Chapter 212: Sage Technique Training
Gray-white smoke slowly rose from that gigantic chimney-like pipe. Even more peculiar—this massive pipe was held in a white snake's mouth, inhaling and exhaling amid billowing smoke.
The white snake's partial body coiled upon a massive stone chair. Its remaining bulk twisted sinuously, restrained by golden rings, filling this vast cavern, extending into that impenetrably dense darkness.
This white snake—
Was precisely Ryūchi Cave's true and sole sovereign, White Snake Sage.
"Great-grandmother-sama, I've brought Hyuga Ritsu."
Shiroha lowered its head before the stone chair, reporting loudly.
Hyuga Ritsu stopped behind Shiroha, raising his head to gaze upon this White Snake Sage he was meeting for the second time.
"Whoosh!"
Pungent smoke blew over.
White Snake Sage didn't acknowledge its own great-grandchild. Those enormous lantern-like pupils stared at Hyuga Ritsu. A voice grand as thunder arose, echoing through this cavern.
"Human who inherited flawless eyes, have you truly decided to accept this sage technique power?"
"That's right."
Hyuga Ritsu answered frankly.
"You don't even fear death?"
"I believe I won't die."
"Since you wish to obtain this power, then I'll give it to you. Only if you cannot bear this power, after death your corpse will become Shiroha's nourishment."
As the words fell—
White Snake Sage's massive body moved. Its tail shot from darkness, coiling up the massive pipe held in its mouth. Then it brought its head close toward Hyuga Ritsu.
Hyuga Ritsu stood in place without moving.
Quietly watching White Snake Sage's house-sized massive head approach directly before him, then opening its bloody maw, revealing pale serpent fangs thick as pillars.
The next instant—
The fangs' tips pierced through Hyuga Ritsu's back. Even though White Snake Sage was already being as careful as possible, the fangs still tore open a long, vicious wound on Hyuga Ritsu's back—even exposing his spine.
This was Ryūchi Cave's sage technique training method.
No need for arduous self-training. White Snake Sage would inject sage technique power through its own fangs into all Ryūchi Cave contractors attempting sage technique training. As long as one could withstand sage technique power's erosion and fuse it with one's own chakra, then one successfully mastered sage techniques.
Compared to Mount Myōboku's toad methods—utilizing toad oil to sense natural energy, then repeatedly attempting to absorb natural energy—Ryūchi Cave's method proved undoubtedly much faster.
But everything gained necessarily involved loss.
Mount Myōboku's method risked absorbing excessive natural energy—unable to timely combine with one's own chakra to become sage technique chakra, thus causing physical petrification. Naturally, when Mount Myōboku contractors trained sage techniques, toads always guarded them. Once accidents occurred, they'd promptly use external force dispersing excess natural energy, ensuring contractors' safety.
While Ryūchi Cave's training method proved so radical, naturally risks proved even greater.
Sage technique power forcibly injected by White Snake Sage would impact contractors' spirits and bodies dually. Both spirit and body had to withstand this intensely foreign sage technique power. Once either aspect failed to withstand—ultimate outcomes all spelled one word: death.
Spirit failing to withstand impact left only husks retaining bodily instinctive reactions.
Body failing to withstand impact meant mutation into monster-like creatures resembling snakes.
If both spirit and body failed withstanding impact, one became a thoroughgoing monster losing self-awareness.
This was also what White Snake Sage had personally told Hyuga Ritsu during their previous meeting. Adjusting one's own body-mind condition precisely aimed to face impacts in optimal condition, raising success rates as much as possible.
However—
Hyuga Ritsu truly possessed some confidence in mastering sage techniques. He held complete confidence his body could withstand impacts. Whether his Level 4 Physical Regeneration or his already halfway-completed Ōtsutsuki bloodline—both made his physique's toughness far exceed ordinary people.
The only concern was whether his spirit could withstand this wave of impacts. That's why he hadn't rushed to directly begin sage technique training during his previous White Snake Sage meeting but rather adjusted body-mind condition according to White Snake Sage's methods.
This moment—
Hyuga Ritsu clearly felt that as his back was torn by serpent fangs, extremely powerful foreign energy seeped through flesh into his body, producing violent collisions with his own chakra.
