Kitazawa had barely accepted the system mission when he heard a dense chorus of tiny sounds.
Snakes slithering.
He and Uchiha Sasuke were already surrounded by a black sea of snakes.
Kitazawa immediately activated the Byakugan.
Very quickly, he spotted the Three Great Snake Princesses watching from the shadows.
The Three Great Snake Princesses were high-ranking figures of Ryūchi Cave, with status equivalent to Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima of Mount Myōboku.
They were responsible for testing anyone who tried to join Ryūchi Cave.
Only by passing their test could one meet the White Snake Sage and gain the qualification to learn Sage Mode.
If you failed, you would be eaten by them.
Literally eaten—turned into their food, swallowed straight into their bellies.
Clearly, they had mistaken Kitazawa and Sasuke for unexpected intruders—shinobi who had wandered in and were seeking to join Ryūchi Cave.
Although the three great summoning-beast sanctuaries were far from the ninja world, they were still not completely detached from it.
In the original story, Jiraiya had also stumbled into Mount Myōboku by accident.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
Sasuke formed seals without hesitation.
A massive amount of fire-natured chakra condensed into a huge fireball.
The fireball smashed into the snake swarm like a meteor plunging into the sea, blasting up endless waves.
Many venomous snakes were burned into charcoal, but even more surged toward them.
Seeing this, Sasuke immediately drew the Sword of the Thunder God.
Dazzling lightning spread in all directions, stopping most of the snakes.
Just then, the ground split open, and a gigantic python burst up from underground.
It opened its cavernous maw and snapped at Sasuke and Kitazawa.
Its enormous fangs reeked with a nauseating stench.
"Lightning Release: Chidori Blade!"
Sasuke twisted his wrist, and blinding lightning covered the blade of the Sword of the Thunder God.
He thrust straight into the python's mouth—the blade rapidly extending as it pierced through the creature's head.
Boom!
The python crashed to the ground, unable to move again.
"You little brat… you've got some decent skill."
A coquettish laugh rang out.
Three women wearing white outfits resembling shrine maiden robes appeared before them.
By appearance, one looked like a young girl, and the other two looked like young women.
But in truth, they had lived for centuries—some for over a thousand years.
"I am Tagitsuhime."
The red-haired young woman looked at Sasuke and said, "Brat, you've passed the preliminary test."
"You're talking to me?"
Sasuke frowned slightly.
He didn't like their attitude.
"Of course. You're the youngest one here."
Tagitsuhime paused, then continued, "Next, as long as you pass the tests from the three of us, you can join Ryūchi Cave."
"Don't fail, you know. Skin as soft as yours—bet you'd taste pretty good."
In her girl form, Ichikishimahime flicked out a long, snake-like tongue and licked the corner of her lips.
Sasuke instinctively tightened his grip on the Sword of the Thunder God.
Ryūchi Cave's first impression was far worse than Mount Myōboku or Shikkotsu Forest—it looked like some kind of evil lair.
"Sasuke, here."
On the spot, Kitazawa drew Sasuke a map.
His drawing skill came from the system's Super Beast Imitation Drawing.
"These are your targets."
Kitazawa pointed at five dots on the map.
The five dots represented five snakes—two of which had appeared in the original story: Garaga and Manda.
Kitazawa had just swept the area with his Byakugan.
Aside from the White Snake Sage and the Three Great Snake Princesses, these five were the strongest snakes in Ryūchi Cave.
"After you defeat them, go to the temple deeper inside Ryūchi Cave and find me," Kitazawa instructed.
"Understood, Kitazawa-sensei."
Sasuke nodded.
He put the map away and headed into one of Ryūchi Cave's tunnels.
"So you're not here to join Ryūchi Cave after all."
After hearing that exchange, the Three Great Snake Princesses' faces darkened instantly.
"Kill them!"
Ichikishimahime immediately shot toward Sasuke.
Tagorihime and Tagitsuhime charged at Kitazawa.
"Wood Release: Nativity of a World of Trees!"
Kitazawa slammed his palms together.
The ground trembled, and in the blink of an eye, a forest erupted.
