"You mean... Ryūchi Cave?!"
Jiraiya's eyes widened, his face full of disbelief.
Minato Namikaze, standing beside him, also looked stunned. As a genius ninja of Konoha, he naturally understood what Ryūchi Cave represented.
Ryūchi Cave, Mount Myoboku, and Shikkotsu Forest were known as the Three Sage Regions. Each possessed a powerful Sage Art legacy!
Among them, Ryūchi Cave was in no way inferior to the renowned Mount Myoboku.
Moreover, the Sage Art mastered by Ryūchi Cave was even rarer and more unique.
At that thought, Minato Namikaze could not help feeling secretly astonished. If one could learn such a Sage Art, it would undoubtedly be a tremendous improvement for any ninja.
Orochimaru nodded slightly and said evenly, "That's right, Ryūchi Cave!
"I just wonder whether our little Obito is willing to go there and learn Sage Art?"
As he spoke, he turned his gaze toward Obito Uchiha once more.
Obito Uchiha was filled with conflict and hesitation.
On one hand, he had to admit that Ryūchi Cave did seem to suit his needs better than Mount Myoboku.
But on the other hand, Orochimaru had always left him with a bad impression. He always felt that Orochimaru was up to no good.
Besides, he had read Boruto, so he knew all too well about Ryūchi Cave's three trials.
Those vicious Snake Princesses, for example, would eat people at the drop of a hat. Compared to that, Mount Myoboku seemed far more humane. At least he would not have to worry about losing his life for no reason.
As Obito Uchiha fell into thought, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. Everyone's eyes were fixed on him, waiting for him to make his final decision.
"I choose Ryūchi Cave!"
Obito Uchiha spoke slowly, his gaze firm.
Orochimaru smiled upon hearing that. Just as expected!
Jiraiya was slightly surprised, while Minato Namikaze walked over to Obito Uchiha.
"Obito, at least Mount Myoboku has me and Master Jiraiya. But Ryūchi Cave..."
There was obvious concern in Minato Namikaze's eyes.
Obito naturally had confidence if he dared choose Ryūchi Cave. With Dual Kamui, he could definitely retreat unscathed.
He truly craved Ryūchi Cave's Sage Art, things like the White Rage Technique and Inorganic Reincarnation.
Compared to becoming a frog, he wanted to become a dragon more!
"Don't worry, Teacher Minato. Lord Orochimaru is one of Konoha's own. How could family harm family?"
Obito Uchiha answered obediently.
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes slightly, staring sharply at Orochimaru before him.
He knew this former close friend inside and out.
If Obito had nothing that interested Orochimaru, then given Orochimaru's proud and cold personality, he would never have taken the initiative to approach Obito.
Yet now, Orochimaru had not only approached Obito of his own accord, but had even personally offered to guide him. There had to be some unspeakable motive behind it, like a weasel paying respects to a chicken.
"Orochimaru!"
Jiraiya suddenly raised his voice and warned him,
"Obito is the disciple of my disciple, Minato Namikaze. By that reckoning, he is my grand-disciple as well. And you, at the very least, are his grand-uncle in the same school."
"If you dare entertain any crooked ideas and try to harm him, I advise you to give up that thought immediately!"
With that, Jiraiya fixed Orochimaru with an unwavering stare.
Facing Jiraiya's stern warning, Orochimaru remained exceptionally calm. The corners of his mouth lifted into an inscrutable smile.
He lightly waved a hand and replied in an unhurried, breezy tone,
"Jiraiya, how could I possibly harbor ill intentions toward the great hero of the Battle of Kannabi Bridge? I merely want to become the wind and set the windmill turning..."
Although Jiraiya still had doubts after hearing Orochimaru's ambiguous explanation, Orochimaru's attitude seemed sincere enough, so he relaxed his guard slightly.
After pondering for a moment, he looked at Orochimaru again and solemnly instructed, "All right, Orochimaru. Since you put it that way, I'll trust you."
"However, I'm entrusting Obito to your care now. You must watch over him properly. Do not let him suffer even the slightest injury or fall into danger."
After saying that, Jiraiya continued staring intently at Orochimaru.
Orochimaru smiled. "Jiraiya, don't worry. I've always treated the village's geniuses very well."
As he spoke, Orochimaru licked his lips.
Obito Uchiha met Orochimaru's stare head-on without changing expression.
He did not understand why Orochimaru had recommended that he study at Ryūchi Cave.
There had to be some benefit on him that tempted Orochimaru. Otherwise, even if he had sought Orochimaru out himself, Orochimaru would not have given him the time of day.
Orochimaru was the kind of person who never rose early without profit.
An extreme egoist.
Soon, Obito Uchiha followed Orochimaru as they prepared to head for Ryūchi Cave.
"Obito Uchiha, only ten years old and already possessing the Three-Tomoe Sharingan. You were also a key ninja in the Kannabi Bridge Meat Grinder Campaign. Your bloodline truly makes even me drool~"
After Minato Namikaze and Jiraiya left, Orochimaru no longer bothered to restrain his words.
Obito Uchiha's expression did not change upon hearing it.
"Lord Orochimaru, you flatter me. You were also a genius from childhood. During that era, there was no ninja in the Uchiha Clan more talented than you."
Obito Uchiha replied blandly.
Orochimaru smiled faintly.
"However, if I had been your contemporary, I'm afraid I would not have measured up to you."
Orochimaru said.
Obito Uchiha felt a little pleased with himself upon hearing that. Orochimaru was quite self-aware.
"However, even though you are a peerless genius, I still need to tell you about Ryūchi Cave's rules..."
Orochimaru walked forward on his own.
Obito Uchiha had already heard of them. After all, he had read Boruto and knew Ryūchi Cave's three major trials like the back of his hand.
"If you make a mistake, I'll do my best to save you..."
Orochimaru turned around and said to Obito Uchiha.
Obito Uchiha nodded.
That was what Orochimaru said, but Obito did not expect anything from him. If he were in danger, Orochimaru would definitely run.
Expecting Orochimaru to go head-to-head with Ryūchi Cave for his sake was nothing more than wishful thinking.
Still, with Dual Kamui in hand, he could make his escape too.
"For a thousand years, many people have gone to Ryūchi Cave to cultivate Sage Art, but none passed the trials, so they were eaten..."
"I went in once myself, but my body was unsuitable, so I was unable to cultivate Sage Art."
When he mentioned being unsuitable because of his body, a trace of regret flashed through Orochimaru's eyes.
Obito Uchiha suddenly remembered the Living Corpse Reincarnation that Orochimaru had always been researching.
In the original story, Orochimaru had been obsessed with Itachi Uchiha because of Itachi Uchiha's talent and bloodline.
Wait!
Obito Uchiha suddenly thought of a possibility. Could it be that Orochimaru had taken a liking to him?
Could it be that Orochimaru wanted him to become the first corpse for his reincarnation?
Before you continue