Starting with rogue ninjas, building the insect kingdom.

Chapter 568 The Meddling Immortal

Because of the relocation of Shikkotsu Forest, the people of Konoha Village and the slug sage of Shikkotsu Forest have developed a symbiotic relationship.

It can be said that every household in Konoha has a small slug, which can not only transmit information but also treat illnesses.

This made them bolder, even disregarding their own injuries; even if a fight broke out over arable land, they wouldn't report it to the Hokage for a decision as before.

As a result, the young people in the village began to compete fiercely, since most of them were retired ninjas.

But gradually they discovered that the Slug Sage would tell everyone what he was doing, and would even secretly report their actions to the Hokage.

So what started as liking gradually turned into dislike.

Konoha hasn't had any missions for several years, and even when they do, they're usually just minor tasks like clearing farmland.

Nowadays, no family is well-off, and everyone can do this kind of farm work themselves, so why hire ninjas?

Moreover, daily chores can add a touch of fun to a boring life.

Over time, the number of ninjas, which originally numbered less than a thousand, gradually became idle.

Such a number would make up more than one-ninth of the total population of Konoha Village today.

In other words, one out of ten people is a former ninja who has been on the battlefield and killed people with his own hands.

In an effort to quell the unrest, Tsunade even forced widows who had lost their husbands to be paired with these ninjas, giving them stable homes and reducing their idleness.

But their competitive and belligerent nature is already ingrained in their bones, so how many of them are truly willing to settle down?

Just like how someone who has made a lot of money and enjoyed a comfortable life would not settle down and return home to farm all day and live a simple life.

impossible.

Most people were just following orders and pretending, while secretly fantasizing that Konoha would one day rise to the top of the ninja world again, and that they would eventually return to their former lives and status.

But such fantasies alone cannot sustain them for long. The emptiness within them will drive them to commit many illegal and criminal acts.

For example, if someone covets their neighbor's wife, they might secretly agree to swap partners, and the next day, no one will know. As long as the women and children don't tell anyone, everyone can live in peace.

However, now that the Slug Sage has taken over, Konoha Village is essentially under comprehensive surveillance. As a result, those ninjas who behaved improperly in private were summoned to Tsunade's office the next day.

They were severely punished, and Tsunade almost exposed their crimes.

The group of ninjas endured the insults and humiliation from those around them, and in the end, they had no choice but to lower their heads.

But they were resentful: why were they the only ones arrested, and not others? Others were doing the same thing behind the scenes.

Tsunade herself indulges in all sorts of gambling, smoking, and drinking in private, so why are you criticizing us?

We didn't force them, and the women in the family did it voluntarily. Perhaps they also wanted to experience what it's like to be with different men.

The initial joy of summoning the fairy slugs through spiritual communication has faded since these gossipy mouths started telling on them, and the villagers no longer enjoy this symbiotic relationship.

However, they cannot do without the Slug Fairy's healing abilities, thus falling into a love-hate relationship.

In the end, all the ninjas were careful and secretive when doing private things.

"Tsunade, I don't understand. I was just correcting their immoral behavior, why does everyone suddenly seem to dislike me?"

"Slug Sage..." Tsunade was momentarily at a loss for words, and could only say, "From now on, you don't need to tell me about things like this, nor do you need to continue monitoring me."

"Lady Tsunade, do you think I'm invading their privacy? Then I'll go back to Shikkotsu Forest." Tsunade frowned slightly.

Although the slug sage spoke to her in a gentle and soft voice, he always felt that there was something wrong with what she said.

I didn't mean to criticize you.

"I understand, so please don't overinterpret my words."

The conversation between the man and the slug ended there. They didn't part on bad terms; it was just that the slug chose to leave.

"Sakura, have you noticed that there seem to be fewer slugs in the village lately?" Ino Yamanaka said as she walked down the street, holding an ice cream she had just bought.

To be honest, this ice cream tastes great, mainly because it has a rich and unique flavor, and the raw material comes from a type of insect from Iceland in the Arctic.

Even if it were sold outside, the price would still be high, but in Konoha, it only costs one Konoha coin, which is very cheap, since Kakashi bought the materials for free outside.

"Really?" Sakura Haruno answered vaguely, "Maybe... recently the villagers of Konoha have been getting injured very little, so they don't really need the Slug Sage."

She actually knew the answer in her heart.

Because the Slug Sage had told her that from that day on, the sacred profession of ninja completely collapsed in her heart.

It turns out that these are the kinds of people they are in private, with stronger desires than ordinary people, and who act with more no bottom line and more recklessness.

The thought that Naruto and Sasuke might grow up to be just as unrestrained and promiscuous made Sakura feel nauseous and disgusted.

Men are cute when they are young and attractive when they are young, but after entering middle age, they are probably only greasy and uncomfortable.

Especially recently, she noticed that many of the older ninja men were looking at her differently.

Perhaps they've always been like this, just like some boys in school would secretly stare at Ino's chest.

"Sakura, Sakura! Haruno Sakura!" Ino Yamanaka kept calling out from the side, finally raising her voice, "Why are you suddenly spacing out?"

Sakura turned her head and smiled, "It's nothing, I just remembered some things."

"Are you thinking about the entrance exam for Ninja Junior High?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Sakura didn't deny it and continued, "Recently, quite a few classmates have been forced to stop taking their medication. Lady Tsunade's point is that their bodies have reached their limits, and even if they take more pills, they won't be able to absorb and convert them."

"What a pity. I heard that the earliest pills could be supplied by external forces. There are also rumors that there was once a kind of pill made by a creature called White Zetsu, which had no such restrictions and could improve physical fitness without limit."

Sakura laughed and replied, "They're probably all eaten."

The two chatted and laughed as they continued their journey toward the school.

Just then, the sky shook.

Not far from the village entrance, three figures appeared, walking steadily toward them.

After recognizing one of them, Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka pointed ahead in surprise and exclaimed in unison, "Jiraiya-sama!"