In response to Orochimaru's question, Satori Hyūga spread his hands wide, unleashing a godlike, demon-rivaling power.
"Professor Orochimaru," said Satori, "I've reached the level of the strongest in the ninja world—what you could call True Six Paths Level."
Looking at Satori, who now resembled a figure from myth, Orochimaru's eyes lit up with fascination.
He moistened his lips, his raspy voice brimming with awe.
"True Six Paths Level? A strength comparable to that of the Sage of Six Paths himself?"
"Your transformation is incredible—perhaps you've even surpassed the fabled Sage of Six Paths."
"A perfect physique, overwhelming power, boundless vitality, and near-immortality—it makes you the ultimate lifeform."
"Would you care to share how you achieved this?"
Orochimaru, showing no hesitation in seeking guidance from his student who had clearly surpassed him, asked eagerly.
He knew his student harbored many secrets, but never imagined he'd surpass him so quickly.
"We're not that different, right?" thought Orochimaru. "Is it possible I'm falling behind because I rarely leave my lab?"
As Orochimaru lost himself in thought, Satori slowly recounted what had happened during that time.
Knowing his path couldn't be replicated, Satori wasn't worried about Orochimaru surpassing him after learning the details.
When Orochimaru heard the origin story of the ninja world—the tale of the Chakra Dragon and her disobedient sons—his expression lit up in realization.
"I see."
"You inherited your Byakugan, the bloodline left by the Sage of Six Paths' younger brother, perfected it, then absorbed his legacy."
This reminded Orochimaru of his ongoing research into the secrets of the Rinnegan.
The Rinnegan was the eye of the Sage of Six Paths—perhaps it contained the Sage's power itself.
This realization excited Orochimaru greatly.
If this lead panned out, he might gain the Sage of Six Paths' power—and true immortality.
Seeing Orochimaru grow excited, Satori—who already knew the truth—poured cold water on his enthusiasm with a few sobering facts.
"Teacher, don't get too excited. The Sage of Six Paths hasn't truly died—he's simply guarding the Pure Land, just as legend says."
"Not dead?" Orochimaru stiffened, his excitement instantly cooling.
It would have been easier if he were dead.
If he's still alive, obtaining his inheritance becomes complicated.
It's like trying to claim someone's inheritance when the owner is still alive.
"The Pure Land… the resting place of departed souls. How fitting for the Sage of Six Paths."
Far from frightening Orochimaru, this shocking revelation only fueled his excitement further.
A figure from a thousand years ago still lived—proof that true immortality was possible.
If he, Orochimaru, continued researching diligently, he could surely unravel the secret of eternal life.
"Oh, by the way, what did you come here for?" Orochimaru asked. "I don't believe you came all this way just to brag. You're not the type to act without a purpose."
Satori smiled faintly and replied, "Teacher, you really do understand me well."
"In fact, I wanted to form a contract with Ryuchi Cave and try learning the legendary Sage Mode."
"Though I'm powerful now, I'm not invincible yet."
"There are several special existences in the ninja world. I need to strengthen my power and wipe them out before they can pose a threat."
Before preparing to eliminate Kaguya's remnants, Satori Hyūga decided he should bolster his strength first.
Gathering the Six Divine Treasures wouldn't take long, and it would also minimize the risk of failure.
Upon hearing that there were beings feared by Satori, Orochimaru licked his lips, a delighted gleam in his eyes.
"I never imagined this world could be so fascinating. And yet, I've been like a frog in a well, unaware of what's beyond."
"Here is the Summoning Scroll for Ryūchi Cave you requested. Just sign your name on it if you wish to go there."
"Ryūchi Cave is one of the three great summoning sacred lands. It lies within an alternate spatial dimension. I've never personally visited, but you can attempt to summon one of the sentient serpents dwelling within. They can perform a reverse summoning to bring you over."
Originally, Orochimaru wanted to warn him about some precautions regarding Ryūchi Cave, but when he recalled his power rivaled that of the legendary Sage of Six Paths, he decided against speaking further.
In his opinion, Satori's current power was already on par with the White Snake Sage residing within Ryūchi Cave.
Thus, going there and even requesting the method of Sage Training (Hermit Training) shouldn't prove difficult.
"There's no need for all that hassle. I have some understanding of space laws myself."
Looking at the scroll before him, Satori skillfully wrote down his given name and began forming [Hand Seals].
With a puff.
As Satori channeled a massive amount of chakra, a spatial ripple emerged, spreading outward like water ripples.
With his Tenseigan activated, Satori peered through the space ripples and seemed to catch sight of another extraordinary world.
His jet-black eyes reflected the void. As the summoned beast was being transported over, he strode forward and leapt into the rift.
Another puff echoed, and a purple giant snake appeared on the scene, opening its wide eyes and glancing around for whoever had summoned it.
"Orochimaru, is that you calling me?" Manda flicked her long, violet tongue and narrowed her eyes.
The summoned beast turned out to be none other than Manda, Orochimaru's most frequently used Summoning Beast.
Shaking his head, Orochimaru stared at Manda with a strange look and smiled, "Not me. If you cancel the summoning now, you might find the summoner waiting for you in Ryūchi Cave."
"How could that be? Orochimaru, what kind of joke are you playing?" Irritated, Manda glared at Orochimaru and began scanning the area.
But after searching for quite a while, she finally sensed the summoner was nowhere nearby.
Through the connection between summoner and summoned, Manda indeed detected the summoner's presence wasn't actually here — it was at Ryūchi Cave.
Just as Manda was filled with doubt and surprise, Satori followed the spatial trail and reversed the summoning, arriving in Ryūchi Cave himself.
Located underground, Ryūchi Cave was a damp and cold place, filled with labyrinthine tunnels stretching in every direction like a spider's web.
Within these cave passages lived a myriad of venomous snakes, varying in color and size.
"Ryūchi Cave—a truly fascinating place."
Observing the snakes crawling from all directions, Satori emitted a pulse of his oppressive aura, immediately scaring them away.
At that moment, from a nearby cave entrance, emerged three breathtaking beauties—radiant in beauty, exuding sensual grace.
Dressed in ancient-style garments, they swayed their slim waists and approached Satori Hyūga with elegant steps.
But to Satori Hyūga, they appeared completely different.
They were no ordinary women—before him stood three snake spirits disguised as humans, pretending to be part of the mortal world.
From them, Satori could clearly sense a force emanating from them that was unrelated to chakra.
"The Three Snake Matriarchs... Natural Energy. They're kind of like those legendary yokai," he mused.
Facing the Three Snake Matriarchs of Ryuchi Cave, Satori was not frightened at all—in fact, he strode forward with eager anticipation.
If his strength had been inferior, he would have humbled himself and acted obediently.
But now, things were different. With Six Paths-level power and the influence of Moryo's dark energy stimulating him, his once-steady mind had gradually loosened its restraint.
Had it not been for his lingering self-control, he might have tried to capture the Three Snake Matriarchs and drain all their Natural Energy.
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