The alliance event between Konoha and Ryūgakure had essentially come to an end. As for whether Sasuke would be beaten within an inch of his life after returning home due to disgracing his clan—well, good luck to him.
Kakuzu instructed Suigetsu and Haku to return to Ryūgakure Village ahead of him. Meanwhile, he arranged a meeting with someone near Konoha.
"So... are you a man or a woman?" Kakuzu raised an eyebrow, finally voicing the question that had been bothering him.
"Heh, Kakuzu-sama, I only seek the truth of this world. In the face of truth, does gender really matter?" Orochimaru responded with a sly smile.
Kakuzu was at a loss for words as he looked at Orochimaru's smooth, almost flawless face. Changing even one's gender—honestly, it was hard to accept. The worst part was that Orochimaru made a solid point, leaving Kakuzu unable to argue.
"Fine, that's your business. I won't pry. Have you found what I asked for?"
Orochimaru chuckled, his expression seductive.
"Heh heh heh, Kakuzu-sama, you certainly have an eye for people. It's almost as if you knew from the start that I would succeed in this task."
Stepping aside, Orochimaru gestured toward a path leading forward.
"Kakuzu-sama, please, follow me."
Kakuzu nodded and walked beside Orochimaru, heading into the distance. Behind them, Kabuto and a few other subordinates followed at a respectful distance.
...
After traveling for three days, Kakuzu and Orochimaru finally arrived before a cavernous entrance. A white snake, coiled near the opening, slowly slithered onto Orochimaru's body. Stroking the serpent, Orochimaru's expression turned slightly sentimental.
"To be honest, I had this idea for a while but never put it into action. It wasn't until you, Kakuzu-sama, brought it up that I finally decided to give it a try. I never expected it to actually work!"
"Every creature in this world has its own kind of spiritual guidance. They follow an innate calling, leading them to their destined places. And so, they led me here—to one of the three great sanctuaries of Sage Arts, Ryūchi Cave!"
Finding Ryūchi Cave was a near-impossible feat—only someone like Orochimaru could have accomplished it. The last time they had met, Kakuzu had inquired about its whereabouts, but at that time, Orochimaru had yet to begin his search. With Kakuzu's subtle encouragement, it had taken less than two years for him to locate this legendary land of sage training.
As Orochimaru finished speaking, Kakuzu gained a new understanding. So, animals truly had a form of spiritual intuition. If he ever needed to find another Sage training ground in the future, he could either raise a snake, a toad, or a slug.
Shaking off these thoughts, Kakuzu turned his gaze toward the plaque above Ryūchi Cave's entrance.
"Have you gone inside yet?"
"No." Orochimaru shook his head. "I've wanted to explore the secrets within, but it seems certain individuals aren't very welcoming. That's why I waited for you, Kakuzu-sama. With you here to take the lead, I have nothing to worry about—don't you think? Heh heh heh."
Kakuzu shot Orochimaru a side glance, feeling a bit exasperated. First Yahiko, now Orochimaru—why did they all expect him to take the lead? Were they trying to make him the next "Scapegoat"?
"Let's go. Time to see what's inside."
With that, Kakuzu strode forward, and Orochimaru followed closely behind. Kabuto and the others, however, maintained some distance, aware that the individuals ahead were far beyond their level.
...
The moment Kakuzu and Orochimaru stepped into Ryūchi Cave, a thin mist began to rise around them.
"Kukuku..." A soft, enchanting laughter echoed through the fog.
Then, three stunning women, dressed in elegant white robes, emerged from the mist.
"Welcome, esteemed guests, to Ryūchi Cave's trial."
"We are delighted to have you here."
"Come now, I have already prepared a grand feast for you."
A picturesque scene—beautiful women, an elegant setting, and a warm welcome. But if anyone were to let their guard down here, they would be as good as dead.
These three women were none other than Tachinokihime, Ichikishimahime, and Tagitsuhime—the trusted subordinates of the White Snake Sage. Their duty was to test those who sought entry into Ryūchi Cave. Those who failed their trials would never get the chance to meet the White Snake Sage—they would simply be devoured.
"Mount Myōboku turns intruders to stone, Shikkotsu Forest binds them in trees, but you three simply eat them alive. It seems Ryūchi Cave's punishments are the most brutal of all," Kakuzu remarked casually.
His words, though softly spoken, struck the three women like a thunderclap.
Kakuzu didn't bother hiding his power. Dark markings resembling a fusion of black and gold began to appear around his eyes, forming an intricate pattern.
Forming a hand seal, he uttered, "Sage Mode!"
Thick, humid mist poured from his mouth, merging seamlessly with the existing fog. As the mist spread, Orochimaru, standing beside him, instinctively felt discomfort and took a step back, wisely choosing to stay behind Kakuzu.
Orochimaru understood that this was a fight he had no business interfering in.
Meanwhile, the three women's expressions darkened as they sensed the nature of the mist. Gone were their alluring facades—each revealed her true form: humanoid heads atop massive snake bodies, with eerie grins and forked tongues flicking out.
"Damn it! Don't you know I hate those slimy slugs from Shikkotsu Forest?!"
"That disgusting presence is making my skin crawl!"
"Looks like we've got a tough one this time. I can feel not just the slugs' power, but also those cursed toads from Mount Myōboku!"
...
The three snake women grumbled in irritation, but Kakuzu merely withdrew his hand seal.
"So, do I still need to pass your trial?"
Hearing this, Tachinokihime waved her hand. In response, the grand banquet that had appeared moments ago vanished. Ichikishimahime and Tagitsuhime sighed in resignation, withdrawing their own tests.
"Fine, fine, we get it. You're not some run-of-the-mill visitor. Go ahead and meet the White Snake Sage—we don't stand a chance against you."
Tachinokihime looked frustrated, and the other two wore similar expressions.
Kakuzu smiled faintly. It wasn't that he was unwilling to take their test—it was simply that their trials were so trivial they might as well be a child's training exercise. Maybe Boruto would find them challenging, but for him? Not at all.
"Since I've passed, let my companion enter as well." Kakuzu gestured toward Orochimaru.
Finding Ryūchi Cave had been Orochimaru's accomplishment—it wouldn't be right to exclude him after all the effort he had put in.
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
Fanfic is finished on Patreon (262 chapters in total.)
Patreon(.)com/Jixo (for only $4.50, read this entire fanfic)