Chapter 11

Katsuo appeared to take me to Shikkotsu forest exactly a week after the first time, just as promised. I said good bye to Kaa-chan and Tou-san, promising to practice my genjutsu and medical ninjutus. I would learn a lot from Lady Katsu. 

"Ready?" asked Katsuo. 

I nodded. Poof! I was in the forest again. This time, I stood in a clearing, surrounded by states of slugs. 'Uh oh…' 

"Hello," said Lady Katsu. 

"Lady Katsu," I bowed. 

"Alright," said Lady Katsu, "I know you want to prioritize the Strength of Hundreds seal. Good news is, all you need to do is let nature run it's course. I will teach you the healing arts and sage mode. The time depends on you. Katsuo?"

Katsuo had a paintbrush in his mouth. I didn't flinch as he moved closer to me and drew a small diamond on my forehead. "There!" said Katsuo. 

Lady Katsu nodded, "The seal holds large amounts of energy collected over time. You could have a complete seal by the time you finish training in sage mode. How long it takes depends on you. Sit down in that circle in a meditative position please. Katsuo, I trust you can oversee her training for now?" 

Katsuo nodded and I sat down in a meditative position. Lady Katsu left. "Don't move," said Katsuo. 

I braced myself as something cold began to creep on my skin. I opened my eyes and saw myself covered in slugs. Gross… 

"Close your eyes," said Katsuuo. I closed my eyes. "Envision the world around you, and feel the natural energy around you. Draw it in." 

It was everywhere. I could feel it through my skin. It was warm and powerful. I took a deep breath and breathed it in. Power spread throughout my body, mixing with my chakra and into my veins. I let it flow throug my forehead, entering the seal and storing some of it inside. There was so much. I felt my skin harden. "RIN!" said Isobu sternly. I felt the natural energy get flushed out my body, save for the bits stored in my forehead. 

"Be careful," said Katsuo calmly, "Or you will become one with the nature, you will become like those before you…" I looked at the statues, "You will become a slug, then a statue." 

I nodded, "I'll keep that in mind." 

"Then," said Katsuo, "Let's try again shall we?"

I closed my eyes and breathed. 

…

Guess who said this! Comment on who. No prize, just bragging rights ig…

"I… will… be… reborn!" 

"I'm going to be Hokage one day, then everyone will respect me! Believe it!" 

"In the ninja world, those who break the rules are scum, but those who abandon their friends are worse than scum." 

"All efforts are pointless… if you don't believe in yourself"

"Yosh! YOUTHFULNESS!!!!!" 

Sry for short chapter, time skip.