I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 321 A Friendship Forged in Life and Death That Day Was Rare

"Sage Mode."

Tatsuma has entered Sage Mode twice, and the second one has just ended. He has even fought in Sage Mode, so he is not completely ignorant about Sage Mode.

Unfortunately, both times he entered Sage Mode by accident. Tatsuma really didn't know how to truly enter Sage Mode, and he felt that the concentration of natural energy in his body was frighteningly high.

The natural energy within his body is far beyond what his chakra can match, unless...

"Hiss~"

Tatsuma gasped and instinctively clutched his stomach as intense pain shot through him. He was currently in an expanded state, and there was no White Demon physique to alleviate his suffering.

You're too full.

Tatsuma's sudden movement startled Chiyu and the live slug, but both slugs were well-versed in medicine. After a moment of observation, they realized that Tatsuma was simply overeating.

It wasn't as simple as his stomach being stretched; rather, with a sufficient blood supply, his digestive system was working at full capacity, digesting the dozen or so soldier ration pills he had just swallowed. The excessive exercise caused spasms in his stomach, intestines, and other organs.

But this also means that a large amount of energy is being transported by Tatsuma's physical abilities, although this amount of energy cannot compare to the Yin Seal released by Mito Uzumaki.

However, after Mito Uzumaki's Yin Seal was broken, most of the chakra was used to repair Tatsuma's body, and a considerable portion was also used to harmonize various energies.

However, Chenma's injuries are mostly superficial, and he is quite conscious. In addition, he hasn't been in the water for as long this time as last time, so perhaps it's worth a try.

Live Slug and Plant Healer noticed it, and Chenma naturally noticed it too. He reached out and pressed his hand against the bottom of the pool, feeling the texture of the bottom. He found that it was not a hollow cavity, and an idea came to him.

Chakra condensed in his palm, and a Rasengan appeared at the bottom of the water, stirring the juice and causing it to ripple. Tatsuma pressed down, and a pit appeared at the bottom of the pool.

Chenma fell in, and the juice from the pool flowed into the new pit.

In this way, even while sitting, Tatsuma could ensure that most of the juice covered his body. Sitting at the bottom of the pit, Tatsuma clasped his hands together.

The wai jin mudra is best suited for mobilizing complex and different systems of energy. At this moment, what Chenma wants is to harmonize and unify physical energy, mental energy and natural energy.

Physical energy and spiritual energy are the raw materials for refining chakra. Over the years, Tatsuma has been refining chakra almost every day, so he can easily use these two types of energy.

But natural energy is different. Chenma has been in contact with very small amounts of natural energy recently, and he has mostly let the natural energy flow to various parts of his body on its own without actively trying to mobilize it.

However, Chenma did draw upon natural energy before. After entering Sage Mode for the first time, he channeled natural energy to dissipate and exited Sage Mode.

During his battle with Hozuki Gengetsu, he also drew upon natural energy to make his Water Release technique more than just water-based, but both times he did so while in Sage Mode.

But Chenma quickly calmed down and recalled the time when he first came into this world. He didn't know how to use his physical and mental energy, and could only clumsily try again and again.

Finally, the first wisp of natural energy obeyed the guidance of spiritual energy, separating itself from other natural energies and slowly merging with spiritual energy.

However, when Tatsuma tried to add an equal amount of his physical energy, the mixed energy began to dissipate uncontrollably. But Tatsuma was not discouraged because he had made progress.

He began to use the same method to draw upon natural energy, but progress was not particularly smooth. Zhi Yu looked at Chen Ma sitting quietly in the pool, a hint of expectation appearing in his eyes.

It has been far too long since any human has learned Sage Mode from Shikkotsu Forest, making her, as the "guide," seem rather useless.

Of course, for a human like Tatsuma who can attempt Sage Mode training without needing instruction or training, her role as "guide" would seem useless.

However, she still has immortal techniques to teach. The prerequisite for teaching immortal techniques is that the learner can enter immortal mode. In other words, she did not participate in Tatsuma's learning about entering immortal mode.

However, Tatsuma's subsequent learning of Sage Mode cannot bypass her, unless Tatsuma is foolish enough to only learn one Sage Mode without learning the corresponding Sage Techniques.

"He can now stop the invasion of natural energy into his body."

Suddenly, Zhi Yu seemed to have discovered something, and his tone was inevitably a little happy. Chen Ma could not leave this juice with a high concentration of natural energy, so there was a difficulty in his cultivation, which was how to stop the natural energy that kept entering his body from disrupting the balance.

The slug didn't know much about Sage Mode, but hearing Zhiyu's tone, she knew it was good news and said, "I'll try to inform Tsunade about Tatsuma's current situation."

Tatsuma's mission is still ongoing. If Konoha discovers he's missing, I fear they might sabotage his mission.

"Okay, I'll stay here and keep watch."

The plant's tentacles touched as if saying goodbye, and the slug quietly left, its massive body crawling on the coral reef without causing the slightest tremor or making a sound.

In the Land of Water, the Third Mizukage sat in his office, constantly rubbing his temples and occasionally pressing his palms against his eyes.

He was in a very strange state today, filled with an indescribable sense of loss and loneliness. Even the list of newly betrayed ninjas on the table, which usually ignited his anger, could hardly change his mood.

The last time he felt this way was when he decided to implement the Blood Mist Village policy, and his close friend Hozuki Gengetsu wrote to him announcing a political break with him.

Thinking of his close friend, the Third Mizukage rubbed his temples again, stood up, and said, "Yagura!"

