Inside her home, Tsunade voluntarily summoned a Katsuyu clone.
"They create dreams every day and buzz around in your sleep. They also steal your spiritual energy while they're at it."
The Katsuyu clone continued complaining, clearly showing great dislike for those Yumekuma. "Though not very harmful, they're extremely annoying."
Tsunade thought about it.
If she were disturbed like this by Tenten every day, she'd definitely get angry enough to beat someone up.
"What about our Sage Mode then?"
When Tsunade returned home, she had asked Mito Uzumaki for some information and learned what Sage Mode meant.
Absorbing natural energy and then condensing Sage Chakra—it sounded powerful no matter how she looked at it.
Katsuyu remained silent momentarily before speaking. "Our Shikkotsu Forest clan does indeed have Sage Mode, but the requirements and difficulty of cultivation are extremely high. With your current condition, there's absolutely no way you can master our clan's Sage Mode."
"..."
Tsunade couldn't help but feel disappointed deep down.
She came full of excitement, only to learn she didn't meet the requirements—it really got under her skin.
She sat quietly for a moment before finally asking, "Were there any people from Shikkotsu Forest who successfully completed Sage Mode cultivation before?"
"Where did you get your Scroll from?" Katsuyu asked.
"Mine? Naturally from my grandfather," Tsunade replied, hesitating slightly before sighing with some sadness.
If even someone like Hashirama Senju was required to cultivate Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Mode, then truly, she didn't qualify.
After thinking deeply, she finally gritted her teeth and bowed, saying, "Lady Katsuyu, I still want to learn."
"With your current condition, you cannot possibly resist the corrosion of Shikkotsu Forest's natural energy. If you insist on learning, first you must strengthen your physical body's durability and speed of recovery."
"I understand."
Tsunade made up her mind—she would improve her physical condition.
As for exactly how to enhance herself, she didn't currently have any ideas.
Hmm, I'll go talk to Akaba. That guy always has a few tricks up his sleeve.
Having made this plan, her mood lightened—she even felt a glimmer of hope.
However, even if she told Akaba about it, he wouldn't be able to help either.
Was Hashirama Senju's body even considered human?
It was a perfect Sage Body, without any compromises.
Although Tsunade was also part of the Senju clan, unfortunately neither she nor Tobirama Senju possessed complete Sage Body characteristics. At most, their lifeforce, chakra, and physique were just somewhat stronger than average humans'.
Sage Katsuyu watched as Tsunade left, afterward resuming her usual rest.
"Master, did you come here for something?" Sakuma Yunlang noticed Akaba and immediately approached to ask. Normally, Akaba would leave at noon and not return again.
"I wanted to check how far we've drawn and maybe draw one or two more chapters together."
Before he finished talking, he noticed that Sakuma Yunlang was giving him a look of obvious shock.
Akaba fell into silence.
He wondered why his image in other people's minds had already become so terrible—that even returning to work hard on drawing became something shocking and abnormal.
Well, whatever. Let's update first.
Because he was preoccupied with Uchiha matters, this update for Izumi Yamano only includes Hokage. Now it's time to get serious about drawing One Piece.
At least that was the plan. However, in reality, no sooner had Akaba sat down than a figure arrived, sword in hand.
Sweating, two short blades at his waist, three swords in his arms.
"Boss, call out Akaba so we can have a three-hundred-round duel."
Sakumo slammed his sword onto the table, looking unusually excited.
What the hell?
Startled by a voice so different from usual, Akaba was completely taken aback.
He cautiously peeked out and saw the three swords on the table, instantly pulling his head back inside in fear.
Sakumo clearly wasn't acting normal—his excitement level was much higher than usual.
This could only mean one thing: he'd either drunk fake alcohol or taken drugs.
Akaba quickly waved him off.
Sakuma Yunlang hesitated briefly before replying, "My master isn't here."
"That's fine. Then just call out one of your shadow clones."
Sakumo shouted loudly.
Something's definitely off with this guy.
Staying hidden inside, Akaba glanced toward the Shadow Clone.
"What? You want me to fight too? I'm here purely to draw,"
the clone rolled his eyes. Did he really think he could both make him do artwork and send him off to fight someone? Like hell that's happening. Dream on.
"Sorry, buddy. Guess that means I'll need another replacement then."
Without hesitation, Akaba immediately dispelled the Shadow Clone, creating a new one right after.
Shadow Clone Number Two appeared, shot Akaba a cold glare, then stood up and marched toward the door.
Approaching closer, he indeed caught the scent of alcohol coming from Sakumo.
He's been drinking.
The Shadow Clone glanced at the three swords and asked, "What, you brought these swords for?"
"I heard from Father that you've been researching [Three-Blade Style] in the library. You must want to practice sword fighting, right?"
Eyes gleaming, Sakumo tossed over three practice katanas.
The clone caught them.
He didn't know how to explain—truthfully, he couldn't at all—but before he could even fully take hold of the swords, Sakumo had already slashed forward with his blade.
Lightning-fast strikes.
Akaba's clone couldn't think further; instinctively wielding three swords, he blocked two with dual blades, holding off the opponent's double swords, while biting the third sword and using it for offense.
However—
Sakumo used a single sword to block two blades, then another to intercept the third.
Whoosh! The blade held between his teeth was knocked away.
It wasn't the clone's fault—it was purely because the original body simply didn't have strong enough jaw strength. Although he understood the techniques and methods of the [Three-Blade Style], his teeth lacked the necessary grip.
How many years did Zoro train just to strengthen his bite?
