He closed the scroll on swordsmanship. Gekko Chizan found it rather distasteful—after all, he felt sword skills just didn't suit him.
But the Kusanagi Sword was not something he could casually hand over!
Hanging it at his waist, donning a cloak… tch, he'd practically be the shining star of the Hokage world.
After a brief daydream, Gekko Chizan snapped back to reality—this wasn't the time for fantasies.
He needed to carefully consider the Ryūchi Cave matter, and besides, he was still half-naked…
He then began ransacking the remaining items in the lab.
Hmm… some medicine—take it…
A piece of clothing???
Damn it! Orochimaru, you… @#!@￥!#!
You planned it so I'd be burnt to nothing by the final flames, didn't you!
You even prepared clothes for me!
This guy… how can he be so depraved!!!
Orochimaru: "Hehehe, I'll take that as a compliment…"
Picked up the clothing. Not bad—it fit him perfectly.
Though he really couldn't appreciate the style…
Black shirt, white robe, and worst of all, a thick purple sash….
Ugly as hell. Gekko Chizan was utterly disgusted by Orochimaru's fashion sense.
Is this even wearable by normal people?
Screw it—he wasn't a normal person to begin with!!!!
Helplessly, Gekko Chizan put on the clothes. If he stepped out half-naked, the guards would definitely detain him for indecency.
And the sleeveless brigade would raise hell.
To avoid embarrassment, he prepared to use Flying Thunder God to go home.
But before leaving, he glanced back at the empty lab and sighed.
He'd spent so much time in this room—it looked like he wouldn't return.
He stepped outside and looked at the charred shell of the lab. Determined, he said:
"Earth‑Flow Wall!"
A massive earthen wall erupted instantly, and Gekko Chizan kicked it with a leap.
Boom.
The wall crushed everything beneath.
"Done. Home!"
He clapped, then activated Flying Thunder God and teleported straight home.
It was still daytime. Pakura was at academy teaching students, and Sayo's whereabouts were unknown.
Gekko Chizan didn't bother wondering, entered his home, and retrieved the contract for Ryūchi Cave.
As a system of power underlying the world of shinobi, Sage Techniques were coveted—even the Six Paths body could suffer from them. Of course he'd want that.
But the Ryūchi Cave wasn't Mt. Myōboku, and the White Snake Sage wasn't Gamamaru—it wouldn't be so easily manipulated.
"Chomei, you think I should go?"
"Go for it—just a snake, what are you afraid of?"
"If it gets serious, we'll just strike fast and crush it, end of story."
To Chomei, except for the Six Paths Sage, even their tailed beasts weren't invincible—but no ordinary person would dare touch them.
Just a snake, even if it used Sage Techniques—so what?
"Haha, Chomei, you're really confident."
"But you're right. What's there to fear? If push comes to shove, we can just apprentice under Orochimaru like a common disciple. Either way, we'll get a summoning beast."
Thinking that Orochimaru could walk away unscathed, Gekko Chizan hesitated no more.
Before heading to the Ryūchi Cave, he made a detour to a pharmacy—disguised. Though he knew the owner wouldn't recognize him, the thought of entering that pharmacy still made him tremble.
Next, he visited the Forest of Death, circled around, then returned home.
With everything ready, Gekko Chizan bit his forefinger and signed his name on the contract.
In the next instant, he activated Summoning Technique, pressing his hand onto the scroll.
"Bang!"
A puff of white smoke enveloped him—he disappeared from sight.
...
The Ryūchi Cave ranks among the legendary heritage lands alongside Mt. Myōboku and the Shikkotsu Forest. Innumerable snakes dwell within.
Suddenly, the cave was disturbed, serpent creatures awoken.
From the depths, three figures shot out at high speed.
Yes, you read that right—they flew!
"How long has it been? Over ten years since any human last came to Ryūchi Cave."
"Who knows if this one has the nerve to take the trial?"
"Hehe… I do hope he attempts it—otherwise it'd be dreadfully boring."
Meanwhile, Gekko Chizan was cautiously evaluating his surroundings.
As a sacred land of serpents, the Ryūchi Cave lay beneath the surface. The huge caverns exuded a terrible aura.
Everywhere, signs of reptilian life made it clear he'd entered a snake's den.
"Chomei, stay alert."
"Chizan, something's approaching—not human. Likely three snakes, their intentions extremely strange—part madness interlaced with curiosity."
Gekko Chizan's eyes narrowed in surprise. Could he already be detected so soon after entering?
In an instant, the three figures landed simultaneously.
Forming a triangle, they surrounded Gekko Chizan.
Seeing them, his pupils contracted slightly.
"Aren't you the one who just touched the Ryūchi Cave contract?"
"Hmm? You're strong—or your blood emanates a peculiar scent. Kekkei Genkai?"
The speaker was a flower‑like maiden: green hair, a golden crown with a golden orb, vertical gold eyes, red eye makeup extending to her nose, pale skin, wearing white robes, and a green magatama‑shaped ornament on her chest.
But Gekko Chizan knew it was just an illusion.
This was Tagorihime, one of the three Princesses of Ryūchi Cave.
The other two Princesses were similarly attired, differing only in hair color: blue‑haired Ichikishimahime and brown‑haired Tagitsuhime.
"Hehehe, this challenger seems interesting?"
"Facing us with such calm… that's rare."
Tagitsuhime said with a giggly laugh, prompting the others to join in.
"This is the Ryūchi Cave?"
"So those are the Sage of Ryūchi Cave?"
"Must say, Sage's presence is something else… sigh… ha…"
Through natural energy, they possessed extraordinary sensory perception—they could detect chakra and malice, yet couldn't read the human heart.
Gekko Chizan's initial words completely baffled them.
He didn't come to Ryūchi Cave for power? Why was this kid not following the script???
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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