The trials at Ryūchi Cave are arguably the most cruel and extreme of the Three Great Sage Lands. Failure means becoming the examiner's meal, yet it remains a sacred place for those who single-mindedly pursue power.
The trials at Ryūchi Cave are quite challenging; otherwise, so many challengers wouldn't have perished at the hands of the three snake princesses. If you are fortunate enough to pass the trials of the three snake princesses, you will be able to meet the legendary White Snake Sage. As long as you can withstand the White Snake Sage's final test, you can directly learn the Sage Mode of this sacred place.
Unlike other sacred sites, which require you to comprehend, understand, and learn before you can unlock Sage Mode, Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode is something you can learn directly by passing the final test of the White Sage Mode White Snake Sage.
Naruto and Orochimaru followed Tagorihime -Tagorihime into a magnificent castle. After winding their way through many twists and turns, they finally arrived at an elegantly decorated room. Who would have thought that such a place would exist in this remote, impoverished mountain cave?
As soon as they entered, Orochimaru and Naruto were greeted by the enticing aroma of food.
Seeing that the two were still standing outside, Tagorihime quickly greeted them.
"What are you waiting for? Things have come to this, let's eat."
Upon hearing this, Naruto and Orochimaru exchanged a glance. Neither of them were stupid; if they were to fall for such an obvious scam, they would have wasted all their years of their lives.
Seeing that the two were just standing outside watching, Tagorihime started eating by herself.
"Won't you two come in and have a taste? It's delicious."
Despite the enthusiastic invitation from Tagorihime, the two remained unmoved and simply stood outside watching Tagorihime put on her act.
At this moment, Tagorihime realized that she had been trying to fool these two people for a long time, but they were not fooled. She felt quite embarrassed. She didn't know if it was just her imagination, but she felt that these two people were looking at her like she was a monkey.
Tagorihime's expression was somewhat unpleasant. The fact that these two people didn't fall for her trick made her feel a little vulnerable, especially since she was being treated like a clown. This caused Tagorihime's face to change completely; her originally charming and lovely face suddenly became repulsive.
Everything in the room changed in an instant, transforming from a magnificent and luxurious room into a stone chamber. Orochimaru, standing on the outside, seemed to have known all along, remaining completely unfazed. In contrast, Naruto shuddered.
Naruto was startled by Tagorihime. He knew Tagorihime had two faces, but he didn't expect her to change her expression so quickly. One second she was beautiful and charming, and the next she was just freezing cold.
It gave Naruto goosebumps.
Although Tagorihime was unhappy, she had no choice but to announce that the two people had passed her trial.
"Hmph, you've passed. Go straight ahead to the next level. Don't die at their hands. They can't eat the food I didn't get."
Naruto and Orochimaru arrived at the second trial site, the trial grounds of Ichikishimahime. She appeared before them immediately, though her expression was rather unpleasant.
Because Ichikishimahime has rather unique tastes, she doesn't like the Chakra of living people, so she usually kills the trial participants before eating them.
However, her expression was grim at this moment, because she could sense the immense Chakra within Naruto's body, which made it impossible for her to completely deplete it.
The trial involved filling the gap in the boulder blocking the entrance with rubble from the ground. However, the process of filling the gap would continuously deplete the Chakra of the trial participants until they died, at Ichikishimahime would be able to devour their corpses.
But Naruto's Chakra —no, his chakra—was a completely different level of power for this trial. It couldn't possibly deplete Naruto's Chakra. This was why Ichikishimahime's expression was unpleasant. She didn't give the two of them a friendly look either, because this was already a trial with a result.
Naruto at this moment: Let's burn some calories, come on, let's have some fun...
"You guys figure it out yourselves."
After uttering those words, Ichikishimahime disappeared.
Naruto and Orochimaru stared at each other, completely clueless as to how they had offended him. They could only shrug helplessly and begin their challenge on this level.
"Let's go, Naruto-kun, let's begin."
"Good."
Although the ground was covered with rubble, Orochimaru and Naruto filled it in very quickly. This trial was no challenge for them at all; only those with less Chakra would find it difficult.
Although both of them could feel their Chakra being depleted during the process, Naruto was clearly not as strained as Orochimaru, so he took on most of the responsibility of replenishing the fragments.
The two quickly filled in the boulder. This time, Ichikishimahime didn't even bother to congratulate them and simply chose not to come out. Naruto and Orochimaru didn't say anything either, and just went to the next level on their own.
The examiner for the third trial was Tagitsuhime. She mainly tested Genjutsu. Don't be fooled by her gentle appearance, like the older sister next door from years ago. In reality, she is extremely cruel. If you fail her trial, you will not even have a complete corpse.
"Roar! Trial participants, I never expected you to reach my level."
"Your trial is simple: you only need to pass my Genjutsu, and you will succeed. But if you fail, you will become my food."
As Tagitsuhime spoke, her face transformed into that ugly and terrifying one, leaving Naruto speechless. She clearly had such a beautiful face, so why did she suddenly turn into something so ugly?
"Alright, the trial begins."
Feeling uneasy, Tagitsuhime went directly to Naruto's side.
"Don't resist, brat, you're all in this together."
And so, both Naruto and Orochimaru were bitten by Tagitsuhime before the trial began. However, Orochimaru's eyes were somewhat ambiguous. Usually, he was the one biting others, but he never expected to be bitten by someone else today, even though the one who bit him was a snake that had been cultivating for who knows how long.
The two felt their bodies heating up, and their surroundings began to change; their Genjutsu trial had begun.
"What terrifying Chakra!"
Looking at Naruto, who was already trapped in the Genjutsu, Tagitsuhime- hime couldn't help but sigh, "His Chakra is so tempting."