Ichikishimahime, just about to reach Sasuke, halted.
From all directions, countless vines and branches coiled around her like venomous serpents.
Her heart jolted—she quickly flew upward.
"Sage Art: Inorganic Animation!"
Tagorihime pressed a hand toward the ground from midair.
A castle rose straight out of the earth, forming a barrier in front of them.
"Sage Art: Binding!"
Tagitsuhime accelerated, her body supple as a snake.
When she closed in on Kitazawa, she opened her mouth and bit at him.
Her Sage Art: Binding could immobilize the target and drag them into genjutsu.
But Kitazawa reacted even faster.
"Monster Strength!"
Kitazawa's punch slammed into Tagitsuhime.
A terrifying surge of force exploded outward—her body shuddered as she was blasted away, vomiting a string of blood in midair.
If not for her special constitution—soaked in natural energy for ages—she would've been smashed into pulp on the spot.
"Tagitsuhime!"
Tagorihime's expression changed drastically.
Kitazawa's punch—both the power and the speed—was the first of its kind she had ever seen.
In her memory, no shinobi could compare.
She instantly realized Kitazawa was anything but ordinary.
"Go inform the White Snake Sage!"
Tagorihime shouted.
The nearby snakes scattered in a panic.
Ichikishimahime abandoned Sasuke and returned to her side.
"Sage Art: Invisibility!"
They exchanged a glance and vanished simultaneously.
Kitazawa found that even the Byakugan couldn't see through their traces, so he immediately entered Sage Mode.
In the next second, Ichikishimahime and Tagorihime appeared clearly in his vision.
"Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Mode?"
Tagorihime and Ichikishimahime's pupils contracted.
Then came anger.
To them, this was blatant provocation from Shikkotsu Forest.
They opened their mouths and lunged at Kitazawa from left and right.
Kitazawa didn't move.
The moment they got close, he raised both hands.
"Sage Art: Lightning Release—Dual Chidori!"
Lightning cloaked his hands like twin blades, plunging into Tagorihime's and Ichikishimahime's bodies.
Sage Art: Invisibility immediately failed.
Both of them stared at him in disbelief.
"You… how did you find us?"
As Tagorihime spoke, blood spilled from the corner of her mouth.
Kitazawa was about to answer when his gaze sharpened.
A jet-black liquid shot toward him.
Without hesitation, he tightened his grip and hurled Tagorihime and Ichikishimahime away.
Just as they were about to collide with the liquid, an old woman appeared, caught them, and landed on the ground.
"The White Snake Sage."
Kitazawa looked at the old woman and spoke.
"You're a contractor of Shikkotsu Forest. Why are you making such a commotion in our Ryūchi Cave?"
The White Snake Sage set Tagorihime and Ichikishimahime down and asked.
"This has nothing to do with Shikkotsu Forest."
Kitazawa shook his head. "I represent Konoha."
"Konoha?"
The White Snake Sage's eyes turned thoughtful. "Then Orochimaru must have brought you here."
"Konoha wants to cooperate with Ryūchi Cave—to establish a summoning-beast corps."
Kitazawa stated his purpose.
"You're a contractor of Shikkotsu Forest. You should know the principles upheld by the Three Great Sanctuaries. This is impossible."
The White Snake Sage's voice sank.
As one of the Three Great Sanctuaries, Ryūchi Cave had always stood above the ninja villages.
They were summoning beasts, yes—but more often, they drove shinobi, rather than being driven by shinobi.
And by Kitazawa's proposal, Ryūchi Cave would gain a large number of shinobi contractors all at once.
To the White Snake Sage, that was putting the cart before the horse—Ryūchi Cave would lose the status it was meant to have.
"I heard you once met the Sage of Six Paths."
Kitazawa abruptly changed the subject.
"I did."
The White Snake Sage admitted it.
In the original story, the Great Toad Sage guided the Sage of Six Paths, leading to his falling-out with Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.
But in truth, the White Snake Sage and the Slug Sage also took part.
After all, when Kaguya arrived as an external enemy back then, she threatened the entire ninja world—including the safety of the Three Great Sanctuaries.
