97 Katsuyu

In the Senju Clan Manor, Araki was seated in his personal room. He had entered his own mindscape, staring at the Gedo Statue.

Unlike the other Jinchuuriki who could take chakra from their tailed beast, the Gedo Statue couldn't seem to provide any chakra to Araki. Instead, it seemed to want his chakra.

But Araki's chakra was dense enough that even Gedo Statue couldn't take his chakra unless Araki released his hold over it.

Moreover, now that the Gedo Statue was in his body, he could feel a faint consciousness in the Gedo Statue.

"Gedo Statue… Just what are you? If you are the ten tails husk, then there should be no consciousness within you." There were some things he didn't say.

Since this was his own mindscape, he knew how to keep his thoughts hidden from an unknown entity in his own mindscape.

'This consciousness… It's looking for a moment when I am weak and will try to overtake my body. It wants my chakra, but the consciousness inside of it isn't making any moves to take it. Or maybe it can't. Well, either way, it doesn't matter. But the fact that it will attack me when my mind is weak, I can't overlook this. I need to create a counter-measure quickly… Fortunately, I do know how to create this counter-measure…'

With that, he opened his eyes and left the room nonchalantly. He was in a good mood… Even though the Gedo Statue didn't give him any chakra, it enhanced his ability to sense Sage Chakra.

The dark markings on his face reddened a bit when he went into Sage Mode. Moreover, his sensing range had enhanced once again. In his sage mode, he could sense Sakumo, who was far beyond the Land of Fire's borders.

Araki went on to talk with some Uzumaki Clan Members. He ordered them to create a seal. The Uzumaki Clan Members were confused by this order. They asked him, "Araki-sama, give us a sample of it. We can't make this sort of seal without analysing it."

"Hmm… Alright." Araki readily agreed and added, "I will give you the sample by tomorrow."

"Yes, Araki-sama," After having said that, the Uzumaki Clan members soon left.

Araki then went to the training field, there, he saw Kushina sparring against 3 Uzumaki Clan Members.

Although Kurama had left Kushina's body, in all these years that she had been Kurama's Jinchuuriki, Kurama had made sure to strengthen her body with his own chakra. This was a sort of passive enhancement to her physique.

It also gave her great regeneration… Although her physique and regeneration weren't at Araki's level, it wouldn't lose to anyone else.

As he was watching Kushina train these Uzumaki Clan Members, he let out a chuckle, "She is still so gentle with them. If only the others would let me train them."

If any of the Uzumaki Clan Members heard his words, they would shiver uncontrollably. It was well known in the clan that Araki's training regime was absolutely demonic… It was nothing short of hell…

Araki did try training some Uzumaki Clan Members. The entire clan was feeling pitiful about those people. Poor guys… They had seen hell at a young age…

But… When they compared that hell to Araki's own training, they would soon think that what they considered hell was just sweet misery in comparison to that torture.

"Hmm… Perhaps it will be a good idea to teach Sage Mode to Kushina. She would be able to boost her power to a much stronger level then." Araki mused to himself, but he frowned soon after that… There was an issue with this.

"Wait… How will Kushina sense Nature Energy though? Since I have Mokuton, I could sense the scarce nature energy rather easily," This was honestly a worrying point for him. He really wanted to teach Kushina sage mode.

"Wait…Hmm… What should I do?" Araki thought for some time before he was struck with an idea.

Soon after he was struck by that idea, his shoulders dropped, showing how reluctant he was in using that idea.

'Tsunade… She mentioned that the location of Summoning Beasts is filled with rich Nature Chakra. Maybe I can ask them to let me stay there for a while and teach Kushina how to sense Nature Chakra.'

With those thoughts, he went to Tsunade's room. There, he saw her teaching some things to Shizune.

Shizune immediately stood up and wanted to greet Araki. Still, Araki waved off quite casually while saying, "Don't worry about formalities like this Shizune…"

Before Shizune could speak anything, Araki turned to Tsunade, "Elder Sister, could you summon Katsuyu. I need to ask her something."

