Chinya successfully mastered and activated Sage Mode.
However, entering Sage Mode wasn't the end. Chinya began learning the advanced Sage Arts unique to Ryuchi Cave.
The White Snake Sage personally taught Chinya.
In Chinya's eyes, the White Snake Sage's instruction wasn't particularly strict.
But this was relative, because Chinya could always understand and meet the White Snake Sage's requirements within a short time.
After all, the most difficult part—mastering Sage Mode—had already been accomplished.
The Sage Arts of Ryuchi Cave were advanced applications of Sage Chakra, similar to how one would learn ninjutsu after mastering regular chakra control.
Although techniques that incorporated Sage Chakra into regular jutsu were also called Sage Arts, these were merely the most basic uses of Sage Art—simply adding Sage Chakra into the chakra used for regular jutsu without much technical complexity.
Therefore, right from the beginning, Chinya successfully infused Sage Chakra into his Grand Fireball technique.
Advanced ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu enhanced with Sage Chakra were all classified as Sage Art.
What the White Snake Sage taught Chinya were Sage Arts that fully utilized the characteristics of Ryuchi Cave's Sage Mode.
For example, techniques like [Inorganic Reincarnation] and [White Activation Technique] that future Kabuto Yakushi would learn—these were exclusive Sage Arts of Ryuchi Cave.
Under the White Snake Sage's tutelage, more than three months passed in an instant.
While learning the Sage Arts from the White Snake Sage, Chinya was simultaneously becoming more familiar with controlling Sage Mode.
From initially being able to maintain it for only three minutes, now he had nearly doubled that duration.
During these past three months, Chinya made full use of every moment, compressing his rest time, thinking only about finishing cultivation sooner so he could return to Konoha and reunite with Kushina Uzumaki.
Nighttime.
Chinya successfully released a Sage Art taught by the White Snake Sage, turning the entire clearing ahead into a wasteland.
Seeing the power of his technique, Chinya was very satisfied.
He had completely mastered this Sage Art now. Time for the next one.
Chinya went back to the temple and found the White Snake Sage in her old woman form: "White Snake Sage, I've basically mastered this technique. Let's move on to the next one."
Taking a slow puff from her pipe, the White Snake Sage replied, "There isn't a next one. I've already taught you all the Sage Arts of Ryuchi Cave."
Chinya's eyes lit up: "So that means..."
The White Snake Sage nodded: "Yes, you can leave Ryuchi Cave now."
Chinya couldn't help but smile.
It had been four months in Ryuchi Cave. Finally, he could go back.
But soon he realized something awkward.
How was he supposed to get back?
Chinya had arrived at Ryuchi Cave through the Reverse Summon performed by the White Snake.
Now, who in Konoha would perform the Reverse Summon to call him back?
No one!
That meant he had to travel back to Konoha on foot from Hidden Village of Ryuchi.
Chinya's face stiffened as he asked cautiously: "White Snake Sage, how long would it take to get from here to Konoha?"
The White Snake Sage answered: "Judging by your speed... about a month, roughly."
"Uh... well, I guess..."
Chinya helplessly accepted reality. What else could he do? If he wanted to return to Konoha as soon as possible, he had no choice but to push forward with the journey at full speed.
Chinya deeply bowed toward the White Snake Sage and said, "No matter what, thank you very much for teaching me Sage Mode and passing on your senjutsu techniques. Well then, I'll be taking my leave now."
The White Snake Sage didn't respond. His eyes remained narrowed as he lazily puffed on his pipe, watching Chinya closely.
It wasn't until Chinya vanished from sight that the White Snake Sage let out a sinister chuckle.
"Go ahead and throw the entire Shinobi World into chaos."
...
Chinya sped rapidly in the direction of Konoha. The journey that originally required a full month was compressed through sheer determination into twenty days before Chinya finally reached the entrance of Konoha Village.
It was already deep into the night.
Chinya let out a long breath.
This grueling pace had even Chinya struggling to hang in there; he was completely drained now.
However, thinking about how he would soon see Kushina Uzumaki again filled him with renewed vigor.
"Later, I'll pull a little surprise on Kushina, then hold her close and have a comfortable sleep."
After checking in with the gatekeeping shinobi at Konoha's entrance, Chinya entered the village.
With brisk steps, he headed home.
It had been nearly five months since he'd last left Konoha.
According to the timeline, Uzumaki Miyuki should already be pregnant—several months along, in fact.
Not much time remained before Obito Uchiha would begin making preparations.
Right now, everything was going smoothly for Chinya. He'd already mastered Sage Mode, which currently gave him the biggest boost in strength.
Now, the next major step in improving his strength was to accumulate enough Witness Points to awaken his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.
And the upcoming Nine-Tails' Rampage would also give Chinya an excellent chance to secure a huge influx of Witness Points.
Previously, he had reached an agreement with the Nine-Tails—if he managed to keep Uzumaki Miyuki alive, altering the course of events itself would earn him additional Witness Points.
Compared to passive observation, actively participating in and altering events would yield significantly more Witness Points.
Judging from the current situation, before those guys with overwhelmingly superior powers appeared, Chinya's present strength could already be considered absolutely top-tier within the Shinobi World.
If he faced Raikage The Third again in his current state, it wouldn't just be an even match—he'd probably come out on top.
Still lost in thought, Chinya was already near his house—just a few steps away.
Just as he continued walking forward,
a ninja sword suddenly appeared from the shadows, swinging directly toward Chinya in a slashing arc.
Chinya stepped back slightly, raising one eyebrow. "Kakashi, haven't seen you in ages. Is this the big surprise you're giving me upon our reunion?"
Kakashi stared in shock at the person before him: "Chinya-sensei?"
Chinya asked curiously, "What are you doing here so late at night instead of sleeping?"
Once confirming the man standing before him was indeed Chinya, Kakashi became overjoyed: "Sensei, you've finally returned!"
Chinya shushed him quickly: "Keep it down! I still want to give Kushina a surprise!"
Kakashi hurriedly waved his hands: "No, no way!"
"Absolutely no shocks. Kushina's in a delicate condition right now."
Chinya looked a bit confused. "Kushina can't be startled now? What happened?"
"Kushina's pregnant. About six months along."
Chinya stood there frozen, like a statue.
It took Chinya a long moment to process the news before he finally stuttered out, "Ku, Kushina... is pregnant? Already six months?"
Kakashi nodded. "Yes. During this time, Orochimaru checks up on Kushina every month and even prepares nutritional supplements for her. Right now, Kushina's health is very stable, and so is the baby's. Sensei, really, there's no need to w–"
Before Kakashi could finish saying "worry," Chinya had already vanished from the spot...
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