"I've always admired the era of the Sage of Six Paths."
Kitazawa raised a hand. "Please instruct me."
"You're courting death!"
Hearing that, the Three Great Snake Princesses immediately shouted at Kitazawa.
In all their long lives, they had never seen a shinobi dare to challenge the White Snake Sage.
"If we can't agree, you'll use force to threaten us?"
The White Snake Sage instantly understood Kitazawa's intent.
"It's just sparring."
Kitazawa said casually.
"Then I'll grant you your wish!"
The White Snake Sage already had a terrible temper—now she was completely enraged.
Boom!
A gigantic white serpent appeared.
The White Snake Sage opened her mouth, and an invisible wave of will swept outward.
"Ice Release: Ice Rock Dome of Magnificent Nothingness!"
Kitazawa formed seals.
Crack!
Countless fractures spread across the ice wall that formed.
"Wood Release: Wooden Locking Wall!"
Kitazawa reacted instantly—right as the ice wall shattered, a wooden wall rose in its place.
The wooden wall trembled nonstop, but it successfully blocked the wave of will.
Kitazawa now had a clearer estimate of the White Snake Sage's strength.
Without question: Kage-level—and among the very best at that.
Thinking about it, that was only natural.
She had lived for over a thousand years, stockpiled massive senjutsu chakra, and even possessed Sage Mode innately.
A rancid stench filled the air.
The White Snake Sage immediately spat out a jet-black liquid.
The liquid hit the wooden wall and instantly corroded it.
"Wood Release: Wood Dragon Jutsu!"
As the liquid was about to engulf him, Kitazawa formed seals—a massive wood dragon rose to block in front of him.
The liquid corroded its body, but the dragon's powerful regeneration held it back, stopping the spread.
The White Snake Sage's gaze shifted—she could tell this was troublesome.
But she had no time to think, because the wood dragon had already slammed into her.
The White Snake Sage met it head-on.
Boom!
Dragon head and serpent head collided.
Terrifying force rippled outward, cracking the ground and blasting dust into the air.
At that moment, the wood dragon's tail whipped out and coiled around the White Snake Sage.
"This is just overestimating yourself!"
The Three Great Snake Princesses couldn't help saying it.
For snakes, constriction was a killer move etched into instinct.
In their eyes, trying to strangle the White Snake Sage with a wood dragon was nothing but showing off in front of the master.
But something they never expected happened—once she was wrapped, the White Snake Sage let out a cry of pain.
"How is that possible?!"
The Three Great Snake Princesses' faces drained of color.
"Sage Art: Inorganic Reincarnation!"
The White Snake Sage roared.
The earth came alive—rising and pressing down on the wood dragon.
Gaps formed in the constriction.
Seizing the chance, the White Snake Sage shrank her body and slipped free through the opening.
She immediately turned and bit down on the wood dragon.
Venom seeped from her fangs, corroding the dragon.
Even with its powerful regeneration, under the White Snake Sage's full force, it was pinned and unable to move.
And with Sage Art: Inorganic Reincarnation, the living earth fixed the dragon in place like a clamp.
"Worthy of the White Snake Sage."
Kitazawa clapped, praising her.
The White Snake Sage and the Three Great Snake Princesses all felt something was wrong.
One wood dragon was already this hard to deal with—what if another came?
Or what if Kitazawa had an even stronger Wood Release technique?
"Sage Art: Myōjinmon!"
Kitazawa formed seals without pause.
A red torii gate descended from the sky.
The White Snake Sage grit her teeth and abandoned the wood dragon, trying to dodge.
But the next instant, more torii gates appeared out of nowhere, sealing off her surroundings.
She couldn't evade in time—one torii gate pinned her tail.
She struggled instinctively, but it was useless.
"Sage Art: White Rage Technique!"
The White Snake Sage opened her mouth and spat out a red light.
"Wood Release: Hōbi Technique!"
Kitazawa immediately summoned a fanged, demon-faced wooden shield that enclosed his whole body.
Light and sound vanished—his sight and hearing weren't affected.
Even the vibrations in the air were blocked by Wood Release: Hōbi Technique.
