The dark Ryuchi Cave was saturated with a thick, crimson aura of death. Ordinary humans who brushed against the eerie red toxic mist at the periphery would perish instantly from the virulent poison.
At that moment, the mist seemed to shift, solidifying rapidly. Within seconds, it crystallized into translucent snowflakes of varying shapes.
Dark red in color, they drifted down slowly—a vision as beautiful as it was dreamlike.
The red snow blanketed the ground, making a faint sound as it melted into water, leaving behind vivid marks.
Shiraishi and Orochimaru trekked along the path toward the heart of the cave, their expressions unchanged by the sights along the way.
To reach Ryuchi Cave, one had to sign a contract scroll and use the Reverse Summoning Jutsu. A specialized purple snake had served as their guide, leading them into the subterranean depths.
As figures who had long been famous in the shinobi world, neither man feared the bizarre icy toxins of the outer regions.
However, as they ventured deeper, Shiraishi felt an increasingly inexplicable sense of oppression—as if a pair of eyes were watching them from the void.
"I always thought these Sacred Lands were indifferent to worldly affairs. It seems that's not entirely the case," Shiraishi remarked.
Orochimaru let out a low chuckle. "If they truly had no desires, they wouldn't bother signing summoning contracts with us humans."
The historical relationship between the Ninja Creed and the Three Great Sacred Lands was not recorded in detail.
While there appeared to be little conflict, it was by no means a harmonious bond. Perhaps, to the Sacred Lands, the chakra system was an alien power that did not belong to this earth.
For Shiraishi, however, there was a more pressing matter: mastering a higher level of Senjutsu (Sage Techniques) by utilizing natural energy.
In his skill card system, Dragon-type skills required Sage Mode mastery before they could be practiced—a requirement even higher than the Fairy-type skills that utilized natural energy.
If Dragon-type skills were defined as powers only controllable through Senjutsu, they were bound to be extraordinary.
Ryuchi Cave was not a simple cavern. They had descended hundreds of meters without reaching the bottom.
It was a gargantuan underground palace. Various giant summoning snakes appeared periodically, but they recoiled the moment they sensed the aura radiating from Shiraishi and Orochimaru.
"Ancestor, the two guests have arrived."
In the endless darkness, a massive throne sat at the deepest point of the earth. A giant white snake, appearing drowsy and ancient, was napping.
"Mm..."
Slowly opening its eyes, the White Snake Sage scrutinized the two humans before suddenly speaking: "Orochimaru, you may leave."
The Sage's voice was heavy with pressure. Orochimaru, seeing the situation, said nothing and simply performed a hand seal to vanish from the cave. The purple guide snake also disappeared.
After a long silence, the White Snake Sage finally spoke. "It confirms my suspicion. Like Kaguya of old, you do not truly belong to this planet."
Not from this planet?
Shiraishi found this difficult to accept. He was a native born on this continent; when had he become an outsider?
"The peculiar power you wield—the fact that it sought you out is proof enough."
The System and the Skill Cards were things only Shiraishi could use. Skill cards existed in a form that no one in the shinobi world could decipher.
Why was only Shiraishi unique? This was a doubt he had harbored for a long time, and the Sage's words resonated with his own theories.
"Then where am I from?"
"I do not know. I only know that you are not of the Otsutsuki clan, and that is enough." The White Snake Sage spoke slowly, but every word made Shiraishi's heart race.
Exhaling a puff of smoke, the Sage added, "Though you are not Otsutsuki, your body is stained with a portion of that Asura boy's chakra."
Man and snake remained silent in the hall. Moments later, the Sage spoke again. "Since Mount Myoboku has placed its bets on Konoha, believing they are needed to counter the future return of the Otsutsuki, then I shall place my bets on you."
The Otsutsuki returning?
Shiraishi caught the key intel. "You mean Kaguya was not the only one?"
Regarding the future, the Sage shook its head. "Yes, these are things the ninja world must face. Besides, the 'feeling' you give off makes you exceptionally suited for the Sage Mode of Ryuchi Cave."
Senjutsu was essentially a state that allowed the use of natural energy. In this state, a ninja could significantly increase physical activity, agility, and defense, while using natural energy to expand the range of Taijutsu and sensory abilities.
By creating Senjutsu Chakra, the power of Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu would see a meteoric rise.
During Kaguya's era, Gamamaru of Mount Myoboku taught Hagoromo Senjutsu. Hagoromo used that power to battle Kaguya for months, eventually sealing his mother.
Compared to the Mount Myoboku style, Ryuchi Cave's training was the most perilous. To date, no human has successfully mastered it. Shiraishi, however, did not hesitate. He sat in a meditative state following the Sage's instructions.
The foundation of Senjutsu lay in sensing natural force, but an excess of natural energy would lead to the body being consumed.
Once the Sage finished explaining the basics of sensing, Shiraishi removed his shirt, revealing a lean, powerful physique. Suddenly, numerous large, red chakra markings and runes appeared across his skin.
This is...
As the red runes began to resonate with his chakra points, Shiraishi's body underwent a subtle transformation. "This is a secret Acupuncture Technique I developed. It enhances the body's sensitivity to external energy."
The technique came from a skill card within his system. While its primary function was to boost stats by stimulating pressure points, Shiraishi was using it as a catalyst for Senjutsu.
This kid is interesting...
Watching the Fifth Kazekage sitting in meditation, the White Snake Sage narrowed its eyes. Perhaps this human would not be as easy to control as had been predicted.
Like the Great Toad Sage, the White Snake Sage possessed a degree of foresight. It had revealed so much—even Shiraishi's unknown origins—for one ultimate goal:
The pursuit of a True Dragon.
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