Return to Ryūchi Cave / Ryūchi Cave Is a True Friend

At least in the known world of those in the Hokage world, it has no limitations of distance or space.

Therefore, as the rightful successor of Ryūchi Cave, Uchiha Shingen had the ability to enter and exit Ryūchi Cave at any time, anywhere.

The problem is that the scoundrels in Ryūchi Cave keep saying they want to eat someone to change their taste.

They don't care whether a person has signed a contract or not; if someone doesn't meet their standards, they're just food.

Moreover, first impressions are very important.

Having received assurances from Uchiha Shingen, Mitarashi Anko seemed to be possessed by a Super Saiyan, and her training became even more ruthless.

Progress has been rapid.

By the end of the last month, she was a completely different person from before she received special training from Uchiha Shingen.

Although she herself couldn't feel it.

However, in Uchiha Shingen's view, if Mitarashi Anko could maintain the intensity of her studies and training, she could hopefully reach the basic qualification level within a year. At that time, she would be qualified to go to Ryūchi Cave to broaden her horizons under his protection.

It's just to broaden your horizons; don't even think about meeting the White Snake Sage.

According to the rules of Ryūchi Cave, when a human and the White Snake Sage meet for the first time, either she drinks it all in one gulp as a sign of hospitality, or you let her have a bite.

However, Uchiha Shingen needs to see the White Snake Sage again.

The three secret realms should be familiar with each other, Uchiha Shingen wanted to see if he could use his connection with the White Snake Sage to make a trip to Mount Myoboku.

After Black Zetsu once, the idea of mastering all the Senjutsu of the three secret realms rekindled in his heart.

The resurrection mechanism of Tailed Beasts is inseparable from Natural Energy. The Ten-Tails can manipulate the Natural Energy circulating in this world at will. It can be seen that Natural Energy is an indispensable piece of the puzzle on the road to a higher level.

Being able to do this means that the Ten-Tails possesses the ability to extract Natural Energy from the three mediums of land, air, and water.

Mount Myoboku now has a good relationship with Leaf Village, Uchiha Shingen also wants to learn Mount Myoboku's Senjutsu.

In the blink of an eye, the last month has finally come to an end.

It was time for Mitarashi Anko to step back into the examination hall.

Chapter Forty-Six: Return to Ryūchi Cave

With the start of the second round of the Joint Chunin Exams, to put it bluntly, since the Sunagakure began holding the Chunin Ninja Exams, it has finally seen a net inflow of funds on its books.

This was truly difficult, and Rasa rarely showed a smile these days.

As an essential part of the Joint Chunin Exams, since it is a joint effort, the leader of the co-organizing party must be present in person.

Don't even think about getting Ōnoki to Sunagakure.

If he dares to come, Sunagakure won't be happy about it.

Namikaze Minato is unlikely to come either. With Uchiha Shingen not around, he'll definitely be sitting in Leaf Village, keeping an eye on the movements of Cloud Village.

And so, it was Uchiha Shingen's old friend, Karatachi Yagura, who arrived.

To be honest, when news of Sasori of the Red Sands's appearance in Sand Village and his near abduction of Kimimaro reached Hidden Mist Village, Karatachi Yagura was quite startled.

So he took this opportunity to come in person.

Watching the exam in person was secondary; the main concern was preventing any further mishaps, as this was a promising talent he had painstakingly acquired.

But Karatachi Yagura's arrival caused a sensation in Sunagakure.

The Mizukage has not appeared on the continent since the First Shinobi World War, shrouded in mystery.

Therefore, when Karatachi Yagura appeared at the gates of Sunagakure, he stole the spotlight even more than Rasa.

This is a living Mizukage; no one on the mainland has seen one for decades.

Furthermore, Sunagakure originally had a need to establish friendly relations with Kirigakure; otherwise, they wouldn't have sent Pakura to Mist Ninja to kill her.

Without securing their rear, Sand Village cannot focus entirely on dealing with Iwagakure.

The way Leaf Village views Cloud Village is the same way Sand Village views Iwagakure.

Although in Uchiha Shingen's eyes, they were all the same, all business.

"Shingen- kun, it's been a long time." Karatachi Yagura's eyes lit up when he saw Uchiha Shingen.

This time, Hidden Mist Village owes Uchiha Shingen a huge debt of gratitude.

Of course, what he didn't know was that the favor he owed would have been even greater, but Uchiha Shingen felt that anything greater would be excessive and unnecessary, so he didn't pursue it.

After all... he had checked, and none of the ninjas Sasori had captured were from Leaf Village.

Just consider it a threat.

"It's been a long time, Lord Mizukage." Uchiha Shingen was very polite. After all, Hidden Mist Village and Leaf Village were in a honeymoon period, and if he neglected them, Uchiha Fugaku would definitely hold a grudge against him later.

Old Fu got incredibly arrogant after winning just once.

Now that he's back, it'll be time for him to show off his skills.

I heard that Fugaku's calligraphy is being resold on the black market again.

Uchiha Shingen didn't quite understand this, but... sometimes, there really is no logic to the market.

"Gentlemen, let's go inside and talk." Rasa felt uncomfortable seeing the two of them acting like they had known each other for ages.

After all, the relationship between Sand Village and Leaf Village is quite delicate right now, but he genuinely wants to improve relations with Hidden Mist Village.

His obsession was to revive Sand Village.

Uchiha Shingen didn't try to steal the spotlight from Rasa; he smiled slightly and gave up his place.

The host covered all the expenses, so we shouldn't be stingy.

People who are too harsh have no friends.