Through his Byakugan, Kitazawa looked at the White Snake Sage, while controlling the wood dragon to leap up and press down on her.
The moment she was pinned, the torii gates all slammed down, suppressing her completely.
Kitazawa casually released Wood Release: Hōbi Technique.
The White Snake Sage's miserable state came into view.
Her massive body was covered in red torii gates, pressed motionless into the ground.
The Three Great Snake Princesses tried to step forward, but Kitazawa merely glanced at them, and they froze in place, trembling.
They weren't human—they were snakes that had transformed, and they understood survival of the fittest better than anyone.
Now that Kitazawa's strength vastly surpassed theirs, their earlier arrogance vanished completely.
"White Snake Sage."
Kitazawa walked up to her and asked, "Can we talk cooperation now?"
"I never imagined the ninja world could produce another monster like you."
After a moment of silence, the White Snake Sage asked, "How do you want to cooperate?"
Refusing meant death.
She had lived for over a thousand years—she didn't want to die here.
And even if she died, she couldn't stop Kitazawa. With his strength, he could still force cooperation through.
The other snakes of Ryūchi Cave had no backbone—they were all terrified of death.
"Simple."
Kitazawa said casually. "Ryūchi Cave and Konoha will form a shinobi unit of Ryūchi Cave contractors."
"I agree."
The White Snake Sage nodded.
"Pleasure doing business."
As he spoke, Kitazawa lifted Sage Art: Myōjinmon and Wood Release: Wood Dragon Jutsu.
The White Snake Sage returned to the form of an old woman.
She immediately took out a contract scroll and handed it to Kitazawa.
"Have them sign this," she explained. "When the time comes, we'll answer their summons and fight for them."
"Thank you."
Kitazawa put the contract scroll away.
As for who would be chosen for the summoning-beast corps, he would go back and discuss it with Tsunade.
Ryūchi Cave's summons weren't something you handed out to just anyone.
On top of that, he could also have them try learning Sage Mode.
They probably wouldn't succeed—but what if they did?
There was no harm in trying.
"Take me to your temple," Kitazawa ordered.
The White Snake Sage immediately led the way.
The Three Great Snake Princesses followed too.
Though badly injured, they were ancient monsters—none of them would die that quickly.
Soon, Kitazawa arrived at the temple where the White Snake Sage normally lived.
Nothing special—he glanced once and stopped paying attention.
Kitazawa stood there, waiting for Sasuke to return.
A moment later, three lines of text appeared before his eyes.
[Current Mission: Conquer Ryūchi Cave.]
[Mission Reward: Ryūchi Cave's Sage Arts.]
[Mission Completed. Reward Granted.]
A flood of information poured into Kitazawa's mind.
After digesting it, he couldn't help smiling in satisfaction.
In addition to the Sage Arts used by Yakushi Kabuto, he also received the Sage Arts the White Snake Sage and the Three Great Snake Princesses had used just now.
Sage Art: Inorganic Reincarnation and Sage Art: White Rage Technique needed no introduction.
But among their senjutsu, the most useful in Kitazawa's eyes was Sage Art: Invisibility.
Its effect was exactly what it sounded like: it made the user impossible for others to sense or see.
Kitazawa had only pierced through Sage Art: Invisibility by combining Sage Mode with the Byakugan.
And across the entire ninja world, the only one who might be able to see through it was Nagato's Rinnegan.
At most, you could add the Uzumaki clan's Mind's Eye of the Kagura and Nine-Tails' ability to sense good and evil intent.
A thunderous rumble sounded.
Kitazawa looked up and saw a gigantic red snake slithering toward the temple.
Standing atop its head was Uchiha Sasuke.
"This kid actually beat Garaga?"
The Three Great Snake Princesses stared at each other.
Were kids in the ninja world all this insane now?
"Kitazawa-sensei."
Sasuke jumped down from Garaga's head. "I fought all of them."
Kitazawa nodded, not surprised.
If Sasuke had the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and still couldn't beat Garaga and Manda, then he'd be disgracing the Uchiha name.
In modern terms: he might as well slit his own throat.