His body also began mutating. The bloody wound on his back rapidly healed. Simultaneously during this healing process, pale scales slowly surfaced on his skin. But before scales completely formed, they were again dissolved and obliterated by mysteriously powerful regenerative force.
Yes—
Hyuga Ritsu could clearly feel his Level 4 Physical Regeneration superpower taking effect. Powerful regenerative force forcibly suppressed and erased physical mutations. Sage technique power's impact resembled large stones falling into ponds—stirring ripples. But as large stones sank to the bottom, water surfaces again restored unrippled states.
Naturally, changes definitely existed. "Sunken stones" raised water levels.
While detecting physical changes, consciousness also inexplicably grew somewhat hazy. Invisible force drew him toward snake bodies, as if he himself wasn't human but rather a snake... Wait, he was human not snake.
Hyuga Ritsu's consciousness suddenly awakened from this haziness. Remaining thoughts remained clearly visible. His mind's thoughts turned. He formed speculations. Sage technique power's impacts on body and spirit weren't clearly distinguished, mutually independent relationships.
Rather complementary, mutually reinforcing relationships.
Physical mutation would deepen spiritual mutation. Spiritual mutation would also accelerate physical mutation.
But currently, physical mutation just showed its head before being instantly eliminated. Fundamentally, no conspicuous changes occurred. Only skin around his eyes gradually took on faint purple coloring.
This let impacts Hyuga Ritsu's spirit encountered also become weak and powerless. His body anchored his spirit like an anchor. Whenever spiritual mutation signs appeared, merely observing his own body immediately eliminated spiritual mutations, clearly recognizing he was human not snake.
Time passed minute by minute. Sage technique power White Snake Sage injected into his body repeatedly collided with his own chakra. Each collision brought risks of stronger mutations while simultaneously representing opportunities for transformation and absorption.
Shiroha stood beside Hyuga Ritsu, staring at motionless Hyuga Ritsu for quite a while. It discovered Hyuga Ritsu's body never underwent any violent changes throughout. Instead, profound purple gradually appeared around his eyes.
Finally unable to restrain itself, it spoke up. "Great-grandmother-sama, is he close to succeeding?"
Its age wasn't great. Hyuga Ritsu was the first contractor it had witnessed learning sage techniques. Or more precisely, the only contractor it knew was Hyuga Ritsu. Even Ryūchi Cave's other current contractor Orochimaru—it had only heard of, never seen.
So it didn't know whether Hyuga Ritsu's current state meant imminent success or actually approaching failure.
White Snake Sage held its pipe, coiling upon the stone chair, looking down at Hyuga Ritsu. Hearing its great-grandchild's inquiry, it remained silent briefly before slowly saying, "Shiroha, your vision isn't poor. This young man who inherited flawless eyes indeed walks success's path—moreover, the most correct path. Truly worthy of being that goddess's descendant!"
"Goddess?"
Shiroha blinked puzzledly.
But White Snake Sage didn't plan explaining further. It merely held its pipe, quietly inhaling and exhaling smoke.
Seeing this, Shiroha knew great-grandmother-sama wouldn't explain what "goddess's descendant" meant. Could only suppress inner doubts, continuing to stare at Hyuga Ritsu, sensing chakra rhythm changes on Hyuga Ritsu's body.
As White Snake Sage's great-grandchild, it would also train sage techniques in future.
Naturally, serpent species training sage techniques differed from humans. Risks proved relatively smaller—but only relatively. Its father Sanshiro had failed sage technique training, spiritual mutation reaching irreversibility, becoming a monster slaughtering kin. Ultimately, grandfather Nishiro personally strangled and handled him.
So observing Hyuga Ritsu mastering sage techniques' process definitely benefited it.
Ryūchi Cave lacked sun and moon, indistinguishable black and white.
Combined with serpent species eating one meal and not hungering for long periods, truly difficult discerning time's passage. Shiroha also couldn't determine how long had passed. Hyuga Ritsu, who'd resembled a statue without moving, suddenly opened his eyes.
His pupils remained pure, flawless white.
However—
Around these pure white eyes, profound purple already tinged the skin. His entire body radiated an invisible rhythm, as if connecting as one with all things.
"Hyuga Ritsu, have you mastered sage techniques?"
Shiroha looked at Hyuga Ritsu opening his eyes, flicking its tongue anxiously asking.
