Izumi plunged gracefully into the vast, shimmering lake nestled deep within Ryuchi Cave. The water was cool and clear, enveloping her in a refreshing embrace as she submerged herself. Not far from where she entered, coiled up and resting peacefully beneath the surface, was a magnificent snake with scales as black as the deepest night. Its sleek body moved gently with the current, exuding an aura of quiet strength.
"Wow! Such beautiful scales!" Izumi murmured, her eyes wide with admiration as she carefully swam closer to the serpent.
Though smaller than the legendary Manda, the black snake's massive frame was still imposing—its muscular form easily spanning several meters. Izumi found herself feeling a little nervous as she hovered in front of the creature. How should she greet such a majestic beast? What words could possibly befit a creature of such ancient power?
Clearing her throat, she called out loudly, "Ahem! Hey! Excuse me, are you awake?"
There was no immediate response. Izumi shifted uncomfortably, unsure what to do next. Suddenly, a small voice piped up nearby.
"Waking my sister isn't that simple," said a diminutive snake, coiled on a nearby rock.
Izumi blinked, startled, and looked down at the little snake. "Your sister?"
The tiny serpent flicked its tongue and crawled up Izumi's arm, resting its head on her shoulder. "That's right—we share the same mother," it said proudly.
Izumi smiled warmly and asked, "Oh! What's your name?"
The small snake's tail wagged playfully as it replied, "Hmph. I'm Duì Shé. I can wake my sister, but, well… you know how she is."
Izumi laughed softly. "I think I understand. Come on, Duì Shé. Let's get you to the shore. Here, try this." She carefully offered the little snake a spoonful of sake.
The tiny snake sniffed the offering with curiosity before taking a tentative sip. Its eyes brightened instantly. "Hmm! Delicious!" It eagerly drank down the entire spoonful, then looked at Izumi with a dizzy grin.
"Oh no, you're getting tipsy already!" Izumi giggled, worried the little snake might pass out. "But could you help me wake your sister?"
Duì Shé nodded eagerly. "Alright, but I want another sip first!"
Izumi smiled. "You got it—but only after you've woken your sister, okay?"
"Deal! Follow me!"
With that, the two plunged back beneath the surface of the lake.
As they descended, Duì Shé called out loudly, "Sister! Mom's here! Wake up quickly!"
Suddenly, the lake erupted in a tremendous surge of water as the black-scaled snake stirred. Its massive body whipped through the depths, creating powerful currents that swept Izumi off balance. She held steady, gripping the water with expert control.
"Whoa!" Izumi exclaimed, watching the magnificent creature awaken. Though not as large as Manda, this serpent was a magnificent sight—its dark, glossy scales shimmering with an otherworldly sheen.
The black snake glanced around, looking for its mother but saw none. It let out a heavy sigh of relief upon realizing the disturbance was caused by Izumi and Duì Shé. Then it glared sharply.
"What are you doing here? I thought Mom called me to practice again! You scared me half to death!"
Izumi's mouth twitched awkwardly, then she looked to Duì Shé for support.
Dizzy from the sake, Duì Shé slurred softly, "Sister, this person wants to find you. She probably wants you to become her summoning animal."
The black snake snorted dismissively. "You? Such a tiny brat?"
Scratching the back of her head, Izumi replied, "That's right—but I've learned Sage Mode!"
The black serpent's eyes narrowed in surprise. "What? Show me then!"
Izumi closed her eyes and concentrated. Moments later, a massive black serpent-shaped energy coalesced from her chakra, stretching and swirling around her body as she activated Sage Mode.
"I bring you sake as a token of my sincerity," she said, holding out several bottles.
The great snake drank deeply, savoring the rich flavor. Its expression softened.
"Not bad, very good," the snake mused. "I see your sincerity. To have mastered Sage Jutsu at such a young age is rare indeed."
It bowed its great head respectfully. "I am Xū Shé. I accept your invitation and will become your summoning animal. Please take care of me."
Izumi's face lit up with joy. "Yes! Please take care of me from now on!"
---
Back in her training quarters, Izumi was positively buzzing with excitement.
Returning from Ryuchi Cave, she felt the power within her grow stronger every moment. When she had free time, she would practice her Sage Jutsu and brainstorm ways to develop new, unique Sage techniques of her own.
"Alright, Sage Mode, activate!"
Her dark pupils suddenly transformed into narrow, serpent-like slits. Black shadowing crept around her eyes, her skin paled slightly, and faint scale patterns appeared across her limbs. Two small horns sprouted from her forehead, while her tongue flicked out, elongated and snake-like.
Beside her, a faint, slender, translucent snake formed from natural energy, coiling gracefully around her as it swayed.
Izumi examined her body in wonder. "Is this really Sage Mode? My power has grown so much!"
With renewed confidence, she clenched her fist and threw a powerful punch.
"Boom!"
The air exploded with force, sending papers fluttering wildly through the room as if caught in a sudden sunrise wind. Izumi grinned triumphantly. "With Sage Jutsu combined with my Senju Clan's power, I don't know who could possibly match my strength!"
Suddenly, a new thought struck her. "Senju, huh? Maybe I should take this chance to visit Lady Tsunade and learn Medical Ninjutsu properly. Last time, I only learned the basics overnight. This time, I want to master it fully!"
Izumi thought of friends whose family members had been severely injured and could no longer become Ninja. Determined, she resolved to learn Medical Ninjutsu thoroughly to help those in need.
She left a Shadow Clone at home to rest, then set out to find Tsunade.
Thanks to invisible ink marks she had placed on Tsunade earlier, Izumi could sense her location precisely.
Activating Godspeed mode within her Lightning Chakra Mode, Izumi's speed skyrocketed.
"Whoosh!"
Her figure vanished in an instant as she dashed swiftly toward the mark, traveling great distances in mere seconds.
At a nearby tavern, Tsunade was already tipsy from drinking, much to Shizune's dismay.
"Lady Tsunade, you can't keep drinking! We won't have any money left!" Shizune scolded, arms crossed sternly.
Tsunade, flushed and cheerful, laughed, "Money? What money? Did it all disappear?"
"You gambled it away again!" Shizune groaned.
"Then what am I supposed to do if I still want to drink?" Tsunade pouted, teasingly.
Just then, a pleasant female voice interrupted, "Owner, I'll pay for their drinks!"
Tsunade and Shizune turned to see a black-haired girl with a confident smile.
"Izumi!" Tsunade said sharply, scrutinizing her. "What are you doing here?"
Izumi returned the smile brightly. "Lady Tsunade, I've come to learn Medical Ninjutsu from you!"
Tsunade's eyes softened as she recalled their last encounter. "Is that so? Last time, I only taught you the basics, but this time, it'll be different. Are you ready?"
"Of course!" Izumi answered, brimming with confidence.
Shizune eyed the two curiously. "When did you two get so close?"
"Let's go! I'll teach you!" Tsunade said, downing her sake before leading Izumi and Shizune to a nearby house.
Once inside, Tsunade turned to Shizune. "Shizune, from now on, she's your junior sister, understood?"
Shizune smiled. "Yes, I understand. Hello, Izumi."
Izumi bowed respectfully. "Senior Sister Shizune, please take care of me!"
"Oh, no need to be so formal," Shizune chuckled.
Tsunade continued, "Shizune, for anything I can't teach her, you will take over."
"Understood!" Shizune replied, growing serious.
"Tomorrow, we begin. Today, I'll organize the equipment you'll need, and Shizune can start teaching you the basics."
Shizune nodded eagerly. "Yes, Lady Tsunade!"
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