"What's got you so worked up?"
"What made you suddenly come up with this idea, forming your own faction? Do you even know how many years Ryūchi Cave has been around?"
"Or how many years Mount Myōboku has existed?"
Tagitsuhime retorted to Kazuyama Gekkō.
But the latter clearly dismissed the question with contempt, for he had his own convictions.
"I know what you're going to say, but Tagitsuhime, whether it's Rikudō Sennin or the First Hokage, they were ordinary people at the start—just with slightly stronger bloodlines."
"In that regard, I don't think I'm any worse. The advantages of my Transparent Escape Technique are more than enough to support my vision."
"I just hadn't found my direction."
Kazuyama Gekkō slowly activated his Transparent Escape Technique. The next instant, the natural energy deep within the Ryūchi Cave surged madly into his body.
In just one second, he reappeared, now saturated with natural energy and having entered Sage Mode.
"Sage Mode is indeed powerful, but mine is based on the Dragon Cave."
"I need to break free from this range to advance further."
This was the conclusion Kazuyama Gekkō had deduced from his recent analyses.
As a human, learning Ryūchi Cave's Senjutsu was fundamentally misguided.
To become a true Sage, he must overturn everything he had previously known.
"Holy crap..."
"You kid, did your brain explode? What kind of theory is this..."
"Create Senjutsu from your own power?"
Tagitsuhime's eyes widened, filled with disbelief.
Yet Kazuyama Gekkō remained utterly convinced.
After all, back then, Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki had studied Senjutsu under Gamamaru, but those weren't Mount Myōboku's Senjutsu. They were a form Hagoromo had grasped on his own.
It was a style of Senjutsu that perfectly suited him.
This was what truly transformed Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo into a Sage.
"I need to release the Coiling Serpent Technique and abandon all of Ryūchi Cave's Senjutsu."
"So I can cultivate my own Senjutsu instead."
"To do this, I must meet with the White Snake Sage."
He needed to sever all connections to Ryūchi Cave's Senjutsu.
Release the Coiling Serpent Technique.
Of course, he did not wish to sever the Summoning Contract; the Ryūchi Cave remained his foremost choice.
"I'll take you there, but whether you succeed depends entirely on you."
"In all these years, you are the first to master the Dragon's Abyss Senjutsu and still wish to abandon it."
Tagitsuhime didn't know what to say, but seeing Kazuyama Gekkō's earnest expression, she knew he was serious.
Though she was a Snake Princess, even she couldn't break the Coiling Serpent Technique.
After all, it was one of the most profound arts within Ryūchi Cave.
Just as the man and the snake ventured deeper into the cave,
The voice of the White Snake Sage echoed softly:
"Tagitsuhime, return now."
"Kazuyama Gekkō, continue inward. Bring back that Seven-Leaves-One-Branch Flower along the way."
Tagitsuhime glanced at Kazuyama Gekkō. Everything within the Ryūchi Cave was under the White Snake Sage's watchful gaze.
She had undoubtedly heard the words Kazuyama Gekkō had spoken earlier.
"Yes, White Snake Sage."
"Kazuyama, it's up to you now. I'm off to eat some snakeberries."
After giving Kazuyama Gekkō an encouraging look, Tagitsuhime immediately turned and soared back in the direction she had come.
She couldn't fly on her way here, but now she could fly back.
Kazuyama Gekkō, however, remained utterly composed. He first retrieved the Seven-Leaves-One-Branch Flower he had obtained by chance, then cradled it in his palm. Step by step, he advanced toward the deepest recesses.
The deepest part of the Ryūchi Cave was where the White Snake Sage resided.
As Kazuyama Gekkō approached, a faint glow flickered through the originally empty cavern, and a mansion materialized from the illusory void.
"Enter."
Inside, the White Snake Sage sat in a chair, observing him with a faint gaze.
"Long time no see, White Snake Sage."
Kazuyama Gekkō grinned, extending his right hand to reveal the Seven-Leaves-One-Branch Flower.
Seeing this, the White Snake Sage also smiled, waving the hand holding his pipe lightly.
A small white snake emerged from behind him, slithering away with the Seven-Leaves-One-Branch Flower.
Having obtained what he desired, the White Snake Sage took a puff of his pipe and spoke slowly:
"I know why you came."
"Very well. I can release you from your Coiling Serpent Technique. When that happens, your cultivation of the Ryūchi Cave Senjutsu will enter a vulnerable period, severed from your connection to the Snake Princess."
"Unless you forge a new connection yourself, you won't be able to wield the Ryūchi Cave Senjutsu."
"I imagine this is precisely what you sought."
Kazuyama Gekkō smiled, a smile brimming with delight.
Indeed, this was his objective—to sever his own Ryūchi Cave Senjutsu.
"White Snake Sage, you claim to know all matters of the Ninja World. Did you know that back then, Gamamaru taught the Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo Senjutsu?"
The White Snake Sage exhaled a puff of smoke, glanced at him, then nodded.
"Hmph. I'm older than that old toad. Even if he saw me, he wouldn't dare do anything."
"Back then, he didn't just teach the Sage of Six Paths Senjutsu—he also handed over the Immortal Seal of Mount Myōboku to him."
Kazuyama Gekkō nodded. Knowing that made things easier. The real focus came next.
"Then do you know how the Sage of Six Paths actually cultivated his Immortal Arts?"
"His Immortal Arts belong to a different category than those of the Three Great Sage Regions. It's an entirely separate Immortal Arts system."
The White Snake Sage shook his head.
Seeing the refusal, Kazuyama Gekkō sighed helplessly.
"Natural energy enters the body, and each person gains their own insights."
"Few in the entire Ninja World can master Senjutsu. Those who cultivate the techniques of the Three Great Sage Regions, like you, are relatively common."
"To independently comprehend and develop a complete system of Senjutsu is exceedingly difficult."
"But I imagine this poses no real challenge for you, given your extraordinary advantages."
"Your Transparent Escape Technique still amazes me to this day."
Ultimately, forging one's own path remained exceedingly difficult.
Yet Kazuyama Gekkō felt this was the only way forward—the only path to truly stand against certain future adversaries.
After all, both Madara and Kaguya had already transcended the realm of ninja.
He must attain Sage status.
Next, the White Snake Sage set down his pipe and rose slowly.
Under Kazuyama Gekkō's gaze, he transformed into his true form—a colossal white serpent, its tail stretching beyond sight.
"Prepare yourself. I'm about to sever your Coiling Serpent Technique."
"But rest assured, this won't affect your summoning contract."
Kazuyama Gekkō exhaled in relief. As long as the summoning remained intact, it was fine—after all, both the Snake Princess and Kinrin were valuable allies. He had no desire to weaken himself further.