Two Paths of Snake Sage Art

Hidden Sound Village

Yakushi Kabuto lay on a medical bed, bare-chested, his face marked with patterns, his eyes vertical slits, and his entire body red and white.

Unlike in the original world, Kabuto had not grown an extra tail. There was also a mask-like pattern on his face, yet he had not grown horns either.

Orochimaru collected data from Kabuto's body while speaking with him.

"Tell me about Ryūchi Cave. And how did you train in Sage Mode?"

Maintaining Sage Mode, Kabuto answered, "After Ichikishimahime brought me there, I met the White Snake Sage."

"The White Snake Sage said my constitution was unusual and highly suited to practicing Snake Sage Art."

"There are two ways to train in Snake Sage Art. One is for the White Snake Sage to inject Natural Energy through its fangs."

"The other is to absorb Natural Energy yourself and form markings."

At that, Orochimaru's hand paused. "What's the difference?"

"When the White Snake Sage injects Natural Energy, that energy has been transformed by the White Snake Sage. The person will begin turning into a snake involuntarily."

"I heard from Ichikishimahime that if practitioners cannot withstand the energy and turn into snakes, they will be swallowed by the White Snake Sage."

"Absorbing Natural Energy on your own is very slow, and Sage Mode cannot be maintained for long."

Kabuto looked at his white skin. "But the White Snake Sage said that if it injects the Natural Energy, as long as one passes the first stage, one can maintain Sage Mode for a long time. In the end, snake transformation may even evolve into a dragon."

"Oh?" Orochimaru asked curiously. "So you chose to let the White Snake Sage inject Natural Energy into you?"

Kabuto shook his head. "Although the White Snake Sage injected Natural Energy into