Bone Forest, one of the three holy lands!
He never expected that the other party would so easily reveal such a treasure and intend to bestow it upon him.
"The summoning contract for Shikkotsu Forest," Tsunade said in a flat tone, as if discussing a cabbage, with a hint of impatience, "sign your name on it."
"Such a valuable contract, this—" Yuan Tuoye subconsciously wanted to refuse.
"Stop with the formalities!" Tsunade interrupted his pleasantries without any politeness. "If you don't sign a summoning contract, how am I supposed to give you things in the future? Do you expect me to carry this kid around with me all the time? Even if you're willing, I find it annoying to have a grown man following me around!"
She stared, her face clearly showing her displeasure.
Looking at Tsunade's unwavering expression, Gen Takuno understood that her decision was based on pragmatism, not sentimentality.
After a few seconds of silence, he stopped being coy and said solemnly, "Then—I shall respectfully accept your offer."
He bit the pad of his right thumb, and bright red blood seeped out.
Without the slightest hesitation, he carefully and meticulously wrote his name, "Minamoto Takuno," on the bottom of the ancient scroll, using the blood that contained chakra and his own will.
As he signed, his gaze swept over the name on the scroll. Closest to him was "Tsunade," and further up was the legendary "God of Shinobi," "Hashirama Senju"!
Further up, he could no longer recognize those even more ancient names.
In this world, the key bond of a summoning contract lies in the imprint of "blood" and the resonance of chakra; the name itself is actually irrelevant.
It doesn't seem like a name that contains any unique power in the Cthulhu universe.
"Give it a try." Tsunade crossed her arms, seemingly nonchalant, but her eyes held a hint of observation. "Remember, the first time you summon, control your chakra levels carefully, don't overdo it."
She couldn't be bothered to ask if Yuan Tuoye knew spirit summoning techniques. Someone who could manipulate sealing techniques so skillfully would definitely be proficient in the most basic artifact summoning techniques.
"Yes," Gen Takuno replied.
The wound on his fingertip had not yet scabbed over, and with his bloodied thumb, he quickly formed a hand seal he knew by heart. Instantly, the space distorted and rippled strangely.
boo~
With a soft, jelly-like sound, a huge slug, about the same size as the silent one, suddenly appeared in the somewhat cramped room.
Its entire body is covered in a lustrous blue halo, its skin has a healthy moisture, and a pair of cute antennae sway gently, exuding a gentle and friendly aura.
"Lady Tsunade, is there anything I can do for you?" The slug's highly recognizable gentle and mature voice rang out. Its first reaction after being summoned was naturally to find the source of the contract, Tsunade.
But it soon noticed the subtle difference in chakra.
A gentle gaze fell upon Yuan Tuoye, who had just completed the hand seals, with a hint of curious inquiry.
"Slug, this is the new contractor of Shikkotsu Forest, Minamoto Takuno," Tsunade introduced at the right moment. "I'll be relying on you to help him out in the future."
"I see." The slug's voice remained as gentle as a spring breeze. "Understood, Lady Tsunade. Lord Takuno, it's a pleasure to meet you. I am a slug from Shikkotsu Forest. From now on, please take care of me."
It slightly moved its body, appearing very humble and polite.
"Not at all! Lord Slug, you flatter me." Gen Takuno quickly bowed slightly in return. "It is my honor to have your support. I hope you will not hesitate to guide me in the future!"
He adopted a very humble posture, showing great respect for this summoning beast that had lived for countless years and was considered top-notch in both medical and combat abilities.
"Tsk, alright, alright," Tsunade rolled her eyes, interrupting their slightly awkward bowing. "Stop being so polite, calling me 'adult' all that. There'll be plenty of time to get to know each other later. Save me the trouble!"
Yuan Tuoye and the slug exchanged a glance and smiled slightly. Yuan Tuoye quickly communicated briefly with the slug to learn the key points of spirit communication and some basic information.
Soon, the slug glowed, turned into a wisp of green smoke, and returned to the Wet Bone Forest after ending its psychic state.
"If I ever come up with anything new in the future, I'll have the slug bring it to you." Tsunade stepped forward, resealed the huge contract scroll, and rolled it up to put it away.
As she spoke, she couldn't help but let out a big yawn; she had indeed overdrawn her energy these past few days. "Also, remember, I gave you these things willingly. Don't nag Jiraiya about it later. I'll leave quietly with Shizune."
She emphasized this point. Knowing Jiraiya as she did, the guy was probably still lost in the sweet dream of a hangover and wouldn't wake up until late morning.
"Lady Tsunade—" Gen Takuno looked at the figure in front of him and couldn't help but ask one last time, "Really—aren't you going back to Konoha?"