Tsunade didn't know what her brother wanted to ask, but she asked him, "A small form of Katsuyu would be alright, right?"

Araki nodded his head in response.

With that, Tsunade bit her thumb, and a small amount of blood leaked out of her tiny wound. She made quick hand seals and slammed the ground while speaking, ��Summoning Jutsu!"

A small white slug appeared on the ground.

Katsuyu stared at Tsunade and asked her, "How can I assist you, Tsunade-sama?"

"My brother Araki wanted to talk to you regarding something. Go with him and have your conversation." Tsunade explained the situation rather casually.

"As you order, Tsunade-sama." Katsuyu respectfully bowed before turning towards Araki, "What do you wish to ask me, Araki-sama?"

Araki took Katsuyu out of the room so that he doesn't disturb Tsunade while she was teaching Shizune.

"Katsuyu, I wanted to ask you whether I can come to the Shikkotsu Forests and teach sage mode to my wife," Araki asked her rather politely.

Katsuyu was a little stunned for some moments, and she asked him, "Teach Sage Mode? You mean you can use Sage Mode?"

"Well, yeah." With that, reddish coloured marks soon appeared over Araki's face as Katsuyu was so shocked that she nearly backed away.

"Such speed! You didn't even need to concentrate on balancing your chakra with Nature and absorbing it from the surrounding." Katsuyu commented, utterly shocked at what she had witnessed.

"Never mind the small things. So, am I allowed to bring Kushina and teach her sage mode in Shikkotsu Forest?" Araki waved off Katsuyu's comments with a laugh.

Katsuyu thought for some moments before telling Araki, "I can indeed give you permission to bring Kushina-sama in the Shikkotsu Forest since you are personally related to Tsunade-sama but… I personally believe it would be better to let her sign a contract with a summoned beast. Toads would be what I would prefer. The Nature energy in the Mount Myoboku is twice of Shikkotsu Forest. Moreover, Fukasaku-sama and Shima-sama are quite skilled in sage mode. They would be able to teach Kushina-sama much quicker."

Araki smiled at her words, "Thank you, Katsuyu. I truly appreciate your advice. I will inform it to Kushina."

Inwardly, Araki spoke 'Well, I wanted to spend more time with her… It should be her choice, in the end, I guess. If she wants to learn quickly or learn slowly while spending time with me.'

Araki then returned Katsuyu to Tsunade before coming down while staring at his wife teaching the other Uzumaki Clan Members, a faint yet proud smile on his face.

After Kushina was done training the Uzumaki Clan Members, she returned to the Manor. She saw Araki, seated on the ground, greeting her, "Looks like you have given them a thorough thrashing."

"You were watching? Since when?"

"Who knows? Maybe I arrived just now… Or maybe I was here since the beginning." The playful smirk on his face widened when he noticed Kushina's cheeks reddening a little.

He grabbed Kushina's hand and pulled her toward himself. Kushina was a little startled, but she didn't resist him, she sat on his lap while turning her body to face Araki.

Araki slowly started to explain the situation. He wanted to teach her sage mode, it was her choice whether she wanted to be taught by a toad or himself. Kushina scratched the back of her head while wondering, "You are really weird, dattebane!"

"You are so smart, so you should already know the answer to this question."

"Well, asking never hurts does it?" Araki retorted casually.

"My answer is naturally to train with you. I don't care if I am somewhat slow in learning this Sage Mode… but I want to spend more time with you." Kushina lovingly looked into Araki's eyes.

And before the two realised it, a romantic moment had been set up. Araki couldn't hold himself and kissed her lips.

The Uzumaki Clan members who were still in the field, currently collapsed, blushed when they saw their masters having a loving moment. They immediately scrammed, not wishing to interrupt their sweet moment.

Well, the two would soon realise that it was pretty much impossible for Araki to teach the Sage Mode to Kushina.