The Law of "It Smells So Good"

Outside, at the border between the Land of Earth and the Land of Waterfalls.

A middle-aged man dressed like a monk was meditating and cultivating in the forest.

The monk had red hair tied into a small ponytail, a full red beard, and a black guard over the bridge of his nose. His purple robe, chest armor, and ninja tools were especially conspicuous.

He was Rōshi, a Rogue Ninja from Iwagakure and the Jinchuriki of Son Gokū, the Four-Tails.

"Rōshi, life as a deserter hasn't been easy, has it? Look at how full of yourself you are!"

Within the mental world, Son Gokū mocked Rōshi with undisguised delight. After years of Rōshi's diligent cultivation, the relationship between man and beast had gradually eased.

Son Gokū now tentatively acknowledged Rōshi as its host. The only thing that displeased it was that this man could have done anything, yet he had chosen to become a monk.

For a hot-tempered creature like it, this was sheer torment. It would have been fine if there were frequent fights, but killing and fighting were hardly possible for someone who had renounced the world.

There were gains and losses, but it was precisely Rōshi's peaceful temperament that had earned its recognition.

"Midnight wine consoles lonely sorrow; at dawn, I ride into the mortal world. The mortal world tempers the heart, and experience awakens the soul!"

Rōshi turned a deaf ear to Son Gokū's taunts. It had said such things countless times, but stubborn by nature, Rōshi remained unmoved.

"Hmph! How dull!"

Seeing that Rōshi would not respond, it simply stopped talking. Day after day, they either wandered the lands or practiced their combined ninjutsu. Rōshi had done well in that regard. Aside from traveling and resting, he spent all his remaining time diligently training to control the Four-Tails.

The two now had some tacit understanding, but they still had a long road ahead before becoming a Perfect Jinchuriki.

Seeing that Son Gokū had stopped making a fuss, Rōshi decided it was time to rest after a tiring day. He still had to continue his journey tomorrow.

Deep within Ryūchi Cave, atop the altar.

After three days of meditation, Orochimaru had now initially adapted to the tyrannical nature of Natural Energy.

The Chakra in his body had balanced out Natural Energy's invasion, and the snake-like transformation on his exterior had stopped progressing. However, two black tear-like streaks had appeared beneath his eyes at some point.

Black markings were one of the signs of Sage Transformation. Yet in Orochimaru's impression, only the Sage Modes of Shikkotsu Forest and Mount Myōboku bore such markings. He had not expected Ryūchi Cave to be no exception.

Orochimaru naturally had no idea about the changes to his appearance, but he could feel that his body was gradually returning to normal. What he needed to do now was completely control this power and use it for himself.

Half a month later, Orochimaru slowly opened his eyes and involuntarily exhaled a breath of stale air.

"Congratulations. You've entered the door of senjutsu!"

The instant Orochimaru opened his eyes, a soft, alluring female voice sounded beside him. Looking up, he saw Ichikishimahime.

"Only an initial entry?"

Orochimaru rose from the altar. After meditating for half a month, his body had become stiff. Yet what amazed him was that despite not eating for so long, his body had not sent out any signals of hunger.

With his powerful Sage Body, learning senjutsu was entirely within his expectations. What surprised him, however, was that the small amount of Natural Energy injected by the White Snake Sage could sustain his vitality for so long.

"Of course. This is only the first step. There are still many stages ahead!"

Ichikishimahime spoke slowly, then gestured for Orochimaru to follow her.

Orochimaru had nothing to hesitate over. It was normal for others to spend anywhere from three to five months, or even half a year to a year, learning senjutsu. He did not think he had mastered it in just half a month.

He considered himself a genius, but he was not so monstrous that he could learn anything at a glance—unless... it was a system reward!

Following Ichikishimahime, he wound his way deeper underground. Before long, a glow appeared ahead in the passage.

"Hm? This is...?"

He raised a hand slightly to block the dazzling light. After staying in the dim cave for so long, he was somewhat unaccustomed to encountering such intense brightness all at once.

Before he could fully adjust to the sight before him, the chirping of insects and birds reached his ears, while the air was suffused with the fragrance of flowers and grass.

Once he clearly saw the scene before him, he was even more stunned. Birds sang and flowers bloomed, with clear waters and verdant mountains—a true paradise secluded from the world!

He just did not know what the source of light here was. It was likely some method of the immortals.

"So this is the true sacred land of immortals?"

Seeing Orochimaru's provincial expression, Ichikishimahime smiled sweetly.

"Not just anyone can enter this underground world. Over the past thousand years, only a handful of humans have ever come here!"

Only after hearing her words did Orochimaru notice that the air here was filled with massive amounts of Natural Energy, perhaps not much less than the White Snake Sage's dwelling.

"Grrr..."

At that moment, Orochimaru's stomach rumbled on its own, and hunger surged into his heart.

"Hehe... Figure out your own problem."

Looking at Orochimaru's somewhat embarrassed face, Ichikishimahime covered her mouth and chuckled. Without explaining how he was supposed to solve his food problem, she drifted away.

Orochimaru could only walk forward helplessly. The environment here was nice, and the food chain should be well-developed. Surely it could not be like Mount Myōboku, where they ate bugs all day long?

It was just as well that meals were not provided here; he had more freedom this way. As long as he did not eat their disciples and descendants, there should not be any problem, right?

With that in mind, Orochimaru headed toward the tall bushes, taking in the scenery along the way.

Not long after, Orochimaru had set up a pot and heated oil. Beside him lay a cleaned large fish, which looked to weigh over ten jin.

It had to be said that in an environment like this, not only was Natural Energy abundant, but even the oxygen content in the air was richer than outside. This also made the creatures here far larger than those in the outside world.

Wasn't carrying pots, bowls, and utensils while traveling just basic practice? Besides, it was only a matter of one Ninja Tool Scroll. No big deal.

As Orochimaru cooked, the aroma of food spread in all directions, soon drawing quite a few animals to watch.

However, these animals only dared to observe from afar. They neither dared approach nor wanted to leave.

"Move aside, you bunch of ants!"

As a rumble sounded, a colossal creature appeared before Orochimaru. It was none other than Manda, whose injuries had fully healed.

It had also followed the scent here. As for Garaga, that proud fellow had probably shut himself away because he could not bear the blow of defeat.

"Orochimaru! You have some nerve, trespassing into the sacred land!"

Manda looked down at Orochimaru from above, but the drool dripping from the corners of its mouth betrayed what it was really thinking.

Orochimaru did not believe this fellow did not know why he had come here. Besides, without the White Snake Sage's permission, who could have entered this place?

As for Manda immediately pinning a charge on him, one glance at the saliva by its mouth was enough to tell what it was after.