Orochimaru's arrival had been abrupt, and his demands were anything but modest.
Who could say what other schemes were brewing in his mind?
But to Hyuga Soushu, none of it really mattered. After all, Orochimaru would never truly earn his trust. The so-called laboratory would inevitably be sabotaged at every stage, ensuring full control throughout the process. Even though they nominally provided annual funding worth three billion ryō coins, every purchase channel, equipment use, and final approval would be handled by trusted servant ninja personally assigned for supervision.
Therefore, in Hyuga Soushu's eyes, a self-satisfied Orochimaru was nothing more than a research tool—no matter how talented he was, eventually he would still be completely used up and discarded by those specially embedded Uzumaki ninja.
After reaching the verbal investment agreement, Orochimaru didn't linger. He immediately announced his intention to return to the village to handle the relocation of the lab. Soushu naturally offered assistance.
But Orochimaru politely declined, explaining that some experimental specimens were too special and inconvenient to display publicly, so Soushu no longer insisted.
Privately, he decided that once the lab was completed, he would add an extra layer of surveillance—Hyuga clan elite Byakugan users—to supplement the existing Uzumaki ninja oversight system. They would keep 24/7 eyes on Orochimaru, watching his every step until even the smallest movement couldn't escape notice.
Moreover, the better the lab became and the more effort Orochimaru poured into it, the harder it would be for him to walk away from such a comfortable environment. And once he started giving in just a little, he'd slowly find himself tied down without even realizing it.
Deep within the ominous underground caves of the Nine Netherworlds, the Great Toad Sage's clone slowly advanced through the tunnels, guided by Tamayu, one of Ryuchi Cave's Three Sacred Priestesses.
Wherever they looked, the cave walls on all sides seemed covered endlessly with snakes. These creatures packed tightly together, forming an image both horrifying and breathtaking. Occasionally, the snakes flicked out their thin, elongated tongues, producing faint "hissing" sounds that rose and fell like a chilling natural symphony echoing around them. The air carried an almost indescribable terror and suffocating oppression.
In addition, the cave was scattered with remnants of snakes devouring each other—gruesome scenes everywhere. The stench permeating the atmosphere grew so thick it nearly solidified into poison mist, making breathing nearly impossible. Amidst this chaotic environment, only the unique fragrance emitting from Tamayu pierced through this overwhelming foulness like a clear stream, yet carried a subtle sense of unease and irritation.
This was Ryuchi Cave—the most terrifying and blood-soaked among the Three Holy Places.
Naturally, the Great Toad Sage's avatar ignored all this, maintaining an unperturbed expression while following Tamayu through the seemingly endless cave tunnels until finally arriving before an ancient temple.
The temple gates had already opened. The other two priestess attendants stood on either side, reluctantly bowing respectfully toward the Great Toad Sage's clone.
Without acknowledging these junior successors, the Great Toad Sage directly stepped through the open gate into the dark depths shrouded by green mist.
Beyond the temple gates, the view suddenly opened up to reveal a vast sanctum. At its forefront stood an enormous stone-carved dragon head. Hanging within the dragon's mouth was a scroll marked with the words "Ryuchi Cave." Below it sat an equally colossal white serpent, smoking a pipe.
"White Snake Sage Master, it's been quite some time."
The Senior Toad Sage Clone bowed respectfully.
It was only a clone of the Great Sage, and since it had come here intentionally to visit, greeting the true form of the White Snake Sage Master in person didn't feel beneath its dignity.
"It really has been many years indeed, Gamamaru!"
The giant white snake beneath the dragon head exhaled clouds of smoke, its voice echoing warmly like that of a kind old woman throughout the vast temple hall.
But to the Senior Toad Sage Clone—who knew the White Snake Sage's personality well—this apparent kindness was nothing more than a façade. Everyone knew how terrifying Ryuchi Cave could be, precisely because the White Snake Sage had always possessed an inherently cruel nature.
"I've come uninvited this time, but I suppose you already know why."
The Senior Toad Sage Clone said calmly, "I can no longer foresee the future. Surely your mastery over past knowledge has also encountered interference."
"Hehehe!"
The White Snake Sage expressed slight surprise at the frankness of this stinky toad. After puffing out more smoke, he snorted, "What? You're losing your edge now and came just to test me?"
"That's not the case at all. I simply hope we can unite our efforts to restore balance."
The Senior Toad Sage Clone kept his cool, speaking with genuine sincerity, "If things keep going like this, the Holy Place might end up being used as a source of servants by someone else."
