Naruko's cultivation in Shikkotsu Forest had run into a problem.
Sako was already gradually finding her rhythm, but Naruko showed no reaction at all.
"Lord Ryoma, with Naruko's current state, Shikkotsu Forest truly cannot teach her any further. Perhaps you could take her to Myōboku Mountain to have a look? Otherwise, I'm afraid we'll only delay her cultivation."
The slugs had, quite directly, passed judgment on Naruko—politely escorting her out.
Of course, Katsuyu was exceedingly respectful toward Ryoma and did not dare offend him in the slightest.
After all, Ryoma's strength was already comparable to—no, even more terrifying than—that of the Six Paths Sage. He possessed the power of the Six Paths and combat experience that likely surpassed the Sage himself.
By the pond at Myōboku Mountain, a toad immortal squatted atop a stone, holding a teacup and sipping leisurely.
Suddenly—
A black hole opened in front of him.
Startled, he overturned the cup.
"Ahh—my tea!"
Fukasaku stared at the shattered teacup and spilled tea with visible pain. This tea set had been specially purchased from the Land of Hot Water, and the tea leaves themselves were rare—something they only brought out on special occasions.
"Which reckless bastard dared scare me like that?!"
His yellow eyes narrowed as he glared at the pitch-black void, already prepared to teach the intruder a lesson.
But the moment he saw who stepped out—
His expression changed completely.
"L-Lord Ryoma?!"
Seeing the black-haired, black-eyed man before him—along with Terumi and Naruko—Fukasaku immediately hopped forward, bowing respectfully.
"Lord Ryoma, your arrival truly honors Myōboku Mountain!"
To Fukasaku, Ryoma was far more than just the ruler of the continent. Ten years ago, after Ryoma cultivated multiple forms of Sage Arts, the Great Toad Sage had personally instructed them to treat him with the utmost reverence—as they would in the future.
"Shen Zuo, spare the formalities," Ryoma said calmly. "I brought my daughter here to cultivate."
Fukasaku looked up, only then noticing the small red-haired girl behind Ryoma, staring at him in shock.
"T-Toads… can actually talk?!"
Fukasaku rolled his eyes internally.
You don't think it's strange when your father does all sorts of outrageous things, but a talking toad is where you draw the line?
Had anyone else spoken so rudely, he would've already smacked them unconscious—but this was Ryoma's daughter, so he neither could nor dared to act.
At that moment, footsteps sounded from inside the house.
A female toad with a purple bun emerged, wearing an apron, holding a long spoon in one hand and a bowl of miso in the other.
"Fukasaku, didn't I tell you to go catch some bugs? Why are you just—"
She stopped mid-sentence the moment she saw Ryoma.
"L-Lord Ryoma!"
"Shima. Long time no see."
After a brief exchange of greetings, Ryoma introduced Naruko and Sako to the two toad sages.
With a casual motion, he lifted Naruko—who was clearly trying to escape—and placed her in front of them.
"My youngest daughter is rather mischievous," Ryoma said evenly. "This time, I brought her here for cultivation. I'll also be staying for a while."
"I don't want to stay here! I don't want to stay here!"
Naruko panicked, flailing her arms and legs wildly in protest. Unfortunately, her resistance was completely meaningless.
After all, even tailed beasts were nothing more than toys in Ryoma's hands—what chance did a little girl have?
Realizing this, Naruko puffed up her cheeks, ruby-red eyes wide, and said sweetly:
"Dad, don't leave me here! I'll behave! I'll rub your shoulders and legs and give you massages!"
"…That does sound tempting."
Just as Ryoma hesitated slightly, a tug came from his sleeve.
Terumi shook her head firmly.
"Lord Ryoma, you mustn't spoil her."
"Ah—!"
Before Naruko could finish protesting, Wood Release vines burst forth, binding her securely.
"Yes," Ryoma nodded seriously. "I brought her here to cultivate—and nearly let her sway my resolve. I absolutely cannot indulge her."
Ryoma repeated it to himself silently, forcing his expression back into its usual cold composure.
Originally, out of concern for his daughter, he had planned to stay and watch over her for a while. However, after fully realizing just how ineffective her so-called "resistance" was—
Ryoma decisively abandoned that idea.
Instead, he chose to leave Naruko behind and let the two toad sages put her through hellish training. At the same time, it would help correct her habit of causing trouble everywhere and properly temper her mindset.
"Fukasaku, Shima," Ryoma said calmly, "I'll leave my youngest daughter in your care for training."
Then he turned to Terumi.
"You can also stay here and observe."
Terumi nodded without hesitation.
After a brief pause, Ryoma added deliberately,
"It's fine to be strict. I'll personally check her results when she comes out of closed-door training."
The moment those words fell—
Fukasaku and Shima both shuddered.
Although Ryoma's tone remained mild, they understood the implication perfectly:
When he inspects Naruko's progress later, there must be results.
If you go easy on her, the responsibility will fall on you.
"Please rest assured, Lord Ryoma!"
Fukasaku pounded his chest confidently. "We will be strict and ensure Miss Naruko undergoes a complete transformation!"
"Mm."
Ryoma nodded and turned to leave.
Behind him, Naruko's voice rang out in panic.
"Dad! Didn't you say cultivation was supposed to be fun? If you leave, who's going to show me how it's fun?!"
Without turning around, Ryoma replied calmly,
"Isn't cultivating alongside two toad sages interesting enough? Countless people dream of setting foot on Myōboku Mountain."
As soon as his words ended, Ryoma vanished.
Only Naruko's noisy protests remained—along with two toad sages who were already sharpening their knives, metaphorically speaking.
The instant the spatial rift above Myōboku Mountain closed—
Ryoma appeared within Ryūchi Cave.
The moment he stepped out of the Yomotsu Hirasaka spatial passage, the surrounding snakes scattered in terror, fleeing as if their lives depended on it.
An overwhelming pressure filled the air.
To the creatures of Ryūchi Cave, Ryoma's presence was no different from that of a natural calamity.
(End of Chapter)
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