Kiyoshi's senses were now exceptionally sharp; his ears and eyes were attuned to the slightest changes in his surroundings. He quickly packed his things and followed Tetsu and Natsu out.
"But... Natsu, you were just treated. Is it really alright to move?" Tetsu asked.
"It's fine," Natsu replied, her expression perfectly composed.
It was as if she had never just spent time with Kiyoshi exploring the experimental fusion of Uchiha and Hyuga traits—or whether such a union could yield the so-called "All-Encompassing Nature."
Kiyoshi couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. 'Truly, women are born actors.' Even someone as simple as Natsu had intuitively mastered the art of deception. The three of them reached the entrance of the outpost, where Orochimaru had been waiting for some time.
The sun rose and set, and the white clouds drifted aimlessly through the sky. The only constant was the lonely atmosphere of the forest. Perhaps due to the ongoing war, the wild beasts had instinctively fled to more remote, uninhabited areas.
The squad took a break under the shade of a massive ancient tree. Because enemy ninjas were known to infiltrate this region, everyone was cautious and refrained from lighting fires to cook. Instead, they swallowed dry, coarse rations washed down with water from their canteens.
"Hiss~"
A small head poked out from Kiyoshi's cloak. He broke off a piece of his ration and fed it to the white snake.
"Lord Orochimaru, I've heard there's a place called Ryuchi Cave. It's said that the inhabitants there can use the power of a Sage," Kiyoshi said, playing with the snake as if asking a casual question.
"So, you've learned of Ryuchi Cave," Orochimaru replied, his golden slit pupils fixed on Kiyoshi.
The existence of the Three Great Sage Regions was both mysterious and well-known, depending on who you asked. Jiraiya frequently referred to himself as the "Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku." Many ninjas knew that Jiraiya could enter a state called "Sage Mode."
Even Orochimaru himself had pursued such power. After accidentally discovering Jugo's clan, he was astonished to find that their entire lineage possessed a power that allowed their bodies to undergo a violent, strengthening transformation. After continuous exploration and research, he found the source of that power: Ryuchi Cave.
Unfortunately, the truth was difficult for him to accept: he lacked the aptitude to learn Sage Mode. His failed attempt at cultivation had cost him dearly, though he did obtain a summoning beast named Manda. He had even summoned Manda during his battle with Hanzo.
"I learned of it by chance," Kiyoshi said.
Orochimaru was not one for gatekeeping. If Kiyoshi proved himself exceptional, Orochimaru might want to see if the boy could succeed where he had failed. The inability to use Sage Mode was a lingering sore point for him. In the *Boruto* era, he would eventually use various "vessels" and superior genes to create numerous clones, eventually producing Mitsuki, who could enter a perfect Sage Mode.
"Once this is over, if there is an opportunity, I can take you there to see it, Kiyoshi-kun," Orochimaru said with a hint of amusement. He didn't agree or refuse; he kept it ambiguous.
Kiyoshi's expression didn't change. The fact that he wasn't immediately rejected meant there was hope. Moreover, he only wanted to plant the seed in Orochimaru's mind that he was interested in Sage Mode.
The Sage Art training at Ryuchi Cave was far more aggressive than that of Mount Myoboku; there was only one chance. The White Snake Sage would inject natural energy into a ninja using its fangs. If they survived the influx, they succeeded; if not, they would transform into a snake and be devoured by the Sage.
Orochimaru's true form was the Great White Snake. Whether this was a result of his failed Sage Art training, a side effect of too many experiments on himself, or a transformation that occurred later remained unknown.
The others listened to the conversation between Kiyoshi and Orochimaru with a sense of awe, feeling that the topics were incredibly profound.
"Someone is approaching... it's a very massive... amount of chakra," Natsu Hyuga suddenly spoke up. She was crouched at the base of a tree, veins bulging at her temples as she activated her Byakugan. Her white eyes were filled with confusion.
In her vision, the meridian system of a woman approaching from the distance was erupting with ghostly blue chakra. It surged from her navel like flowing flames, circulating through her pathways again and again.
"This chakra..." Orochimaru's expression became much more serious. This wasn't chakra a normal ninja could possess; it was akin to a monster like the Nine-Tails. Orochimaru, who was well-versed in ancient texts and had the experience of the Second Great Ninja War, knew that every major village possessed a "Weapon of War."
"Good luck today," Yugito Nii said, standing condescendingly atop a tree canopy, looking down at the group. Her gaze finally locked onto Kiyoshi. Before coming, the village had provided her with a portrait of him.
'I have to say, it's surprising that the Cloud Village can produce such a refined woman,' Kiyoshi thought. The men there weren't exactly known for their looks—they were either rugged brutes or tan-skinned warriors. It was a mystery how they cultivated a kunoichi like this.
"She is quite something," Kiyoshi noted. If Samui was a cold, distant beauty, then Yugito Nii was an arrogant, queen-like beauty. Her beige-colored braid draped down to her waist, framing a deep, three-dimensional face full of exotic charm.
"Hmm?" Yugito noticed Kiyoshi's gaze. The heat in his eyes made her extremely uncomfortable. He was shamelessly scanning her up and down. 'Doesn't this guy know what manners are?' Her impression of Kiyoshi dropped several points. 'Indeed, that evil Uchiha blood must have corrupted him!'
"Orochimaru of the Sannin?"
"It's definitely him. That pale skin and those snake-like eyes!"
"What are you afraid of? Lady Yugito is on our side!"
The Cloud squad behind Yugito whispered among themselves until a Cloud Jonin interrupted their discouraged chatter. The Sannin were famous, yes, but they weren't necessarily more powerful than a Tailed Beast!
"Everyone, be careful," Kiyoshi said to Kurenai and the others. The damage from a real-world [Tailed Beast Bomb] was not the nerfed version seen in a mental space. One shot could likely level this entire mountain. This was a large-scale destructive technique that most Jonin could never hope to achieve in their entire lives.
"Enough talk."
Yugito's beige braid slowly began to unfurl, and her fingernails grew sharp and long, reaching dozens of centimeters. She crouched on the tree canopy like a cat before lunging downward with explosive force.
Orochimaru extended his hand, and numerous brown venomous snakes shot out from his sleeve.
[Hidden Shadow Snake Hands]!
A swarm of snakes with bared fangs lunged at Yugito. With a graceful swipe, she decapitated them. *Thud, thud, thud...* A series of snake heads hit the ground. Behind her, the Cloud ninjas also began their assault.