Ryoma arrived at the Ryūchi Cave and did not disturb anything openly, only secretly observing Sako's cultivation from a distance.
His thoughts drifted back to the day he had first brought her here.
Just after they entered the Ryūchi Cave, a gigantic crimson serpent with a missing scale suddenly emerged.
"—!"
Locked onto by the serpent's single star-like eye, Sako's body stiffened. Her face turned pale as she instinctively raised her hands, about to form seals.
Before she could act, Ryoma appeared in front of her and casually slammed his palm down.
Boom!
The massive snake was smashed directly into the ground.
"Manda," Ryoma said calmly, "why are you frightening my daughter for no reason?"
The difference in size between Ryoma and the giant serpent was like that of an elephant and a mouse. Yet despite that, Ryoma pressed Manda beneath his palm as easily as disciplining a misbehaving pet.
The scene left a deep impression on Sako.
Pinned to the ground, Manda continuously let out low hissing sounds—no longer fierce, but submissive, like a scolded beast begging for mercy.
"Forget it," Ryoma said indifferently as he released his grip.
"I'll let you off this time. Remember my daughter well. If you scare her again, I'll bury you alive beneath the earth."
Manda quickly slithered away, not daring to linger.
Ryoma then turned his gaze toward the cavern to the left, sensing three familiar auras rapidly approaching.
Earlier spatial fluctuations had alarmed the guardians of the cave. Sensing the chakra disturbance, Tagitsuhime, Tayuya, and Ichikishimahime immediately rushed over. After only a few breaths, they arrived and saw Ryoma and Sako.
"Lord Ryoma!"
The three Snake Maidens bowed respectfully.
"Take me to the White Snake Sage," Ryoma said simply.
As they followed the three, Ryoma calmly answered Sako's questions regarding ninjutsu and chakra control.
Before long, they arrived at a vast stone temple. Upon the raised platform ahead, the White Snake Sage lay coiled lazily, eyes half-closed.
Sensing Ryoma's presence, she transformed into an elderly woman.
She clasped her hands politely.
"Your Excellency Ryoma, it has been a long time. How have you been lately?"
Though the White Snake Sage lived secluded from worldly affairs, she was far from ignorant. Ryoma stood at the peak of the world, and she had no intention of offending someone of his status.
"Still alive," Ryoma replied lightly.
He then guided Sako forward.
"This is my daughter, Naruko. I've brought her here to learn the Ryūchi Cave's Sage Arts."
"Oh?"
The White Snake Sage's slit pupils focused on Sako, narrowing as if peering beneath the surface.
Being scrutinized so closely, Sako did not flinch. Almost unconsciously, she activated her Sharingan.
She had awakened it at six years old while training in the wild after being attacked by wolves. Through battle, she had forced it open. Now, at just ten years old, she already possessed two tomoe—a level worthy of being called a true prodigy.
"Two-tomoe Sharingan…"
The White Snake Sage paused, then nodded in approval.
"Her talent is exceptional. She is well-suited for cultivating the techniques of Ryūchi Cave."
She then glanced at Ryoma, a hint of curiosity in her gaze.
"However, Your Excellency Ryoma, you have already mastered multiple Sage Arts yourself. Why not teach her personally?"
"Some paths must be walked alone," Ryoma replied, looking at Sako gently.
"If I remain by her side, it would hinder her growth."
"I see."
The White Snake Sage nodded in understanding.
"I guarantee that Miss Sako will cultivate Ryūchi Cave Sage Art safely and efficiently."
The emphasis on safety was deliberate.
In the past, those who failed Sage training here were devoured without mercy. But this was Ryoma's daughter—there would be no such treatment. Not only would she be spared, she would be carefully guided and protected.
No further words were needed.
Man and snake understood each other perfectly.
Ryoma stepped back and silently observed, not interfering with Sako's training.
After leaving the Ryūchi Cave, Kushina and Mikoto returned home and noticed something unusual.
The two little girls who normally clung to Ryoma were nowhere to be found.
When they asked him, they learned that the girls had gone to the sacred lands to train.
"It's good that Naruko's been sent to Mount Myōboku," Kushina said with a satisfied nod.
"Maybe it'll stop her from running around causing trouble all day."
She clenched her fist as she continued,
"When Mikoto and I went out earlier, we saw the Hokage Rock splashed with paint. That had to be her doing."
"Hmph. It's lucky she's not here right now," Kushina added.
"Otherwise, I'd have made her butt bloom on the spot."
"Hahaha… I don't think Naruko has any idea what she'll be facing when she comes back."
Hearing Kushina's words, Mikoto beside her couldn't help but laugh.
"Mikoto, you're lucky," Kushina continued, glancing at her with envy.
"Sako is so mature despite her age. She's completely different from my wild girl."
Mikoto sighed softly.
"Actually… I'm more worried about Sako than Naruko. That child is alone all day. I'm afraid she won't get along well with others in the future."
Although Naruko and Sako were only ten years old, their talent was undeniable. Both had entered the Academy at seven and were already preparing to graduate after just three short years.
But becoming a shinobi didn't only mean talent—it meant responsibility.
It meant missions, teammates, and stepping onto battlefields beyond the village.
Even though the reunified continent was relatively peaceful now, small conflicts and struggles for power were unavoidable.
No matter how invincible Ryoma was, he couldn't handle everything alone. At some point, he would have to rely on his shinobi.
Sako's personality was much like Ryoma's—quiet, solitary, and independent. That worried Mikoto. She feared that when the time came, Sako might struggle to cooperate with others.
"You need to trust your daughter."
Ryoma walked over and sat between them, his tone calm and confident.
"My daughter is destined to be extraordinary."
"Yes, yes," Kushina and Mikoto said in unison, rolling their eyes.
"Your Ryoma's daughter is naturally extraordinary. A heavenly genius. The two of us clearly contributed nothing."
"I only said one sentence and you're already ganging up on me," Ryoma said helplessly, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
"It seems your resentment is quite deep."
His gaze softened slightly.
"Then tonight… I'll help you both release it."
...
A week passed in the blink of an eye.
At Mount Myōboku, beside the Toad Oil Waterfall, two elderly toad sages stood on either side of Naruko. Each of them held a black staff, their eyes fixed on her without blinking.
The purpose of the staff was simple—to knock excess natural energy out of the body the moment it lost balance, preventing petrification or frog transformation.
Naruko was Ryoma's daughter.
Neither of them could afford the consequences if something went wrong.
A ripple passed through Naruko's chakra.
In the next instant, both staffs struck her back at the same time.
"Ugh!"
Naruko cried out and opened her eyes, rubbing the back of her head in frustration.
"How did it fail again…"
Fukasaku looked at her calmly.
"Don't rush it. Sage Mode isn't something easily mastered. Countless powerful shinobi fail to grasp this power in their entire lives."
"Really?"
Naruko tilted her head, curiosity lighting up her eyes.
"Then how long did Dad take to learn it?"
Fukasaku fell silent.
The wrinkles on his toad face twitched slightly.
"..."
"…Five minutes."
Naruko: "..."
The waterfall roared on, and the silence felt unusually loud.
(End of Chapter)
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