Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic.

Closed for a century...

Sakura's opportunity was gone, and Qingwu couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.

However, that girl is still young, so we'll find an opportunity to make it up to her in the future.

"Thanks a lot."

Qingwu said something to dispel the spiritual connection, and the giant slug turned into a wisp of white smoke and disappeared by the river.

He turned and glanced around. The grass and trees were still there, and the river was still flowing. But he couldn't see Tsunade and Shizune. Qingwu scratched his head and muttered to himself, "Where did those two go?"

My stomach started growling at that inopportune moment.

After a full day and night in the Shigu Forest, without eating or drinking, they were starving.

After waiting for a while and glancing at the sky, he was about to get up and go to the capital to find something to eat when he saw two familiar figures walking out of the woods.

It was Tsunade and Shizune.

Jingyin was also carrying two bulging bags.

As they drew closer, the aroma of food wafted from the bag, making Qingwu's stomach rumble twice more. She was so hungry…

Tsunade stepped forward, looked Qingwu up and down, and said with a hint of surprise, "You just left to get something to eat, and you're back from the Wet Bone Forest?"

Jingyin smiled and said, "It's good that you're alright. You must be hungry. I specially bought rice balls and braised meat. They're still hot. Come and eat."

She wasn't actually that worried; she could tell from Tsunade's expression.

In Tsunade's words:

That kid is very strong; passing the test shouldn't be too difficult. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had the slug use reverse teleportation to take him to the Wet Bone Forest so quickly.

Yes, the sparring session the night before last certainly proved his qualifications!

Qingwu took the food and replied to Tsunade, "Everything went smoothly, and the Slug Sage brought me out."

He then thanked Jingyin and opened the bag to start eating.

The braised pork is fragrant and flavorful, and the rice balls are firmly packed together, making each bite a truly satisfying experience.

"A young immortal..."

Thinking of the slug immortal's nickname for him, Qingwu found it somewhat amusing. After all, he wasn't cultivating immortality; otherwise, he wouldn't have been hungry during the "fasting period."

Tsunade stood to the side with her arms crossed, watching him wolf down his food, her eyes showing no emotion, and she didn't ask him what he had gained from the trip.

He simply said, "Eat slowly, no one will take it from you. After you finish eating, we'll head to Konoha."

Qingwu looked up in surprise and said, "So fast? Thank you, sir."

He originally thought that persuading Tsunade to return to Konoha to treat Yugao would require a lot of talking.

He even prepared to go back and bring Yugao out first, in case Tsunade didn't want to go back.

Unexpectedly, Tsunade, who seems indifferent to everything, still cares about Konoha.

Just then, Tsunade frowned again, "You..."

Qingwu took a couple of gulps of water to ease his choking sensation. "What's wrong? Lady Tsunade!"

Tsunade moved closer and asked with concern, "I can't sense any chakra in you. What happened in Shikkotsu Forest?"

In the ninja world, chakra is often considered a symbol of strength, reflecting the prevailing mindset and standards of measurement.

Although this kid mainly used taijutsu and didn't have much chakra, it's a different story if he has no chakra at all.

"Oh, this?" Qingwu laughed. "The Slug Immortal said that my immortal mode is different from others."

Shizune's eyes widened suddenly: "Qingwu-jun, you've mastered Sage Mode?!"

Even Tsunade unconsciously parted her red lips, "You're kidding, right..."

Under 15 years old?

Fairy?

Chapter 165 Kakuzu: Money is hard to earn, so use it sparingly!

Qingwu had no intention of hiding anything, after all, the opportunities were all given to him by Tsunade.

"Yes, I also signed a psychic contract."

"What?!" Even Tsunade couldn't hold back anymore.

“My grandfather only mastered Sage Chakra back then, and didn’t obtain the Slug’s summoning contract.” Tsunade stared at him, looking surprised.

Qingwu thought to herself: I'm afraid Hashirama wouldn't even consider me.

Before mastering Sage Mode, that "God of Shinobi" was already invincible with just Wood Release.

Moreover, given Hashirama Senju's body's self-healing abilities, he wouldn't need the slug's healing assistance.

