"I wonder if you learned anything about the Ancestor of Chakra, Fugaku."
"A little. After sealing the Ancestor of Chakra, the Sage of Six Paths left a contingency in the Shinobi World. According to the White Snake Sage, his spirit has been wandering this world ever since.
"If the seal is ever broken, the Sage of Six Paths will return and help seal her again," Fugaku said.
"Incredible. The Sage of Six Paths' power is astonishing, but at least that gives us some reassurance.
"The White Snake Sage must think highly of you, Fugaku. Otherwise, she wouldn't have shared such secret intelligence with you.
"Would you be interested in signing a Summoning Contract with Ryūchi Cave and learning Senjutsu?" Orochimaru asked.
Looking at Orochimaru's earnest face, Fugaku hated to disappoint him. But even if Fugaku said nothing now, Orochimaru would get a shock when he visited Ryūchi Cave in a few days.
"Thank you for the offer, but you must know that a Summoning Beast wouldn't be of much use to me anymore.
"As for Sage Mode, I learned it during my few days at Ryūchi Cave."
Fugaku brought his hands together. Pale red markings appeared around his eyes, and the distinctive aura of Senjutsu spread from him, its pressure filling the Laboratory.
A bead of cold sweat ran down Orochimaru's forehead. Fugaku had surpassed anything he could imagine. Sage Mode had taken Orochimaru six months just to grasp, yet Fugaku had learned it in days.
Fugaku's appearance remained entirely normal, with no sign of mutation. He had perfect control over the Natural Energy and Senjutsu Chakra he absorbed.
Orochimaru also understood why the White Snake Sage favored Fugaku Uchiha, and why the Great Sages of the other two Sacred Lands had been willing to receive him.
Once someone reached