Three days later, at Ryūchi Cave.
After receiving its location from the Slug Sage, Uchiha Sora and Tsunade finally arrived.
Mist filled the dark, damp hidden realm of Ryūchi Cave.
Deep within the mist stood a temple.
In the temple's main hall, a White Phosphorus Snake sat coiled high above the floor.
Her body was exceedingly long, wound in coils around the throne. A smoking pipe rested in her mouth as she puffed out clouds of smoke.
Below her, large snakes of every color wound around the pillars.
The snakes played together, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Suddenly, the White Phosphorus Snake on the throne snapped her half-lidded eyes open. She exhaled a long stream of smoke and said, "Children, we have guests. Go out and welcome them."
The snakes all answered, nodding respectfully to the White Phosphorus Snake before swarming outside.
Meanwhile...
Uchiha Sora and Tsunade made their way through the mist.
Ryūchi Cave lay within an enormous hidden cavern, its mist-filled surroundings eerie and gloomy.
"So this is Ryūchi Cave. It really does feel gloomy. I wonder if staying in a place like this for too long would be bad for your health," Tsunade murmured.
Uchiha Sora couldn't help chuckling. Since becoming pregnant, Tsunade seemed to have lost some of her usual carefree manner and grown more cautious and sensitive.
"Snakes live in underground caves, after all. It's only natural for a cavern to be dark and damp," Uchiha Sora said.
As they spoke, several sharp whistles suddenly rang out from the mist ahead.
An instant later, two water arrows shot toward their faces.
Uchiha Sora frowned. Before Tsunade could react, he formed hand seals with one hand. "Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
A wall of earth rose in the next instant, blocking both water arrows.
Then he said calmly, "Let's