"Tsunade-sensei, Orochimaru-san, you are right..." Kazuki forced a smile. "I was too impatient, sorry."
"Jiraiya told me about the prophecy of the Great Toad Sage and the child of the prophecy. On Mount Myōboku, they believe it is related to me."
Kazuki did not hide the information that Jiraiya had given him and continued frankly, "Also, I can see the stone tablet that the Sage of Six Paths left to the Uchiha clan. If war is not imminent, I would like to visit the Three Great Sage Regions and study the stone tablet…"
"Of course, if the situation on the battlefield changes, I will return immediately."
Tsunade and Orochimaru had looks of relief on their faces.
The child of prophecy, the prophecy of the Great Toad Sage, and an ancient broken stone tablet? Jiraiya had spent his entire life researching that without any results. Even if Kazuki was talented, there was no way he could decipher something that was an illusory fantasy...
But, precisely for that reason, a project so meaningless and devoid of intellectual content was ideal for someone like Kazuki, whose mind was always on the edge.
"Leave it to me, Kazuki. You've already shouldered too many responsibilities for the village."
Tsunade's eyes were determined as she placed both hands on Kazuki's shoulders and stared at him. "Get some rest. Konoha doesn't rely on just one person, you have me… you have all of us."
Orochimaru nodded and in an unusually considerate tone added, "Kazuki, I will request temporary control of the Tobirama series weapons. If it becomes necessary to use them, I will leave detailed records. That way, if the enemy attacks, I will be able to organize an effective defense, and you can concentrate on clearing your mind without worrying about the battlefield."
Kazuki couldn't help but laugh inside at their words.
Even though Tsunade and Orochimaru tried to hide it, when he mentioned the prophecy, Jiraiya, and Mount Myōboku, they both seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. It was a crucial matter for the peace of the shinobi world, but they were treating it as if Kazuki was just going to waste his time on a worthless activity.
"I leave it to you, Tsunade-sensei." Kazuki gently took her hand, and for the first time, his smile showed a hint of weariness. It was no longer the perfectly warm expression it had always been.
Tsunade kept an impassive expression and just smiled back.
But the system notification showed that Tsunade is more affected by Kazuki's action than she let on.
[From the target Tsunade: You obtain the Ninja Art Creation Rebirth — Strength of a Hundred Technique!]
But Kazuki did not continue the interaction. As soon as he heard the sound of gold coins clinking, he turned and addressed Orochimaru: "The Root shinobi are temporarily under your charge, Orochimaru. Treat them with care."
Orochimaru smiled. "Don't worry, Kazuki…"
He took out a scroll and handed it to Kazuki.
"This is the summoning scroll for Ryūchi Cave. But be careful, the snakes there are temperamental and somewhat rude."
Tsunade, without a second thought, also summoned the Shikkotsu Forest summoning scroll and placed it in Kazuki's arms.
"Kazuki, you can visit Shikkotsu Forest first, Katsuyu is quite accessible."
Kazuki sighed and, with both scrolls in his arms, left the camp.
"Tsunade-sensei, Orochimaru, I leave Konoha in your care…" Before leaving, Kazuki turned around and waved his hand with some concern. "If there are any problems, let me know immediately."
Tsunade and Orochimaru nodded as they watched his silhouette walk away until he disappeared from their sight.
"Tsunade, as a sensei, your attitude is not correct." Orochimaru looked at her mockingly. "You should be more realistic. Otherwise, you'll only be setting yourself up for disappointment."
Tsunade may have tried to hide her emotions, but Orochimaru could easily tell, and even though he saw her feelings, he couldn't help but give her a reminder.
For Orochimaru, Kazuki was the key to immortality. Not even his friendship with Tsunade would change that. Even if it meant taking on the entire world.
"What do you know, Orochimaru?" Tsunade waved her hand and said coldly, "No one knows Kazuki better than me."
"You better worry about yourself. Sometimes, the way you look at Kazuki bothers me… He's my apprentice, remember that."
Orochimaru felt a slight amazement inside him.
Even Tsunade, despite her carefree attitude, could sense something unusual…
...
