"Go and train in Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Mode, Tsunade!"
"What nonsense are you talking about?!"
Facing Orochimaru's serious and earnest plea, Tsunade's expression darkened. If she could have trained in it, she would have long gained the Sage Body like her grandfather!
She might have even awakened Wood Release by now!
"You don't want your younger brother and lover to die again after being revived, do you? What if we could create a body with immense vitality for them?
Besides, I believe that for our future research, Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Mode will elevate your medical ninjutsu to a whole new level! It will be an even greater help to our goal!" ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ NoveI(F)ire.net
"How many times do I have to say it? Do you not understand human speech?! I am not qualified to train in Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Mode! I never gained the Slug Sage's approval!"
Tsunade felt a wave of irritation, her clenched fist whipping forward in an instant. The force of the punch sent a gust of wind through the air, making Orochimaru's hair ripple like seaweed drifting in the current.
Ignoring the seemingly delicate yet incredibly dangerous fist before him, Orochimaru tilted his head slightly to evade the attack. Locking eyes with Tsunade, who still maintained her striking stance, he spoke.
"When I developed Creation Rebirth and the Strength of a Hundred Seal, I was already preparing for Sage Mode. But even with my medical forbidden techniques, I still can't guarantee that I could successfully train in Sage Mode."
Tsunade held his gaze for a moment before slowly withdrawing her fist. Her tone was blunt and unceremonious. As a top-tier medical ninja, she naturally had ambitions of her own.
If it weren't for the deaths of her younger brother, lover, and grandmother, along with the scheming of her clan members and Konoha's higher-ups, she might not have distanced herself so much from Orochimaru and Jiraiya.
But even in a state of depression and stagnation, she still successfully developed Creation Rebirth and the Strength of a Hundred Seal.
Although these two techniques were somewhat based on her great-uncle's unique constitution, they could be considered a degraded, jutsu-based version of the Sage Mode from Shikkotsu Forest.
They could also serve as a stepping stone and foundation for mastering true Sage Mode.
"As expected, even in your downfall, you never wasted your talent."
Orochimaru nodded lightly at Tsunade. Just like him—despite failing and retreating from Sage training at Ryūchi Cave before—he had never given up.
Beyond modifying his own body to a certain extent, he also developed the Cursed Seal, a degraded version of Sage Jutsu, using Ryūchi Cave's sages as a reference and Jūgo as a template.
"I can provide you with more help!" Orochimaru said confidently. "Trust me, I can make sure you successfully master Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Mode."
"Your real goal is Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Mode, isn't it?"
Even if she had been slow to realize it before, after this conversation, Tsunade now understood—Orochimaru's true objective was the Sage Mode of Shikkotsu Forest.
She could tell that Orochimaru wasn't lying when he said Sage Jutsu would enhance her medical ninjutsu and was crucial to his plans.
But at the same time, she wasn't foolish. She could sense there was an even deeper reason, something Orochimaru hadn't revealed yet.
That reason was likely the real motive behind his insistence on helping her master Sage Mode.
However, Tsunade didn't particularly care.
As long as she could master Sage Mode and it played an important, even pivotal role in their plans, that was enough.
As for the rest—when the time came, Orochimaru's true purpose would reveal itself naturally.
"That's right! My plan is to master the Sage Mode of the Three Sage Regions and merge them together! To become a true Sage!"
Orochimaru did not hesitate and openly revealed his plans.
"I will revive Nawaki and Dan, and you will give me the Sage Mode of the Shikkotsu Forest."
"Now that's more like you, Orochimaru!" Tsunade nodded in understanding. She was a bit surprised by Orochimaru's directness, but after hearing him, she was not angry.
"Do you want the contract of the Shikkotsu Forest? The White Snake Sage of the Ryuchi Cave might just eat you up!"
"I don't need it. You will become the subject of my observation and research, and in the end, the power of a Sage will be mine, if I can achieve it by then."
Orochimaru shook his head. He wasn't planning on signing a contract with Shikkotsu Forest or Mount Myoboku. As Tsunade mentioned, the White Snake Sage would probably consume him.
He didn't believe that the seemingly kind White Snake Sage would actually have a gentle temperament. In Ryuchi Cave, the environment was harsh and survival of the fittest.
Another reason was that Orochimaru clearly knew the three great summoning beasts' ancestral Sages each had their own philosophies.
He wasn't sure, or rather, he was certain that he wouldn't conform to their ideals.
"You're really straightforward!" Tsunade snorted coldly. She was indifferent to Orochimaru's intention of waiting for her to master Sage Mode and then taking it for himself.
Although she wouldn't reject Orochimaru, she wouldn't necessarily sit back and let him take it from her without a fight.
"How will you help me?"
"I possess the inheritance of Shinnō's ninjutsu," Orochimaru said with sincerity.
Hearing the name, Tsunade nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
Though Shinnō's reputation wasn't as grand as hers in the ninja world, Tsunade, having exchanged with him before, knew well that Shinnō's expertise in medical ninjutsu wasn't low.
Even if it didn't surpass hers, it was still enough to place him among the top medical ninjas.
Especially in the field of human anatomy and surgery, Shinnō's medical ninjutsu could offer her valuable insights.
But that was only for inspiration. Tsunade had her own confidence. The other person's medical ninjutsu knowledge wouldn't surpass hers, let alone her Creation Rebirth and Hundred Healing techniques.
"Also, I can let you use the Hogyoku Mode first! This mode will greatly enhance your own abilities and bloodline. If the compatibility is high, it could even cause a leap in your power!"
Orochimaru naturally didn't think the notebook of Shinno would have a decisive impact. His real confidence and trump card came from the Hogyoku.
Hogyoku Mode was on par with Sage Mode, and its potential for growth was even higher. It didn't conflict with the Sage Mode of the Three Legendary Sages.
In other words, the power of both could be stacked!
"Hogyoku Mode?" Tsunade could naturally hear the confidence in Orochimaru's tone. "You've really developed quite a few things over the years!"
"It has nothing to do with me! Hogyoku was created by Kagetsu. I'm just helping him collect data and test the power of the Hogyoku."
Orochimaru denied Tsunade's words, pointing out that Kagetsu created the Hogyoku. Although he had contributed a lot, Orochimaru clearly wasn't ready to admit it.
"Come with me." Saying this, Orochimaru took the lead and led Tsunade deeper into the base.
"When you see the Hogyoku, you'll be amazed by its power!"
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