After entering this mode, Chinatsu could even sense special auras that no ordinary human should be able to perceive. She guessed these were the true forces of nature the primordial energy of the world itself.
Exhaling slowly, she deactivated the Second Sage Mode. The mask-like markings on her face faded, and the aura that had completely disappeared returned to normal.
Naruto and Sasuke both let out a sigh of relief.
Their sister had seemed... strange in that state.
Both of them had instinctively felt the same terrifying possibility that one day, their sister would simply disappear, leaving them behind forever.
That absolutely could not happen.
"Sis, maybe we should give up," Sasuke said, clenching his fists. "We'll find another way. Once Naruto and I completely absorb our Ōtsutsuki Karma, the three of us might not necessarily lose to the Main Family."
Naruto hurriedly nodded.
"That's right! The three of us together can definitely do it! Sasuke and I still have Six Paths: Planetary Devastation! If those Main Family guys come, we'll beat them into the ground!"
Of course, they were only trying to reassure themselves.
Neither of them truly believed it.
But they wanted Chinatsu to believe it.
Unfortunately, she wasn't convinced.
"Don't worry." Chinatsu smiled confidently. "Have I ever let you two down all these years? I'm your invincible big sister."
Unable to pat their heads because they had grown much taller than her, she simply gave each of them a firm slap on the back instead.
A tragic ending?
Not for her.
She refused to accept it.
Without another word, Chinatsu prepared to head toward Ryūchi Cave, the final of the Three Great Sage Lands.
Before leaving, however, she noticed the shattered door lying on the floor.
"...Who kicked this?"
She slowly turned toward Naruto and Sasuke.
Naruto immediately pointed at Sasuke without the slightest hesitation.
"Definitely him."
Sasuke stared at him in disbelief.
"You're unbelievable."
Naruto shrugged innocently.
"I was thinking about kicking it too... but you were faster."
"..."
Sasuke looked at Naruto with an expression that clearly said:
You've changed.
Naruto simply looked away and started whistling.
Chinatsu sighed helplessly.
They're already eighteen... yet they're still acting like children.
"Oh well."
"Time to clean up."
She clapped her hands together.
Wood Release!
Wood rapidly spread across the broken entrance, rebuilding an even sturdier door than before. Hinges, handles, locks everything was recreated perfectly.
Turning toward Fukasaku and Shima, Chinatsu bowed slightly.
"I'm sorry. My little brother was a bit too rough."
The two sages quickly waved their hands.
"It's only a door."
Chinatsu shook her head seriously.
"No. If I don't teach them now, they'll start kicking down every door they see."
Fortunately, everyone knew Naruto and Sasuke had only broken it because they were worried about her.
After saying goodbye to the two sages, Chinatsu brought Naruto and Sasuke back to the Great Toad Sage.
Just as before with the Slug Sage, she requested a Reverse Summoning Array leading to the final sacred land
Ryūchi Cave.
The Great Toad Sage looked at her quietly.
"...You're walking a road of no return."
Chinatsu blinked.
"Oh? Did you predict that too?"
"...No."
The Great Toad Sage immediately looked embarrassed.
His prophecy had become unreliable long ago.
Trying to sound mysterious only resulted in being exposed immediately.
Chinatsu smiled.
"Whether it's a road of no return isn't decided by prophecy."
"It's decided by whether I succeed."
"And I don't believe I'm walking toward defeat."
Her confidence left the Great Toad Sage speechless.
After a long silence, he sighed.
"...Very well."
He activated the Reverse Summoning Formation.
A brilliant light enveloped the three siblings.
The next moment...
They appeared inside an enormous underground cavern.
Ryūchi Cave.
The cave was pitch black.
Fortunately, darkness meant little to the three of them.
Their sensory perception was far more reliable than eyesight.
The moment Chinatsu expanded her perception...
Another immense consciousness collided with hers.
Deep inside Ryūchi Cave, the White Snake Sage suddenly opened its eyes.
"...Interesting."
It slowly lifted its enormous head.
"Tajihime."
"Ichikishimahime."
"Tagorihime."
"Go."
"We have unexpected visitors."
"Treat them with courtesy."
"But do not disgrace the dignity of Ryūchi Cave."
Three gigantic white snakes with beautiful human faces appeared before the White Snake Sage.
They were Ryūchi Cave's three Snake Princesses the highest-ranking attendants beneath the White Snake Sage itself.
Each possessed enormous Sage Chakra and was responsible for teaching Ryūchi Cave's Sage Arts.
If they deemed someone unworthy...
They would simply eat them.
After respectfully bowing, the three Snake Princesses immediately slithered toward the cave entrance.
At this moment, they still believed these visitors were merely ordinary people hoping to learn Sage Arts.
"Hehe..."
"Looks like today's meal has arrived."
Moments later...
The three Snake Princesses arrived before Chinatsu and the others.
Everyone froze.
Naruto and Sasuke's eyes widened.
"Holy crap..."
"Monsters!"
The three Snake Princesses froze just as hard.
"..."
"..."
"Holy crap..."
"Monsters!!"
Cold sweat instantly covered their bodies.
From a distance, they had only sensed powerful chakra.
Now that they were standing face-to-face...
They felt as though three ancient calamities were staring directly at them.
Meanwhile, Chinatsu's expression became equally strange.
She stared at their human heads attached to enormous snake bodies.
"...Human heads... snake bodies..."
"...Are you three trying to become Nüwa or something?"
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