Naruto, what kind of Hokage would you be if you didn't roll around!

Seeing that he had been persuaded, Jiraiya glanced at Tsunade again.

"This time, I want to bring Sasuke along too."

“He is also my disciple, so I can’t show favoritism to him.”

Naruto pouted and said, "Perverted Sage, it's not that I don't want you to bring him, but what you're saying about favoritism..."

"These past few days, your mind has clearly been more on Sasuke, hasn't it?!"

"On the contrary, it is I who have been cultivating myself all along!"

Jiraiya scratched his head: "Haha, that makes sense..."

"But that's because you have higher talent and can train on your own, while Sasuke... needs my help."

Since he had said that, Naruto had nothing to say.

Tsunade scoffed, "Are you taking Naruto and Sasuke, both of your disciples, to Mount Myōboku to train in Sage Mode?"

"Jiraiya, does this mean you're guaranteed to win your bet with me?"

Jiraiya had long forgotten about it.

"What bet?"

Tsunade slammed her hand on the table and stood up: "Of course it's a bet between disciples!"

"Oh, that..."

"Hahahaha, I thought you'd forgotten about it long ago too!"

"I'll never forget about gambling!"

"I won't just stand by and watch Naruto and Sasuke leave Hinata far behind!"

Jiraiya's heart moved.

"Tsunade, you mean to say..."

Tsunade smiled confidently, put her hands on her hips, and said, "The three sacred lands are not just Mount Myōboku!"

Kakashi, Nara Shikaku, and the others were also taken aback.

"Lord Hokage, are you saying that Hinata should also go to Shikkotsu Forest for training?!"

Tsunade laughed heartily, "Of course! I believe she's prepared for this!"

Shizune frowned and said, "Lady Tsunade, everyone has seen Hinata's talent and hard work, but the training in Shikkotsu Forest must be quite difficult, right?"

"Do you want her to also cultivate Sage Mode?"

"Ultimately, does the Wet Bone Forest possess any magical arts?"

Her problem reflects the sentiments of most people.

Although both are sacred sites, Mount Myōboku is undoubtedly the most well-known in the ninja world.

Besides Jiraiya, the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, also went there to train, making it a true sacred place for the inheritance of Sage Mode.

While Ryuchi Cave is equally dangerous and secluded, many daring ninjas still venture there to explore. However, the White Snake Sage is not as easy to talk to as the Great Toad Sage...

Upon entering Ryuchi Cave, one will be infused with the cave's Sage Chakra. If one cannot withstand it, one will go berserk and die, becoming food for the White Snake Sage.

In fact, to this day, no one has ever been heard of truly mastering the magic of Longdi Cave.

But at least there are some.

As for the Wet Bone Forest, I've never heard of it.

Of course, most people have only heard of the three holy lands, and those who truly understand them are those who are associated with them, such as Jiraiya and Tsunade.

Tsunade smiled confidently: "The three holy lands all have immortals, so naturally they all have the inheritance of immortal techniques."

"Of course, it's not surprising that you don't know, since the Sage Techniques of Shikkotsu Forest have indeed hardly spread throughout the ninja world."

Shizune said, "I remember that the First Hokage was very skilled in Sage Mode. He was Tsunade's grandfather. Did he train in Shikkotsu Forest?"

Tsunade shook her head.

“Grandfather did not practice immortal arts in Shikkotsu Forest.”

"He relied on past records and his own exploration to cultivate himself to that level. No one else could have done that..."

"He possesses an unparalleled amount of chakra, far surpassing even Naruto's; moreover, he has a body capable of healing without hand seals, making him practically immortal; more importantly, he is the only one skilled in Wood Release techniques, possessing a unique physique that is naturally compatible with all of nature's energy..."

"A terrifying amount of chakra, an incredible constitution that can heal without hand seals, and the Wood Release technique's affinity for natural energy—all of these combined to create a powerful being like Grandfather, who was able to comprehend the mysteries of Sage Mode on his own. This is a path that we cannot inherit or follow."

Shizune frowned and said, "That's even stranger. Even the First Hokage never practiced the Shikkotsu Forest Sage Technique, and neither did you, Lady Tsunade. Doesn't that mean that even if the Shikkotsu Forest has a Sage Technique lineage, no one has ever actually succeeded in practicing it?"

Tsunade nodded and said, "That's true. It's true that no one has ever successfully mastered the Wet Bone Forest Sage Technique."

"So, what do you think of Hinata...?"

"Yes, I think Hinata is very likely to become the first person to do so!"

Everyone couldn't help but feel shocked.

Naruto, however, was overjoyed.

Hearing Tsunade praise Hinata so highly made him feel proud as well.

It's as if, deep down, he's already decided that Hinata is his...

"Grandma Tsunade! I also believe Hinata can do it!"

Jingyin glanced at him, smiled slightly, and turned her head back, still somewhat curious.

"While I also believe in Hinata, what talents does Lady Tsunade believe she possesses that would allow her to succeed?"

