Inside Chinya's home.
Orochimaru, transformed into a gynecologist, had just finished examining Kushina Uzumaki.
An hour passed, and the examination was complete.
Orochimaru scanned the test results and said, "Kushina Uzumaki's body is perfectly healthy. The child is still in its early embryonic stage since she's only been pregnant for a little over a month. You must maintain a regular lifestyle and ensure proper nutrition. I will formulate specialized nutritional supplements after returning to ensure her nutrients remain perfectly balanced. Kakashi, you can come to the Base tomorrow to pick them up."
Kakashi listened even more attentively than Kushina did. "Understood, Lord Orochimaru."
Orochimaru stood up. "Then that's all for today. I'm currently midway through my experiment and must continue my research work. From now on, I'll check on Kushina Uzumaki once every month and adjust the supplements accordingly based on her condition."
Kakashi also stood to express gratitude. "Yes, thank you very much, Lord Orochimaru."
Orochimaru smiled slightly. "No need to thank me. Kushina Uzumaki is Chinya's wife, and as her teacher, it's only appropriate that I do what little I can. Until Chinya returns, I leave Kushina Uzumaki's well-being in your hands, Kakashi."
Kakashi stood straight and assured, "I promise I will take perfect care of Mrs. Chinya!"
After Orochimaru left Chinya's house, Kakashi said to Kushina Uzumaki, "Mrs. Chinya, it's getting late. I won't disturb your rest any longer—I'll be going now."
Kushina Uzumaki nodded with a smile. "Alright, thank you for today, Kakashi."
"It's only what I should do. Please rest well, Mrs. Chinya."
Though Kakashi departed from Chinya's house, he didn't go far.
He summoned several snakes to guard Chinya's residence, warding off any potential threats.
Kakashi wasn't the only one being cautious—when Orochimaru left, he too summoned several snakes inside Chinya's home to watch over Kushina Uzumaki.
It would be no exaggeration to say Kushina Uzumaki was the safest person alive right now.
...
Meanwhile, the expectant father-to-be, Chinya, remained deep within Ryuchi Cave, locked in battle against the natural energy surging inside him.
Fifteen days had passed, and half of Chinya's body had already completed the serpent transformation.
However, he had gradually suppressed the raging natural energy within. It could no longer completely transform his entire body into snake form and petrify him.
Half of Chinya's Sage Mode training could now be considered successful.
The most difficult challenge had been resisting complete transformation caused by the chaotic natural energy at the initial stage.
Now Chinya was attempting to produce Sage Chakra within his body.
The core of Sage Art involved drawing in natural energy, followed by controlling it by balancing natural energy with personal chakra in a 1:1:1 ratio.
While gathering chakra, Chinya added a small amount of natural energy.
It didn't work—the amount was too tiny.
As it was his first attempt, Chinya had exercised extreme caution.
During the second try, he increased the amount of natural energy slightly.
Still failed—and this time, the quantity was excessive. This caused the previously halted transformation process to restart.
Small snake scales had already appeared on his neck.
Although Chinya's eyes were closed, his pupils had already transformed into vertically-slitted serpentine eyes.
A chill ran through Chinya's mind.
At this rate, he would have very few chances left.
He had to successfully create Sage Chakra before completing the Serpent Transformation.
Chinya became even more cautious, preferring to add slightly less Natural Energy rather than risk an overload.
Day by day passed.
Seven more days passed.
Chinya had reached the critical point of creating Sage Chakra.
Only a portion of his face remained unaffected by the Serpent Transformation. Chinya now had only a few attempts left.
If things didn't work out, it would be time to switch to Plan B.
Chinya calmed himself, gathered Chakra, and slowly introduced Natural Energy.
Chinya could clearly sense the Chakra and Natural Energy beginning to repel each other, and the resistance grew increasingly intense.
Just as Chinya seemed destined for another failure, at the boundary where the Chakra and Natural Energy met, a special-colored Chakra emerged.
Unlike the blue Chakra or the white Natural Energy, this one was teal.
Chinya's spirit lifted immediately. From this single point of teal Chakra, he sensed immense power contained within.
Chinya realized at once—he had finally succeeded.
This was Sage Chakra—unique to Chinya—fused from his own Chakra and Natural Energy.
Chinya pressed on without pause, continuing to produce Sage Chakra in the same ratio.
More and more Sage Chakra filled Chinya's body.
Suddenly, Chinya felt a tingling itch on his forehead.
Under the White Snake Sage's gaze, two small budding horns appeared on Chinya's forehead—and they kept growing larger.
The White Snake Sage drew on his pipe and exhaled a plume of smoke: "Looks like success? Outgrowing the old skin, rising anew as a dragon."
Tiny serpent scales across Chinya's body gradually fell away, replaced by broader new scales.
Around his eyes appeared the signature teal eyelid markings indicating successful attainment of Sage Mode.
Chinya opened his eyes. Both were triple tomoe Sharingan—but in the center of each sat a vertically-slitted pupil.
Slowly rising from the ground, Chinya stood upright, his body radiating swirling teal Sage Chakra. At his tailbone, a dragon-like tail made entirely of Sage Chakra had formed.
Chinya took a deep breath. Normally, after remaining motionless for over twenty days, his body should have been stiff—but instead, he felt surprisingly light and nimble.
Suddenly,
Chinya slammed his fist into the ground.
The sheer force left a massive crater.
Now under Sage Mode, his normal strength had surged many times over.
[Sage Art: Grand Fireball Technique!]
Chinya used the Grand Fireball Technique under Sage Mode, infusing the fireball with Sage Chakra.
An enormous blazing fireball coalesced and shot toward the distance.
On impact, the fireball erupted into a blazing crater.
The technique had grown several times more powerful.
Feeling his extraordinary strength now, Chinya mused, "I really am amazing."
However, Chinya's Sage Mode only lasted about three minutes before fading away on its own.
The White Snake Sage spoke up: "You've just mastered Sage Mode now. As you grow more proficient with it, not only will its duration increase, but the enhancement to your advanced ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu will become far stronger.
Our Ryuchi Cave's Sage Mode doesn't carry that absurd limitation of Mount Myoboku's — the one where you must remain completely still to absorb Natural Energy and create Sage Chakra. You can generate Sage Chakra even while fighting.
But now comes the real beginning of your training. I will teach you all of Ryuchi Cave's Sage Arts. Think you're ready?"
Chinya, having finally mastered Sage Mode, was in high spirits and grinned. "Of course! Bring it on!"
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