"Sakura-chan, you're so strong!"
Naruto rubbed the back of his head, a brilliant smile on his face.
Sasuke's cool, aloof face expressed much the same sentiment.
Sakura grinned smugly. "Hehe!"
Having tested the power of Sage Mode, the three were brimming with confidence about the war.
After all, all three of them now counted as strategic-level forces.
Then they exchanged glances and approached Fukasaku and Shima, who had been watching from the sidelines with astonishment all over their toad faces, and bowed respectfully.
Over the past month, Fukasaku and Shima had taught them with care, not only teaching them Sage Mode, but also Mount Myōboku's unique Sage Arts.
At this, Fukasaku and Shima froze for a moment, then looks of gratification appeared on their toad faces.
"Kids these days really are incredible!"
Fukasaku sighed in admiration.
Having finished learning Mount Myōboku's Sage Mode, it was time for Naruto and the others to leave.
Su Yu snapped his fingers, dispelling the space-time barrier enveloping Mount Myōboku, then snapped them again, and the four vanished directly from Mount Myōboku.
Looking at the now-empty spot where the four had stood, Fukasaku and Shima paused, then sighed in unison, marveling.
Su Yu and the others, who had vanished, now appeared inside a gloomy, damp cave.
"Brr, so this is Ryūchi Cave? It feels kind of uncomfortable."
Naruto looked around and frowned.
"Yeah, yeah, it feels so creepy! Nothing like Mount Myōboku!"
Sakura instinctively rubbed her arms.
Su Yu said, "Well, it is a place where snakes live, after all. It's only natural for it to be gloomy."
As they spoke, they heard a rustling sound nearby, the sound of scales scraping against stone.
Naruto and the others looked toward the sound and saw a giant snake slowly slithering toward them.
This was Orochimaru's summoning