NARUTO: Ninja World Scientific Revolution

"So huge!!" 

The moment Kushina Uzumaki arrived in Shikotsu Forest, she was met with the sight of an enormous slug, its size comparable to that of a small mountain. She had always thought the Nine-Tails was a natural disaster in its own right, a behemoth among tailed beasts.

But now, standing before the Great Slug Sage, she felt as if the Nine-Tails was nothing more than a house cat in comparison. It seemed like this colossal slug could simply roll over and pin the Nine-Tails beneath it, rendering it completely immobile. 

"Shikotsu Forest has only one Great Slug Sage," Tsunade explained as she approached the massive creature. "The ones I summon are just fragments of its body." 

"Lady Katsuyu." 

"Tsunade? It's been a long time since you last visited Shikotsu Forest," the Great Slug Sage spoke, its voice as soft and gentle as the smaller versions Tsunade had summoned before. The contrast between its immense size and its delicate tone was almost jarring. "Are you here to introduce a new summoner?" 

"In a way," Tsunade replied. "Both Kushina and I are facing some issues, and we were hoping you might have a solution." 

"I see. Please wait a moment." 

Due to its enormous size, the Great Slug Sage rarely moved. Instead, it divided parts of itself into smaller slugs, which then crawled toward Tsunade and Kushina to examine them. 

"My apologies, Lady Tsunade, Lady Kushina," one of the small slugs said politely before beginning its examination. 

'It split from the main body, yet it still calls us "Lady"?' Kushina thought, finding it strange. However, she remained perfectly still, allowing the slug to move across her without complaint. 

After a few moments, the slugs returned to the Great Sage's body. A deep, rumbling voice soon followed. 

"Tsunade, Kushina, the Sage Chakra within your bodies has formed a stable circulation system independent of the three Great Sacred Lands' techniques. However, Kushina's situation is more critical. If left unattended, she will run out of Sage Chakra and die in about six years." 

The gentle yet firm words sent a shiver through Kushina. It wasn't that she feared death itself—what unsettled her was the thought of leaving Naruto behind. Anxiety swelled within her chest. 

Tsunade frowned. "Is there a way to prevent this, Great Slug Sage?" 

"The best option is to seek out the person who implanted Sage Chakra into her body. That individual has an extraordinary mastery of natural energy and may have a method to extend Kushina's life." 

Tsunade let out a small sigh. That was easier said than done. 

Hyuga Mirai had stolen half of the Nine-Tails from Konoha, and they had yet to determine whether he was working with the Uchiha who had controlled the Nine-Tails during the attack. Under these circumstances, there was no chance Kushina could openly seek his help—unless she defected from Konoha entirely. 

"Any other options?" Tsunade pressed. 

"There is another way," the Great Slug Sage continued. "If Kushina learns the Sage Art of Shikotsu Forest, she may be able to extend her lifespan. Natural energy has powerful regenerative properties. However, this technique was developed specifically for slugs, and while humans can learn it, the effects will be significantly weaker—perhaps only a tenth of what they would be for my kind." 

The Great Sage paused before adding, "And, as you know, Tsunade, my Sage Art is extremely difficult to master." 

Tsunade nodded and turned to Kushina. "She's not exaggerating. When I first learned about Sage Arts from Jiraiya, I immediately came to ask Katsuyu about Shikotsu Forest's technique. But at the time, I wasn't even qualified to attempt it." 

Unlike the techniques of Mount Myoboku and Ryuchi Cave, Shikotsu Forest's Sage Art was unique—entirely developed by the Great Slug Sage itself. To learn it, one required extraordinary regenerative abilities. Moreover, once training began, there was no turning back. If a person failed or quit midway, it would be like having corrosive acid slowly dissolve them from the inside out. Their body would melt into a pool of sludge, evaporating into nothingness. 

Only those with powerful regenerative capabilities could withstand the corrosive effects of natural energy during training. 

Even with her Senju heritage, Tsunade had been far from qualifying back then. It was only after developing the Strength of a Hundred Seal and Creation Rebirth that she had finally gained the necessary foundation. Initially, she had created those two techniques as stepping stones to achieve immortality and master the Sage Art of Shikotsu Forest. But after the deaths of her younger brother and lover, she had abandoned the idea and left Konoha altogether. 

"That's the situation, Kushina," Tsunade said seriously. "Shikotsu Forest's Sage Art is extremely dangerous, and there's no way to safeguard against failure." 

After a brief pause, she added, "However, I can teach you the Yin Seal and Creation Rebirth first. That way, you'll have an extra layer of protection when you begin training." 

The Great Slug Sage interjected in its usual gentle tone. "In Kushina's case, the risk is somewhat lower. The Sage Chakra within her will naturally maintain her vital functions at a survivable level. If she were to fail, the sealing formula in her body would likely release additional Sage Chakra to stabilize her life signs—at least until the reserves run out." 

In other words, as long as the Sage Chakra stored within her seal remained, she would be safe while training in the technique. However, if she failed to master it before that energy was depleted, her remaining lifespan would be cut even shorter. 

It was a choice—take the risk, or live for six more years and stay by Naruto's side. 

Kushina clenched her fists. 

In six years, Naruto would just be starting school. If she died then, she would miss the most crucial years of his life—the years when he would need her the most. 

