After Takeshi unleashed his Ice Release, he was immediately sensed by the White Snake Sage.
"Sigh."
The White Snake Sage, in her true form, let out a soft sigh. With a sweep of her enormous tail, powerful natural energy burst forth, forming an invisible barrier that stopped the advance of the ice flow.
"Tagitsuhime, go and bring that honored guest inside."
At her words, Tagitsuhime, who stood behind her, nodded and waved her hand. The thick layer of ice shattered, and she flew outward.
The overwhelming surge of natural energy released by the White Snake Sage was sensed by Takeshi. He could tell that it was her doing, so he led Uchiha Hikari in her direction.
It didn't take long before Takeshi and Tagitsuhime met face-to-face.
"Fire Style: Dragon Flame..."
Uchiha Hikari had no intention of exchanging pleasantries. She had always felt a natural disgust toward the creatures of Ryūchi Cave, and was about to launch her Fire Release.
"Please, wait! I am Tagitsuhime. By order of the White Snake Sage, I've come to welcome you both. I mean no harm."
Tagitsuhime stood her ground and quickly explained her purpose.
Takeshi raised a hand to stop Uchiha Hikari. With a faint, teasing smile, he looked at Tagitsuhime and said,
"Is this how Ryūchi Cave treats its guests? By serving them that kind of thing to eat?"
"You misunderstand," Tagitsuhime replied, shaking her head. "What you saw earlier was merely a test—to measure the strength of those who visit us. You have already demonstrated remarkable power, so the test naturally ends here."
"Is that so? You're not going to suddenly lunge out and bite me, are you?"
Takeshi's expression didn't change, his tone still rather unfriendly.
"Of course not," Tagitsuhime said, shaking her head even faster.
At first, that had indeed been her intention. After all, in all these years, Ryūchi Cave had never once taken the initiative to welcome a human ninja.
So naturally, she and the other two attendants of the White Snake Sage had planned to test Takeshi's strength. The White Snake Sage herself was also curious—she wanted to see for herself what kind of power this man possessed.
Though there were countless rumors about him, rumors were still just rumors. Some things could only be judged by one's own eyes.
And without even using natural energy, Takeshi had already proven his worth through sheer strength alone.
"Lead the way."
Acknowledging Tagitsuhime's explanation, Takeshi gestured for her to go ahead.
This time, nothing unexpected happened. Soon, Takeshi stood before an old woman sitting leisurely with a pipe in her mouth.
"So you're Shimura Takeshi. Welcome to Ryūchi Cave," said the White Snake Sage, squinting her eyes as she greeted him warmly.
"Yeah."
Takeshi accepted her greeting without hesitation. Watching from behind the White Snake Sage, the three serpent maidens shivered slightly.
Did this man even understand who he was facing?
That was a being who had lived for over a thousand years—a true Great Sage!
If Uchiha Hikari could read minds, she would have scoffed and said,
"A thousand years? That's about how long I've lived too."
"I already know your purpose," the White Snake Sage said, puffing on her pipe. "You wish to unite the three great sacred grounds' Senjutsu to resist the coming of the Ōtsutsuki. To be honest, that plan is both useful... and useless."
Her words were cryptic, but Takeshi understood her meaning.
"Yes. When the Ōtsutsuki descended, even the three sacred grounds couldn't stop them. For us humans to resist them... the odds are slim."
Those words clearly struck a chord. Takeshi noticed a subtle shift in her expression and continued,
"But you have no other choice. Isshiki isn't dead. Kaguya is waiting for resurrection. The Ōtsutsuki beyond this world are still an immense threat. The days of the three sacred grounds living comfortably are over. You must set aside your pride, because once another Ōtsutsuki arrives, you'll lose the last of your peace—and the entire shinobi world will be destroyed."
With that, Takeshi laid bare the current reality facing the sacred grounds.
After Kaguya was sealed, thanks to the Sage of Six Paths, the three great sanctuaries had enjoyed a period of calm.
But things were different now. The Sage was gone, and his descendants fought endlessly among themselves, unable to face new dangers. If she wished to preserve her peace, the White Snake Sage had no choice but to contribute to the fight against the Ōtsutsuki.
That was precisely why she had taken the initiative to make contact with Takeshi.
"You're far wiser than the rumors suggest," she said at last.
Though Ryūchi Cave rarely interacted with the outside world, the White Snake Sage had always made it a point to stay informed about the affairs of the shinobi world. She was the only one among the three great sages who truly recognized how much the world had changed.
"There's still plenty of time," she said, taking another puff from her pipe. "Let this old woman tell you—and that girl with the Mangekyō Sharingan behind you—a story from a thousand years ago."
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