Chinya arrived at Orochimaru's hideout and found him.
"Orochimaru-sensei, I plan to go to Ryuchi Cave to train in Sage Mode."
Orochimaru looked surprised. "You're planning to train in Sage Mode at Ryuchi Cave? Your current strength is already top-tier in the Shinobi World. The risks of training in Sage Mode are extremely high."
Chinya shook his head. "Orochimaru-sensei, my strength may be decent now, but it's still far from enough. The enemies we'll face in the future are all beyond normal limits. My current abilities won't stand a chance, so I must enhance myself as much as possible."
Orochimaru's snake-like pupils contracted slightly. "Enemies beyond normal limits? Why are you so certain about this, Chinya?"
Chinya couldn't say outright, so he replied, "Orochimaru-sensei, when I first awakened my Mangekyo Sharingan, I saw some special visions—like the end of the world. I don't know how else to describe them, but I'm deeply worried that these indescribable visions might actually come true. Therefore, I must prepare in advance by enhancing my strength as much as possible."
After a moment of silence, Orochimaru said, "Since you've made your decision, I won't stop you. However, training in Sage Mode at Ryuchi Cave is extremely dangerous. Before formally beginning Sage Mode training, you must pass three trials within Ryuchi Cave. Those trials should pose no problem for you.
The real danger comes when you actually start training for Sage Mode—if you fail, you'll turn into stone.
I once tried cultivating Sage Mode at Ryuchi Cave myself, but failed. I nearly became a stone statue. In the end, I managed to escape petrification by using my Snake Summoning Technique.
Therefore, I have no advice to give you on successfully mastering Sage Mode.
While I won't stop you, as your teacher, I must remind you—don't go to Ryuchi Cave to cultivate Sage Mode unless you're fully prepared."
The Snake Summoning Technique Orochimaru mentioned was one of his secret techniques.
[Snake Summoning Technique] allows the user to shed their skin and transform into a giant snake composed of countless small snakes, capable of absorbing an opponent's abilities.
In other words, when Orochimaru faced petrification, he escaped through Cellular Regeneration Ejection, transforming into countless small snakes.
Chinya nodded and said, "I understand how perilous training in Sage Mode can be. But I have ways to avoid being petrified even if I fail, which is why I've decided to go to Ryuchi Cave to pursue Sage Mode training."
Orochimaru nodded. "If you're well-prepared, that's all I can ask for. Then I wish you success."
Chinya requested, "Orochimaru-sensei, Kakashi will temporarily act as captain of the Konoha Defense Unit in my place. While I'm away from Konoha, please keep an eye on Kushina and Kakashi for me."
Orochimaru agreed. "I understand. I'll take care of them while you're away."
Smiling, Chinya bowed and said, "Then I leave them to you. I should head out now."
After leaving Orochimaru's base, Chinya's next stop was the Root Base. He hadn't been in Konoha for a while—if he didn't inform Danzo, there was a good chance Danzo would fly into a rage.
Arriving at the Root Base,
Chinya met with Danzo and told him about his upcoming training trip to Ryuchi Cave and that Kakashi would serve as acting captain in his absence.
Frowning, Danzo said, "The Konoha Defense Unit has only just started to run smoothly. Now you, its captain, want to leave temporarily? And you want Kakashi to take over as acting captain? Isn't this just reckless?"
Chinya had already expected Danzo might object.
But in Chinya's eyes, Danzo was just a pawn—how could he allow such a pawn to block the path to his own power?
So Chinya spun a convincing story: "Lord Danzo, perhaps it's actually better if I'm away from Konoha for a while."
Danzo thought about it but couldn't see any benefit in Chinya's absence—in fact, all he could think of were drawbacks.
Chinya continued explaining, "My lord, surely even you can see what's happened by now. After the intense crackdown on Uchiha ninja by the Konoha Defense Unit, those Uchiha have all gone quiet. They've withdrawn into their shells and don't dare to cause any trouble anymore.
If things keep going like this, then how are we supposed to deal with the Uchiha Clan further? If we try making problems for them ourselves, the Third and Minato Namikaze will definitely interfere.
Therefore, if we truly want to continue targeting the Uchiha Clan, we need to give them room to breathe, let them recover slightly.
I am the one who's been pressing down so hard they can barely breathe. Once I leave Konoha, the Uchiha Clan will be able to catch their breath. And if Kakashi steps in as acting captain, they'll get even more room to breathe.
When that happens, they won't hide themselves away anymore. Then once I return, I'll be able to strike the Uchiha Clan with full force again— isn't that exactly what we want?"
Danzo pondered Chinya's words carefully.
Right now, the Uchiha ninja really had all gone into hiding.
And being a schemer himself, Danzo could clearly see that Fugaku Uchiha had deliberately let some Uchiha ninja get caught by Chinya's men, only to secure their release shortly after.
Fugaku's purpose was obviously to make the Uchiha Clan appear peaceful through such methods.
The Uchiha may seem peaceful now, but during this time, these ninja must certainly have felt extremely suppressed.
Now Chinya wanted to step away temporarily and appoint his disciple as acting captain—this indeed made it very likely the Uchiha ninjas would lower their guard.
Then when Chinya returned and retook leadership of the Konoha Defense Unit, he'd be perfectly positioned to crack down hard on the Uchiha once again.
That did sound promising.
But...
Something about this still felt off to Danzo.
Every time there had been disagreement between him and Chinya, Chinya always managed to offer explanations convincing enough to make Danzo willingly agree.
Danzo gave Chinya a long, calculating look.
This wasn't a good sign at all—it meant Chinya completely understood how to manipulate him, while Danzo held no such control over Chinya.
Danzo glared menacingly at Chinya, asking, "What if I say no?"
Chinya faced Danzo without flinching. "Of course everything is up to you, Danzo-sama. My desire to become stronger is only so I can serve you better and manage the Uchiha Clan more effectively. If you disapprove, naturally I will give it up."
Danzo narrowed his eyes, studying Chinya closely.
Back then, when he first heard those words from Chinya, he truly believed in his sincerity.
But now... Danzo suddenly felt somewhat doubtful.
Because lately, Chinya had been growing harder to control.
Without any preamble, Danzo cut straight to the point: "Chinya, is your heart still with Root Division?"
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