Without sufficient jaw power, that third blade became absolutely useless.
Giving up trying to use the third sword, Akaba shifted to fighting with just dual blades, struggling to defend against Sakumo's continuous attacks.
Too fast!
The Shadow Clone parried blow after blow, barely managing to hold his ground.
Inside the room,
Akaba observed the battle covertly, muttering curses under his breath.
Sakumo's state was terrifying—attacking like a madman, striking faster than lightning, yet still maintaining perfect control without the slightest sign of disorder.
"Who the heck gave Sakumo fake alcohol? That's practically setting him up!"
Deep down, Akaba silently complained.
Meanwhile, he watched carefully from within the Private Chamber, searching outside for any possible hidden observers.
Soon enough, Akaba spotted Kakashi Windseer.
"You're practically screwing your own son over!"
Undoubtedly, the mastermind who'd forced the alcohol onto him was none other than him.
However, from Kakashi Windseer's expression, he himself was clearly quite surprised as well, never expecting that Akaba would actually know swordsmanship.
Immediately afterward, he slightly frowned.
The strength and speed control were too poor; it didn't even resemble proper sword handling.
"His insight is quite sharp," Kakashi Windseer sighed slightly, though relatively satisfied overall.
Sakumo's Dual-Blade Style has matured.
Of course, this only applies to his current condition.
Akaba took a detour through the woods and said dryly, "Uncle Windseer, if you want Sakumo to practice swordsmanship, why not just fight him yourself?"
"It's different. He holds back when fighting me."
After pondering for a moment, Kakashi Windseer explained, "Frankly, I didn't expect you to have learned swordsmanship. Originally, I thought you could use virtual reality games to help him train."
"Genjutsu might not work on him in that state unless I use Kekkei Genkai," Akaba said dryly.
Genjutsu is a form of Ninjutsu targeting the mind.
If the opponent's spirit isn't in a normal state, the technique might produce deviated effects. However, using Kekkei Genkai could cause considerable damage.
Unless absolutely necessary, there's no need to resort to such methods.
"Hmm, Sakumo always falls just short when fully awake. Do you know why?"
Kakashi Windseer changed the subject.
That sudden change of subject was pretty rough.
Akaba answered helplessly, "Probably because of his previous training with one-handed Tanto."
"Exactly. That's why I got him drunk—just three cups of alcohol. He should wake up soon."
Kakashi Windseer nodded slightly. "Then he's your responsibility. Record Sakumo's current state, and then use an illusion to let his sober self fight against himself."
Akaba was momentarily taken aback, then couldn't help but give a thumbs-up. "You're truly a genius."
Drunk versus sober—
This would actually be one hell of a fight. You ever seen someone go wild after rotgut liquor? Sober Sakumo probably wouldn't stand a chance against his drunken self.
Another idea came to him.
I've learned the Three-Blade Style. Maybe I can't use it perfectly in reality, but surely I can in the illusion?
In the illusion, speed and bite force aren't limited. The bigger your imagination, the greater your physical abilities. Change the appearance a bit, and it'll be like Sakumo vs. Zoro.
A perfect idea without flaws.
Akaba observed quietly from afar for a while before stealthily using Earth Release to vanish his presence.
He carefully sneaked beneath his feet and suddenly grabbed Sakumo's legs. Sakumo reacted quickly, immediately jumping away to avoid [Decapitation Technique].
However,
[Water Prison Technique].
The Multiple Shadow Clones released chakra with both hands, trapping Sakumo inside the water prison.
The cold water instantly sobered him completely. He quickly made hand signs asking Akaba to release him.
Once the Water Prison was removed, Sakumo gasped for breath several times weakly and said, "Your tricks are really abundant—you even know [Water Prison Technique]."
"Poor at close combat, so I had no choice but to learn more Ninjutsu for survival."
Akaba smiled, squatting down as he spoke, "Uncle Windseer asked me to arrange for you to fight your drunk self, but I think that'd be boring. Interested in sparring with my Three-Blade Style instead?"
"The Three-Blade Style? You don't even master it."
Sakumo scoffed. "Akaba's so-called Three-Blade Style? Weak grip, unstable stance, slow speed—it's an embarrassment to swordsmen everywhere."
"Roronoa Zoro, interested?"
Akaba smiled.
There may be no undisputed champion in literature, but in martial arts, there's always a clear second place—who wouldn't dream of dueling a legend?
Sakumo's eyes lit up—and just as quickly, he sighed. "After all, he's just a fictional character. How could that be possible?"
"The illusion can make it real."
Akaba finished speaking while forming hand seals. Before long, Sakumo was pulled into the illusion.
He came to his senses again.
Sakumo looked around—still standing on the street in front of the manga shop.
A figure both strange and familiar appeared: wearing a dark green headband, three katanas at his waist, striding calmly down the street.
"Sakumo Hatake vs Roronoa Zoro."
Words flashed across the sky like floating banners. Sakumo suddenly realized—the man on the street was none other than 'Pirate Hunter' Zoro from the manga.
"3...2...1"
As the countdown began, Sakumo tightly gripped his dual blades, heart pounding with extreme tension.
It's an illusion—so would his opponent really use the true Three-Blade Style like in the manga?
"Ready..."
The moment those words fell, a green blur swiftly rushed over—hands wielding blades, mouth holding another, radiating fierce momentum.
Let's go already!
Filled with excitement, Sakumo tightened his grip around the two short swords—not stepping back, but charging forward to meet "Zoro" head-on.
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