'
Tsunade paused, not turning around, but gently shaking her head. Her voice was soft, yet carried a sense of detachment, as if everything had settled: "With Minato Namikaze in Konoha now, he's doing a great job. As for medical matters—with you here, I have nothing to worry about."
She paused for a moment, as if remembering something of utmost importance, then turned around abruptly. The languid and tired look on her face vanished instantly, replaced by a sharp and serious expression that Yuan Tuoye had never seen before, her tone resolute.
"By the way! The scroll I gave you contains two special techniques! Listen, Minamoto Takuya! Although I am not your teacher, I must require that you absolutely, positively, not set foot on the front lines of battle until you have fully mastered those two techniques! Understand?!"
At this moment, Tsunade's eyes were sharp as knives, revealing her majesty as the creator of the "Hundred Healings Seal" and her sense of responsibility as a top medical ninja.
Takuno felt a chill run down his spine. He understood exactly what the two techniques Tsunade was referring to were. They were the foundation of her core strength in the ninja world, the "Hundred Healings Technique," and the ultimate secret that might concern life itself, "Creation Rebirth"! Their importance was self-evident.
He straightened his posture solemnly, and without the slightest hesitation, replied in a deep voice, "Yes!"
This commitment was not a burden for him, as he had planned to primarily support medical care and large-scale logistics under the identity of "Yuan Tuoye," rather than to be on the front lines.
Moreover, he knew better than anyone else what the future held: a period of relative peace lasting several years was about to begin.
Apart from localized skirmishes, large-scale wars will temporarily subside.
This fragile peace is unlikely to break down until Sunagakure can no longer hold on.
The fact that Sunagakure is still barely able to survive largely depends on the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, using Magnet Release to extract gold dust in exchange for foreign exchange resources.
However, Sunagakure is located in the barren desert of the Land of Wind, where resources are extremely scarce, and its economic structure, which relies solely on gold dust, is like a castle built on sand.
Once gold prices fluctuate, mineral resources are depleted, or technological barriers are broken, this balance will collapse in an instant, and the next storm sweeping the ninja world will be hard to avoid in order to solve their own resource problems.
Thinking of Rasa's Magnet Release—Takuno Minamoto's thoughts drifted far away.
He felt that the Magnet Release in the Naruto world might not be magnetism in the conventional sense, but rather a kind of metal control.
Many non-magnetic metals, such as gold, can still be controlled by magnetic escape techniques.
Even though the Fourth Kazekage controls gold dust, which contains magnetic impurities, judging from his control over the gold dust, it doesn't seem like he's simply using the impurities to control it.
In the Fourth Shinobi World War, he was able to control all metals. Surely not all ninjas' tools were made of non-magnetic metals?
Perhaps that is why the chakra contained in Magnet Release does not contain lightning attribute, because if it were just Magnet Release, then it could be done by generating a magnetic field using lightning release.
However, that kind of thing probably doesn't qualify as a bloodline limit.
In addition, there is Hiruko's Steel Release, which is impossible to verify. Minamoto Takuno always felt that it was just an extreme application of Earth Release, but since it is a bloodline limit, it must have two attributes.
Perhaps it's like Wood Release and Lava Release, I don't know what attribute it's mixed with.
"Okay, it's settled then." Tsunade looked at Minamoto Takuno's solemn promise, the sternness on her face melting away like ice and snow, and she returned to her lazy demeanor, waving her hand.
"Alright, you've handed over your things and said your piece. You can leave now. Don't linger here." She gave him the order to leave without any politeness.
Looking at the scroll in his hand, which contained Tsunade's life's work, Gen Takuno felt a deep sense of gratitude and an indescribable tremor.
He knew that receiving this unreserved gift was not just a recognition of his own value.
What Tsunade valued most was the gaze of the white-haired ninja who introduced her to him and placed a heavy bet on him.
The word "thank you" was on the tip of his tongue, but it ultimately turned into a simple yet incredibly sincere "Thank you, Lady Tsunade!"
He said no more, bowed deeply, and turned to leave the room.
As the door closed gently, Tsunade stood alone, her gaze unconsciously drifting towards the direction of Konoha outside the window. Her expression was complex and unfathomable, a mixture of reminiscence, resolve, and a barely perceptible trace of lingering affection.
Can she really let go of this village, which was created by her beloved grandfather, Hashirama Senju, and have no more attachments?
Everything she did, from passing on the core of medical system innovation and life-saving legacy to Gen Takuno, was also leaving Konoha with another, more solid layer of protection.
At least, when the next war breaks out, the Konoha ninjas will have a much greater chance of survival in terms of medical support and logistics, thanks to Minamoto no Takuya's growth.
This can be considered her final and most silent act of protection for this village that carries the honor of her family.