Ichikishimahime explained to Sora the nature of Tsuzuhime's trial.
However, Tsuzuhime remained on the ground, injured by Sora's lightning attack.
Sora pointed at the fallen Tsuzuhime and asked, "Looking at her condition, it seems she can't administer the test, right? Shouldn't I be considered to have passed already?"
"Well..."
This was the first time Ichikishimahime had encountered such a situation, and she was momentarily at a loss.
"The trial can continue," a voice declared.
Tsuzuhime rose to her feet once more.
Sora observed Tsuzuhime with surprise, noting that while her body still showed signs of damage, her injuries had completely healed.
He marveled at Tsuzuhime's resilience. The Thunder Breathing technique he had used wasn't held back—a direct hit should have been devastating. Yet Tsuzuhime had only suffered a few burnt wounds on her body, none of which proved fatal.
Now, in just moments, those wounds had healed completely on their own.
This mystical chakra was truly remarkable.
Sora extended his arm. "Then let's continue. Instead of my neck, bite my arm."
Tsuzuhime opened her mouth, revealing two sharp fangs that pierced Sora's arm.
As her mystical chakra flowed into Sora's body, he felt an intense heat spread throughout his system.
In an instant, Tsuzuhime and Ichikishimahime vanished from his sight. In their place stood two figures who were both familiar yet somehow different—Sora's parents.
His father stared at him with hatred. "It's all because of you! It's your fault that Eri and I became rogue ninja and were forced to flee!"
Sora's mother joined in, her voice filled with accusation. "If it weren't for you, none of this would have happened!"
Two more familiar voices reached Sora's ears.
Kakashi spoke angrily, "Why? You clearly had the chance to save my father then, didn't you? Why were you unwilling to help him?"
Uzumaki Kushina regarded Sora with cold indifference. "I've always regretted it. I should never have met you that day."
Finally, Orochimaru appeared, looking down at Sora with disappointment. "Your ambition amounted to nothing in the end. I am deeply disappointed in you, Sora."
Accusations and curses bombarded Sora one after another, yet his expression remained unchanged throughout the onslaught.
Suddenly, Sora smiled. "Is this the final trial? This is too weak. I've heard far worse insults than these. If you think these hallucinations can shake my resolve, you're greatly mistaken. Watch me!"
In one swift motion, Sora drew his ninja sword and cut down all the phantoms before him.
Tsuzuhime looked at Sora in astonishment. "How is this so easy... it shouldn't be."
Sora sheathed his ninja sword and regarded Tsuzuhime with disdain. "What shouldn't be? My family, wife, student, and teachers all trust me deeply, and I trust myself as well. They are drawn to me for good reason, so these illusions are completely ineffective."
Tsuzuhime appeared dejected.
Even Orochimaru, who had shown the most potential for mastering Sage Mode, hadn't passed this test so easily. It had taken him considerable effort.
Back then, Orochimaru had been obsessed with jutsu and had recently experienced the death of his student Nawaki. He had been in a period of confusion and doubt.
It was precisely because of this confusion that Orochimaru had come to Ryūchi Cave seeking power and the secrets of Sage Mode.
Orochimaru had barely passed this third trial after much struggle.
As soon as Sora completed the trial, the surrounding mist dissipated, revealing the temple of Ryūchi Cave before him.
Tanakashinji appeared and addressed Sora. "This is the entrance to the White Snake Sage's temple. Now that you have passed all the trials, you may proceed to meet the White Snake Sage."
Sora walked past Tanakashinji, Ichikishimahime, and Tsuzuhime, approached the temple doors, pushed them open with both hands, and entered.
Inside, a long staircase stretched before him.
Using the Body Flicker Technique, Sora instantly reached the top of the stairs.
The first thing he saw was an imposing dragon statue.
Beneath the statue, lying on a bed, was an incredibly ancient-looking old man.
"White Snake Sage?" Sora inquired.
The old man spoke slowly. "Yes, you have finally arrived, Sora."
Sora narrowed his eyes slightly as he studied the White Snake Sage. "You were expecting me? What did they mean when they said I was 'special'?"
The White Snake Sage suddenly laughed sinisterly. "Don't you know better than anyone? You have changed significantly, haven't you?"
Sora's pupils contracted sharply. His right hand instinctively moved to the handle of his ninja sword as his entire body gradually emanated killing intent.
The White Snake Sage ignored Sora's murderous aura and continued speaking to himself. "A troublemaker appears... the Great Toad Sage on Mount Myōboku must be very distressed now. Imagining his troubled expression amuses me."
"You needn't try to kill me—you lack the strength to do so at present."
"The only prophecy the Great Toad Sage ever made about the future concerned the survival of the shinobi world. He would teach the power of the toads to a boy who would appear on Mount Myōboku hundreds of years later—Jiraiya."
"Now I too wish to pass my serpent power to you, so that this shinobi world will no longer follow its predetermined fate. I want to see what that old toad can do!"
"But first, you must withstand natural energy and master Sage Mode."
Sora's killing intent dissipated as he addressed the White Snake Sage. "I'm not interested in anything you've mentioned. My only reason for coming to Ryūchi Cave is to learn Sage Mode and senjutsu."
The White Snake Sage opened his previously half-closed eyes and looked directly at Sora. "Human nature is born from desire and destined to slowly descend into darkness. Everyone who comes to me abandons everything to satisfy their desires."
"I haven't abandoned anything," Sora replied impatiently. "I came here precisely because I was prepared. Stop with the pointless talk and let's begin."
"As you wish."
The White Snake Sage revealed his true form.
He had orange hair and yellow eyes, with a green cat's-eye gemstone on his chest. A purple ribbon served as his forehead protector, adorned with a military-green horn-shaped ornament at the front. A glowing red pearl sat atop his head, and he held an unusually long-stemmed pipe in his mouth. Two golden rings circled his tail as he coiled around his throne.
"Since you seem to dislike being bitten on the neck, extend your arm."
Sora stretched out his arm, and the White Snake Sage bit into it.
A massive amount of natural energy surged into Sora's body.
As the natural energy flowed through him, snake scales began to appear on parts of Sora's skin.
Several minutes later, the White Snake Sage released his bite and spoke to Sora. "Now we begin. I believe Orochimaru must have warned you—if you fail, you will completely transform into a snake and then turn to stone."
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