"White Snake Sage, sorry for the disturbance. We'll be returning to Konoha now."
Kitazawa looked at the White Snake Sage. "Once the summoning-beast corps is formed, I'll come notify you."
After speaking, he left Ryūchi Cave with Sasuke.
"Space–time ninjutsu?"
Watching them vanish into thin air, the White Snake Sage's eyes narrowed.
In the fight just now, Kitazawa hadn't even used that space–time technique.
In other words, he still had strength to spare.
Konoha Ninja Academy.
Kitazawa and Sasuke appeared on the training field.
"Sasuke, rest well today. Tomorrow, you're coming with me to Takigakure."
Kitazawa said.
"Takigakure?"
Sasuke froze.
He only vaguely remembered it as a small hidden village.
"Takigakure sent us a request for aid—they want us to protect the Seven-Tails jinchūriki."
Kitazawa explained. "We'll probably run into the Akatsuki."
Sasuke's eyes lit up instantly.
The chance he'd been waiting for was finally here!
Last time it was Naruto—this time, it would be his turn.
"I understand, Kitazawa-sensei!"
Sasuke said with fighting spirit.
He had to perform even better than Naruto and earn a title even more domineering than his.
Kitazawa smiled and didn't say anything more.
He used Flying Thunder God and arrived outside the Hokage's office.
After getting permission, Kitazawa entered.
"Akatsuki members went to Takigakure?"
Tsunade looked at him and guessed.
"Not yet."
Kitazawa shook his head. "I came today to talk to you about something else."
"What is it?"
Tsunade set down the documents in her hands, curious.
"Konoha is overflowing with prodigies now. I want to establish a new 'Three Sannin' of Konoha."
Kitazawa stepped up to her and said.
"A new Three Sannin—do we really need that?"
Tsunade couldn't help laughing. "Can Konoha even find two more prodigies on your level?"
"I'm not talking about my generation."
Kitazawa realized the misunderstanding and clarified.
"The Advanced Class students?"
Tsunade paused, propping her chin on one hand. "Which three do you want to pick?"
"Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata," Kitazawa answered.
"You're not choosing a medical ninja?"
Tsunade asked, a little surprised.
"With their strength, they don't need one."
Kitazawa paused. "And if they really do, Hinata can learn medical ninjutsu."
In the original story, Hyūga Hinata had indeed learned medical ninjutsu, including the Mystical Palm Technique.
"You're their teacher. Do what you think is best."
Tsunade didn't particularly care.
"Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata are already contractors of the three great summoning-beast sanctuaries."
Kitazawa got to the point. "I just took Sasuke to Ryūchi Cave."
"Sasuke passed Ryūchi Cave's test?"
As one of the original Three Sannin, Tsunade naturally understood Ryūchi Cave's situation.
"He did—and I reached a cooperation agreement with the White Snake Sage."
Kitazawa cleared his throat. "Konoha can form a summoning-beast corps."
As he spoke, he took out the Ryūchi Cave contract scroll.
"…?"
Tsunade stared at him in shock.
Wasn't the White Snake Sage notoriously hard to approach? How did she agree to cooperate with Konoha?
"You beat the White Snake Sage?"
Tsunade suddenly pieced it together—she understood what that "cooperation" really meant.
"As expected of Tsunade-sensei—you guessed it."
Kitazawa nodded in praise.
"Your style is getting more and more like Kumogakure."
Tsunade took the contract scroll and teased him.
"As long as it benefits Konoha."
Kitazawa paused. "For example, once this summoning-beast corps is built, it'll strengthen Konoha's overall power."
"I'm not blaming you."
Tsunade smiled. "Konoha's been around for a long time—maybe it is time to change its style, starting with you as the Sixth Hokage."
"Who are you planning to put in charge of this summoning-beast corps?"
Kitazawa asked.
"The best choice would be Orochimaru, but he probably won't want it."
Tsunade thought briefly. "Then Yakushi Kabuto."
Kitazawa couldn't help being a little surprised.
But thinking again, it made sense.
Kabuto was one of the rare shinobi who could learn Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode.
And both his strength and age were a good fit.
~~~~
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