In the southern part of the Land of Fire, within a secluded and deep forest.
A gust of swift wind swept through the trees, disappearing into the depths of the forest, stirring up fallen leaves—it was two figures moving with ghostly speed.
"Orochimaru, are you nervous?"
"I'm alright, Master."
Shin'yu glanced at his disciple behind him, saying lightly, "But your breathing is heavy."
Orochimaru swallowed, shrinking his neck helplessly, "Alright, I am a bit nervous."
"With me here, there's nothing to fear," Shin'yu said calmly.
"I naturally trust in Master's strength, but I'm just worried…" Orochimaru hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Just worried that I won't be able to learn Sage Art smoothly and embarrass you."
"That's not something to be ashamed of," Shin'yu said nonchalantly, "Cultivating Sage Art depends on physique and comprehension. I believe in your talent. If your physique isn't up to par, then use the methods you're best at to modify your body."
"Alright!" Orochimaru nodded emphatically, the nervousness in his eyes disappearing, replaced by eagerness, "I'm increasingly looking forward to this trip to the sacred land. I just wonder when we'll reach Ryuchi Cave."
At this moment, a third voice floated in the wind, low and rough:
"Don't be so impatient, kid. Ryuchi Cave is our White Snake Sage's dojo, a place of inheritance on par with Mount Myoboku and Shikkotsu Forest. If mortals want to find a sacred land, it's as difficult as ascending to heaven without guidance."
Shin'yu glanced at the small red snake coiled around his shoulder, his expressionless face saying, "It would definitely be faster if we just flew there."
"No, no, no," Shin'ya shook his head like a rattle-drum, "I'll lose my sense of security in the air and won't be able to guide you properly."
"Is it really the nature of snakes?" Shin'yu chuckled.
Orochimaru, who was moving forward, clenched his fists silently, the light in his snake-like eyes growing brighter. He reached out and grabbed a tree branch in front of him, swinging up like an ape, keeping close behind Shin'yu with the sound of the whistling wind.
Last night, thanks to Shin'yu's Complete Body Susanoo, they flew directly out of Rain Country, crossed over the Land of Fire, and arrived smoothly at the Land of Whirlpools in less than half an hour, landing steadily outside the Hidden Whirlpool Village.
This dreamlike flying speed stunned everyone.
Uzumaki Haruna was so surprised that she couldn't close her mouth, and Fuso and her husband's legs were weak when they landed. They looked at each other in disbelief, embracing each other with tears in their eyes.
The journey home that they had been longing for so many years was easily accomplished with the help of that man.
Compared to them, Nagato was much calmer. Although he was only two years old, he didn't show much fear. Instead, his round eyes were full of curiosity.
Everyone sensed Shin'yu's Susanoo from afar. After all, the terrifying Chakra fluctuations like mountains and seas could not be ignored even without Kagura Mind's Eye.
Therefore, the entrance of Whirlpool Tide Village was already full of people, welcoming their arrival.
Returning to their homeland inevitably involved a welcoming reception, especially for the Uzumaki Clan, who valued emotions.
To celebrate the successful return of the clansmen and to express their gratitude to Shin'yu and the others, the Uzumaki Clan held a unique banquet that night, with clinking glasses, messy dishes, and a joyful atmosphere.
Shin'yu had predicted correctly that Ko and Nen, the two decisive Uchiha, had successfully brought back the Uzumaki clansmen imprisoned in the Land of Water in the morning. Instead, the two were puzzled by Shin'yu's "delay."
In response, Shin'yu just smiled and waved his hand, showing them the small snake on his shoulder.
Faced with three pairs of scarlet and bright Mangekyo Sharingan and the red-haired Uzumaki everywhere, Shin'ya couldn't help but shiver, not daring to say a word. The once arrogant snake was long gone.
But…
There was still one person here who allowed Shin'ya to show his majesty without any scruples.
"Kid, the Trial of Ryuchi Cave is very difficult. It's not just the Trial itself; only those who are sincerely seeking can meet the White Snake Sage!"
"Ah, yes, yes, yes," Orochimaru said perfunctorily.
"Hmph, don't you dare not take me seriously. If you pass the Trial, this lord will also gain some face!"
"Ah, right, right, right."
Shin'ya frantically flicked its tongue, baring its fangs as it said, "You... Ugh, forget it. To ensure you pass the Trial smoothly, this lord will make an exception and reveal some information to you."
"Please, do tell."
"Hmph! First is 'sincerity.' Only with that can you find Ryuchi Cave, but with this lord leading the way, that point is irrelevant."
Shin'ya tried hard to recall, then slowly said, "For those who come to train, the White Snake Sage will send Tagorihime, Ichikishimahime, and Tagorihime to set up three Trials respectively, to conduct a comprehensive Trial of the target. Only by passing all three Trials can you see the true form of the White Snake Sage."
"Tagorihime, Ichikishimahime..." Orochimaru nodded, silently memorizing these names in his heart.
"They, like this lord, are considered high-level figures in Ryuchi Cave, mainly responsible for screening those who enter the Ryuchi Cave Trial. If they fail midway, they will directly devour them..."
Speaking of this, Shin'ya subconsciously raised its head, glanced at Shin'yu, who hadn't said a word, and silently swallowed the second half of its sentence.
Orochimaru asked softly, "After passing the Trial, will I be able to cultivate Sage Art by the White Snake Sage's side?"
"Dream on. The truth of the matter is that after passing the Trial, that's when the real life-and-death crisis begins!"
"Cultivating Sage Art itself is an extremely dangerous thing. Natural Energy is not so easy to control!" Shin'ya snorted.
"Moreover, our Ryuchi Cave Sage Art is different from other sacred grounds. There is no so-called gradual progress. That process is quite overbearing. The White Snake Sage will use her fangs to directly inject Natural Energy into your body. Only if you withstand it will she teach you how to control Sage Mode. If you fail..."
It glanced at Shin'yu again and muttered, "You will turn into a monster that is neither human nor snake and be thrown into the dark Snake Pool..."
"Interesting." Shin'yu smiled slightly. "I've long heard that only power-seeking lunatics come to Ryuchi Cave. It seems we've become lunatics too."
Shin'ya didn't speak. Facing a ruthless person who could directly dismantle Ryuchi Cave, it could only silently complain in its heart:
"You're different. You're just a monster."
As the two ran forward, the fog in the forest grew thicker, and before they knew it, it was already a hazy gray.
By the time Orochimaru reacted, the visibility had dropped to the extreme. He could barely make out Shin'yu's back.
He swallowed and silently followed more closely.
After continuing for a while, the surrounding forest shadows were indistinguishable. Orochimaru couldn't help but look back, even the road they had come from had merged into the darkness.
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