A New Source for the Sage Transformation Curse Mark

The preliminary setup for One-Click Sage Mode Training was complete.

The rest was up to time. The process could run on its own while they waited for results.

Of course, Toji had not forgotten the seal Gamamaru had placed on him. Once he could control Natural Energy freely, he could combine it with an unsealing technique and look for a way to break the seal.

This trip to Ryūchi Cave had gone even more smoothly than Toji expected.

Not only had he begun training in Sage Mode, he had brought Ryūchi Cave over to his side. All three Snake Princesses would be going with him.

Toji took out a map of the Shinobi World, marked the location of Akatsuki Ninja Village, and handed it to the White Snake Sage. "All future handovers of sacrifices will take place here."

The Snake Princesses gathered around. Ichikishimahime looked puzzled. "This isn't Konoha, is it?"

"This is Akatsuki Ninja Village. I'm not just Konoha's Hokage—"

"Please keep that secret for me."

Toji offered no further explanation.

Collecting sacrifices for Ryūchi Cave was dirty work. He could never do it as Konoha's Hokage, nor could it take place in Konoha.

Akatsuki Ninja Village was the perfect front for it.

Kakuzu had been lying low for too long. This assignment would give him a chance to become active in the Underworld Shinobi World again and put him to use.

Tagorihime stepped forward. "Tagitsuhime and I will go to Akatsuki Ninja Village to receive the sacrifices. Ichikishimahime will accompany you, Lord Hokage, and take charge of

guiding your Sage Mode training and replenishing the venom regularly."

With that, the matter was settled.

Flanked by the three Snake Princesses, Toji left Ryūchi Cave's underground temple.

As they walked, Toji asked casually, "How much venom can Orochimaru withstand?"

"The