"Who would dare!"
The White Snake Sage scoffed dismissively.
"The Ninja Toads of Mount Myoboku can barely continue carrying the burden of advancing the Ninja World forward. If we allow Hamura's lineage to take over the Ninja World, our own fates won't turn out much better either."
The Senior Toad Sage Clone continued, "I think you haven't forgotten what happened when the God Tree descended upon us—how those ancient beings, even stronger than Ryuchi Cave and Mount Myoboku, were wiped out entirely."
"Nonsense!"
The White Snake Sage still argued back, though now his voice lacked its earlier certainty.
Before Kaguya arrived and planted the God Tree, when the world was yet unnamed as the Ninja World, countless spirits, gods, and demons roamed the lands. Among them, [Takamagahara], which means "High Plain of Heaven," reigned supreme, boasting eight million gods and standing as one of the rulers of the world.
But once Kaguya—unknown to all until then—planted the God Tree, everything that seemed solid crumbled away.
The so-called gods were powerless before the God Tree, devoured entirely as nourishment. The demons and monsters were hunted down by the White Zetsu soldiers until none remained. As for those otherworldly powers even stronger than Ryuchi Cave and Mount Myoboku, they gradually faded into oblivion through endless warfare.
In truth, Kaguya's arrival shattered the very foundation of the world. Later, it was her descendants who established the Ninjutsu Sect, ushering in the age of ninjas.
"We mustn't ignore the lessons of history."
The Senior Toad Sage Clone voiced its opinion, "If someone as powerful as a reincarnation of Indra were to appear again in the Ninja World, but without the restraint of Asura's counterpart, then the Holy Places would be in grave danger!"
"The reincarnations of Indra and Asura always manifest together. It's impossible for there to exist one without checks and balances!"
White Snake Sage hissed sharply with its tongue flickering, "Moreover, Hagoromo won't simply allow His offspring to destroy the Ninja World!"
"But the Hyuga Clan isn't directly descended from Hagoromo."
Shaking its head, the Senior Toad Sage Clone added, "Also, there's still That One on the moon."
It didn't continue speaking, but the White Snake Sage understood its meaning.
"Hisss!"
The White Snake Sage's tongue moved rapidly in and out, creating ripples similar to water waves throughout the air.
This was the White Snake Sage attempting to probe into events that had already transpired.
However, even with the Senior Toad Sage Clone's warning, just like not long ago, the White Snake Sage could not detect any useful information.
It was like searching for a ship that had completely changed course—you'd never find it by following the old path.
"Hissss!"
The White Snake Sage's tongue moved even faster, accompanied by terrifying sonic booms.
"There's no need to waste your energy," said the Senior Toad Sage Clone. "Whether past or future, neither is within our control anymore."
"What about Tsuande of Shikkotsu Forest, who controls the present?!"
The White Snake Sage's voice turned sharp and bitter, no longer kind or friendly—"What exactly has become of that lazy slug?"
"I don't know. She refuses to let me enter her own Nest."
Shaking its head helplessly, the Senior Toad Sage Clone replied, "And given her personality, unless something greatly interests her, she won't show up personally."
"The Ninja World can't even handle such giants anymore!"
The White Snake Sage's tone was full of resentment.
Not seeing his enemy suffer was worse than even losing the power to see the past!
"Besides, sooner or later, our hiding places will inevitably be exposed," stated the Senior Toad Sage Clone calmly.
Deep inside, it already knew—this stubborn White Snake Sage had essentially been convinced, though still haggling for better terms to gain additional benefits.
"There are countless billions of snakes in Ryuchi Cave; mere ninja cannot resist us! If Hagoromo hadn't been secretly watching us, the entire Ninja World would have already become our pasture long ago!"
The White Snake Sage began to boast.
"And how many explosive tags do ninja possess? What if we raise the number to ten trillion?" countered the Senior Toad Sage Clone threateningly. "The Ninja Force has fought against Mount Myoboku numerous times—they're no longer wandering bands of warriors from the Warring States era!"
"If properly arrayed and well-supplied, three thousand elite ninja forces might defeat ten thousand descendants from the Holy Places!"
"But Ryuchi Cave possesses countless billions of snakes!"
Still unwilling to concede, the White Snake Sage retorted stubbornly.
But deep down, it actually understood that Ryuchi Cave's strength wasn't as formidable as it claimed.
