Naruto clenched his fists, his eyes shining with anticipation. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
The two climbed the mountain path. It was steep and rugged, but they were both ninja, so it posed little difficulty. Before long, they reached the summit.
At the summit stood a massive stone gate. A lifelike white snake was carved into it, with two green gemstones set in its eyes, glittering in the sunlight.
"This is the entrance to Ryūchi Cave," Jiraiya said.
He stepped forward, pressed his hand against the stone gate, and channeled chakra into it. The gate slowly opened, revealing a pitch-black passage.
A cold, clammy wind blew from the passage, carrying the hissing of snakes.
Naruto shivered. "It's so creepy in there."
"Well, it is a snake den." Jiraiya chuckled. "Come on. Let's not keep the White Snake Sage waiting."
They entered the passage, and the stone gate slowly closed behind them.
The passage was long, with glowing minerals embedded in the walls on either side providing faint light. After they had walked for about ten minutes, the passage suddenly opened into an enormous underground cavern.
A massive palace stood at its center. Built from white stone, it was lavish and magnificent, with carved beams and painted pillars. Countless snakes lay coiled around it, large and small, thick and thin, packed so densely that the sight made their scalps prickle.
"Welcome to Ryūchi Cave."
A voice drifted out of the palace. It sounded both feminine and aged, filled with mystery and authority.
Jiraiya and Naruto entered the palace and saw an enormous white snake coiled at its very center. Her body was as thick as a water vat and at least several dozen meters long. A golden crown sat atop her head, and her amber eyes shone with