Ever since seeing the Slug Sage's figure, Orochimaru was sure that this was Shikkotsu Forest (Slug Forest).
Among the three great holy places, Mount Myōboku is in an oasis in the endless desert west of the Land of Wind, Ryuuchi Cave is hidden underground in the Land of Earth, both of which have clues to follow, while Shikkotsu Forest is just a legend.
Probably no one in the ninja world thought it would exist on the seabed.
Even if they did, it would be useless. Orochimaru was able to find it because of his sense of natural energy. Ordinary people don't have this ability. It's like looking for a needle in a haystack. If they really had this ability, they wouldn't need to go to Shikkotsu Forest to learn Sage Mode.
Orochimaru can naturally use Sage Mode, but at this time, he really wants to learn Sage Mode from the Slug Sage.
If he's not mistaken, Slug-based Sage Mode might be helpful for his current situation.
"Did you bring this fish?"
The Slug Sage's gaze shifted to Orochimaru's feet, noticing the wounds on the sperm whale. With her experience over the years, she easily judged what had caused them and gave a soft hum.
However, the Slug Sage clearly had no interest in arguing with Orochimaru. A calm and gentle female voice came from that full and soft body, "This is not a place to talk. Come with me."
Orochimaru didn't think he could hide it from her. He was just using this as a way to test if the Slug Sage would dig deeper. Now that he saw that she didn't intend to pursue it, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
He crossed the lake in the rocky cave, chasing after the Slug Sage's figure.
Behind him, a rustling sound rang out.
Orochimaru didn't turn his head, but from his senses, he saw slug after slug, the size of tailed beasts, splitting into tens of thousands of small slugs. They jumped into the water like flowing water and began their feeding time.
Orochimaru guessed in his heart, "Tsk tsk... is this rent, or tribute?"
Following the Slug Sage's clone, Orochimaru passed through a winding tunnel. After walking for an unknown amount of time, a wide open space appeared before him. He had arrived at a spacious platform.
Compared to Ryuuchi Cave's narrow and cramped cave, Orochimaru's first impression here was that it was vast.
Unknown gemstone ores covered the dome and walls, scattering spots of light, giving the feeling that he wasn't in a deep trench tens of thousands of meters below the sea, but standing under the stars.
Judging from this arrangement alone, the Slug Sage is far more tasteful than the White Snake Sage.
But Orochimaru clearly had no interest in dwelling on these things. His attention was drawn to something else.
The Slug Sage who was leading him was about sixty or seventy meters tall, which was not small even among the tailed beasts, at least of medium size.
But this was just a clone.
The real Slug Sage's main body... Orochimaru looked up, actually feeling like he was looking up at a tailed beast with a human body.
The White Snake Sage was also very large, winding for many kilometers in Ryuuchi Cave, but after all, it was hidden underground, so the visual impact was far less than that of the Slug Sage at this moment.
Moreover, the Slug Sage was not in her complete form at this time. In his senses, there were still countless small slugs foraging in the underground caves.
"Orochimaru, you came here to learn Sage Mode?"
That gentle female voice sounded again, "But you seem to have already learned the White Snake's Sage Mode, so why bother learning from me again?"...
"White Snake-based Sage Mode is not a cure-all. I want to try to solve the problems on my body with your Sage Mode."
Orochimaru looked up, smiled bitterly, "After a failed surgery, I became like this. There must be a way to fix it."
Temporarily solving it is still solving it.
Slugs in nature cannot divide themselves, but the Slug Sage uses this ability as naturally as breathing. It's hard to say that this is not a Sage Mode ability.
If he learned Slug-based Sage Mode, could he also split into little Orochimarus?
Orochimaru wouldn't rashly reject splitting himself. Unlike the curse mark mode, the Slug Sage's ability is clearly more advanced.
"I have a good idea about your situation."
The Slug Sage said quietly, "But I have no reason to help you."
In her territory, not swallowing Orochimaru directly as a snack is already considered friendly.
Orochimaru frowned slightly. As expected, it wouldn't be so easy to get her agreement. The Slug Sage has some friendship with the Senju clan, but she has no connection with him at all.
After pondering for a moment, Orochimaru spoke, "I can provide you with tribute, like those killer whales."
The Slug Sage still refused, "Those are just snacks when I'm bored. They're not worth much."
This was completely reasonable. Orochimaru didn't think his greatest value was just doing hard labor, so he decisively took out another bargaining chip.
"Slug Sage, do you want to know why I was able to learn White Snake Sage Mode? It's not because I really have any talent, but because I made a deal."
Orochimaru smiled, "I promised to give the White Snake Sage the power of that Divine Tree from a thousand years ago."
"Divine Tree?"
That always calm female voice wavered, "How do you know?"
"Although humans don't have long lives, they are very keen on rewriting history, but some traces cannot be erased."
Orochimaru raised his eyebrows, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned, "And I happen to be good at discovering these traces."
As he said this, he took out a Kusanagi Sword from his mouth and cut a two-foot-deep wound in his chest,
"You see, I'm not just talking nonsense, but have had actual success."
The Slug Sage remained silent, but a small slug climbed onto Orochimaru's shoulder, carefully examining the condition of the wound.
She had to be careful, because Orochimaru had far more tricks than normal ninjas and might have other healing methods.
But after careful investigation, the Slug Sage realized that he didn't seem to be lying.
The condition of the wound was completely different from that of ordinary humans. More than flesh and blood, what she saw was a piece of wood.
After a long silence, the gentle female voice spoke again, "I didn't expect you to have really found some clues."
Having a very long lifespan and witnessing the lives of many ninjas, the Slug Sage knew very well how difficult this was.
In her opinion, the one most likely to do this should have been Hashirama Senju, who was born with that power, but unfortunately died young.
The second person who might be able to do it was Hashirama's granddaughter, Tsunade. Although her physique was not as strong as her elders, she was a medical ninja, making her very likely to figure out this.
But she didn't expect Orochimaru to be the first to do it.
This was truly unexpected. He clearly had nothing.
"I can teach you the Sage Mode you want to learn."
The Slug Sage said slowly, "But in exchange, you must let me master that power. Until then, you cannot leave here."
"As you wish."
Orochimaru smiled, "If I'm not mistaken, you should have more advantages than the White Snake Sage."
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