Chapter 225: The Slug Sage: I Don't Like Gamamaru
"The three great sage regions, Shikkotsu Forest?"
Only then did little Karin see that the scroll in her hands was already filled with all sorts of names.
Senju, Uzumaki, Kaguya, Uchiha…
"From now on, you will become my disciple and carry the will of the Crimson Moon."
"The first thing is to learn the Summoning Jutsu. For the current you, this should be a piece of cake."
Feeling the warmth of the hand on her head, a smile slowly appeared on little Karin's face. She nodded heavily, "Mm, no problem, Teacher."
She was naturally grateful for Menma's trust, knowing that this was her teacher's first test for her. She didn't hesitate to find a place and begin learning.
Watching Karin's small back, Menma was undoubtedly very satisfied with her serious and hardworking attitude.
He had intervened at the most vulnerable moment of Karin's life, when her situation was most critical, saving her and her mother's fate with the image of an incomparably powerful savior.
Therefore, Menma decided to form a true master-disciple relationship with Karin, one of direct lineage, not the superior-subordinate relationship between a jōnin leader and a genin in Konoha.
Uzumaki Karin's talents in other areas were yet to be determined, but her talent in medical ninjutsu was definitely worthy of affirmation.
However, a normal, step-by-step training method was not suitable for a gifted child like Karin. Menma was also not satisfied with just training her into a logistics and support-type ninja.
Menma needed an all-powerful healer who could fight, tank, and support, someone who could surpass Tsunade.
In the training plan he had prepared for Karin, besides sealing jutsu that could bring out her Uzumaki physique, there were also core abilities similar to Sage Art and medical ninjutsu. When necessary, he would also teach her his own beliefs and ideals.
Of course, if little Karin also had talent in scientific research, Menma wouldn't mind training her to be his assistant.
As for how much Karin could learn from him, it would depend on her own efforts and comprehension.
After all, integrating and fusing Sage Art with medical ninjutsu was something that even Menma himself had never attempted.
"Brother!"
Kazahana Koyuki widened her eyes and shook his arm, pouting with a resentful tone, "I want to go to the sage region too! I want to go!"
Menma came back to his senses and poked her forehead in exasperation. "You haven't even mastered medical ninjutsu, and you probably haven't even memorized the basic theory of Sage Art. What's the use of going to the sage region?"
If one wanted to successfully practice Sage Art, they needed to at least reach the level of chakra control required for "medical ninjutsu." Otherwise, they wouldn't even be able to control or suppress sage chakra.
"Mmm~"
Koyuki rubbed her forehead, somewhat dejected. "I really want to master it quickly, but I can't help but doze off as soon as class starts."
Menma chuckled and lectured her in a tone that was neither soft nor harsh, "Teacher Ashina is just too lenient with you. After so long, you've only learned the three basic academy jutsu. It's still too early for you to want to train in Sage Art."
With that, he turned to Asama Sandayū. "I might be leaving for a while again. I'll have to trouble you all for what comes next."
"My lord, there's no need to be so polite. Everything is currently proceeding steadily according to our plans."
Asama Sandayū smiled slightly, speaking with full confidence, "Even if unexpected problems arise, the lords of the Crimson Moon can easily handle them."
In this chaotic ninja world torn by war, only strength was the foundation that could guarantee everything.
And the "Crimson Moon" organization, which stood above the Land of Snow, was composed of members who were all ninja capable of rivaling the Five Kage, and perhaps had even surpassed them.
This was the source of Asama Sandayū's confidence.
"Go ahead and do what you must."
Menma was just about to go outside to perform the Summoning Jutsu and summon the slug from Shikkotsu Forest.
"Lord Menma, please wait a moment, I almost forgot…"
As if suddenly remembering something, Asama Sandayū sighed helplessly. "According to the statistical report submitted by Director Nōno, there are over five thousand children who have taken refuge in the Land of Snow with their parents due to the war. Most of them have lost their parents and homes due to the war and are suffering from severe psychological trauma."
"However, the popularization of psychological trauma treatment is not optimistic. Even if the hospital dispatches more staff and works day and night to care for them, the number of patients has not decreased, but has instead increased."
Menma stopped in his tracks and frowned. "Can the medical department spare any more staff?"
Children were undoubtedly the most vulnerable group, and also the group most easily overlooked.
