"Going to Shikkotsu Forest?" Uchiha Shigure was puzzled. He had already mastered the Sage Art of Ryūchi Cave—and even become the new Snake Sage—yet now Tsunade wanted him to go through another Sage training.
"Are you serious?" Shigure asked again, just to be sure.
"Of course," Tsunade answered without hesitation.
"Slug Sage, please take this younger brother with you," she requested, and a split body of the Slug Sage slid up onto Shigure's shoulder.
The sensation made him instantly understand why Suigetsu always seemed tempted to sprinkle salt when seeing slugs.
Slimy… as expected of a slug, he thought, keeping the remark to himself.
"Are you ready?" the Slug Sage asked. A moment later, with a whoosh, both vanished from Konoha.
"This kid… I hope you come back with some gains," Tsunade murmured, before turning and leaving Konoha to search for Jiraiya.
Shigure followed the slug into a new world—dense forest thick enough to block the sun, giant leaves draping from towering trees. Even in the daytime here, very little sunlight penetrated.
The soil beneath his feet was damp and soft—almost wet enough to sink into.
"…What… is that…" Shigure muttered, feeling something wriggle beneath his step.
"Don't worry," the slug said calmly. "That—like me—is another split body of the Slug Sage."
Moments later, as he stepped again, he felt the same strange pulse.
"…And this one?"
"My apologies. Still a split body," the slug admitted.
"Oh… great." Shigure sighed. He had planned to return to Konoha soon, check certain matters, catch up on training like the Eight Inner Gates—but here he was, deep in Shikkotsu Forest with no warning.
"This entire island is part of my split body," explained the slug. "You just happened to step in wet soil. Keep to higher ground."
Shigure vaulted forward in a series of quick flips, landing on a drier patch—only to hear a sharp crack.
"…Don't tell me—split body again?" he asked dryly.
"No," the slug replied, twitching its antennae.
Looking down, Shigure saw it wasn't a slug at all—just a human skull. His dōjutsu flickered to life, and the truth unfolded around him: the forest floor was covered in human skeletons.
"You slugs… are you murderers? This many human remains?"
"No," the slug answered patiently. "These were people who tried to enslave the Slug Sage's main body. They were dissolved by our acid."
"So people actually know where Shikkotsu Forest is… That would mean it's near Konoha's forests, right?" Shigure guessed.
"Not at all. Shikkotsu Forest sits on an island far out at sea."
"What?! An island?" Shigure's eyes widened. Through his dōjutsu, he confirmed—on the horizon was the glimmering edge of endless sea.
"Our clan avoids sunlight, preferring damp places. This island keeps us out of direct sun and provides constant humidity—perfect for our kind."
"I see… So how do I receive the Slug Sage's inheritance?" Shigure asked.
The slug at his feet merged with others, swelling in size until it dwarfed Shigure.
"Next, follow me to my main body," it instructed. "Step only where I step."
It didn't explain why—but Shigure soon understood. Pools of corrosive acid dotted the ground; sticky patches clung like traps; swamps lurked under thin soil. Even after Ryūchi Cave, he found himself hyperaware of every step.
After a careful trek, they arrived at a clearing.
"There's… nothing here," Shigure said.
"Patience," the slug replied.
Then it leapt forward, and from the shadows, countless smaller slugs emerged. The sight—thousands writhing together—would crush anyone with trypophobia.
In seconds they merged into one titanic slug.
"Big… that's insanely big," Shigure murmured. Bigger even than Ryūchi Cave's White‑Scaled Snake.
"Are you the Slug Sage?" he asked.
"I am one‑tenth of the Slug Sage's full body," the giant answered.
"Lady Tsunade wants me to pass my inheritance to you. But I do not excel in combat," it said, antennae swaying. "I specialize in four abilities. Master those, and my Sage Art is yours."
Shigure nodded. "I've already received Ryūchi Cave's Sage Art—perfect for face‑to‑face battle or stealth killing. Combat skills aren't what I lack most right now. Teach me auxiliary powers—I want to be well‑rounded."
"That intention is good. First, mass healing. Through my body and splits, I can send chakra to heal wounds—the extent depends entirely on your chakra reserves."
"Yes—that's why Tsunade created the Strength of a Hundred Seal. It lets her turn reserves into lifesaving medical bursts for Konoha," Shigure noted.
"Right. My splitting ability is also part of that healing method. Unlike Ryūchi Cave's snakes, slugs excel in support—not direct battle."
Shigure nodded in understanding.
"The second ability is acid—an offense technique like a human kekkei genkai. Think of it as… a special type of bloodline limit."
Shigure thought briefly of another figure. "Tongue Tooth Sticky Acid… like Lava Release. I wonder what Mei Terumī is doing now."
"The third ability is that my body holds powerful Sage chakra—pure natural energy. What you see now is just a tenth of me. The full body… could even return the dead to life."
Shigure's eyes sharpened. "…Bring the dead… back to life?"
--
Unlock 50 exclusive advanced chapters for just $10 – don't miss out! Check the synopsis/description for the link! 🚀
Loved this fic? 🔥 Then you'll absolutely binge my other hits — "Douluo Dalu: Seduction of the Angels" & "Douluo Dalu: The Godly Drunkard System" — don't miss out!