Under the corrosion of the acid, Wen Lan's flesh peeled away and regenerated repeatedly. Every cycle of rebirth came with tearing agony.
He held his breath and focused, sensing every fluctuation of chakra within his body, searching for equilibrium amid decay and renewal.
Spiritual energy.
Physical energy.
Natural energy.
Three torrents raged through his meridians, colliding violently.
The Slug Sage could naturally sense what was happening inside its body. When it noticed Wen Lan's flesh regenerating endlessly, it was stunned.
The same self-healing Sage Body as Lord Hashirama…?
At last—
Within the cracks of pain, the three energies resonated in delicate balance.
A streak of blue-gold light emerged through the rotting flesh.
Blue-gold markings spread like vines, each inch brimming with natural power.
The agony gradually transformed into nourishment. The decaying flesh, wrapped in those patterns, evolved into something tougher—an immortal sage body.
Patterns appeared across Wen Lan's face. The left side bore intricate blue-gold markings. His features sharpened, outlined by sacred radiance.
Then he noticed something—
His body was absorbing natural energy constantly.
In the original canon, entering Sage Mode required complex hand seals and deep meditation. One had to remain perfectly still to avoid imbalance.
Even Hashirama had to press his palms together.
But Wen Lan?
A single thought—and natural energy flowed in.
Even more astonishing—
His chakra was changing.
It was converting into natural energy—into senjutsu itself.
The process felt as natural as breathing.
After an unknown span of time, Wen Lan slowly opened his eyes.
Golden pupils reflected clarity like the dawn of creation. Blue-gold patterns flowed across his body like living veins.
He raised his hand.
A thread of natural energy coiled around his fingers.
No seals. No guidance.
He felt as though heaven and earth were connected to his bloodstream.
"Congratulations," the Slug Sage's voice echoed.
Only then did Wen Lan realize he was still inside its body. He stepped out and bowed respectfully.
"Thank you, Slug Sage."
"I merely provided minor assistance," it replied. "In all my years, only you and Lord Hashirama have mastered Sage Mode here."
"And yours… is even more perfect."
"Your chakra has already transformed into natural energy."
Wen Lan understood.
There was no longer conventional chakra inside him.
Only natural energy.
Which meant—
Every Technique he performed from now on would be senjutsu.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for completing the "Stone Breathing" training method.]
Beginning next phase…
Extracting next Breathing Style…
Extraction complete.
You have obtained: Wind Breathing.
Training requirement: Perform 500,000 blade swings using Wind Breathing.
Every 50,000 swings unlocks one Wind Breathing technique.
The Wind Breathing method unfolded in his consciousness like wind blades carving into his soul.
With a thought, natural energy surged like respiration itself.
He stepped lightly—
—and vanished a hundred meters in a flash of wind.
Drawing the Kusanagi Sword, he slashed through the air.
The first swing alone caused the atmosphere to howl. Space trembled faintly where the blade passed.
So strong.
He looked at the blue-gold patterns across his skin. They covered his entire body.
Before, his physique could at most handle opening the Seventh Gate of the Eight Gates.
Now?
Even if there were a hundred gates—he could open them casually.
He even felt that with pure physical strength alone, he could wrestle a Tailed Beast.
If he opened the Eight Gates on top of this—
Even Hashirama's Great Buddha might not be able to withstand him.
And now that things were calm, he could begin cultivating the "Mark."
The Mark would dramatically amplify combat ability—similar to the Eight Gates.
But Sage Mode + Eight Gates + Mark wasn't:
1 + 1 + 1 = 3
It was:
1 + 1 + 1 > 3
He exhaled slowly. Natural energy flowed like tides through his meridians. The blue-gold patterns dimmed—and faded.
"Ahh…" the Slug Sage suddenly sighed in a resentful tone. "Men truly love the new and forget the old. Just now you were so respectful. Now that you've learned Sage Arts, you ignore me."
Wen Lan opened his eyes, face full of black lines.
You ancient thousand-year-old being are saying this to a five-year-old child. Have some shame.
"Slug Sage… that tone isn't quite appropriate."
"Hmph~ I'll speak however I like~" it grumbled lazily like a sulking little girl.
"Alright, alright. My fault," Wen Lan raised his hands in surrender. "I'll prepare ten vegetarian feasts for you when I get back."
"…Fine~" Though pretending reluctance, a glint of anticipation flickered in its eyes.
With a puff of smoke, Wen Lan reappeared in his room.
He opened his eyes—
—and froze.
Tsunade was rummaging through his drawers like a thief, clutching several thousand ryō in her hand.
The summoning smoke startled her.
They stared at each other.
Big eyes.
Small eyes.
The money slipped from her hand and fluttered to the floor. Her face flushed instantly.
"W-Why did you suddenly come back?!" she stammered, all dignity gone.
Wen Lan narrowed his eyes, smirking.
"So Lady Tsunade feels guilty too?"
"Who's guilty?!" She hurriedly hid her hands behind her back and stepped on the fallen bills.
Wen Lan rolled his eyes. "Sneaking into my room to steal money. I'm going to report you."
Tsunade crossed her arms. "My entire family is dead. Who are you reporting to?"
"I know Edo Tensei," Wen Lan shrugged. "I'll resurrect the Second Hokage."
"He already disliked the Uchiha, didn't he? I'll let him know the princess of the Senju clan is stealing from the Uchiha."
Tsunade blinked—
Then suddenly placed her hands on her hips proudly, chest puffed out.
"Go ahead! If you tell Second Grandpa, he won't be angry. He'll praise me for stealing well!"
Wen Lan froze.
Then realization dawned.
…She wasn't wrong.
Tobirama absolutely would do that.
And then a horrifying thought surfaced—
If Tobirama had been alive when Itachi slaughtered the Uchiha…
The very next day he would have publicly renamed Uchiha Itachi—
Senju Itachi.
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