"Understood, thank you." Kazuki stroked the small white snake that had emerged from the Ryūchi Cave scroll. It was a messenger sent by Orochimaru to convey information to him.
The message contained details about his experience at Ryuchi Cave... not exactly pleasant memories.
In his message, Orochimaru mentioned that Ryūchi Cave was a sanctuary where the law of the strongest reigned. Those who came there were power fanatics, and it was not worth treating these snakes too kindly. Although he himself showed them some respect on the surface, in reality he considered them nothing more than beasts.
There was something strange about his writing, as if he had once suffered humiliation in that place.
"Kazuki, shall we go to Ryūchi Cave first? Perhaps Shikkotsu Forest would be a better option. According to Orochimaru, those snakes aren't exactly easy to deal with…" Tobirama suggested.
"Although Ryūchi Cave is closer, I think it would be best to start from a wise region where we can communicate more easily."
It should be noted that the so-called Three Great Wise Regions exist within the shinobi world itself, only they were protected by illusions and barriers, making it difficult to find them.
The scrolls Kazuki held in his hands did not allow him to establish a contract with the wise regions without the approval of their guardians. Their function was more that of a simple map.
"Why do you say that, Tobirama?" Kazuki asked with a smile as he put the scroll away. He spoke calmly, "Those who love violence are usually the easiest to deal with. In the end, it all comes down to one simple rule: the strongest imposes their will."
"Although Ryūchi Cave is a wise region, the fact that it accepts outsiders through contracts indicates that there is a method to enter. And, according to Orochimaru, that proof is strength."
He paused before adding matter-of-factly, "I don't consider myself invincible, but I doubt mere snakes could defeat me. What do you think, Tobirama?"
Tobirama sighed and rubbed his forehead, feeling a slight headache coming on as he looked at Kazuki's anxious expression, clearly impatient for a fight. This was supposed to be a relaxing trip!
"Kazuki, keep in mind that this is a wise region. It would be best to show some respect…" Tobirama said, resigned, as he shook his head. "Just… don't be too extreme. I have a feeling you'll end up using some large-scale ninjutsu to blow Ryūchi Cave into the air…"
"I'll try, Tobirama," Kazuki said, arching an eyebrow. "Don't you know that I always treat others with kindness? Even if they are snakes, I will use the Will of Fire to appease their violent hearts."
Tobirama took a deep breath. The Will of Fire or the honor of the Uchiha Clan. Whenever Kazuki mentioned some of those phrases, it meant he was about to beat someone up or brainwash them.
Tobirama was beginning to seriously worry about the future of Ryūchi Cave.
From his point of view, no matter how powerful the Great White Serpent was, if it angered Kazuki, Ryūchi Cave would soon be sent flying into the air.
Leaving aside the matters regarding the Ryuchi Cave, Tobirama felt that dealing with the problem in Kazuki's body was the most critical.
Tobirama was thinking of his next plan in his mind: 'The first thing is to have Kazuki touch the threshold of Sage Mode and use that training to stabilize his mind. Ideally, he would be able to suppress the chakra of that ancient Uchiha inside him with this new power...'
'As for the Uchiha stone tablet, those kinds of inscriptions about ancient shinobi doctrines don't have much value. It's best to leave them aside for now.'
Meanwhile Kazuki was advancing quickly towards Ryuchi Cave.
Thanks to his powerful dojutsu and his keen perception, together with the map provided by Orochimaru, he was able to advance without encountering obstacles. Neither barriers nor genjutsu stopped him, and thus, without interruptions, he arrived at the entrance to the Ryuchi cave.
However, what he saw took him by surprise.
Ryuchi Cave was not, as its name suggested, a dark and mysterious cave. Instead, what stood before him was an imposing pavilion, its appearance brimming with life and sophistication.
"Not bad at all, Tobirama," Kazuki commented, looking at the entrance carefully. "It looks quite like one of those grand taverns in the capital of the Land of Fire, don't you think?"
Tobirama nodded slightly, his eyes narrowing. "Are they trying to imitate humans…"
Kazuki smiled lightly and reached out to push open the doors of the pavilion. "Then let's go in and find out for ourselves, Tobirama."
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