Losing her protection, Kushina couldn't even begin to imagine what kind of life Naruto would be forced to endure. If anyone understood the hardships of being a Jinchuriki, it was her—constant surveillance, strict control, and the ever-present threat of being targeted. If it weren't for Mito Uzumaki, her childhood would have been nothing short of a nightmare. 

She hadn't forgotten how, shortly after Naruto was born, the Third Hokage and Konoha's higher-ups had come to take him away. Whether it was because of Minato or the Nine-Tails sealed within Naruto, Kushina had no illusions about their true intentions. 

"I want to try, Lady Katsuyu," Kushina declared, her gaze unwavering. Then, after a brief hesitation, she added, "But I'm worried about Naruto. Lady Katsuyu, can I train in Shikotsu Forest's Sage Art while staying in Konoha?" 

The Great Slug Sage's voice remained as gentle as ever. "Yes, you may. However, you will need one of my clones to accompany you. Training outside will be much slower, but you will still be able to accumulate natural energy." 

Since Kushina had made up her mind, Tsunade could only support her. Once they returned to Konoha, she would teach Kushina the Strength of a Hundred Seal and Creation Rebirth, ensuring she had an added layer of protection. 

With Kushina's matter settled, Tsunade turned to the Great Slug Sage with a more personal question. 

"Lady Katsuyu, can Shikotsu Forest's Sage Art remove the curse mark on me?" 

"I'm afraid not, Tsunade," the Great Slug Sage replied. "Kushina's situation is simpler because her body only contains sealing formulas and Sage Chakra. But in your case, there is another person's spiritual energy interfering. Earlier, when I infused Sage Chakra into your body, it was quickly consumed by another source of Sage Chakra. After that, the sealing formula within you weakened as well." 

Tsunade pulled down the collar of her robe slightly, confirming the change—the markings of the Evil Sealing Method had indeed faded. If this continued, it was only a matter of time before it disappeared entirely. 

And when that happened, she would have to resist Hyuga Mirai's curse mark on her own. 

"Is there really no way to remove it, Lady Katsuyu?" 

"I'm sorry, Tsunade. If I forcibly purge the curse mark from your body, you will die in the process." 

Hearing this, Tsunade clenched her fists. She knew the Great Slug Sage wasn't lying, and after a brief moment of frustration, she bit her lip and relented. "I understand. Thank you for trying, Lady Katsuyu." 

She had no choice but to adapt. 

Tsunade had tried manipulating Mirai's curse mark before. It allowed her to access a different form of Sage Mode, but it also came with a dangerous drawback—it made her susceptible to Mirai's influence. Prolonged exposure would undoubtedly cause harm to her body. 

But if even the Great Slug Sage couldn't help her, then she would have to find her own way to deal with it. 

Who would have thought that the same brat who used to seek her guidance on sealing techniques and medical ninjutsu would one day become such a formidable opponent? 

--- 

Konoha Village

Due to the arrival of important guests from the Land of Fire's capital, Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Danzo Shimura to his office. 

Danzo was the last to arrive, having been occupied with the recent expansion of Root. Between keeping tabs on the Uchiha clan and tracking the movements of Uzumaki Trade Association's key figures, his workload had grown significantly. 

When he stepped into the office, he immediately noticed the presence of three individuals. The one leading them was dressed in the elaborate robes of nobility. 

"What is this about, Hiruzen?" Danzo asked directly, his impatience evident. 

Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke, his expression calm. "Danzo, these envoys were sent by the Daimyo. They're here to discuss an important matter." 

The nobleman in the ornate robes stepped forward, gracefully folding his fan before retrieving a document from his sleeve. With an air of quiet authority, he spoke. 

"Elder Danzo, I have been sent on behalf of the Daimyo to deliver an important message to the Hokage and Konoha's leadership. His Highness requests that Konoha cease its pursuit of the Uzumaki Trade Association's leadership." 

"What did you just say?" Danzo's voice turned cold as his sharp gaze locked onto the envoy. His presence alone exerted immense pressure, sending a wave of tension through the room. 

The two shinobi accompanying the nobleman immediately stepped forward, their hands hovering near their weapons. Though they knew they were no match for Danzo, they were prepared to defend their charge with their lives. 

However, the nobleman merely raised a hand, signaling them to stand down. His face had gone slightly pale under the weight of Danzo's intimidation, but his voice remained steady as he slid the document forward and continued. 

"This is not just my request, nor is it solely the Daimyo's will," he said evenly. "This is a joint petition signed by the eleven provinces and forty-three noble families of the Land of Fire. If Konoha insists on taking action against the leadership of the Uzumaki Trade Association, these families will sever all trade relations with the village." 

He let the words settle before delivering the final blow. 

"The Daimyo himself opposes any further interference. Furthermore, he has stated that he will reconsider Konoha's standing within the Land of Fire's alliance." 

Danzo, Hiruzen, Koharu, and Homura all stiffened at those words. 

Their eyes fell on the open document before them. Page after page bore the names of nobles from across the country—signatures of those who held true political power within the Land of Fire. 

A storm was brewing.

(End of Chapter)

=========================================================

DROP THEM POWER STONES PLEASE

SUPPORT ME ON P@TREON IF YOU'D LIKE ACCESS ON ADVANCED CHAPTERS

PAT REON . COM / TurdTranslations (Just remove the space).