In an unknown corner of the world, several projections of figures clad in black robes with red clouds appeared.
"Everyone is present, I see."
"It has been seven years since Orochimaru deserted the organization."
"That Orochimaru has obtained a Sharingan."
"Itachi, is it your brother or your sister?"
Itachi remained silent, offering no word as he looked upon the gathered assembly.
"Do not be in such haste. One day, we will kill Orochimaru."
"Regarding that, there are only three years left. Can everyone meet the minimum requirements?"
"Yes. Our objective!"
"Is to seize them all, including the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox!"
…
A short time later, after a long and arduous journey, Kanon finally reached her destination: Ryūchi Cave!
Hardly any light pierced the canopy of this forest, and a series of chilling winds wafted through the trees. Yet, Kanon's pace never faltered; her steps remained as steady as ever.
"Is this the entrance?" Kanon murmured to herself.
"This is Ryūchi Cave," Konin's voice echoed from within her inner world.
A faint mist began to crawl through the forest.
"Kanon, aren't you afraid?" Konin teased from within.
"Of course I am."
"Then why did you come?"
"Because I am even more afraid of my past, weak self."
As the words fell, Kanon straightened her back and walked into the deepest reaches of the forest.
On a nearby tree, several figures emerged. Watching the young girl advance toward Ryūchi Cave alone, their expressions held a hint of anticipation. A woman with a slender figure whispered to those around her.
"She's still moving forward. It seems she isn't just a lost traveler."
"It's too early to reach a conclusion."
"Then let's confirm it directly!"
Sure enough, a massive, glowing sign for Ryūchi Cave appeared before Kanon.
A beautiful woman stood in the middle of the eerie forest, smiling lightly at Kanon. "Greetings. We have been expecting you."
"Welcome to Ryūchi Cave."
In the next instant, Kanon moved in a flash. Before the woman's smile could even fade, Kanon was already behind her, sheathing her Kusanagi Sword. The woman's face distorted, her true, hideous serpentine features surfacing.
"How is this possible?! You're clearly just a child, why..."
A sword wound appeared on Tagitsuhime's abdomen. Her body trembled as her lower half was nearly severed.
Kanon turned her head coldly to gaze at Tagitsuhime.
"A clumsy genjutsu."
"Speak. What is your purpose in obstructing me?"
"If you refuse, these will be your final words."
"You...!"
Tagitsuhime stared at Kanon's cold face and the fox mask hanging from her forehead. For some reason, she felt a chill run down her spine.
"Our job is to screen those who enter Ryūchi Cave."
Suddenly, several more voices hissed in Kanon's ear.
"Correct. Only those who fail the trials are permitted to be eaten by us by the Great White Snake Sage."
"The White Snake Sage?" Kanon frowned. She only knew of the Toad Sage, and he was a pervert.
"Only madmen seeking power come here."
As she spoke, Tagitsuhime used some secret technique to mend her body back together.
"Brat, don't think you'll actually get to see the White Snake Sage unscathed!"
Watching the figure vanish, Kanon's expression remained flat. She had expected trials, so this did little to stir her emotions.
As Kanon continued deeper, she encountered another woman dressed similarly to Tagitsuhime. Without a second thought, Kanon followed her with steady steps.
Once she entered a cavern, the stone door behind her slammed shut instantly.
"I knew it," Kanon sighed softly. Such a mindless lure was likely part of the trial.
Seeing the crystals on the ground corresponding to the door, she naturally understood what the second trial entailed.
Behind Kanon, the woman appeared.
"I am Ichikishimahime. You've piqued my interest."
"Come, play with me."
"Play?"
"Fill all the holes in these rocks, and I'll let you go."
"If you do it, you win."
Hearing Ichikishimahime, the corners of Kanon's mouth quirked slightly before her expression turned icy.
"With just you?"
In the next moment, green energy erupted from her body.
"Fifth Gate! Gate of Limit! Open!!!"
