The three of them were the three trials responsible for testing those who entered Ryūchi Cave. If Ichikishimahime was absent, then one trial would be missing.
Though hardly anyone came to Ryūchi Cave in the first place. Even maniacs pursuing power needed the ability to locate Ryūchi Cave. There was never any shortage of maniacs seeking power in this world; what was lacking was the ability to obtain it.
"No need. Let her do as she pleases."
The White Snake Sage wore a kindly smile, yet she maliciously thought to herself that before long, that little girl would be driven back after Naruto grew tired of her. The three Snake Princesses were all exceptionally beautiful, but when they were about to shed their skin, they became extremely ugly. Even if Tagohime was not sent to bring her back, Ichikishimahime would obediently return when it was time for her to molt. The great snakes of Ryūchi Cave were different from ordinary snakes, but they still needed to shed their skin. The difference was between actively shedding and passively shedding. Active shedding was done to evade attacks, while passive shedding was a physiological phenomenon of snakes. Every few years or decades, they had to shed once. The former could be completed almost instantly, while the latter required a long time—at least ten days to half a month, or as long as one or two months, sometimes even a full year. The White Snake Sage calculated that Ichikishimahime would molt in less than a month. Although she knew Ichikishimahime was by Naruto's side, she did not know that she and Naruto had formed a relationship that transcended species. Moreover, although Naruto's saliva and bodily fluids did not contain as much vitality as his blood, taking them over a long period would still have