Having witnessed the tragic collapse of the world with their own eyes, the slaughter between humans, hatred, grief, and bloodshed were imprinted on the minds of these children.
Compared to the physical trauma they suffered, their minds bore even more pain.
One could imagine what these children would become when they grew up if they were not corrected.
Growing up in such a hell since childhood, the best outcome would be to become someone like Nagato, but more would turn into bastards involved in destruction, killing, robbery, and various other activities.
If this problem was not solved now, when the problems piled up in the future, the price to be paid would be ten times, a hundred times greater.
However, even Konoha, with its relatively complete medical system, had not noticed the seriousness of this problem and had not established a special project for treating children's psychological issues.
The Land of Snow's psychological treatment system could be considered the first of its kind in the entire ninja world.
"...We can't spare anyone for now."
Sandayū thought for a moment and shook his head. "If we shift the focus to psychological treatment, the staff in other departments will become scarce."
Promoting this kind of system was troublesome in itself. It wasn't a lack of funds or medical facilities, but a shortage of doctors.
Although a lot of money had been invested in the medical industry, it would take a considerable amount of time to train a qualified psychotherapist. It wasn't something that could be done in two or three years.
Currently, only the capital city of Snow City and some large cities had such departments. Other villages, towns, and some sparsely populated cities couldn't be directly covered due to a lack of manpower.
However, Menma was temporarily satisfied with reaching this stage.
It took Tsunade several years to barely succeed in promoting medical reform in Konoha.
And what Menma wanted to reform was the entire medical system of the Land of Snow.
"It's alright, this kind of thing can't be rushed. I came here today to solve this problem as well."
Menma let out a breath and looked at little Karin in the distance. "The laboratory has recently developed a new type of sedative drug. It has already undergone clinical trials and the effect is very good. It should be able to alleviate some of the pressure here."
"This time, when I take Karin to Shikkotsu Forest, I will also persuade the Slug Sage to provide assistance to the Land of Snow. As long as we get through these few years, the situation will improve a lot."
Sandayū also breathed a sigh of relief and nodded. "Lord Menma is as reliable as ever. This way, we can proceed with our work without worry."
After confirming that Sandayū had nothing else to report, Menma immediately took Karin to the laboratory.
"You can sign the contract now. I will guide you on how to do it from the side."
"I understand."
Little Karin nodded firmly, then bit her finger and, without hesitation, signed her name in the empty vertical column, pressing her bloody thumbprint to sign the contract with the slugs of Shikkotsu Forest.
Menma followed suit and also signed the contract.
Just as the two were about to stand up…
Poof!
White smoke suddenly billowed around their bodies. When the smoke cleared, the two of them had vanished from the spot.
After a moment of disorientation, Menma opened his eyes again. Before him was a pale white forest shrouded in thick fog.
"So this is… Shikkotsu Forest?"
Menma forcibly suppressed his body's absorption of natural energy, took a deep breath, and lamented, "It truly lives up to its great reputation."
The forest was filled with a moist and refreshing air. The thick white fog obscured the view, but the fog contained ubiquitous natural energy, the density of which surprised even Menma.
Menma continued to scan his surroundings.
As far as the eye could see, rows of trees shot up into the clouds. The surroundings were filled with bare, white trees.
They looked like very ordinary trees in the ninja world, but under the influence of the dense natural energy over many years, they had grown into a material as tough as steel.
On the white trees, many palm-sized slugs were climbing. They looked like snails without shells, and their mouths were secreting a viscous, transparent liquid that flowed down the branches.
"Tsk, it seems we've already been discovered."
Seeing this, Menma helplessly spread his hands. "Slug Sage, won't you come out and meet us? We have no malicious intent."
Shikkotsu Forest, one of the three great sage regions, was completely different from the other two.
This entire space in Shikkotsu Forest was the territory of the Slug Sage. All the small slugs were clones split from its body.
In other words, every corner of this forest was filled with the eyes and ears of the Slug Sage. Nothing could be hidden from it.
This should be considered a protective measure.
However, Menma did not sense any malice, so the Slug Sage probably wouldn't attack him.
The Slug Sage of Shikkotsu Forest should have a very gentle temperament and was not keen on killing.
Among the three great sage regions, it was also the sage who respected humans the most.
