Snakes ate frogs, and frogs ate snakes. Mount Myoboku and Ryūchi Cave, both sacred lands of summoning beasts, had been rivals for a thousand years.
The White Snake Sage had once believed that Orochimaru was Ryūchi Cave's fated summoner. As a child, he had found a shed white snake skin, a symbol of luck and rebirth. As an adult, he had found Orochimaru, who had discovered Ryūchi Cave amid the vast Ninja World.
Orochimaru had failed to master Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode. Instead, Jiraiya, an envoy of Mount Myoboku, had successfully entered Sage Mode, leaving the White Snake Sage with the uneasy feeling that Mount Myoboku had gained the upper hand.
Only now did the White Snake Sage understand that Ryūchi Cave's true kindred spirit was Orochimaru's student—Chiba Genichi.
"Chiba Genichi. Heh, not bad." The White Snake Sage made no effort to hide her admiration for Genichi, now that her heart had settled. "News of everything that happens in the Ninja World reaches my ears. In over a thousand years, at your age, perhaps only the brothers who lived a thousand years ago, the Sage of Six Paths and his brother, could surpass you."
"The legendary Sage of Six Paths really existed?" Orochimaru asked in astonishment. He knew the White Snake Sage had lived for over a thousand years, but this was the first time he had heard anything like this.
"Of course. But let's leave the past aside. You came here to learn senjutsu, didn't you? Simply absorbing Natural Energy isn't enough. Ryūchi Cave has many other ways to use it." The White Snake Sage continued to show her goodwill, speaking with a genial smile.
"Chiba Genichi, these three are Tagorihime, Ichikishimahime, and Tagitsuhime. They'll teach you all of Ryūchi Cave's senjutsu from now on. If you run into trouble in the Ninja World—no, with your strength, you're probably the one who'll go looking for trouble with others. Heh. Just summon them whenever you need help. They'll do their best to assist you."
"Thank you, White Snake Sage. But why are you suddenly being so kind to me?" Genichi asked curiously. After all these years, Orochimaru had never received such treatment.
"Think about it, boy. Only snakes live here, so why is this place called Ryūchi Cave?"
"You want to become a dragon? Are there really dragons in the Ninja World?" Genichi asked, intrigued. The original story had never mentioned anything about that.
"Dragons are creatures of legend. Whether they exist or not, even I don't know. I simply want to grow stronger and keep transforming," the White Snake Sage admitted. "Besides, this world is vast. There really are powerful creatures beyond people's imagination."
"Don't overthink it. Just consider this an investment. If you grow strong in the future and can help Ryūchi Cave in return, then my efforts won't have been wasted."
"Don't worry, White Snake Sage. Everyone in Konoha knows that I, Chiba Genichi, value loyalty and always repay kindness." Genichi thumped his chest as he promised.
"Heh. I haven't talked this much in ages. I really am getting old. The three of them will take care of you from here."
"Lord Genichi, this way, please. Allow us to arrange a place for you to stay first." Ichikishimahime stepped forward, gave a slight bow, and spoke respectfully.
Konoha's gates stood tall and imposing, its sturdy wooden walls stretching away on either side. The marks of time mottled their surface, bearing witness to the countless storms Konoha had weathered.
Outsiders seeking entry into Konoha had to explain their purpose and identity to the guards at the gate, then undergo a thorough inspection. At the time, the two Chunin publicly assigned to guard Konoha's main entrance were merely ordinary ninja.
They weren't the pair known as the "Gate Guardians of Konoha," Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki, who were said to be so fearsome that even Pain would go out of his way to avoid them.
That day, a man with a frame as straight as a young bamboo stalk approached the gate. He wore a moon-white robe with wisps of cloud embroidered in silver thread at the cuffs and hem, and an unknown sword hung at his waist.
But what left the deepest impression at a glance was his pair of eyes, at once bright and dark—as if starlight were scattered across the night sky, deep as an ancient pool, with the occasional glimmer of light.
It was Chiba Genichi, who had spent two years cultivating Sage Mode in Ryūchi Cave. Under the subtle influence of Natural Energy, Genichi's appearance had gradually drifted away from the grim image of a ninja. He had gone too far down the path of cultivation to turn back.
Genichi stood before the gate and let his perception spread, taking in all of Konoha. He could hardly wait to go inside and catch up with the friends he hadn't seen for two years.
"Stop! Who are you, and why have you come to Konoha?" One of the Chunin at the gate hurriedly stopped Genichi.
"I'm a Konoha ninja too. I'm just coming home," Genichi explained. He knew he didn't look like a ninja at all anymore.
Ryūchi Cave had a concealment technique that could block chakra sensing. Genichi had made some modifications, keeping only its ability to evade sensory detection. Senjutsu Chakra constantly flowed over the surface of his body, so even a Hyuga ninja standing right in front of him would only think he was an ordinary person who hadn't learned to mold chakra.
"A sword with a white hilt and scabbard, a black blade, and no guard. Could you be Lord Chiba Genichi?" The other Chunin recognized him. "Lord Chiba, you've returned from your travels."
"Heh, that's me. I can go in now, right?" Genichi then took his Konoha Forehead Protector and ninja license out of his Summoning Scroll.
He headed straight back to his courtyard in the Senju Clan district. He had asked Orochimaru to send word ahead that he would return to the village that day. Sure enough, the three girls were already waiting for him in the courtyard.
Two years had passed, and Genichi wasn't the only one who had grown. The three girls had also shed their former innocence, each revealing her own charm.
Mikoto Uchiha still had a pure, delicate face, which contrasted with her alluring Sharingan and gave her a unique charm that could easily draw someone in. Her long black hair fell like a waterfall to her waist, and she wore a brown headband and a blue dress. The moment she saw Genichi return, she could no longer hold back. Her skirt swayed gently as she hurried over, while her ninja boots lent her a touch of heroic flair.
Kushina Uzumaki had a delicate, oval face with a softly rounded chin and gentle features. A faint blush on her cheeks made them look like ripe apples, tempting enough to make anyone want to take a bite. When she saw Genichi, a smile bloomed across her face, her eyebrows curving like crescent moons. She had a slim, well-proportioned figure, with an enviably slender waist and long legs. Combined with the Uzumaki Clan's vivid, flame-red hair, every movement brimmed with energy and a distinctive charm.
Hyuga Hana's long hair was soft and smooth, its strands catching the sunlight with a deep brown sheen. Her gentle, oval face had a softly rounded jawline, and her pale eyes were slender, their outer corners drooping slightly, giving her a mild and graceful air. As she grew, her figure had gradually filled out; even her loose everyday clothes couldn't conceal her soft, shapely curves. She held her back straight, with the Hyuga Clan's characteristic elegance and restraint. She didn't seem especially excited. She simply kept her eyes on Genichi, smiling warmly.
"I'm home." Genichi stepped forward and hugged the three girls one after another, expressing how much he had missed them.
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