With Orochimaru immersed in his research, Itachi lost a valuable partner in mischief and found himself growing bored.
The next day, he informed Orochimaru's subordinates with a brief word, then performed the Reverse Summoning Technique to travel to Ryūchi Cave.
At the moment, his ocular powers were still undergoing a mutation, and his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan had yet to fully evolve.
Having suffered a decline in strength, Itachi decided to seize this downtime and study Sage Arts, making efficient use of his time.
"Itachi, you're back!"
As Itachi's figure appeared in Ryūchi Cave, a cheerful voice filled the air.
"Yes, Shikijima-hime," he replied.
Looking at the woman hovering in midair, unchanged since their last meeting, Itachi felt a twinge of nostalgia in his tone.
A lot had happened to him in the outside world recently.
"Are you hungry? Shall I make you something to eat?"
Hearing his response and noticing the depth in his gaze, Shikijima-hime gently descended from the air. Without hesitation, she linked arms with him, pressing her ample chest against his arm.
Itachi froze, feeling the surprising softness and catching a faint, pleasant scent.
"Sure, I could use something to eat..."
Momentarily stunned, Itachi quickly replied.
"Where did she even learn to act like this?"
Internally, Itachi chastised himself to look away, muttering complaints in his mind.
After hearing his words, Shikijima-hime skipped off happily, leaving Itachi behind, feeling a subtle sense of loss.
Itachi began walking deeper into the cave along familiar paths.
He was mildly surprised not to encounter the purple snakes he'd seen in the original story—not even one.
"Itachi, you're here," came a voice.
Standing before him was the White Snake Sage, as enchanting and radiant as the last time they met.
This time, the Sage held a delicate smoking pipe, the thin wisps of smoke curling around her, adding a mystifying allure.
"Yes, White Snake Sage. I've come to learn Sage Arts," Itachi said, bowing his head slightly as he returned to his senses. Somehow, the White Snake Sage's charm always seemed more complex than it appeared.
"Are you ready?"
The Sage straightened her posture, her soft voice carrying an edge of inquiry.
"I'm ready, White Snake Sage."
Though his voice was calm and quiet, Itachi's tone carried unwavering confidence.
"Itachi, are you truly prepared? Our Ryūchi Cave Sage Arts are not like those of other sacred lands. If you're not careful, your body could be destroyed," the Sage warned, standing gracefully as she covered her mouth with a faint smile, her beauty captivating.
"Yes," he replied simply.
Strength always comes with risk. If he was afraid, what was the point of struggling to grow stronger?
Observing Itachi's firm resolve, the White Snake Sage stepped forward, approaching him gracefully.
As she moved closer, Itachi found himself briefly dazed, as though caught in endless illusions.
When the White Snake Sage finally stood in front of him, the faint aroma of her perfume mixed with a hint of tobacco jolted him awake.
"This scent... it smells so nice..." Itachi thought involuntarily, snapping back to reality.
Then his pupils narrowed slightly.
The Sage's delicate hand rested on his shoulder as she gently embraced him, her flawless face drawing closer in his vision.
"You have such a youthful body," the White Snake Sage murmured near his ear, sending a shiver down his spine with her temptingly soft voice.
On the steps above, two of the Sage's attendants giggled quietly, their curiosity evident as they peeked down.
The White Snake Sage's head leaned closer to Itachi's neck.
"Itachi, are you sure you're ready? If you can't endure the energy, your body could very well explode," she whispered, her warm breath brushing against his skin, causing an odd, rising tension within him.
"I'm ready," Itachi said, swallowing hard to suppress the strange sensations. His voice trembled slightly, though, as the alluring White Snake Sage remained pressed against him.
He wasn't used to dealing with this kind of situation at all.
"Are you really ready?"
The Sage's tongue lightly brushed against Itachi's pale neck.
"White Snake Sage... What are you doing…"
Itachi felt a shiver run through him at the White Snake Sage's actions. This was way too intense...
"Little Itachi, don't be so nervous. Big Sister will be gentle…"
The White Snake Sage chuckled lightly, her tone teasing.
An unusual energy was steadily rising within her body...
While Itachi's thoughts were running wild, the White Snake Sage's stunningly beautiful face began to develop a few white scales.
Gradually, more and more appeared...
When the Sage energy reached a certain level, her pupils turned into vertical slits.
Her sharp fangs sank deeply into Itachi's neck.
Boundless natural energy surged through her fangs, pouring continuously into Itachi's body.
...
Itachi felt a sharp pain spreading from his neck as an unfamiliar energy began invading his body, endlessly flowing into him.
As the energy entered, his chakra seemed to stagnate, unable to resist this foreign force.
His consciousness started to waver, slowly descending into chaos...
"Itachi, use your chakra and mental strength to control it… When you fully comprehend it, you'll have mastered the first stage of Sage Arts..."
In his hazy state, Itachi heard the unique voice of the White Snake Sage. That intoxicating fragrance she carried, tinged with a faint hint of tobacco, gradually faded...
...
"Take him down to rest," the White Snake Sage commanded, her earlier playful demeanor replaced by the aura of a lofty ruler.
"Yes, White Snake Sage…"
Tensho-no-Kami and Totsuka-no-Kami softly responded.
They gently lifted Itachi's figure and carried him away...
When Ichikishima-no-Kami returned, she found only Itachi seated on the bed.
"Ugh, rushing into Sage training like this! Couldn't even wait for me to bring him some food. At least eat before training…"
She pouted as she looked at Itachi's face, a hint of resentment in her tone.
In her hand was a small bamboo basket containing roasted chicken and a bowl of rice.
"Hmph, if you're not eating, I'll eat it myself…"
Muttering to herself, Ichikishima-no-Kami placed the food on the table and sat on a stool.
"I should have summoned little White Snake to keep me company..."
"Wow, this chicken smells amazing…"
She tore off a drumstick, her tone carrying a playful lilt, as though trying to tempt Itachi to respond.
...
Unaware of the outside world, Itachi was now immersed in a mental game with the natural energy inside his body.
The Ryūchi Cave's method of Sage training was rather intense.
He stared at the natural energy dispersed throughout his body, feeling utterly confused.
In his mind, he repeatedly played back the White Snake Sage's final instructions, trying to figure out how to proceed.