After returning home, Seiryu washed up, then went to his bedroom, bit his finger, and performed the hand seals for the Summoning Technique.
With a puff of smoke, a small white snake appeared before him.
"Please inform Ryuchi Cave that Uchiha Seiryu has come to visit," he said, gently teasing the little snake.
The snake disappeared instantly. Not long after, Seiryu sensed the space-time ripple of the Reverse Summoning Technique beside him. He relaxed his mind, and in the blink of an eye, found himself in a strange new place.
What appeared before him resembled the ancient towns he had seen as a tourist in his previous life: rows of old buildings, a grand archway with "Ryuchi Cave" written on it in large characters.
Orochimaru stood beneath the archway, next to a woman in a shrine maiden's outfit, a magatama necklace around her neck.
"Lord Seiryu." Orochimaru greeted him respectfully, while the woman curiously examined Seiryu.
After a moment, the woman spoke: "Uchiha Seiryu, welcome to Ryuchi Cave."
"Hello. How should I address you?" Seiryu asked with a smile.
"Tagorihime," the woman said with a light laugh. "The White Snake Sage already knows why you're here. However, to meet her, you must pass Ryuchi Cave's test."
"I understand." Seiryu nodded and followed Tagorihime.
As they walked further into the old town, Orochimaru performed a hand seal and released his summoning.
"He's not coming with us?" Seiryu asked curiously.
"Everyone only gets one chance to take this path in their life. Although Orochimaru is a partner of Ryuchi Cave, he failed once and can never enter again," Tagorihime explained as they walked.
"You seem quite sure of my purpose here?" Seiryu asked, curious. "I've heard that Mount Myoboku has a toad sage who can predict the future. Does the White Snake Sage have a similar ability?"
"Don't compare us to those stinky toads of Mount Myoboku," Tagorihime's face showed displeasure.
"My apologies for being presumptuous," Seiryu quickly apologized.
"The White Snake Sage doesn't have that ability," Tagorihime replied, "but your purpose here is easy to guess."
"For thousands of years, those who come to Ryuchi Cave are here for one of two reasons: to find a summoning beast partner or to train in Sage Mode. Unlike those who come when their strength isn't fully developed, like Orochimaru, your combat style is already set. Unless you learn certain jutsu, most contract snakes here can't join battles at your level."
"So your goal must be the latter."
Seiryu neither confirmed nor denied this, simply continuing to follow Tagorihime.
"So, what is Ryuchi Cave's test for those who want to train in Sage Mode? Is it a moral test? If so, I doubt I'd pass," Seiryu joked.
"You must be joking, Mr. Seiryu. Ryuchi Cave treats all who seek Sage Mode equally. The only goal is to see if you can adapt to natural energy. As for character or will, we don't care," Tagorihime said with a smile.
"I see. No wonder people say this place is only for those madmen who seek power above all else," Seiryu laughed.
"I'll take that as a compliment," Tagorihime replied. "Besides, you wouldn't have come if you weren't already prepared, right?"
"That's true." Seiryu nodded. "So, when does the test begin?"
Tagorihime led him into a building resembling a restaurant, clapped her hands, and soon several girls brought out a variety of delicious dishes.
"Please enjoy Ryuchi Cave's hospitality before the trial begins," Tagorihime said with a smile.
"Really?" Seiryu sat down and picked up the utensils without hesitation.
Seeing this, Tagorihime smiled particularly.
But in the next moment, she suddenly realized that a long blade with a faint blue metallic sheen was at her neck, and Seiryu at the table had vanished.
"What does this mean, Mr. Seiryu?" Though a blade was at her neck, Tagorihime remained calm.
Behind her, Seiryu's Mangekyo Sharingan spun with lightning-shaped tomoe. "Your illusion was pretty convincing, but ever since I awakened these eyes, I can only see reality."
"I see," Tagorihime nodded. The lavish restaurant and the old town vanished, replaced by a gloomy stone cave. The food on the table became piles of white bones.
Tagorihime's figure also disappeared.
When she reappeared, her once gentle face was gone, replaced by a ferocious snake face, vertical pupils, fangs, and a long tongue.
Chakra began to surge from her, its nature utterly different from anything Seiryu had faced before.
"So this is Sage Chakra?" Seiryu readied his blade, blue lightning crackling around him.
At that moment, a voice echoed from deep in the cave.
"Hime, bring him directly to me. With his eyes, the rest of the tests are meaningless."
"Understood, White Snake Sage," Tagorihime bowed toward the voice, then returned to her previous form and apologized to Seiryu. "Sorry, that was part of the test."
"I understand." Seiryu nodded, sheathing his blade. "So, that's the White Snake Sage?"
"Yes, please follow me," Tagorihime said.