"Orochimaru, deep within the cave, there's a troublesome creature called Manda. He's been getting restless. Go pluck out his reverse scale for me. Oh, and there's another one, Shinya—he's been making a racket every day, giving me a headache. Make sure they both learn their place."
The White Snake Sage sat on his throne, lazily puffing out smoke as he issued the command. Given Orochimaru's expertise in such matters, sending him to deal with these two unruly juniors seemed like a perfect fit.
Orochimaru didn't argue. Ten days later, he returned, looking utterly disheveled. He had managed to subdue both Manda and Shinya and ultimately chose Manda as his summoning beast. However, judging by his battered state, even though he succeeded, it was a hard-fought victory. It was clear that his relationship with Manda would never be a harmonious one.
Just as he was about to catch his breath, another command from the White Snake Sage arrived.
"Orochimaru-kun, those guys have absolutely no sense of hygiene. They eat, drink, and relieve themselves right inside the caves. The filth has piled up into mountains. I'd like you to clean it all up for us. Since you're quite skilled in this domain, I trust you won't refuse."
Tagitsuhime smiled as she relayed the order.
"No problem." Orochimaru smiled in return.
It took him over a month to clear out all the accumulated waste.
"Orochimaru-kun, our family is growing larger and larger. We're running out of living space. Please excavate a hundred new caves for us. On behalf of everyone in Ryūchi Cave, I sincerely thank you."
Tagorihime spoke with great sincerity.
Once again, Orochimaru smiled. "Sure, leave it to me!"
...
And so, half a year passed in endless toil.
Orochimaru had taken on every menial task in Ryūchi Cave. Every time he returned, exhausted, he would see Kakuzu sitting there, as steady as a mountain, focused solely on cultivating senjutsu.
Finally, Orochimaru could no longer hold back his curiosity.
"Kakuzu-sama, it seems that the two of us have been treated quite differently here."
Kakuzu opened one eye and glanced at him. "The shinobi world isn't just about fighting and killing—it's about human relations."
These words gave Orochimaru much to ponder.
Even with his genius-level intellect, it would take him some time to fully comprehend the deeper meaning behind them.
Kakuzu, however, had no intention of explaining further. This wisdom had been passed down for thousands of years—Orochimaru would have to figure it out on his own.
...
Another six months flew by.
One day, as usual, the White Snake Sage sat on his luxurious fur-covered chair, puffing away at his cigar. Below, Orochimaru and Kakuzu sat side by side, focusing on gathering senjutsu chakra.
Kakuzu's progress was nearing perfection. Meanwhile, Orochimaru, struggling to concentrate, slowly opened his eyes and turned to the White Snake Sage.
"White Snake Sage, I have been disrespectful in my conduct. I now realize my shortcomings. When I return, I will learn from Kakuzu-sama to improve upon my flaws."
After all this time, Orochimaru had gained a deep understanding of what "human relations" truly meant.
He had handled all of Ryūchi Cave's dirty and exhausting work, while Kakuzu simply sat beside the White Snake Sage, quietly cultivating.
Orochimaru now fully recognized the flaw in his thinking.
He had once believed that his exceptional talent alone would earn him a master willing to teach him everything they knew. But in a world where there were no familial bonds, such a scenario only existed in fantasy novels.
Of course, these realizations didn't particularly bother him. What truly concerned him was something else entirely.
Orochimaru slowly stood up, his expression turning solemn as he faced the White Snake Sage.
"White Snake Sage, tell me honestly—am I unfit to practice Ryūchi Cave's senjutsu?"
His words carried an interrogative weight.
As one of the Legendary Sannin, Orochimaru's talent in ninjutsu was undeniable. Yet, after all this time, he had made little progress in accumulating senjutsu chakra, while Kakuzu had far surpassed him. He couldn't help but dwell on this disparity.
The White Snake Sage took a deep drag from his cigar, exhaling a thick cloud of smoke that momentarily shrouded the area in mist. Then, locking eyes with Orochimaru, he spoke unhurriedly.
"Orochimaru, I understand your concerns, and I will give you a clear answer. Senjutsu is a form of high-energy power that consists of three components: form, body, and spirit. I explained this to you both before your training began."
"The Shikkotsu Forest emphasizes 'body'—a strong physique and immense stamina are crucial."
"Mount Myōboku prioritizes 'spirit'—a unified mental state that enhances the power of one's chakra."
"Here in Ryūchi Cave, we focus on 'form'—the ability to imbue lifeless things with vitality."
"If you still don't fully understand, Kakuzu can demonstrate it for you."
After stating these fundamentals, the White Snake Sage extinguished his cigar and began slithering toward Orochimaru.
"Your aptitude for 'form' is quite impressive and aligns with Ryūchi Cave's principles. However, you have misunderstood something crucial. You believe that as long as you excel in 'form,' you can master our senjutsu. But the truth is, you are mistaken."
"Although Ryūchi Cave emphasizes 'form,' the components of body and spirit are just as essential. Only by achieving balance in all three aspects can one hope to make a breakthrough in senjutsu!"
Standing before Orochimaru, he extended a hand and gently tapped him on the forehead.
"Orochimaru, reflect on whether your form, body, and spirit are truly complete."
At that moment, Orochimaru's gaze froze.
He finally understood the White Snake Sage's meaning.
"My body has already begun adapting to Ryūchi Cave's transformation. In terms of form, I have no issue. My physical abilities also far surpass ordinary people. But my spirit... Heh."
Orochimaru closed his eyes and let out a self-deprecating chuckle.
Beside him, Kakuzu stood up and patted him on the shoulder.
"I warned you—immortality isn't as simple as it seems. Now you're seeing the consequences."
Orochimaru exhaled softly. "White Snake Sage, my spiritual energy is weak. I am susceptible to powerful genjutsu. Is this the flaw that has doomed my efforts?"
The White Snake Sage nodded. "I knew this from the beginning."
Orochimaru frowned. "Then why did you let me train?"
"Because if I had refused you outright, would you have accepted it?"
Orochimaru fell silent, pondering for a moment. Then, finally, he smiled—a smile of understanding, of acceptance, of release.
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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