The "Gamamaru" being mentioned was clearly the ancestral sage of Mount Myoboku.
Based on what the Slug Sage revealed, it seemed that guiding the world according to prophecy was a form of training for Gamamaru, while the White Snake Sage acted as his rival and competitor.
With this in mind, the Three Sage Regions might not be as indifferent to the outside world as they had originally thought.
Of course, they could also be overthinking it. After all, their information was too limited.
"What about the Shikkotsu Forest?" Tsunade couldn't help but ask.
The summoning contract of Shikkotsu Forest was almost entirely made up of members from the Senju and Uzumaki clans. After all, their unique physical constitution made them a perfect fit for the summoning land's requirements.
"Shikkotsu Forest?" The Slug Sage hesitated for a moment, its large head shifting slightly. "Shikkotsu Forest has no real need for the outside world.
If Gamamaru seeks prophecy, and the White Snake Sage observes the past, then I… represent existence itself.
No matter if the outside world flourishes or falls into ruin, it doesn't affect the existence of the Three Sage Regions. However, because of our different personalities, we naturally exhibit different behaviors."
I don't like your human wars, whether they involve samurai or ninja. I care about the continuation of life.
The Slug Sage's tone remained gentle, yet it strangely influenced both Kagetsu and Tsunade, making them almost feel the deep, compassionate emotions hidden within its words.
"Does Lord Katsuyu know about the world before the Shinobi Era?" Kagetsu suddenly asked. He was curious to hear how the Slug Sage would describe the world that existed before ninjas.
"Before the Shinobi Era?" The Slug Sage seemed slightly puzzled by the question, perhaps because, over the centuries, no one had ever asked before. After a moment of contemplation, it responded, "Are you referring to the world before the existence of ninjas?"
"Yes." Kagetsu nodded. For more chapters visit novel★fire.net
Tsunade, standing beside him, didn't understand why he would suddenly ask such an ancient and seemingly useless question. However, knowing that Kagetsu wouldn't bring up something meaningless, she remained silent and simply waited for the Slug Sage's answer.
"Let me think… My memories are quite old. What I can recall is only fragments, nothing as complete as the White Snake Sage's knowledge."
The Slug Sage lowered its head, as if searching its memories.
"The world before ninjas… wasn't much different from today. Life continued to wither away, and humans still fought endlessly.
If there was any difference, perhaps it was the existence of so-called gods and spirits."
"Gods and spirits really existed in this world?"
Tsunade was shocked by the Slug Sage's response. She never expected to hear such an answer from it.
"Of course, they weren't true gods. Back then, there were no ninja techniques, but there were mysterious powers similar to them.
The land was even more chaotic than it is now, and humans lived in constant peril. Most sought refuge under the protection of powerful nations or strong non-human beings.
Some creatures were born from human thoughts, taking form through manifested energy. Depending on how they interacted with people, they were classified as gods, spirits, or even evil deities."
Katsuyu tried hard to recall the distant and somewhat vague memories, answering for both Tsunade and Kagetsu.
"Then why don't we see them now?" Tsunade asked, somewhat surprised.
"After ninjas and chakra appeared, they were eliminated or died. Only a few who are hard to kill are still barely hanging on," Katsuyu said in a soft and calm tone, as if speaking of something insignificant.
But both Tsunade and Kagetsu could sense a hint of sorrow in the Sage's voice.
"In the past, the darkness in humans' hearts combined with certain powers really did create some troublesome beings. But after chakra spread across the world, that situation almost disappeared. From a human perspective, Hagoromo did a good job," Katsuyu continued softly.
"Hagoromo?" Tsunade quickly thought of the country of the dead, where powerful demons capable of destroying the ninja world were suppressed, and where true miko (shaman) existed.
But soon, another name caught her attention.
"Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo, also the ancestor of ninjas in your world, the Sage of Six Paths," the Sage bluntly stated the name of the Sage of Six Paths.
"Could you tell us more about the Sage of Six Paths?" Kagetsu asked, pretending to be curious.
"To be more specific, you should ask the White Snake Sage, or better yet, Gamamaru. Because the Sage of the Six Paths has the closest relationship with Gamamaru, considering each other as partners. Gamamaru knows more about the Sage of the Six Paths than I or the White Snake Sage do."
The Slug Sage shook his head and spoke with some helplessness.
"Then, Lord Katsuyu, is the Shikkotsu Forest the same as the other two places? Were they also experienced by you?" Tsunade asked, realizing that it might be a useless question.
"The Shinobi World is a very strange place. It holds many secrets. Some of these secrets are things even the beings from the Three Sage Regions, including us three, cannot know.
Around the Shinobi World, there are many spaces similar to Sage Regions. These spaces each have different purposes and powers.
Some were used by the Sage of the Six Paths as prisons, to drive away and seal away powerful beings who couldn't be killed. They were sealed in these spaces to wither away and die, unable to affect the safety of the Shinobi World.
Others naturally occupy these spaces as their territories, living in them, but they don't easily come to the Shinobi World.
The Three Sage Regions are the latter." The Slug Sage said slowly.
"The Shinobi World really has so many secrets?" Tsunade was a bit shocked. She suddenly felt that the battles and world of ninjas seemed rather dull compared to the world and secrets the Slug Sage spoke of.
"This isn't something you should be thinking about. Let's talk about Kagetsu. We may not have another chance to meet," the Slug Sage said kindly.
"If necessary, I can bring Kagetsu over anytime," Tsunade said, patting her chest to reassure the Slug Sage.
"But the White Snake Sage might come to talk to me," the Slug Sage shook its head. "I can feel the White Snake Sage's strong regard for Kagetsu and the other contractor. If it misunderstands that I'm trying to steal its ally, it might come to talk to me, and that wouldn't be good.
I'm not very fond of fighting, especially with the White Snake Sage. Its power could cause the Shikkotsu Forest's environment to change drastically. I don't like that."
"What do you want to know?" Kagetsu asked proactively.
"I want to know, did you create a different kind of energy? A power different from chakra or natural energy?"
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