As soon as the decision was made, under Gekko Chizan's urging, the three Serpent Princesses brought him to the Serpent Den where they cultivated.
Gekko Chizan slowly activated Transparent Release, beginning to absorb the natural energy surrounding him.
Meanwhile, the three Serpent Princesses ate as they taught him the related knowledge.
"Hisss, so delicious!"
"Chizan, you need to understand, the natural energy of Ryūchi Cave is incredibly unique. It's far more violent than any energy you're familiar with. If you want to draw it into your body, you first have to adapt to its ferocity."
"Since you've activated Transparent Release, you don't have to worry about transforming into a snake, so absorb without hesitation."
"But the moment you notice yourself developing violent emotions from absorbing natural energy, you must sever your connection with it."
"Do you hear me?"
Tagorihime spoke while chewing.
Gekko Chizan sat cross-legged, eyes closed, letting his body be enveloped in the natural energy of Ryūchi Cave.
He slowly began drawing that natural energy into his body.
Feeling the increasing amount of natural energy within him, Gekko Chizan felt somewhat pleased.
However, he didn't experience the violent emotions the Serpent Princesses had warned about.
Soon, he felt the influx of natural energy slowing down significantly.
He slowly deactivated Transparent Release, allowing the natural energy to remain within his body.
"Hmm? Chizan, why did you cancel Transparent Release? Are you experiencing violent emotions?"
Ichikishimahime set down the snakeberry in her hand and walked over to Gekko Chizan to examine him.
Yet, based on her perception of natural energy, it didn't seem like he had severed the connection at all.
"Ichikishimahime, I haven't developed violent emotions. I just felt that my body had absorbed enough natural energy."
"If I kept absorbing in Transparent Release mode, the effect wouldn't improve much."
"So I ended the Transparent Release."
His explanation surprised the three Serpent Princesses, who quickly gathered to check on him.
After several rounds of inspection, the three looked at each other in disbelief.
"Incredible... someone can actually absorb Ryūchi Cave's natural energy this quickly..."
"Looks like the White Snake Sage was right. Your Transparent Release really is exceptionally suited for training in senjutsu."
Ichikishimahime exclaimed again, her eyes filled with shock.
"Huh? Is that so? Then, can I now connect my natural energy with yours?"
Gekko Chizan was surprised too. In his understanding, absorbing natural energy was an extremely difficult task.
Even Naruto had to go through a long process before achieving such a state.
"You probably can now. Your natural energy reserves are quite full."
"Try it. Can you manipulate the energy inside you?"
The three Serpent Princesses looked on with curiosity, encouraging him to give it a try.
Gekko Chizan nodded, closed his eyes again, and tried to manipulate the energy within.
But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't move the natural energy at all.
It felt as if the energy didn't belong to him.
After many attempts, he opened his eyes with helplessness written all over his face.
"No good. I can't manipulate the natural energy at all."
The three Serpent Princesses exchanged looks and came to a conclusion.
"It seems that while your transparent body can rapidly absorb natural energy, you still lack the foundation to utilize it."
"After all, you're not a serpent user. It makes sense you can't control this power."
"But since your body is already full of natural energy, if we use Senjutsu - Coiling Serpent Technique, we might be able to connect with you."
"Who should try first?"
Eventually, Tagorihime and Ichikishimahime both turned their gazes toward Tagitsuhime.
Tagitsuhime was slightly taken aback.
"Why me?"
"Can't you two do it?"
To which they replied in unison, "Put down the snakeberry in your hand before you talk!"
"Hmph!"
Tagitsuhime gave an awkward laugh and put down the snakeberry in her hand.
Just moments ago, when the three were examining Chizan, she had secretly kept munching on snakeberries!
"Fine! I'll do it!"
"Chizan boy, take off your shirt."
Gekko Chizan widened his eyes. Before he could ask why, Tagitsuhime barked:
"I said take it off! Quit whining!"
Gekko Chizan: Alright... You're the sage, you have the final say!
He quickly took off his shirt, revealing a strong and muscular body.
"Good. Chizan, prepare yourself. I will connect with you using Senjutsu - Coiling Serpent Technique."
"Relax your entire body and suppress your chakra. Do not resist the senjutsu energy I inject into you."
Gekko Chizan nodded.
He sat cross-legged again, eyes closed, suppressing his chakra. Although he couldn't manipulate the natural energy, as he suppressed his chakra, the natural energy began to gather.
At the same time, he mentally alerted Chomei.
"Chomei, suppress your chakra too, don't interfere with the senjutsu energy."
Chomei nodded. He was also curious to see how powerful this senjutsu technique could be.
He immediately withdrew all of his chakra.
Tagitsuhime approached Gekko Chizan, put her hands together, and softly chanted:
"Senjutsu - Coiling Serpent Technique..."
As the technique activated, Tagitsuhime's body emitted a soft red energy. That energy gradually took the form of a massive crimson serpent.
Then, the energy serpent began to coil around Gekko Chizan.
The red glow gradually began to seep into his body.
Seeing this, Tagorihime murmured:
"Senjutsu - Coiling Serpent Technique is how we serpent users connect with the sage's body, allowing our senjutsu power to assist them."
"But this ability has never succeeded before. After all, Ryūchi Cave's senjutsu training is notoriously difficult."
"In a thousand years, the number of humans who made it this far to train in senjutsu is barely a handful."
"Gekko Chizan... could you be the first to succeed..."
Senjutsu training is never something that can be achieved overnight.
Even the connection through Senjutsu - Coiling Serpent Technique takes time.
As Tagitsuhime's energy entered his body, Gekko Chizan suddenly felt a surge of violent emotion rise within him.
"Hold on, Chizan boy! The violent energy is part of Ryūchi Cave's senjutsu! You must accept it! Refine it!"
Ichikishimahime quickly reminded him.
Hearing her words, Gekko Chizan immediately calmed himself, beginning to accept the violent energy.
Even though the rage was terrifying, he wasn't afraid. After all, if you want to rise above others, you have to endure some hardships!
Well, that's not really what he believed in his heart.
He had already told Chomei ahead of time:
"Chomei, if you notice anything wrong with me, immediately use your chakra to push the natural energy out of my body."
"I have no intention of dying young!"
Chomei assured him not to worry and promised to stay on alert.
Gekko Chizan was someone who cherished his life dearly. There's no way he would risk himself for a senjutsu technique without backup.
Without a double insurance plan, how could he possibly dare try it?