Chapter 9

"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu (Great Fireball)!" The battle continued again by Hashirama spitting out a huge fireball from his mouth.

Just as the huge mass of fire was about to reach Shibai he countered, "Suiton: Suijinheki (Water Formation Wall)!" And a massive wall of water was released putting out the fire immediately and rushing towards the other combatant

Hashirama didn't let the large wave of water hit him by making a large wall of earth in front of him with the 'Doton: Doryūheki (Mud Wall)' and continued straight after by making sharp tree branches appear all around the battlefield ready to pierce Shibai.

It looked like Shibai was cornered, even with great speed, you couldn't avoid the branches if you had nowhere to move. A rasengan was suddenly formed in his hand and it seemed that he was trying to counter the sharp branches with it but suddenly he disappeared. Hashirama couldn't sense him anymore even with his sage mode until the previously made rasengan was drilling into his back and Shibai appeared along with it out of thin air. A sharp cry of pain was heard as the hit shinobi was launched forwards at a fast speed going through multiple trees. The legendary shinobi was seen sprawled on the ground in a weird position mulling over the things that lead to this. Shibai walked up to him and offered him a hand to help him stand up and the Senju took it.

"That was pretty good… I'm sure you didn't go all out but the result wouldn't change," he gave a comforting smile.

Hashirama looked bitter for a moment thinking about how easily he was beaten. "I truly didn't think that there would still be people stronger than me alive. I guess it's true that there is always a bigger fish out there, Shibai."

"I agree. Even with my strength I'm not even close to being the strongest," Shibai said while thinking about Isshiki and the antagonists that will come after him.

After that, they both stayed in silence until Hashirama finally broke it. "You know Shibai, you are really strong and you seem like a good guy," he started. "Want to join my shinobi village the Senju and Uchiha are forming? It will be a place where children won't be sent to war as soon as they can walk and peace can finally be achieved, we will soon start looking for other clans to join us."

Shibai just gave a light chuckle. "What a coincidence, it seems like I'm going to start my own shinobi village too in a bit so I'll have to reject your offer. You'll have some competition since I'll be sure to get the strongest clans and the ones with the most potential to join me in creating the greatest village."

Hashirama immediately looked depressed and put his head down after hearing that.

"Don't look so down. Maybe we can have some kind of alliance after some time, who knows what the future holds.

Hashirama smiled lightly, "By the way, how did you avoid my 'Mokuton Hijutsu: Jukai Kōtan (Nativity of a World of Trees)' when you were cornered by it?" Hashirama asked, looking confused.

"Oh that, I guess you can call it my kekkei genkai or something," said Shibai, retaining the mysterious air around him.

"Fine, act mysterious all you want," Hashirama grumpily responded. "I need to get back now Lady Katsuyu, Shibai. Will we be meeting again? I would love to introduce Madara and my brother to you."

"I'm sure we will meet sometime in the future seeing as we will both be sages of Shikkotsu forest," Shibai smiled.

"It's goodbye for now then." Only a *poof* was heard and Hashirama was back to the Senju clan compound via the Reverse Summoning Technique.

Katsuyu was watching all this happen from the side with her jaw still wide open. "So, do you think I'm worthy?"

"I'm sure you will be able to become a sage because of your massive chakra pool since that is the biggest problem for most people. You should come eat dinner with me and the elder slugs so we can get to know each other better."

Shibai was immediately on guard after hearing that, remembering the monstrosities that the frogs made Naruto eat in the show. "Uhh what will be for dinner?" Shibai asked tentatively.

"You don't need to worry about not liking it, Hashirama-sama has always been delighted to join us," the large slug smiled.

'Hashirama your white lies may lead me to my doom today,' Shibai cried inside his heart. "Well I'm quite hungry so let's go." He went inside and met the two elder slugs. After talking and getting to know each other a bit the food came in. The plates were full of all kinds of different vegetables and fungi. Almost managing to sigh of relief until he looked at the last thing. Large earthworms still alive and wriggling. A lump formed in his throat which he managed to swallow down.

"Looks good doesn't it, Shibai-kun? Katsuyu beamed at him.

"Uhmm yeah Hashirama sure didn't lie about the food. It looks great," he forced a smile to appear on his face.

After everyone had gotten their fill of the earthworm salad the elders said to him, "Shibai-boy we have all agreed on you becoming an ally of Shikkotsu forest. We will be your personal summons if you happen to need us and we will teach you to become a sage in return for your protection. We know you are strong so if we happen to run into any problems we can't deal with ourselves then you will help us, is that a deal?

"Sounds good to me although I want to add one more thing to it."

"Oh, what is it Shibai-kun? Katsuyu asked.

"I also want to learn about the medical ninjutsu used by you."

"Hoho you know medical ninjutsu Shibai-boy." the other elder said. "It's not often monsters like you want to learn medical ninjutsu deeming it beneath them."

"Of course, I have great control over my chakra and I know a fair bit about the art of healing but I'm always looking to improve. Especially since you slugs are known for your incredible aptitude in it."

"What a sweet talker as well, I've taken a liking to this boy," the grandma elder said. "However our medical arts utilize natural energy and since you have yet to gain control over it we can't teach you yet."

"That's fine, I'm confident in my ability to become a sage since I feel a close connection to the energy of the world."

"Well then Shibai-boy, we will teach you starting tomorrow until you have mastered everything there is to know. You can stay in one of our guest rooms for the night.