Chapter 224: For the Sake of Freedom

With a gurgle, a bubble appeared deep in the ocean, and the high-pressure icy water poured into Yuto's mouth, instantly tearing through his lungs.

The Creation Rebirth technique activated naturally, rapidly dividing and regenerating cells, though at the cost of a large amount of life force and chakra. In an instant, Yuto's body healed.

The experience in the Pure Land felt like a fleeting dream, leaving Yuto's head slightly dizzy. The coldness in the ocean depths woke him up, and he continued to set up the summoning technique.

Materials infused with chakra had already been placed on the rocks. The underwater world's flags fluttered, presenting a unique scene. However, Yuto, having consumed much of his strength, dared not delay. He swam to the center of the large summoning formation, dug out a groove, and gently placed the blood contract scroll into it.

"It's time to go…" The reverse summoning jutsu activated at the bottom of the ocean, and Yuto Hyuga felt his body lighten as he landed on a white stone platform.

"Yuto-kun, you've returned." The deep voice of the Slug Sage echoed from the earth. On the eve of regaining freedom, even this ancient and long-lived sage showed a hint of urgency in its tone.

"Was it successful?"

"I encountered someone unexpected, but I managed to complete the task perfectly." Yuto paused his Creation Rebirth technique, his face pale.

"I'll begin right away."

"Don't rush, Yuto-kun. Rest a bit longer."

"No, the summoning blood contract will quickly lose effectiveness in the deep-sea environment."

Yuto shook his head and formed hand seals.

"Strike while the iron is hot… Ninja Art: Boundless Summoning!"

Using the blood contract scroll as a coordinate, the summoning formation at the ocean's depth activated swiftly under the pull of chakra. Just as Yuto and the Slug Sage had planned, tens of thousands of tons of seawater erupted from the center of the summoning formation, flowing endlessly.

"Katsuyu-sama, do you feel it?" Yuto lay on the ground, carefully sensing the tremors from the deep.

"…"

"What? …"

"Katsuyu-sama, could you repeat that? I didn't hear clearly."

"Run!"

The usually gentle voice turned into an urgent shout, laced with an undeniable anxiety.

Without a word, Yuto bit his fingertip and slapped his hand onto his body.

—Ninja Art: Blood Contract Summoning!

This was a secret space ninjutsu with the Shikkotsu Forest as its base, allowing the user to be summoned as if they were a summon creature themselves. However, the destination must be where the blood contract scroll is located, and only the user's name can be on the scroll!

Upon hearing the command to "run," Yuto didn't flee. Instead, he thought of returning to the ocean floor to help the Slug Sage escape the predicament.

In fact, even when he was a Konoha shinobi, Yuto never retreated from the battlefield, let alone when it involved the Slug Sage, who had helped him so much.

However, not only did the summoning fail, but it also backfired.

Blood dripped from Yuto's mouth, and he wiped it away expressionlessly, understanding what had happened.

The blood contract scroll had been damaged by the high pressure and low temperature of the ocean floor, making it unusable as a coordinate. But the connection between the ocean floor and the Slug Sage's dwelling had already been established, making it impossible to sever.

No, it wasn't just a mere "connection" between the ocean floor and the earth below.

Due to the scroll's failure, combined with the high pressure and low temperature, the Sage of Six Paths' chakra, and the Pure Land's aura… Under the influence of these unexpected factors, the summoning passage planned to be "just the right size" expanded exponentially, encompassing the entire Slug Sage within it.

—And so, the sage fell into the ocean.

To make matters worse, with the scroll no longer functional, Yuto could no longer summon the Slug Sage to transfer part of it to the surface and buy more time.

"Run, Yuto-kun." The Slug Sage's voice became even more faint, this being the communication between a summoning creature and its blood contract partner. Even over great distances, the Slug Sage could convey its words to Yuto.

"The Shikkotsu Forest is about to be lost."

"Lost?" Yuto was stunned.

"It failed? But I felt that the summoning passage was much larger than planned, but even though it wasn't as expected, getting free from the earth shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"It's only half successful. My entire body is now in the deep sea."

Yuto's heart sank.

"Haha… You really are smart, Yuto-kun." The Slug Sage's voice was already extremely faint, but the warmth and comfort in its tone were undiminished.

"I can't float up, and we overlooked something… The salt content in the deep sea is too high; I've already started to dehydrate."

"Can you divide yourself? Or hold on for now, I'll come to save you! With the first experience under my belt, it will only take five days to get there!"

"It's too late, Yuto-kun. By then, I'll have become a giant corpse sinking to the ocean floor."

"There's really no other way…"

"There's none. After all, I'm just a slug that has lived for too long."

"But you're the only sage of the Shikkotsu Forest."

"That's why, after I die, the unique landscape of the Shikkotsu Forest will change. I don't know what will happen, but I do know one thing for sure… Run, Yuto-kun. Don't bury yourself here with me."

Yuto stared blankly at the ground. Seven years ago, when he was still a Caged Bird, he had come here and formed a pact of mutual support with the Slug Sage, never leaving each other's side. The Shikkotsu Forest had become his dependable stronghold.

"Hang in there, Katsuyu-sama!"

Yuto gritted his teeth. Waiting to die was not his style.

"Four days! Give me four days to return to the ocean floor! I'll bring a blank summoning blood contract and summon you back to the surface. Even if you lose 99% of your body's strength, you'll still be alive!"

The Slug Sage's voice grew fainter, yet even more tender.

"You've indeed grown into a fine man, Yuto-kun. But I…"

"Enough talk! Save your strength." Yuto cut in, turning to run outside.

As he had said, with the first experience behind him and using chakra like it was free, Yuto's speed was astonishing. He raced like the wind and soon arrived at the coast.

Having left some chakra on that small boat, Yuto knew exactly where the Slug Sage was. To increase his speed, he even unlocked his Creation Rebirth, releasing chakra without pause, leaving no time to rest.

In the 21st hour of the third day, Yuto returned to the spot.

But he didn't dive into the sea. He stood silently on the small boat, gazing at the scene.

The dark sea was dotted with fragments of smooth, massive skin and limbs. The sunlight struck the surface, casting neat ripples, resembling sunflowers chasing the sun.

The Slug Sage didn't choose to be buried in the dark, deep sea, but instead, it died under the scorching sunlight.

In that brief moment, the young man who was no longer a Caged Bird thought of many things. Over the years, the Slug Sage had always been there, silently supporting him…

But in the next instant, Yuto suddenly stiffened, teleporting to the far-off sea.

A small, timid creature, usually so cute and docile, looked up at him.

He bent down, carefully cradling the palm-sized slug.

"Nice to meet you." Yuto smiled.

"My name is Yuto Hyuga."

(End of Chapter)