The three great sage regions have a restrictive relationship with each other.
Slugs restrain snakes, snakes restrain toads, and toads restrain slugs.
However, due to Katsuyu's peaceful nature, there was no real enmity between her and Ryuchi Cave, despite their restrictive relationship.
In contrast, Mount Myōboku and Ryuchi Cave had always been in conflict, as both were the territories of powerful and aggressive beasts.
The situation changed when the Sage of Six Paths recognized Gamamaru. Although Ryūchi Cave maintained an advantage over Mount Myōboku, it could no longer take the initiative to attack it...
"You are the child of prophecy, Kazuki-kun."
The White Snake Sage nodded, confirming Kazuki's identity. She exhaled a puff of smoke with a satisfied expression before continuing in a deep voice, "But you are not the child of the prophecy of Mount Myōboku. You are the one awaited by Ryūchi Cave, and indeed, the entire shinobi world..."
"In my prophetic dreams, I have also seen you. Your destiny is to bring unprecedented change to this world."
"Right now, those insignificant creatures who have cultivated their power for centuries are clinging to you with enthusiasm. That is the best indication that my vision is true."
"As for listening to Mount Myoboku to stay on the right path, let that old thing Gamamaru get lost—he always uses the same trick." The White Snake Sage's expression revealed a trace of genuine disgust.
The White Snake Sage was pleased. Kazuki was a young man with an analytical and pragmatic mind.
He was not like the Sage of Six Paths, who, despite his enormous power, had eccentric thinking, and had blindly trusted a simple prophecy.
As if responding to her words, the three small white snakes coiled around Kazuki's arm wagged their tails as they brushed against his skin.
Kazuki smiled without saying anything. "I see. I understand now."
He raised his arm and calmly stroked the snakes' scales before speaking calmly, "If possible, I want them to accompany me on my journey through the shinobi world. My physique is something special, and in order to quickly and completely master Sage Mode, I will need the aid of these snakes' power."
"I hope to meet with your approval."
The White Snake Sage meditated silently. She exchanged a discreet glance with the three little white snakes, and in their eyes she perceived a burning desire.
"I grant you that, Kazuki-kun."
Firmly, the White Snake Sage emphasized, "You are the destined contractor of Ryūchi Cave. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask me."
Kazuki nodded. "Sage White Snake, next time I will come to visit you with the Uchiha stone tablet..."
"For now, I say goodbye."
His farewell was quick and direct.
But the White Snake Sage did not find it strange. To her, this was how a truly powerful man should behave.
More than just a contract, the relationship between Kazuki and Ryūchi Cave was a strategic alliance.
"You can take these scrolls."
The White Snake Sage's eyes flashed as several enormous stone snakes quickly slithered towards him, carrying ancient scrolls in their mouths.
"Thank you, White Snake Sage." Kazuki received the scrolls and carefully placed them in his chest. "I appreciate this gesture very much. I will remember it."
A trace of goodwill flashed through the White Snake Sage's heart. "There's no need to thank..."
No matter how far he went in the future...
Today he had taken these scrolls and had the help of the three snake princesses for his training. Compared to Mount Myōboku and Shikkotsu Forest, Ryūchi Cave had been the first to bet on the future.
An initial bond had been formed that would deepen as time went by.
That was enough for the White Snake Sage.
...
Leaving Ryūchi Cave, Kazuki climbed to the top of a mountain and looked out at the sea of clouds around him.
He shook his head and muttered, "Tobirama, even the sages can't prevent factional fighting..."
"The enmity between Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave has been building up for nearly a thousand years. Why can't they let go of their hatred?"
"Or maybe hate is something impossible to abandon."
Tobirama let out a frustrated sigh. 'Kazuki, why don't you stop mulling over the war between the sages, the prophecy of the toads and the snakes? All of that is secondary...'
What really worried Tobirama was that Rinnegan with nine tomoe.
It was something so ominous that, in comparison, Uchiha Madara's ocular power and the Nine-Tails' chakra seemed even comforting.
"Kazuki, go into your mindspace first. Let's talk face to face."
Tobirama needed to confirm if Kazuki was able to perceive that eye...
If I could feel its presence, maybe there was still hope.
But if he couldn't... then the problem was much more serious.
"What's wrong, Tobirama?" Kazuki smiled in resignation and, in a mocking tone, tried to lighten the mood: "Don't tell me you missed me."
'Damn... He can't sense it!'
Tobirama didn't even have the heart to respond.
There it was, suspended in the air, that terrifying eye, shining like a sinister sun in the darkness.
And yet, Kazuki didn't react at all. It was as if he didn't even see it.
Tobirama's heart skipped a beat.
Should he tell Kazuki or not?
"Tobirama...." Kazuki said calmly as he sat down beside him. "Let's meditate together. Let's absorb the information with a cool head."
Tobirama pursed his lips. "All right."
If he revealed the truth to Kazuki, he would be adding another weight to his already overwhelming burden...
If Kazuki couldn't bear it and it caused a rift in his mind, the consequences would be disastrous.
This was not something like the ancient Uchiha's chakra.
This was something no one in history had ever witnessed: the nine-tomoe Rinne Sharingan.
Tobirama couldn't make a decision lightly.
...
Uchiha Rin held her diary as she calmly looked at the vast plain in front of her.
That was the place Kazuki had chosen for her grave...
The same place where Ōnoki 'killed' Obito.
The actors in this scene were ANBU from different villages, controlled by genjutsu by Madara, along with a special guest: Uchiha Setsuna.
They were joined by Kazuki, who arrived uninvited, Black Zetsu, who was forced to, and Uchiha Madara, who watched from a distance.
After separating from Uchiha Rin's body, Black Zetsu once again took up residence in White Zetsu's body, regaining its classic flytrap appearance: half black and half white.
Now, Black Zetsu was hiding under the ground, right at Kazuki's feet. From his position, he could clearly see Uchiha Rin at close range.
However, Kazuki did not need to resort to the Mayfly technique to conceal himself. Thanks to the combination of the Second Tsuchikage's technique and the Second Mizukage's genjutsu, he could perfectly camouflage himself by superimposing the optical principles of ninjutsu and physics.
Black Zetsu searched for Kazuki but soon sighed.
"I can't see it... I just can't..." he muttered in frustration.
"No wonder Kazuki can evade my surveillance and still obtain information about me. This stealth ability is terrifying..."
Black Zetsu took this information about Kazuki into account and then turned his gaze towards Uchiha Rin. Finally, he couldn't hold back and spoke, "Are you sure you can do it?"
"If you make a mistake and Obito notices something suspicious, this plan could turn him into our mother's most fearsome enemy..."
"Shouldn't I do it instead?"
The wind rustled the leaves in the forest. No one responded.
Black Zetsu looked around sadly. He wasn't used to not being able to locate someone's position.
He had always been the one moving in the shadows, orchestrating events in the shinobi world without anyone noticing. But now, there was someone else...
After a long, awkward silence, Kazuki's voice echoed calmly: "A mere Uchiha Obito? He's nothing big."
His tone was indifferent, as if he was simply mentioning a trivial fact.
Black Zetsu felt a strange discomfort in his chest.
For a moment, Black Zetsu wanted to question Kazuki: What kind of genius are you? You dare to look down on Obito?
But when he was about to speak, he stopped himself.
This guy was no mere charlatan. In fact, he possessed a truly dangerous talent...
Black Zetsu seemed to forget that, in the past, he had also looked down on Obito, believing that he could easily manipulate him due to his lack of intelligence.
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