"You brat, you actually managed to have both?" Tsunade exclaimed in astonishment. "Tell me, was the Slug Sage fooled by you?"

Qingwu put down the water pouch and said awkwardly, "It's probably because the Slug Immortal took a liking to me and, considering that I'm a descendant of the Thousand Hands, made an exception for me."

He didn't mention that he had burned out his chakra to become a natural being, nor did he mention how much the Slug Sage valued him. He only spoke lightly to avoid startling Tsunade again.

But Tsunade found these words even more outrageous, yet she couldn't refute them.

The rules of Shikkotsu Forest were originally set by the Slug Immortal, and if he really wanted to break them, no one could stop him.

Tsunade stared at Qingwu for a long time before finally managing to say, "You kid, you really have incredible luck. Oh well, it's your good fortune after all."

After a pause, Tsunade said seriously, "Don't disgrace the name of the Senju."

After being promoted to Jonin at the meeting at the beginning of the year, Qingwu has resumed his surname, but most of the time he is no different from usual.

However, when Tsunade spoke in such a serious tone, Qingwu felt a heavy sense of responsibility.

"Yes!" Qingwu nodded solemnly.

Despite growing up in Konoha, the fusion of his two souls didn't allow him to view the village entirely from the perspective of an outsider from another life.

Moreover, there are many genuine companions in the village, and... the bonds that the Third Hokage hoped to see!

Seeing his solemn expression, Tsunade's eyes held even more expectation. She reached out and affectionately ruffled his hair, then turned and said, "Let's go."

When no one could see her, Tsunade sighed sadly and murmured softly:

"Rope Tree..."

"This kid is nothing like you, and he doesn't keep saying he wants to be Hokage."

"but……"

“My little brother, the unfulfilled wish of yours may very well be fulfilled by the next generation of this family…”

In the setting sun, Tsunade's hair shimmered with a sharp golden light.

Shizune quickly followed, and as she passed Qingwu, she smiled at him, "Konoha has gained another ninja who can summon slugs, which will greatly reduce the pressure on the medical team in the future."

His tone was full of envy.

Qingwu smiled in response: "Senior Jingyin, do you want a summoning beast?"

……

Rain Country

The rain in Amegakure seems to never stop.

A thick curtain of rain enveloped the entire central tower, and the damp, cold wind whipped raindrops against the stone walls, splashing up tiny droplets of water.

Kakuzu's figure broke through the rain and entered the tower.

"Boom!"

He raised his hand and placed the heavy money box beside him on the table.

"Kakuzu, you're back."

An angelic woman descended from the sky, her wings folded, her amber eyes fixed on Kakuzu. "This time it's three days later than expected."

Kakuzu: "Xonan..."

He wanted to say that he had been delayed by a kid and had to take on two more jobs to raise the funds needed for this mission.

But when the words came out, all he said was, "Money is hard to earn, so be careful with it!"

I can't say it, it would be too embarrassing if word got out.

Konan paused, glancing behind Kakuzu. "Where are your companions?"

"Dead!" Kakuzu's beady eyes remained expressionless. "Died in the mission."

Xiao Nan's amber eyes narrowed slightly, as if she had expected this outcome, though her tone was somewhat helpless:

“The organization operates in pairs; you can’t keep killing your teammates.”

Kakuzu coldly replied, "I didn't kill my own teammates this time."

His voice clearly carried displeasure.

Xiao Nan raised her eyes and looked at him indifferently.

Kakuzu: "..."

“Where is Payne?” he asked.

What he, or rather all the members of the entire organization, feared was never the woman in front of him, but rather—the terrifying man named Payne!

"Payne is waiting for you upstairs."

As soon as Konan finished speaking, Kakuzu headed upstairs, reminding her before he left, "Remember, spend it sparingly."

"..." Konan remained silent, watching Kakuzu's figure disappear before whispering, "We need to find you a suitable partner."

Her gaze immediately fell on the money box, a rare hint of excitement flashing in her eyes: she could buy lots more explosive tags...

……

Land of Fire

Konoha Village