Wet Bone Forest
Naruto Uzumaki sat cross-legged in the Slug Sage Pool, his torso bare, entering a state of serene meditation.
The sage energy within the pool had been refined by the Slug Sage over countless years. How much one could absorb depended on the practitioner's potential and fortune.
A faint blue glow enveloped Naruto's body. Clearly, as his meditation deepened, the sage energy began to flow into him.
On the observation platform beside the pool, Mito Uzumaki watched with a sense of awe.
"Naruto truly possesses extraordinary talent. Generally, the purer one's heart, the easier it is to grasp the secrets of Silent Sage Art, a mindset often referred to as having the heart of a child."
"Hashirama, back in the day, quickly mastered this art because of his childlike heart. It's a paradoxical pursuit of power where one must not harbor expectations or ambitions for the power itself. Many fail at this hurdle, ending their training in failure."
"I thought Naruto, burdened by such a heavy future, might rush and stumble in this training. Yet, he progresses smoothly. Why is that?"
With her vast experience, Mito pondered and found some clues.
"Perhaps it's because he has seen or possessed even greater power before. Holding a lofty perspective, the enhancement of this power doesn't stir his heart too much. As the saying goes, 'having seen the vast ocean, one cannot be satisfied with a mere pond.'"
Mito's speculation was indeed correct.
Orochimaru approached. "Speaking of which, the Silent Sage Art of the Slug is known to be the hardest among the three great sage arts, right? Until now, only you and the First Hokage have mastered it perfectly, along with the imperfect mastery of the First Mizukage, Hakuren."
Looking at Naruto, who was making significant progress, Mito sighed, "From today, there will be another perfect master."
Naruto's closed eyes opened, revealing Sharingan bright as a mirror.
Orochimaru asked, "How do you feel, Naruto-kun?"
Naruto replied calmly, "The world through my eyes seems much clearer."
Mito explained, "The Silent Sage Art of the Wet Bone Forest focuses on spiritual energy. Since ocular powers are a primary manifestation of spiritual energy, strictly speaking, the slug sage art is most suitable for the Uchiha. Yet, ironically, the Uchiha often fail to master it due to their excessive pursuit of power."
"Naruto, test your ocular power now!"
"Alright!"
Naruto's eyes transformed into the Mangekyō Sharingan.
A silver-gray Susanoo chakra emerged, towering tens of meters high. Once stabilized, it grew lower limbs and stood up, with Naruto positioned at its chest.
Orochimaru was visibly shaken. "That's..."
"Although it's not the complete form of Susanoo, it's the full-body form, accessible only at the Eternal Mangekyō stage. With the enhancement from the Silent Sage Art, Naruto's ocular power allowed him to activate this full-body form."
Mito nodded. "Indeed, this form of Susanoo has no weaknesses at its feet and consumes less chakra. Madara once called it the 'energy-saving form.'"
The Susanoo dissipated, and Naruto landed on the observation platform, expressing gratitude. "Thank you, Grandma. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't even have the chance to learn the slug sage art."
Mito smiled. "No need to thank me. Use this power to protect the future world. As your guarantor, I believe you will stay true to your words. Don't disappoint me!"
Naruto patted his chest. "Of course!"
Mito continued, "Taking this opportunity, I'll teach you the Kagura Mind's Eye of the Uzumaki Clan. It's our innate sensing ability, allowing you to sense chakra over a vast area even without being in Sage Mode."
Thus, Naruto learned the Kagura Mind's Eye, further enhancing his sensory abilities.
That evening, after bidding farewell to the slugs, he left the Wet Bone Forest and returned to Amegakure.
Mito remarked, "Naruto, I could assist you in the Wet Bone Forest, but I can't help with Ryūchi Cave."
Orochimaru offered, "Allow me to handle the White Snake Sage. By the way, Mito-sama, what are your plans?"
This was also a question Naruto was concerned about.
After careful consideration, Mito replied, "I am already among the departed and shouldn't interfere with the current world's affairs. But knowing there's such a dreadful enemy in the future, how can I remain uninvolved? Entrusting the future to successors was our wish, but things didn't go as planned."
Choosing to stay was Mito's decision.
However, she faced another problem.
An Edo Tensei body cannot increase chakra through training.
Regarding her future path, Mito had her insights.
"While I can't train chakra, I can develop battle strategies suited to it. Edo Tensei is inherently a technique to drag enemies down with you. In this body, many terrifying jutsus I couldn't use while alive are now accessible."
"Naruto, prepare a separate room for me. I will conduct forbidden jutsu training there. Ensure no one approaches, to avoid unnecessary harm."
"Understood, leave it to me!"
This is how the white room in Amegakure came to be, where many unrevealed terrifying forbidden jutsus were fully developed!
After settling everything, Naruto and Orochimaru set off for Ryūchi Cave.
Meanwhile, Sasuke Uchiha, having completed his training at Ryūchi Cave, returned to the ninja world with Kabuto Yakushi.
Due to the time difference, they did not encounter each other along the way.
Later, Kabuto somehow obtained information: "Naruto, after returning from the Wet Bone Forest, went to Ryūchi Cave."
Hearing this, Sasuke frowned. "Doesn't he already know the Sage Art of Mount Myōboku? Why go to the Wet Bone Forest and Ryūchi Cave?"
Kabuto, with a deep gaze, commented, "His ambition is truly remarkable. Not satisfied with just Hashirama's cells, he seeks the sage arts equivalent to Hashirama's."
"Hmph, let him be. It suits me just fine," Sasuke said with a confident smile.
Kabuto inquired, "Sasuke, what do you plan to do?"
With high spirits, Sasuke declared, "Might Guy, who knew the Eight Gates, is dead, and Naruto is not in this world. This means no one can stop me now. If not now, when? The opportunity to capture Konoha is here!"
Kabuto, adjusting his glasses, cautioned, "Once Naruto returns and finds Konoha destroyed, he'll likely come after you. You've grown stronger, but you're still not his match."
Sasuke's eyes turned into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. He covered his eyes with his hands, peering through the gaps into the dark night, and declared resolutely.
"No matter, I have acquired the power to kill Naruto!"
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