The Three Snake Matriarchs felt his greedy gaze sweep over them, making their hair stand on end and sending chills down their spines.
Facing Satori Hyūga, they were like prey facing a natural predator, too terrified to meet his gaze.
This was crushing dominance—of life form, of power—an oppressive stare from the apex of the food chain.
The Three Snake Matriarchs trembled all over, as if witnessing the true presence of the White Snake Sage descending before them, ready to toss them into a cauldron and melt them down into potions.
It was Tanaka no Kami, the eldest, who finally stepped forward to speak with Satori Hyūga.
"Esteemed guest, may I ask what brings you to Ryuchi Cave?"
Polite outwardly, anxious within.
The arrival of someone at the level of a sage in the ninja world could cause great calamity if mishandled.
Satori regarded them with amusement before stating his purpose.
"I've heard that Sage Arts exist within the three great summoning sacred lands. The reason I came here to Ryuchi Cave is to seek out the techniques of cultivation."
Originally, he had intended to go to Mount Myoboku—Ryuchi Cave being known as the most perilous of the three great summoning sacred lands.
But times had changed—he now stood at the True Six Paths level, fearing no one, not even the White Snake Sage.
"I see. Then please, follow me," said Tanaka no Kami with a relieved smile as she began leading the way forward.
Her graceful figure swayed lightly before Satori.
In private, however, the Three Snake Matriarchs communicated through silent mental techniques.
"Sister, why did you take him straight to the White Snake Sage? According to tradition, shouldn't we test him first?" whispered the second sister.
"You want me out of the way early so you can take my place, don't you?" replied the elder sister. "With such a terrifying person before us, who needs tests or formalities?"
"You're right, elder sister," added the third sister. "We should just leave this headache to the White Snake Sage anyway."
They whispered among themselves, unaware that every word reached Satori's mind.
At Satori's level, nearly all the world's secrets lay bare—he could see through everything.
What would have been undetectable telepathic chatter to others was as clear as whispered words by his ear.
Still, Satori chose not to expose them and simply followed behind.
As they descended deeper, the air turned colder and damper, thick with ominous energy.
Distinct waves of power surged around Satori's body, unlike anything found in chakra.
"So this is Natural Energy," he thought. "It's abundant—distinct from chakra, yet with unique effects."
As he walked, Satori directly absorbed some of the energy into his body, beginning research and analysis.
When mixed with chakra, Natural Energy could enhance a cultivator's strength to a certain extent.
This greatly intrigued Satori.
Even more fascinating to him was how to master Sage Mode and develop Sage Arts.
"This was definitely the right decision to come here."
"Once I master Sage Mode, my strength will multiply by two to three times."
"The ninja world isn't short on treasures. Maybe I should gather them all first… then settle accounts with Kaguya's remnants and Root."
Seeing the potential of Sage Arts made Satori Hyūga recall other intriguing elements he had seen in various films.
"Honored guest, the White Snake Sage dwells within this temple."
After a short walk, led by the Three Snake Matriarchs, Satori arrived before a majestic and imposing temple.
As he approached the entrance, the temple doors slowly opened.
"Interesting. So this is the White Snake Sage, huh?"
The grand temple was filled with coiling incense smoke, appearing tranquil and serene—at least outwardly. To Satori's perception, however, it was far from peaceful.
A giant serpent covered in white scales twisted its massive body around, forming the outer walls of the temple. Its colossal snake head had transformed into the very structure of the palace.
The scented incense filling the air was nothing more than toxic mist exhaled by the White Snake.
Arriving at the temple equated to meeting the White Snake Sage himself.
Facing the sky-piercing, towering figure of the White Snake, Satori fearlessly stepped forward.
But just as he took his first step, everything changed.
The temple vanished, replaced by a colossal white serpent towering above him. With fiery orange hair, golden eyes, and a sacred orb resting at its chest, it lowered its head to stare directly at Satori.
The White Snake coiled and rotated its massive body, moving like a moving mountain range—magnificent and awe-inspiring.
Its golden gaze fixed onto Satori, eyes brimming with greed—and wariness.
"Satori Hyūga, apprentice of Orochimaru, descendant bearing the bloodline of Hamura Otsutsuki, and the most powerful being to emerge since the Sage of Six Paths—I already know why you have come."
"I shall bestow the Sage Arts upon you, but to train in the Sage Arts of Dragon's Nest Cavern, I must infuse natural energy into your body through my fangs."
"If you are willing, I shall teach you the Sage Art methods and infuse you with natural energy to expedite your training. If not, leave now."
"I came precisely to learn the Sage Arts. Naturally, I accept." Satori replied with a measured smile, responding to the White Snake Sage.
He could sense the White Snake's underlying caution—but also noticed the flicker of greed concealed in its gaze.
Since his full rebirth, he'd gained an exceptional sensitivity to the emotional fluctuations of others.
This ability was akin to Naruto Uzumaki's natural ability to sense righteousness and malice. Though the White Snake masked its emotions well, it couldn't hide them from Satori.
What exactly did she want from him?
Upon hearing Satori's words, the White Snake Sage formed an eerily human smile, immediately imparting a wealth of Sage Art training techniques into Satori's mind.
Receiving the teachings, Satori slightly raised his brow—he immediately discerned the truth.
There was something wrong with the Sage Mode of Dragon's Nest Cavern.
Whenever studying Ninjutsu, Satori would habitually analyze its underlying principles.
He applied the same analytical approach to the Sage Arts bestowed by the White Snake Sage.
At the Six Paths level, not only had his life form evolved, but his cerebral processing speed had increased exponentially.
Using his mind—akin to a quantum computer—to deconstruct these Sage Arts, he quickly uncovered the hidden trap within.
The Sage Mode of Dragon's Nest Cavern might indeed allow rapid mastery once infused with large quantities of natural energy by the White Snake Sage, but that natural energy inside one's body would be tainted—controlled by the White Snake himself.
No matter how one cultivates from this point onward, the Natural Energy within one's body will always bear the traits of the White Snake Sage, making it subject to his influence and control.
When facing the White Snake Sage, anyone who has mastered the Sage Art of Ryuchi Cave stands absolutely no chance in battle.
It could even be said that those who've trained in the Sage Art are nothing more than prime nourishment for the White Snake Sage.
Understanding this only made Satori Hyūga's smile widen.
He'd always known there was no such thing as a free lunch—nobody simply hands another person Sage Arts without reason.
Every gift hidden within shadows carries a terrifying price.
The White Snake Sage had essentially marked him as food.
But Satori wasn't afraid. Instead, he felt a fiery determination surge within him, becoming eager to try his luck.
When it came to tainted power, he had no reason whatsoever to fear the White Snake Sage.
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