Since the paper window had already been pierced, Gekko Chizan simply faced it calmly, letting out a sly chuckle.
"Heh, White Snake Sage, I'm the kind of person who lacks a sense of security — the more trump cards I have, the better."
"As for this Jinchūriki matter, right now only a few in Ryūchi Cave know about it. I still need everyone to help me keep it a secret. After all, I have no intention of becoming the enemy of the world."
Gekko Chizan knew all too well how tricky it was to be a Jinchūriki.
To keep himself hidden, he had even returned to Takigakure earlier and extended the lifespan of his Chōmei clone — which could originally only last for half a year — so that it became effective long-term. All this just so he could move about safely and freely.
"Hehehe, you brat, you're not being honest."
"You stole Kumogakure's Jinchūriki and Island Turtle, and you're telling me you lack a sense of security?"
"I know that old turtle — it's been alive for many years. I didn't expect it would end up in your hands."
"In front of me, you don't need to hide. You know these things can't escape my ears."
The White Snake Sage leisurely took a drag from her pipe and exhaled. Then, something strange happened.
The smoke gathered into an image — it was Island Turtle.
Seeing Island Turtle, Gekko Chizan's pupils shrank sharply. One term instantly popped into his mind: thought wave.
This was a unique ability of the White Snake Sage — a special power that could record images and play them back, allowing her to recreate scenes from the past.
"Nothing really escapes you, huh."
"Fine, I'll just be honest — the Two-Tails' Jinchūriki is now my disciple."
"I plan to train her, to make her the sword in my hand."
Hearing this, the White Snake Sage smiled and nodded, a glimmer of approval in her eyes.
In her view, Gekko Chizan's conduct aligned perfectly with the principles of Ryūchi Cave.
Power should be in one's own hands. Only by seizing everything that could be turned into strength could one become a true strong one.
"Kid, while the power of the Tailed Beasts is immense, Ryūchi Cave's Sage Arts are also a force that dominates the ninja world."
"These two do not conflict. Besides, you possess the Transparent Release — a bloodline limit that perfectly complements Ryūchi Cave's Sage Arts."
"I hope to see your rise. I may not have the dead toad's ability to foresee the future, but from what I see now, I'm certain you have a grand plan in your heart."
"That dead toad merely invested in the Sage of Six Paths, which is why Mount Myōboku has always suppressed Ryūchi Cave. I hope that you can overturn this situation in the future."
"From today on, I'll have Snake Princesses supervise your Sage Arts training. Three years — I want you to reach Sage Arts entry level in three years."
"As long as you meet my requirements within those three years, I will grant you a special ability. Of course, the prerequisite is that you master Sage Arts."
Mount Myōboku, Ryūchi Cave, and Shikkotsu Forest might be listed together as the three great sacred sites, but things weren't that peaceful beneath the surface. After all, the three stood in mutual opposition.
Especially between Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave — though they didn't openly interfere with one another, there was always some degree of comparison in private.
Jiraiya and Orochimaru had also been people chosen by various twists of fate.
And now, it seemed Ryūchi Cave's new successor was Gekko Chizan.
Choosing him reassured the White Snake Sage. After all, she could see boundless potential in this kid.
"Tagitsuhime..."
"I'm here."
"From today onward, you'll stay by this kid's side, supervise him, and teach him Sage Arts."
"Yes, White Snake Sage."
Hearing this arrangement, Tagitsuhime almost broke into a grin.
Off to the side, Tagorihime and Ichikishimahime widened their eyes — they wanted this mission too!
They'd get to leave Ryūchi Cave, see the outside world, and eat delicious snakeberries!
"Don't get too happy. If I find out this kid's progress is lagging, you'll come back immediately, and I'll send Tagorihime and Ichikishimahime instead."
"Hmph, if it weren't for your connection to this kid through the Coiling Serpent Technique, I really would have sent Tagorihime. She's far more steady than you."
The White Snake Sage knew her three disciples very well.
Tagorihime was steady, Tagitsuhime was reckless, Ichikishimahime was gentle — three snakes, three personalities.
"I won't let that happen. I'll definitely supervise him properly!"
"Gekko Chizan, tell me — you will train in Sage Arts seriously, right?"
Tagitsuhime wasn't about to waste such a golden opportunity, quickly turning to Gekko Chizan for help.
He smiled slightly. Tagitsuhime had helped him several times before — he wouldn't sabotage her.
"Don't worry, White Snake Sage, I'll study well. After all, I also long for the power of Sage Arts."
"The more trump cards, the better."
At that, everyone present laughed.
...
By the time Gekko Chizan returned to the daimyo's residence, it was already deep into the night.
"Hey, Tagitsuhime, it's not like snakeberries can't be bought anywhere — why did you insist I carry back an entire basket...?"
Gekko Chizan looked helplessly at the basket of snakeberries before him — and at the red snake lying atop them.
This snake was munching away, one berry after another.
"You don't get it. If I didn't bring them back, Tagorihime and Ichikishimahime would have split them up for sure. No way I'm letting those two have their way."
"This basket is mine. Mine!"
Glutton...
The three little ones were already asleep. Gekko Chizan glanced up at the bright moon in the sky.
"Stop eating already. It's the middle of the night — I might as well not sleep either."
"Come on, let's go check on Island Turtle."
Without the slightest regard for Tagitsuhime's foodie heart, he grabbed her mid-binge and vanished with the Flying Thunder God Technique, leaving behind half a basket of snakeberries.
...
Island Turtle still drifted across the South Sea.
Only now, the night there wasn't so peaceful.
"Ha! Ha!"
"Why is this tree so hard? I refuse to believe it!"
"I'll kick! I'll punch!"
At that moment, the Two-Tails' Jinchūriki, Yugito Nii, was punching and kicking a thick tree.
She didn't notice the one man and one snake behind her, staring wide-eyed at her antics.
"Kids these days don't need to sleep, huh?"
"If I'm not mistaken, it should be about three in the morning now..."
"And if I remember right, when I left this place it was perfectly fine... How did it turn into a dump...?"
Gekko Chizan looked at the trash and food scraps scattered everywhere and felt utterly exasperated.
Tagitsuhime was just as stunned — only her thought was: "This kid's a bit crazy."
"As expected, anyone this Gekko Chizan takes a liking to is a lunatic..."
Hearing Gekko Chizan's voice, Yugito suddenly turned around.
In her sight stood a man and a snake, staring at her like statues.
"Eh? Chizan-sensei, you're back?"
"Hmm? A big red snake? So pretty!"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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