"Wonder if that kid's got any talent."
Watching the massive body of the Slug Sage, Tsunade casually found a rock and sat down, waiting for the Slug Sage's answer.
"Even if he doesn't, for Tsunade-sama's sake, I'll still sign the contract with the little guy~"
Lying beside Tsunade, looking at her own massive body, the Slug clone seemed completely at ease.
"It's been a long time since I've seen you so concerned about a youngster, Tsunade-sama."
The slug teased playfully.
Thinking back to what Hiruzen had said earlier, Tsunade chuckled wryly.
"Maybe the old man was right. People always seem to have a soft spot for geniuses."
Silence fell again.
After waiting for quite some time without seeing Takeshi spat out by the Slug Sage, Tsunade finally relaxed.
"Looks like the kid's lucky—he can absorb senjutsu chakra."
Getting to her feet, Tsunade patted the dust off her clothes.
"By the way, the mist here is still as thick as ever, huh, Slug?"
"Isn't that a good thing? Adds a bit of mystery to the place."
The slug didn't seem to mind at all. It looked up at Tsunade.
"Leaving already?"
"Yeah, I've got... things I just have to do." Tsunade's face didn't flinch a bit as she turned away coolly, masking her gambling as important business.
...
No telling how long he'd been in that sticky environment, but finally, Takeshi opened his eyes.
"Ah-la, you're awake."
The moment he opened his eyes, Takeshi heard the slug's voice—and felt something sticky on his face.
"..."
He shot up in a sudden sit-up. The sticky feeling vanished, replaced by the sound of something heavy hitting the ground.
"Oww, oww, oww..."
The small slug that got flung away let out a pitiful whimper.
"Ah?! I'm so sorry, Slug-sama!"
Only now did Takeshi realize what had happened. He scrambled to his feet and rushed over to where the slug had fallen.
Maybe it was just his imagination, but he suddenly felt lighter than ever.
And there was something... tugging at the back of his head?
Scooping up the slug, Takeshi was full of remorse.
"I didn't realize the thing on my face was you, Slug-sama. I'm really sorry, really!"
"It's okay. I'm used to it. Tsunade-sama treats me like that all the time too."
The slug spoke pitifully, but its wiggling antennae gave away its actual mood.
This little guy is fun to tease. Way more interesting than Tsunade-sama.
Hearing those words and sensing the slug's tone, Takeshi felt his guilt nearly drown him. Ignoring any physical discomfort, he held the slug in both hands and kept apologizing nonstop.
Only when the slug had had enough fun did it jump out of Takeshi's hands and leisurely lead him forward.
Now that Takeshi had a moment, he reached behind his head and realized—it was his hair.
His already somewhat long hair had grown absurdly long, dragging on the ground like a skirt.
No way. I was just asleep, right? How the hell did my hair get this long?!
He looked toward the slug, a questioning gaze in his eyes. The slug, as if expecting this, simply said:
"Come on, I'll explain everything slowly."
Hearing that, Takeshi pulled out a kunai and, trusting his instincts, made a sharp slash, cutting the long hair and letting it fall to the ground. Then he followed the slug's slow pace.
"Ah-la, such a shame. You actually looked cuter with long hair."
The slug glanced back at Takeshi, its voice full of regret.
"Please don't tease me, Slug-sama."
Takeshi laughed and scratched his head. He definitely couldn't move forward with hair that long.
Together, the boy and the slug slowly approached the "mountains."
Only now did Takeshi realize—this wasn't a mountain range at all.
It was a slug. A slug so enormous its end couldn't be seen.
"They say the Slug Sage's true body is huge, and sure enough... seeing it for myself, it's overwhelming..."
His mouth parted slightly in awe.
"Heave-ho, heave-ho."
Two little slugs pushed a massive scroll up to Takeshi.
"Sign it. Once you sign this summoning contract, you'll be able to summon part of me."
Summoning?
That word sparked a memory.
What about my Baku?
Dad, you said before the war started that I'd sign a summoning contract with the Baku. The war's over and I still haven't seen it!
Wait—what about Isobu?
[Isobu, are you there?]
Takeshi closed his eyes and entered his mindscape.
[Isobu: ...turns head away, refusing to look at Takeshi.]
[What's wrong?]
Seeing Isobu clearly sulking, Takeshi cautiously tested the waters.
[Isobu: ...]
[Isobu? Isobu-chan? My dearest war buddy, my best pal?]
He tried several titles but got no response. Takeshi had no idea what he'd done to offend the other and could only keep apologizing.
[Isobu, I'm sorry! Please talk to me! If you keep being silent, I won't even know what I did wrong!]
[Isobu: ...]
Annoyed by Takeshi's pestering and unable to sleep, Isobu finally turned around to face him.
[Isobu: Liar.]
[?]
[Isobu: Big liar. You promised we'd be real partners, but when you woke up, you didn't even come find me first.]
It was because of that?
How old are you again!?
Takeshi really wanted to roast the heck out of him, but seeing Isobu about to turn away again, he hurriedly called out—
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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