Tsunade chuckled, "That idea came to me when I saw her unique taijutsu, the Hyuga Heavenly Light Palm, which she had developed herself. I was shocked, and that's when I first had that thought..."

Jiraiya had never heard of this before, and scratched his head, saying, "Hyuga Tenko Palm?"

"what is that?"

Hiashi Hyuga explained, "That was Hinata's inspiration from the Hyuga clan's Gentle Fist style and the Hokage's teachings of raw power and brute force. She developed a unique taijutsu by integrating the two styles..."

"Once unleashed, it will burst forth with a dazzling light like the sun, combining strength and gentleness, enough to severely injure the enemy from both the outside and the inside at the same time."

Although his tone remained calm, everyone could hear the pride in his heart.

Jiraiya was shocked.

"Is it really possible to do something like that?"

"So, that little girl is indeed quite remarkable..."

"This is an unprecedented ability."

Tsunade nodded: "Exactly!"

"Furthermore, Jiraiya, don't you find it strange? Why does a power that combines strength and gentleness emit such a dazzling light?"

"I do not know."

Tsunade smiled and said, "Sarutobi-sensei is known as the professor of ninjutsu. Why do you think that is?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi rarely expressed his opinions because he wanted to deliberately downplay his influence so that Tsunade could more easily take over the entire Hidden Leaf Village.

But these theoretical questions are indeed something he is interested in and good at.

He held his pipe in his mouth, exhaled a large smoke ring, and his eyes lit up.

"I remember it was some kind of change that symbolized vitality. In the long history of the ninja world, some ninjas had conducted research in this area, but none of them were completely successful."

"By fusing and transforming chakra in a very unique way, it unleashes terrifying destructive power while also possessing unimaginable vitality. It represents the power of both destruction and rebirth, and its characteristic is that the chakra emits a dazzling light—"

"Now it seems that Hinata accomplished this impossible thing unintentionally..."

Tsunade couldn't help but admire her: "As expected of Sarutobi-sensei, I only discovered Hinata's special abilities after consulting many secret documents."

Jiraiya said, "In other words, Hinata, who is capable of doing this, might also be able to master that special Sage Mode in Shikkotsu Forest?"

“Indeed, the Sage Techniques of Shikkotsu Forest are different from those of Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave. They represent destruction and restoration. The Slug Sage possesses an unparalleled body and abilities, capable of destroying all things in nature and healing all living beings. I believe that the one who can inherit her mantle will definitely be Hinata!”

"And at that time, she will also become—"

"An existence that surpasses me, his master!"

Everyone was shocked.

Naruto couldn't help but get excited as he listened.

"That's fantastic! When all three members of Class 7 master Sage Mode, they'll be practically invincible!"

Tsunade laughed and said, "Don't get too cocky, Naruto."

"But you have to be able to really master it."

Naruto clenched his fist, his eyes brimming with confidence.

That was not only confidence in himself, but also trust in Sasuke and Hinata.

"Class 7 can definitely do it!"

With the plan settled, Hokage Tsunade began to arrange the specific actions.

Wait until you leave the Hokage's office.

Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Naruto gathered Sasuke and Hinata together.

Naruto excitedly told the two of them about the meeting's decision.

Sasuke couldn't help but feel a stirring in his heart.

"The sage techniques of Mount Myōboku?"

If one could master this power, which was called by Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin, as his last trump card, he would have a great chance of defeating Itachi Uchiha!

He clenched his fists instantly, filled with anticipation.

Hinata was both happy and a little nervous.

"Master, Master... I am truly flattered that you trust me so much..."

"I...I'm just afraid..."

Tsunade stroked her little head: "Hinata, you're good at everything, except you lack confidence."

"You're already so outstanding, why can't you have more confidence in yourself?"

Hinata lowered her head.

Indeed, in terms of strength, she is second only to Naruto, and even compared to Sasuke, she might not necessarily be at a disadvantage.

However, personality is not something that can be easily changed.

“Master is right. I… since I am Master’s disciple, I should not be afraid or cowardly. I will prove my strength and will never let Master down!”

Hinata mustered her courage and said in a deep voice.

Tsunade smiled sweetly: "Yes, that's my good disciple!"

She glanced at Jiraiya: "Let's begin then, and see whose disciple is the first to master Sage Mode!"

Jiraiya laughed heartily: "Then you're probably doomed to lose, Tsunade."

"After all, the sage techniques of Shikkotsu Forest are unprecedented, but the sage techniques of Mount Myōboku have been passed down from generation to generation."

"Hmph, that's not necessarily true!"

She instantly activated the hand seals, directly summoning the split form of the Slug Sage of the Wet Bone Forest.

boom--

With a soft sound, a giant slug, several inches taller than the building, appeared instantly in the spot.

"so big!"

Naruto couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

Tsunade laughed, "This is only one percent of the Slug Sage's true form!"

Although the slug's split body is part of the Slug Sage, it seems to have its own will and its voice is very gentle and sweet.

"Lady Tsunade, is there something you need from my summoning?"

Tsunade nodded: "Yes, I have found an unprecedentedly perfect successor for Shikkotsu Forest!"