Ryūchi Cave was one of the three sacred lands of Sage inheritance, alongside Mount Myōboku and Shikkotsu Forest.
It was home to countless snakes, including many powerful Ninja Beasts. Manda, for instance, stood among the best of them, while the White Snake Sage was Ryūchi Cave's founder and leader.
Unlike Mount Myōboku and Shikkotsu Forest, Ryūchi Cave bore little goodwill toward humans. Many had sought power from Ryūchi Cave, but most had ended up as food in the White Snake Sage's belly.
Although Anko had signed a contract with Ryūchi Cave, she had never been here before.
Standing before this magnificent palace, it was hard to believe it was where snakes lived. An inexplicable chill also crept over her.
Anko could feel the Sage Engraving on her body constantly reacting. The Natural Energy field here was extremely chaotic and deeply uncomfortable. Entering Sage Mode here would not be easy.
The palace doors suddenly opened.
Three figures emerged, their graceful steps revealing them to be young women in gauzy dresses and exquisite makeup.
The three women approached Anko and curtsied.
"Greetings, Lady Anko."
The honorific caught Anko off guard. "Lady... me?"
"The Lord has been awaiting you for a long time."
The Lord...
Anko could not help glancing at Kushinadahime beside her. According to her, the Lord these three women spoke of was also one of Lord Orochimaru's Split Bodies—and the strongest one.
The three women led Anko and Kushinadahime into the palace. Along the way, Anko discovered that the palace, which looked incomparably magnificent from the outside, was just as lavishly decorated within, no less impressive than the Daimyo's Palace.
Yet after passing through the palace, they arrived before a temple.
Anko finally saw some snakes, though they were not very large. She turned her gaze toward the temple, only