Hyuga Ritsu blinked, glancing at Shiroha, then raising his head to meet White Snake Sage's gaze. His mouth corners traced a pleased smile. He spoke aloud, "That's right, Shiroha. I've successfully mastered Sage Mode!"
As his words fell, sage technique chakra within his body surged. Six blue-white, semi-transparent small snakes thick as teacup mouths suddenly manifested, coiling and swimming around him as if alive.
These small snakes were formed from sage technique chakra, freely shifting between virtual and real. This was an ability he'd naturally mastered after comprehending sage techniques. He could freely manipulate these sage technique chakra-formed small snakes for attack and defense.
"Perfect sage technique power!"
White Snake Sage's voice echoed through the cavern. Those enormous searchlight-like serpent pupils held intense admiration. "Human youngster, you've actually completely abandoned Sage Mode's physical mutation snake-transformation defects, thoroughly transforming sage technique power into your own power. Snake-transformation characteristics fused with sage technique chakra—instead becoming your methods."
"After who knows how many years, you're the first accomplishing such things. Past contractors, even if mastering sage techniques, still couldn't avoid partial physical mutations or spiritual personality changes..."
"But your body remains unscathed, suffering no erosion or changes. Your spirit similarly remains unscathed, experiencing no deviations."
"You should represent humanity's first person truly training my Ryūchi Cave sage techniques to perfect realm throughout history!"
White Snake Sage praised Hyuga Ritsu lavishly.
It saw hope in Hyuga Ritsu—possibilities for its own training and achievements to advance further. Over a thousand years of bitter training had made its sage techniques so powerful no further progress remained possible.
Not only it faced such prospects-severed predicaments. Mount Myōboku's Great Toad and Shikkotsu Forest's slug also encountered identical problems. That Great Toad possessed innate prophecy talents—perhaps seeing some future, thus choosing to sign contracts with humans, teaching humans sage techniques.
White Snake Sage and the slug successively followed suit. Then they saw new possibilities from humans. Human breakthroughs in sage techniques could bring them variables.
This was why the three great sage regions willingly interfered in human disputes.
Bustling crowds—all for profit!
Whether people or beasts, no people or beasts did thankless tasks.
"White Snake Sage, thank you."
Hyuga Ritsu thanked sincerely.
Regardless what purposes White Snake Sage held teaching him sage techniques, in any case he'd truly successfully obtained this entirely new power. His overall strength gained further improvement.
White Snake Sage looked at Hyuga Ritsu. "Thanks unnecessary. We already maintain mutually beneficial relationships. The more exquisite your sage technique training, the greater benefits for me as well."
"You've now successfully crossed this threshold, mastering perfect sage technique power. But this represents merely a beginning. Ryūchi Cave still contains various techniques you can learn. Going forward, whenever you have time, you can have Shiroha summon you over for comprehension and training."
"After comprehending and mastering sage techniques transmitted in Ryūchi Cave, you can also attempt developing sage techniques uniquely your own."
Hyuga Ritsu nodded in agreement.
Currently, he'd only preliminarily smelted sage technique chakra. He could also utilize this powerful chakra deploying various ninja techniques. But wanting to display this power's maximum degree, best still specifically learn or develop corresponding technique formulas.
Going forward, nothing else remained. Hyuga Ritsu also didn't plan beginning contact learning Ryūchi Cave sage techniques immediately. Shiroha couldn't specify how long he'd stayed in Ryūchi Cave. Currently, he should first return and look—avoid unnecessarily prolonged absence inviting unnecessary troubles.
"White Snake Sage, I'll take my leave first."
Hyuga Ritsu nodded toward White Snake Sage in courtesy, releasing Sage Mode. Purple around his eye sockets faded.
The next second—
He proactively released Reverse Summoning Technique, returning to the clan compound shrine's training ground.
"Ritsu-nii!"
"Senpai!"
Two delighted voices rang out.
Hyuga Akiba and Uchiha Aika both showed identical delighted expressions on their faces.
Hyuga Ritsu looked carefully once. He discovered sunset westward, horizon suspended with brilliant sunset clouds burning like fire. Time had actually already arrived at evening.
Absorbing and transforming sage technique chakra consumed unexpectedly lengthy time. This indicated his spiritual will, though never deviating, had indeed grown hazy regarding time's grasp through repeated impacts.
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