A boy who looked to be only ten years old appeared. He was the genius of Kirigakure, Yagura Karatachi. However, he was already an adult, but because of his physique and appearance, he was always mistaken for a child who had not yet grown up.

"Lord Mizukage, what are your orders?"

The Mizukage pondered for a moment and then asked, "Any new information coming from the Six-Tails' side?"

He wanted to ask Hozuki Gengetsu directly about his recent situation, but the two had already "broken up." Although they had exchanged some letters because Hozuki Gengetsu volunteered to supervise the Six-Tails, their public interactions had ceased.

When Yagura heard the Mizukage's question, he shook his head and said, "No, according to Lord Hozuki Gengetsu's usual practice, the letter should arrive at the end of the month."

"You go. You come with me. Recently, the activities of rogue ninjas have become increasingly rampant. Hozuki Gengetsu is guarding the Six-Tails alone, and it is difficult to ensure the stability of the Six-Tails seal. I will go and check it myself."

Shuiying hesitated for a moment, but still decided to go. The unease in his heart made him want to see his best friend even more.

Yagura naturally wouldn't refuse the Mizukage's arrangement. He nodded and asked, "Mizukage-sama, is it necessary for anyone else to accompany us?"

"No need. Let Master Yuan take charge of the village affairs for now until we return."

"Yes, Lord Mizukage, I will go and inform Elder Yuanshi first."

"Yes, I'll also prepare the things I need to reinforce the seal."

Mizukage waved his hand, and Yagura quickly retreated. He paced back and forth in his office for a while before his anxiety subsided somewhat.

He walked to the bookshelf and randomly pulled out a few sealing scrolls to reinforce the seal on the Six-Tails. It was just an excuse and didn't need to be taken too seriously. Of course, he couldn't just abandon the act altogether.

After thinking for a moment, he returned to his desk, opened a drawer, and took out a box of genmaicha (brown rice tea). He didn't like drinking tea, but he loved collecting high-quality genmaicha.

Not only is this tea named after him, but it's also because his close friend, Hozuki Gengetsu, loves to drink it.

In the past, Hozuki Gengetsu often teased him about this, but after the two "broke up," they didn't even have the chance to sit down and have tea together anymore.

It was from that time that the Third Mizukage, Genmai, began collecting tea leaves, intending to give them to his close friend when his plan was completed or when the two reconciled due to other factors.

But this wait lasted for several years. His plan was not completed as quickly as he had expected. Instead, more and more rogue ninjas appeared in the village, causing him a lot of trouble.

If it weren't for this sudden whim, the tea leaves might have fermented and molded in his damp office.

"Xuanmi, you're letting this old man temporarily take charge of village affairs?"

Yagura was very efficient, and soon arrived with Elder Yuanshi. Genmi pointed to the documents on his desk and said, "Well, Elder Yuanshi, these documents are all for you. I need to check the seal on the Six-Tails."

Master Yuan nodded and casually asked, "Are you only checking the six-tailed ones? Don't you need to check the three-tailed ones?"

Genmi was taken aback. His excuse to check the Six-Tails seal was just that—an excuse. He hadn't made any preparations, let alone any arrangements for the Three-Tails.

Seeing the change in his expression, Master Yuan waved his hand and said, "You're so old, yet you're still as impulsive as when you were a child. Never mind, I'll make arrangements. It's not convenient for either of you to be away for too long anyway."

"Thank you, Elder Yuan."

Genmi avoided Yuanshi's gaze, looked at Yagura, and said, "Let's go."

"Yes, Lord Mizukage."

The two left the Mizukage's office, and Genji sat down in Genmi's seat, frowning as he looked at the latest list of rogue ninja. He said, "Is this good or bad?"

One was the village's leader, and the other was an elite Jonin. Genmi and Yagura were both extremely fast. The next morning, the two, covered in moisture, entered the swamp.

As soon as he stepped into the swamp, Genmi frowned deeply. He sensed the distinct chakra of the Six-Tails, which was very abnormal. He and Hozuki Gengetsu had already joined forces to set up a barrier for the Six-Tails.

But the current situation indicates that the barrier has been broken!

He hurried across the swamp and, upon reaching its center, saw a giant six-tailed slug resting on the swamp.

"Six-Tails!"

Suppressing her unease, Genmi spoke. Rokubi turned her head, and Genmi continued, "Where's Hozuki Gengetsu?"

"He's dead."

The shrill voice pierced Genmi's heart like a sharp blade. His face paled, then turned to rage, his killing intent radiating as he stared intently at Rokubi, demanding, "You killed him?!"

"It wasn't me."

The Vulpix wasn't making excuses; it was stating the facts. Genmi knew the Vulpix wouldn't lie, so he suppressed his anger and asked, "Then who is it?"

"There's a kid named Takasugi Shinsuke, who seems to be some kind of escaped convict. Over there, there's some information left by Hozuki Gengetsu. I protected that information so that the kid didn't erase it. Go take a look."

Although he was also curious about "Takasugi Shinsuke", Mutsuki did not tell Genmi that he possessed special chakra, and Genmi's face turned completely dark at this moment.

He strode towards the place shrouded in acidic mist, and with a wave of his hand, his wind-style technique dispelled the mist, revealing the last message left behind by Hozuki Gengetsu.

Looking at the message left by his dearest friend in his final moments, Genmi's chest heaved. After a long while, he turned to look at Yagura, who dared not approach, and said:

"Yagura, have all departments thoroughly investigate and find a young ninja named Takasugi Shinsuke. Issue an S-rank warrant for his capture, alive only!"

(End of this chapter)