A mastermind's game, the players blind!

Mist swirled through Ryūchi Cave.

"How are we supposed to find that bastard in this godforsaken place?" Hidan rested the Three-Bladed Blood Scythe on his shoulder and looked around.

"I have a way, but I need some time to prepare." Itachi sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and entered meditation.

Natural energy began to gather, and Itachi sensed its nature. Unlike Shikkotsu Forest, Ryūchi Cave's natural power brimmed with primal savagery. Entering Stillness Sage Mode here would require longer meditation to purify and convert the natural energy.

Yugao said excitedly, "Heh heh... everywhere smells like something that'll delight both body and soul. Ryūchi Cave's Senjutsu might suit me quite well. Once we've skinned that bastard Kabuto, I'll ask my brother-in-law about coming here to learn it!"

"Ah~~! I'm taking a break. Wake me when you're done~." Hidan set down his scythe, cradled the back of his head in his hands, and leaned against a tree. In less than a minute, a bubble puffed from his nostril, and he began snoring steadily.

Yugao shrugged and shook her head in disgust. "Falling asleep so quickly even here... what a thickheaded immortal bastard."

Hiss!

A little white snake quietly slithered up and bit Hidan on the backside.

Pop! "That hurts!!"

The bubble at his nostril burst, and Hidan sat up with a cry of pain. Hiss! The white snake flicked its bloodstained tongue, then darted away and vanished.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

More and more natural energy gathered, and Itachi's body flickered between light and darkness...

Only when silent sage power spilled out of his body, enveloping him in a layer of blue fluorescence, did Itachi open his eyes. Done. Although meditation took longer, this is still a sage realm. Its abundant natural energy is beyond anything outside. This Sage Mode should last a long time...