The two shadows began to chat and laugh, Karatachi Yagura, being very perceptive, gave them a lot of face.

It made Rasa feel very comfortable.

In this harmonious atmosphere, the second session of the Joint Chunin Exams was held as scheduled.

However, this time, Uchiha Shingen did not participate.

With Karatachi Yagura, along with Pakura and Hatake Kakashi, the Leaf Village team will not suffer any additional interference.

Early in the morning, after seeing off everyone from Leaf Village, Uchiha Shingen returned to his room and began to draw up Reverse Summoning Formation.

After completing the drawing, he stood in the center of the magic circle and activated the Reverse Summoning Technique.

As time passed and space shifted, he found himself in a cave.

The first sound was the splashing of water.

The little snakes of Ryūchi Cave, after discovering something different, traditionally came out to show off.

However, they quickly sensed the power of Dragon Cave Sage Technique from Uchiha Shingen. This power was like a pre-programmed instruction to these small snakes with limited intelligence. As if nothing had happened, they made a 180-degree turn in front of Uchiha Shingen, flowing to the other side and disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Ryūchi Cave truly lives up to its name, with its snakes being incredibly down-to-earth.

After assessing the height of the cavern, Uchiha Shingen confidently used a psychic summoning technique to bring forth the Black Snake.

Then two giant snakes appeared, intertwined.

Uchiha Shingen found it a bit too much to bear.

Did I interrupt your good time?

"Shingen?" The Black Snake shook the Manda off its body, its tone pleased. "Do you have something to discuss with the immortal?"

"Yeah." Uchiha Shingen glanced at Manda, who was in a dazed state after being kicked off the bed by his wife. "Manda, are you alright?"

It's really upsetting when something suddenly stops halfway through, and I can understand that.

Manda shuddered, shook his head, and looked at Uchiha Shingen with great anger.

But there was nothing it could do; this guy was much stronger than the last time it met.

Seriously, it's possible to defeat it instantly.

"N-nothing... it's nothing..." it mumbled.

"Oh, then I'm relieved." Uchiha Shingen moved a little further away from it, mainly to avoid getting it stuck to him; he was a germaphobe. "Old Man, I'm going to see the Sage with Black now. Don't look so sad, I promise I'll give you back a healthy wife."

Manda felt there was something off about those words, but it didn't think too much about it.

After all, Orochimaru is a serious researcher; he never makes suggestive remarks.

This means that although Manda likes to curse and is a super sycophantic snake with a lot of bad habits, in this respect, he is actually a pretty pure and honest snake.

Besides, in this vast Ryūchi Cave, it doesn't trust anyone else to be with Kuro, except for Uchiha Shingen.

Humans can't possibly compete with giant snakes for mates, can they?

Watching Uchiha Shingen jump onto Kuro's head and then direct Kuro towards the White Snake Sage's residence before disappearing from sight, Manda was disappointed but decided not to hold a grudge.

Then it started exercising to get back in shape.

Uchiha Shingen saw Manda's actions. He shook his head, thinking that Manda was really too idle. From this point of view, it was clear that Orochimaru hadn't fought any powerful opponents recently.

It seems he's doing quite well; I wonder if the daimyo of Land of Rice Fields has made contact yet.

The black body moved swiftly through Ryūchi Cave, and familiar surroundings began to appear.

Finally, Uchiha Shingen returned once again to the grand plaza White Snake Sage.

From afar, he saw the magnificent body of the White Snake Sage once again.

"Black, you can go back now." He jumped off Black's head. "I can talk to the immortal myself."

"Yes, Shingen." The black voice was slightly mellow. It turned around and hurried away.

Chapter 47 A True Friend: Ryūchi Cave

Uchiha Shingen hadn't seen the White Snake Sage for quite some time.

It's been almost three years.

Logically speaking, ancient beings like the three immortals, whose average age is a thousand years, should have a different concept of time than ordinary people.

However, the three secret realms are grounded in reality; from the three immortals downwards, the concept of time is the same as that of humans.

However, they do sleep for quite a long time.

The White Snake Sage remained the same, part of his body coiled on the Taiseki chair.

It didn't smoke today, its eyes were listless, and it was motionless, asleep.

However, it woke up after Uchiha Shingen approached it.

It didn't wake up quickly; its body twitched slowly a few times, showing that it knew the visitor was a friend, not a foe.

"It's you."

After its eyes regained their luster, the White Snake Sage said something, then it shook its head and saw the pipe draped over the armrest of the chair.

It stretched its head down and grabbed the filter in one bite.

Then it looked at Uchiha Shingen.

"You've come at the right time, let me help you heat up your stomach."

This is a trivial matter.

Uchiha Shingen conjured a Fire Release Kagutsuchi to finish him off.

The flames, like snakes, deftly burrowed into the bowl, igniting the tobacco and spices inside.

"You've become much stronger." The White Snake Sage took a comfortable breath and straightened her posture again. "Tell me, what brings you here?"

"I'm here to ask you for a favor," Uchiha Shingen said with a smile, dispelling his Fire Release.

"Oh?" the White Snake Sage asked, "Are you no longer satisfied with the power of Ryūchi Cave?"

"There's no other way." Uchiha Shingen shrugged. "You taught me too well. I've learned everything I could in Ryūchi Cave. If I want to go further, I have to learn from other places. I think that a great secret realm that can be compared to Ryūchi Cave must have some skills."

The White Snake Sage exhaled a puff of white smoke, a sign of its pleasant mood.

"You're still as good at talking as ever," it chuckled. "I've thought so before; you're nothing like Indra."

"It's been so many years," Uchiha Shingen said. "He can't possibly still look like him."