If they truly had the power to conquer the Ninja World, it wouldn't have remained hidden beneath the Nine Netherworlds all this time. For many years now, Ryuchi Cave had been longing for the lands bathed in sunlight above the Ninja World!
"Of course, with Ryuchi Cave's strength, there might still be a chance of conquering the Ninja World."
The Senior Toad Sage Clone naturally wouldn't directly oppose the White Snake Sage's strategic defense: "However, if Ryuchi Cave emerges victorious but suffers heavy losses, wouldn't that just dress up my Mount Myoboku for free?"
"You old fellow actually made a decent point!"
The White Snake Sage immediately took advantage of the opportunity to gracefully concede.
"Therefore, combining forces is ultimately beneficial. After sharing the risks, we can better balance the future direction of the Ninja World."
The Senior Toad Sage Clone spoke even more sincerely.
"I'll consider it!"
The White Snake Sage then issued a polite dismissal: "Next time, I will send my clone to Mount Myoboku to see things for myself!"
"If Mount Myoboku doesn't possess sufficient strength, it won't deserve an alliance with Ryuchi Cave!"
"That's true enough."
The Senior Toad Sage Clone didn't grow angry, simply nodded instead, clasped his hands together, and said: "Then I shall return to Mount Myoboku first and await your honorable arrival, White Snake Sage!"
After saying this, he turned into a puff of smoke and disappeared instantly.
"Tamayu! Come in!"
Immediately after the Senior Toad Sage Clone departed, the White Snake Sage eagerly called out.
"Master!"
Tamayu appeared instantly using Body Flicker technique, kneeling on one knee before the White Snake Sage.
"When Orochimaru pays a visit, I want to meet with him!"
The White Snake Sage instructed.
"At once!"
Tamayu wasted no time and complied immediately.
Lately, Jiraiya had been enjoying great success while traveling across the western regions of the former Land of Fire.
Though his earlier mission to the Land of Water came up empty, afterward while gathering intelligence, he unexpectedly uncovered a potentially useful group—the bitter Ronin Samurai.
Though each Ronin bore tainted reputations, their intense hatred toward the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation was undeniable.
Though unreliable, these leaderless Ronin, though fallen on hard times, still possessed surprising skills, capable of uncovering unknown information.
Therefore, Jiraiya generously spent money lavishly in taverns, soon assembling a loosely connected group totaling two hundred individuals, giving them a powerful-sounding name—"Dawn"!
Moreover, thanks to the Uchiha ninja's carelessness, despite openly establishing an organization clearly detrimental to ninja clan rule, no one intervened. Even the tavern owner followed suit and joined the group enthusiastically.
"A force rising from the very bottom of the Ninja World will surely crush the arrogant and tyrannical rule of the high-and-mighty ninja clans!"
This rare success intoxicated Jiraiya.
Everything went far too smoothly!
Even after initially sorting out the structure of the Dawn, Jiraiya still found it hard to believe he had succeeded so quickly.
In the following days, Jiraiya continued using the same method, recruiting disillusioned ronins across the western districts and setting up a series of branch offices, thereby obtaining an enormous amount of intelligence.
However, just as he was preparing to push forward and expand the Dawn into central regions, he suddenly received another summons from Mount Myoboku.
The messenger frog informed him that Great Sage requested his immediate presence at Mount Myoboku.
Without delay, Jiraiya returned to his secret room and vanished instantly under the reverse summoning technique of Elder Fukasaku.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru, who was happily packing his bags in Konoha, also felt a mysterious call. However, upon identifying it as a reverse summoning from Tamayu of Ryuchi Cave, Orochimaru chose to ignore it.
After all, ever since he signed the summoning contract with Ryuchi Cave, because he couldn't inherit their sage techniques, he had been regarded by White Snake Sage as discarded. Proud as he was, Orochimaru had no intention of going back just to keep getting the cold shoulder.
"Damn it!"
Upon realizing that Orochimaru had ignored the summons, Tamayu deep within Ryuchi Cave immediately exploded with rage.
Yet, bound by the fact that White Snake Sage wanted to see Orochimaru, there was nothing she could do but suppress her anger and send out another reverse summoning signal.
But even then, Orochimaru continued to ignore the summons.
Helplessly, Tamayu turned to Manda, who still maintained decent relations with Orochimaru, ordering him to bring Orochimaru to Ryuchi Cave.
"I don't know if I can get that guy to come either!"
Manda, usually fearsome, muttered under his breath as he awkwardly cast the reverse summoning—acting meek as a worm in front of Tamayu.
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