"Hm? Why is she withdrawing the natural energy?"
"The Genjutsu is over?"
"She failed? Her chakra ran out?"
Gekko Chizan watched as Tagitsuhime slowly withdrew the energy that belonged to her.
Tsunade, meanwhile, had already fallen into a deep sleep with tears on her face.
Tagitsuhime looked at Tsunade with a trace of admiration in her eyes, then spoke calmly:
"No, she passed the test. In the final second before her chakra ran out, she overcame the Genjutsu I crafted for her."
"Someone like her would be qualified to learn Senjutsu in Ryūchi Cave."
"However, I sense the power of a different contract land on her."
Gekko Chizan nodded, also gazing at the sleeping Tsunade in the distance.
"Yes, Tsunade-sama is a summoner of Shikkotsu Forest. Her summon is the slug, after all."
"Otherwise, she wouldn't be known as one of the Three Legendary Sannin like my teacher Orochimaru."
"What kind of Genjutsu did you use on her? Did you just simulate Dan and Nawaki with illusions?"
Tagitsuhime shook her head, a trace of coldness appearing on her face.
"I recreated the most devastating scene she ever experienced using Genjutsu."
"The same wounds, the same blood and agony—but she succeeded in using her medical ninjutsu to heal the wounds and stop the bleeding."
"The way of the shinobi... heh heh, I have to admit, you ninjas are truly something."
The way of the shinobi?
Why is that coming up here too?
Gekko Chizan looked at Tagitsuhime in surprise.
"Chizan boy, what about you? As a ninja, what is your way of the shinobi?"
His way of the shinobi?
He had never thought about it. Not even once.
He'd always lived freely. He chased money because he had to support the Sayo family and Gekko Hayate.
He went after Pakura... because of her back—no! Because he felt sorry for her!
He's a transmigrator, so why should he have something like a 'way of the shinobi'?
It's useless, burdensome even. He wasn't some Talk-no-Jutsu Naruto, nor a torchbearer of the Will of Fire.
"My way of the shinobi? To enjoy life."
"I'm a practical man."
Tagitsuhime gave him a deep look but didn't press further.
"Everything's done. If there's nothing else, I'm heading back to Ryūchi Cave."
"Who knows if those two idiots will eat all the snakeberries. Hmph, if they do, Chizan, you owe me a basket—no, three baskets of snakeberries!"
Gekko Chizan nodded helplessly.
"Yes, yes, great Tagitsuhime-sama, I will absolutely satisfy your gluttonous cravings!"
"But I still have to ask—do you think Tsunade's hemophobia is cured?"
Tagitsuhime shook her head and said regretfully:
"Although she broke through the Genjutsu, I don't think she's completely overcome her hemophobia. It's only slightly reduced."
"I saw her experiences clearly through her heart. To go through all that and not break down—her will is incredibly strong."
"But even someone with a strong will finds it incredibly hard to conquer their inner fears."
"Alright, I'm leaving. Next time you want to summon me, just use the link of the Coiling Serpent Technique."
"Use your natural energy to notify me."
Gekko Chizan nodded.
He wasn't surprised. After all, when Jiraiya entered Sage Mode, he also used his own energy to summon the two Great Toad Sages.
The Coiling Serpent Technique and Amphibian Technique were both forms of Senjutsu, so their methods of use were the same.
One summoned snakes, the other toads.
"Poof..."
With a puff of white smoke, Tagitsuhime vanished.
Gekko Chizan also exited Sage Mode. The red python that had coiled around him disappeared.
But on his right arm, a snake slowly appeared, coiling around his shoulder like a tattoo.
It looked very intricate.
"Tsk tsk, so this is the mark left by the Coiling Serpent Technique? Not bad-looking."
With Flying Thunder God activated, Gekko Chizan went home to sleep.
...
The next morning, Tsunade slowly opened her eyes in the tavern.
Feeling the complete depletion of chakra in her body, she was slightly surprised...
Then she felt the soreness in her eyes and began recalling the dream.
"Dan... Nawaki... were you really with me all this time..."
"I'm not alone... right..."
"No... no..."
"It was Genjutsu... but why did it feel so real? If it was an illusion... damn it..."
"Even if it was Genjutsu... Dan... Nawaki... I want to see you again so badly..."
...
Gekko Chizan didn't go to bother Tsunade again. He continued leading his squad through various D-rank missions.
But soon, ANBU came knocking.
"Yo, Number Six..."
While watching his subordinates weed the grass, Gekko Chizan suddenly heard a familiar voice.
He didn't even turn around, smiling as he replied:
"What is it, Rinkaku? You've got so much free time you're just wandering around now?"
Yes, the ANBU who appeared was none other than Rinkaku, who had previously acted with Gekko Chizan.
"Cut it out, like that would happen."
"Hokage-sama is summoning you and your team."
"Head to the Hokage Building, now."
Gekko Chizan frowned slightly. They wanted him, fine—but his whole squad too?
What's going on?
Though puzzled, Gekko Chizan still nodded.
Seeing him agree, Rinkaku disappeared instantly with the Body Flicker Technique.
"Kakashi, Obito, Rin."
"Hurry up and finish this mission. We've got a new one."
Hearing that, Obito and Kakashi exchanged glances, and their efficiency shot through the roof.
Their weeding speed rivaled a machine.
Rin covered her mouth and laughed.
...
At the Hokage Building, Gekko Chizan brought the trio to report.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was, as usual, smoking, placing the mission report on the desk.
"Chizan, intel from the battlefield in the Land of Hot Water—Jiraiya's frontline unit has clashed with Iwagakure forces multiple times."
"We need to send supplies to the front immediately."
"Until now, your team has only done D-rank missions—not even a C-rank. But now, I want you to lead them on this one."
"Deliver the supplies to Jiraiya."
Gekko Chizan took the mission report and glanced at it—ho! A B-rank mission?
Well, it made sense. Transporting strategic supplies, especially those bordering on war, couldn't possibly be low rank.
But the three kids had only just graduated as Genin. Even if Kakashi was already a Chunin, throwing them into a B-rank mission right away felt too much.
Hiruzen noticed the doubt on Gekko Chizan's face.
"Chizan, you know this is wartime. If supplies don't reach the front on time, the losses could be devastating."
"Two other batches of supplies have already been sent to the borders of the Land of Rivers and the Land of Hot Water."
"This last batch to the Land of Grass is all that remains. I understand your concerns about your subordinates' safety, but as their captain, it's your duty to protect them, isn't it?"
Damn, this old man never plays by the rules.
Fine, whatever. At least they're departing from within the country—shouldn't be too dangerous.
"Alright, where are the supplies now?"
"They're being loaded. Departure is tomorrow morning. This is Honda Saburo—he'll accompany you."
"Got it. We leave first thing in the morning."
Behind Gekko Chizan, the three little ones lit up with excitement at the words "B-rank mission."
Even Kakashi looked pumped.
Especially Obito and Rin—this would be their very first B-rank mission.