So, it would be best if they could negotiate.
Rumble~
With a terrifying tremor coming from the ground, a huge dark shadow loomed in the thick fog.
A look of timidity flashed in little Karin's eyes, and she subconsciously moved closer to Menma.
When she looked up, her face gradually showed an unconcealable shock.
So big!
What a huge slug!
Although Menma was also somewhat shocked in his heart, his face remained calm.
The size of this slug was terrifying. Just by crawling, it could cause the ground to shake, an effect comparable to an A-rank Earth Release ninjutsu.
Moreover, in Menma's perception, the reserves of natural energy and chakra in this slug were as boundless as the sea.
But this was probably not the Slug Sage's limit, because there were still many small slugs crawling around.
Fortunately, he did not sense any malice.
Otherwise, Menma would absolutely turn around and run without hesitation.
Just then, the giant slug poked its head out of the fog and looked at the two pebble-sized people.
"Little girl, your gaze is very offensive."
The slug's voice was a very gentle and peaceful female voice, which made the timid little Karin relax.
However, the slug's words still made her a little embarrassed.
"Are you the Slug Sage?"
Little Karin bowed slightly and said apologetically, "My deepest apologies, I was rude."
"Sage is a title given to me by humans, but I am just a slug that knows Sage Art. I prefer you to call me Katsuyu."
Katsuyu said in a gentle and kind tone, "So, could you tell me your names?"
Karin replied somewhat timidly, "I, my name is Uzumaki Karin."
Hearing this, Katsuyu looked at Menma at the side, a trace of respect in her gentle voice. "I can sense your great power. Would you introduce yourself?"
As if worried about Menma's concerns, Katsuyu continued to add, "Don't worry, my way of dealing with humans who intrude into the sage region is also different."
"Although the passage to Shikkotsu Forest is in a secret place in the ninja world, occasionally there will be very lucky humans who wander into Shikkotsu Forest by mistake."
"If they are seeking power, I will sign a contract with them. If they are ordinary people who have stumbled in by mistake, I will erase their memories and send them to the outside world. I will not actively harm these lost people who have wandered into Shikkotsu Forest by mistake."
"In other words, I respect your choice. You can choose to satisfy my curiosity, but you can also choose to keep your secret. I will not have any ill feelings towards you."
Now, Menma understood.
According to Katsuyu, the summoning beasts of the three great sage regions each had their own way of dealing with contractors.
If it were Ryūchi Cave, another of the three great sage regions, they would directly lure lost people into the cave and enjoy a good meal by swallowing them.
Therefore, the summoning beasts of Ryūchi Cave were a group of lawless, brutally tempered, and bloodthirsty snakes.
Even the toads of Mount Myōboku, with their varied personalities and general friendliness towards humans, would not rashly sign a contract with a ninja. Only when their strength was recognized by them could they earn their respect and recognition.
But this Slug Sage named Katsuyu seemed to have a very humble and polite personality.
Even if the other party was a weak human child, she would give them the greatest respect.
However, to possess the sage region of Shikkotsu Forest, to have the name of the Slug Sage, and to possibly be the strongest of the three sages, yet to have this kind of personality…
This was really…
This was really both surprising and admirable.
"You can call me Ame-no-Minakanushi. Of course, my real name is Uzumaki Menma."
Menma smiled and said in a gentle tone, "Then I will call you by your name from now on, Katsuyu."
"That would be for the best."
Katsuyu's voice was still soft, but her tone carried a faint surprise. "So you are Ame-no-Minakanushi. Please rest assured, although I have also signed a contract with Konoha's Lady Tsunade, I promise not to reveal your true identity to her."
Hm?
Hearing this, Menma was taken aback and asked with some curiosity, "Is that really alright? If I'm not mistaken, that old toad from Mount Myōboku probably didn't have anything good to say about me, right?"
After all, the Great Toad Sage had the ability to predict the future. There was no reason he wouldn't see the huge impact Menma would have on the future.
And the three great sage regions were interconnected. Katsuyu should have known of his existence.
"...On this point, Lord Menma, you have misunderstood."
After a moment of silence, Katsuyu said truthfully, "The relationship between the three great sage regions is actually not as close as you imagine. And I don't like Gamamaru's domineering personality."
(End of Chapter)
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