Suddenly, a terrifying aura blasted Ichikishimahime backward. In Kanon's hand, a Rasengan swirling with lightning flickered into existence.
Indeed, Kanon was that direct. She intended to use the most violent offensive to blow this door apart!
"Hey! Are you insane?!" Ichikishimahime panicked.
"Did you really think a clumsy genjutsu like this could test an Uchiha?"
BOOM!
Amidst Kanon's mockery, the massive stone door shattered instantly. A violent explosion rippled through the entire forest.
Ichikishimahime was sent flying by the fierce blast, snapping several large trees before she finally came to a stop.
"Tell me, did I pass?" Kanon had already returned to her normal state. The green energy had vanished, leaving only her exquisite, cute, yet expressionless face.
"What did you say... You are an Uchiha?"
At those words, Kanon looked at her, revealing her Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
"Could it be that you are the one from that pair of surviving Uchiha siblings..."
"Uchiha Kanon?!"
Kanon said nothing, only offering a slight nod.
But before Ichikishimahime could recover, the final sister appeared, lunging to bite Kanon's neck. At the moment her fangs should have sunk in, she found her body passing right through Kanon's neck!
"How is this possible?!"
She stared at Kanon in horror, her expression frozen.
The next second, her terrifying snake face was sent flying by Kanon's kick.
"And who are you?" Kanon asked indifferently.
"I am Tagorihime. To think you passed the trials of Tagitsuhime and the others... you are truly something."
"I am your next opponent."
"I am here to test your heart. If you fail, I will devour you. Do you accept the trial?"
Kanon gazed at Tagorihime. With a detached expression, she said softly:
"Go ahead. Test me."
"Then you must let me bite you first," Tagorihime whispered.
Kanon deactivated her intangibility and nodded slightly.
Tagorihime transformed into a snake and bit Kanon on the shoulder. To her surprise, Kanon's breathing didn't even hitch. It was as if this level of pain meant nothing to her anymore.
"Are you finished?" Kanon asked patiently.
"I didn't expect such grit from one so young. Very well!" Tagorihime backed away, her interest in Kanon deepening.
Sure enough, illusions began to manifest around Kanon.
It was Itachi Uchiha. She saw the scene where he punched her in the stomach. Those biting, cruel words pierced Kanon's heart like needles, yet she remained unshaken.
Next was Sasuke. His phantom walked up to Kanon.
"Kanon, it's all your fault. Why are you so strong while I am so weak? Why must you always stand in front of me?!"
Kanon remained silent. Then, Naruto's figure appeared.
"You're always so optimistic, saying I'll become Hokage. But have you ever thought about how annoying you are?! The person I like is Sakura, why do you always have to be around me? You're the reason she and I hardly talk!"
Facing Naruto's interrogation, Kanon still didn't speak, merely watching the phantom with a hollow gaze.
"You are the worst student I have ever led. I have no such disciple," Jiraiya's phantom looked at her with a cold expression.
The visage of Izumi Uchiha then appeared before Kanon. Looking at the silent girl, her face distorted as she screamed.
"It's your fault, Kanon! Why didn't you save me back then?! You were too weak! How can someone like you be called a genius of the Uchiha?!"
Finally, there was Danzo. He sneered as he looked at Kanon.
"Your parents could never have imagined that you would end up fleeing Konoha like a rat. The flower field you desire is not something a weak coward like you is meant to see!"
In that moment, though Kanon remained expressionless, her eyes shifted from the Three-Tomoe to the Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Is this all? My heart has long since been empty. There is no need to continue; it is useless."
Kanon's expression was frigid. As she deactivated her Sharingan, the surrounding environment began to shift.
The true Ryūchi Cave finally revealed itself before her.
"This is...?" Kanon narrowed her eyes. From within her inner world, Konin whispered:
"The temple of the White Snake Sage."
"I see. It looks spacious enough."
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