Do you think I have what it takes to practice the immortal arts?

"That's all for today's practice." Kisame stood up from the mat, walked over to Tsunade, and instructed her, "When you get home tonight, remember to review these movements once more before bed. Tomorrow, I'll check your homework."

"Is this really useful?" Tsunade sat up on the mat, skeptical, feeling it was just a waste of time.

"Impatience won't do. Even learning a ninjutsu takes considerable time, let alone exercises for cultivating the body and mind," Kisame replied with a serious expression before turning and heading indoors.

The next day.

After the crew had finished filming.

"You came," Kisame said, somewhat surprised to see Tsunade in the courtyard.

He had thought her enthusiasm would fade after just a few days and she wouldn't return today.

"I practiced the movements you taught me last night and again this morning. It seems... they actually have some effect. After practicing, I felt calm and relaxed," Tsunade admitted, frowning as she spoke.

"It appears you have a natural talent for yoga," Kisame nodded in appraisal.

"What are we practicing today? Is it still those poses from yesterday?" Tsunade asked, picking up the mat and laying it out proactively.

"Of course not," Kisame shook his head. "What I taught you yesterday was just the basic entry-level movements. Next comes more advanced poses."

"Then let's get started," Tsunade urged, full of anticipation.

And so, Kisame became Tsunade's fitness coach.

Due to the tsunami's impact, the filming schedule was delayed yet again, but this gave Tsunade ample time to learn yoga techniques from Kisame.

These days, under Kisame's guidance, she lived a disciplined life, practicing yoga every morning and evening.

During this process, Tsunade discovered her mindset had truly become much calmer, no longer as irritable as before.

Though overcoming her hemophobia still seemed out of reach, at least she was gradually learning, much like Kisame, to control her body and mind.

Her visits to the town's casino had also noticeably decreased.

The best way to break a bad habit is not to force oneself to quit, but to replace it with a better way of living.

That was the lesson Kisame had imparted to her.

A week passed.

After more than three months, filming for "Beach Frenzy Shark" finally wrapped up perfectly.

Tonight, there would be a grand celebration banquet at the hotel. After that, the crew who had lived together for three months would temporarily part ways.

Kisame received his payment of five million ryo.

Carrying a suitcase filled with cash, he prepared to return home, report to Yuki-onna, and set out for the Hidden Mist Village early the next morning.

As for the celebration banquet, he had no interest in attending.

Just then, Tsunade approached Kisame.

"Um... Thank you for teaching me yoga these days. Even though those poses were rather embarrassing, they really worked," she said, her cheeks tinged with red.

"If you really want to thank me, give me something more tangible," Kisame demanded, as unabashed as ever, stretching out his hand for a reward.

"You're such a jerk, always ruining the mood," Tsunade's face fell; whatever slight fondness she had developed for Kisame over the past days vanished instantly.

She snorted, took out a bottle of colorless, odorless potion from her pocket, and handed it to him:

"This is the advanced sedative you wanted. I experimented on Jiraiya several times before finally developing it. This amount is enough to incapacitate ten jonin."

Kisame's eyes lit up at her words, and he quickly took the potion.

At last, he had what he wanted.

Now, the only thing left he wanted from Tsunade was one final piece of intelligence.

And it was the most important one.

Thinking of this—

"I have something I've been curious about and always wanted to ask you." He stopped Tsunade, lowered his tone, and inquired, "I heard that when the First Hokage unified the shinobi world, he used a legendary sword passed down in the Senju clan, even more powerful than the Seven Swords of the Mist. Is that true?"

"Of course," Tsunade replied proudly, arms crossed.

"So why haven't I seen you use it? As the granddaughter of the First Hokage, shouldn't you have inherited the sword?" Kisame pressed further.

"Why are you asking?" Tsunade shot him a wary look, sensing he was up to something again.

Nevertheless, she answered indifferently, "That thing's bulky and heavy. I don't like using it, nor do I want to lug a giant scroll around everywhere. So I left it, along with the storage scroll, in Shikkotsu Forest."

Shikkotsu Forest.

Kisame's pupils contracted, his eyes narrowing.

Shikkotsu Forest, far from the shinobi world, is the domain of the Slug Sage.

Among the three great sacred lands, Shikkotsu Forest has always been the most mysterious, never revealing its secrets. Other than Tsunade, the contract holder, probably no one else in the shinobi world knows its location or how to get there.

Tsunade keeping the Senju clan's scroll and sword there was the safest option.

That was why she could freely share this information with Kisame.

"So, you're quite interested in Shikkotsu Forest. Have you heard of the Slug Sage and Sage Techniques?" Tsunade teased, enjoying Kisame's surprise.

"I once heard the Third Mizukage mention it. He lamented that the three sacred lands had each signed summoning contracts with the Legendary Sannin of the Leaf, letting the Leaf monopolize powerful Sage Techniques and leaving other villages no chance," Kisame improvised.

"Nonsense," Tsunade sneered, dismissing such claims. "The sages of the three sacred lands have always selected candidates from the entire shinobi world in their own way. The Legendary Sannin of the Leaf never monopolized Sage Techniques; others simply lacked the aptitude to pass the tests."

"Oh? Then, Lady Tsunade, what kind of aptitude is required to learn Sage Techniques?" Kisame asked, feigning curiosity.

"Since you're sincerely asking, I'll generously enlighten you. Ahem..." Tsunade cleared her throat and began to flaunt her knowledge.

"First, the practitioner must possess an extraordinary amount of chakra, far beyond the norm. Only then can one avoid being overwhelmed by the natural energy of the sacred land."

"Second, the practitioner must learn to quiet their mind and master the art of 'stillness,' achieving a heart as calm as tranquil water. An impatient person can never learn Sage Techniques."

At this, Tsunade grew somewhat frustrated, for she herself was that impatient person.

"Finally, only those with unwavering perseverance and strong willpower can become true sages. That's the wisdom my grandfather once imparted to me."

Having finished, Tsunade suddenly froze, staring intently at Kisame.

Vast chakra.

A mind as tranquil as still water.

Unyielding perseverance and powerful will.

All three qualities—this man before her... seemed to possess them, perfectly fitting the requirements for Sage Technique training.

"Do you think I could learn Sage Techniques?" Kisame, as expected, asked.