The moment Ronglin saw that expression on Black Scale's face, he knew there was trouble.
Sure enough, Black Scale looked conflicted, his massive head swaying back and forth. After hesitating for a while, he finally said, "Lord Ronglin, it's a little inconvenient lately..."
"Why is it inconvenient?"
He had not been completely certain, but he had at least thought it was plausible. He had not expected Black Scale to be troubled by it. What did this so-called inconvenience mean?
"Well..."
Black Scale lowered his enormous head even further, nearly pressing it to the ground, and said quietly, "Because of certain physical circumstances..."
Could he be shedding his skin...?
Ronglin froze for a moment, then quickly realized it. Snakes were not slugs or toads; as their bodies continued to grow, they entered a shedding phase before growing even larger. This was considered a period of weakness for snakes...
But aside from shedding, could he be busy making sons and descendants?
The more Ronglin thought about it, the more wicked his thoughts became. He had no idea exactly why the Snake Sage was inconvenienced. Perhaps the Snake Sage simply did not want him going to Ryūchi Cave.
"If it's inconvenient, then forget it."
Since Black Scale had put it that way, Ronglin did not force the matter. After all, none of this was something Black Scale could decide.
"Thank you for understanding, my lord."
Black Scale let out a sigh of relief, grateful that Ronglin had not continued asking. Otherwise, he truly would not have known how to answer.
Black Scale left, while Ronglin frowned. It seemed learning Sage Mode would not be so easy. What exactly were the Three Great Sage Lands like?
Naruto and Jiraiya seemed to have had a miserable time when they went to study at Mount Myōboku.