"Shinga... I didn't expect that after what happened last time, you'd still manage to find a human you trust..."
The massive head of the White Snake Sage leaned forward, towering over Sōmi. The voice that emerged from its mouth was surprisingly akin to that of an elderly human woman.
"Hmm, and it seems this little human is a Jinchūriki... What's more, you seem to get along quite well with the Tailed Beast inside you." The White Snake Sage's enormous golden slit pupils fixed on Sōmi, as though it could see straight through him to the Shukaku sealed within.
Inside Sōmi, Shukaku felt as though it were being locked onto by a colossal serpent coiled around a mountain that pierced the heavens. A heavy, ancient aura, as vast and deep as the earth itself, surged toward it, causing its backside to instinctively clench in unease.
Though Shukaku had once encountered figures as powerful as the Sage of Six Paths, granting it a certain worldly experience, the presence of the White Snake Sage was still overwhelming.
Sōmi, on the other hand, felt like a small wooden boat adrift in a raging, stormy sea. From the depths of the ocean, a pair of blood-red eyes, as massive as mountains, stared at him intently, as if ready to crush him at any moment.
A terrifying pressure, accompanied by an icy chill, enveloped him. Cold sweat poured from Sōmi's body, and his limbs began to tremble uncontrollably.
Instinctively, Sōmi activated his One-Tail Chakra Mode.
A golden aura resembling a misty sandstorm enveloped his body. Only then did the oppressive force slightly ease its grip on him.
"Hmm?"
The White Snake Sage exhaled a large puff of smoke, seemingly intrigued by Sōmi's adept use of Tailed Beast Chakra.
"How interesting, little human..."
The White Snake Sage murmured softly before raising its massive snake head back to its throne.
"What brings you here?"
"I wish to learn Sage Mode from you, great Sage!"
Sōmi declared his purpose without hesitation.
"Oh?"
"If we're talking about your Chakra reserves, then your attempt to master Sage Mode will undoubtedly end with you losing control of Natural Energy and transforming into a snake. At that point, I'll simply devour your body, brimming with berserk energy, in one bite!"
The White Snake Sage chuckled darkly.
Sōmi felt a bead of sweat roll down his temple. This peculiar penchant for consuming bodies filled with volatile energy—was it akin to humans enjoying popping candy or indulging in something thrilling like a "desert storm" experience?
"Ahem!"
Shinga coughed, its single eye glaring at the White Snake Sage with a clear expression of displeasure. Its attitude was unmistakable.
After spending so much time with Sōmi, Shinga had grown fond of the human who provided it with delicious food that perfectly suited its tastes.
Not to mention, with the golden armor Sōmi crafted for it, Shinga now looked like a divine serpent descended from the heavens, exuding unparalleled majesty and dominance.
Shinga had no intention of letting Sōmi meet an untimely end in Ryūchi Cave. Otherwise, it would be forced to return to its former monotonous and dreary existence. Deep down, Shinga yearned for companionship. Its arrogance and ferocity were merely a facade to mask the sorrow of its past.
"Heh heh..."
The White Snake Sage let out a soft laugh, releasing another puff of smoke from between its lips.
"However, since you can skillfully wield Tailed Beast Chakra, and considering Shinga's vouching for you, there's a chance you might succeed in learning Sage Mode!"
With that, the White Snake Sage's thick tail slammed onto the ground with a resounding boom, akin to a thunderclap on a clear day.
The sheer force of the casual strike was a testament to the White Snake Sage's immense power.
Moments later, a small azure snake slithered out from the shadows.
This snake, barely a meter long and only a few centimeters thick, was utterly insignificant in size compared to Shinga and the White Snake Sage.
Yet, as the snake emerged, Sōmi could sense an extraordinary power emanating from its slender frame. It was clear that this seemingly unremarkable snake also possessed mastery over Sage powers.
"Ichikishimahime, assist this human in mastering Sage Mode," the White Snake Sage commanded.
"Understood!"
To Sōmi's astonishment, the azure snake responded in a clear and melodious voice, reminiscent of a fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl.
As Sōmi stared in surprise, Ichikishimahime began to slither toward him, swiftly coiling up his leg and moving upward.
"Uh..."
Sōmi was taken aback. Was the training starting already?
Wasn't there supposed to be some explanation about how to control Natural Energy?
In the blink of an eye, Ichikishimahime's head reached Sōmi's chest. Just as he was about to glance down, the snake suddenly reared its head. In a flash of lightning-like speed, it struck, sinking its fangs into Sōmi's neck.
"Ugh?!"
Sōmi's eyes widened in shock. His body convulsed as if struck by lightning, and he collapsed to the ground.
"Calm your mind and focus. Feel the flow of Natural Energy!"
"Balance the Natural Energy with your physical and spiritual energy..."
The White Snake Sage's voice echoed in Sōmi's ears.
Crack... crack...
Sōmi gritted his teeth tightly, enduring the pain as a cold, slippery, and violently chaotic energy surged into his body.
Wherever this energy flowed, fine white scales began to sprout across his skin. He could feel his muscles and bones becoming more flexible, as if he were transforming into a humanoid serpent.
"Shukaku!"
"Help me control this Natural Energy!" Sōmi pleaded through clenched teeth, his face contorted in agony.
"This is my first time encountering Natural Energy too! How should I know how to control it?"
"I've already handed my Chakra over to you. Just listen to that White Snake Sage!"
Shukaku responded nonchalantly, though a hint of schadenfreude flickered in its tone as it watched Sōmi's suffering.
"Do you think... balancing this is that simple?!"
"Then learn! Don't you want to wield such immense power?"
"If you want to surpass the Nine-Tails in Chakra, this is your chance... mastering this energy is your key to surpassing it!"
Sōmi growled lowly.
Clearly, he had underestimated the difficulty of mastering Sage Mode, especially the version taught in Ryūchi Cave, which was likely the most perilous among the Three Great Sacred Lands.
Even with Shinga's favor paving the way, resulting in Ichikishimahime being assigned to guide him, Sōmi couldn't help but imagine what would happen to an ordinary fool with no connections who dared to demand Sage Mode training from the White Snake Sage...
He could vividly picture the White Snake Sage's sinister grin as it opened its massive jaws, its spear-like fangs piercing straight through the unfortunate soul's body...
"Fine, kid!"
"I'll help you! Together, we'll control this Natural Energy!"
The mention of the Nine-Tails seemed to ignite Shukaku's competitive spirit, and it finally relented.
With Shukaku's assistance in balancing the Natural Energy, the likelihood of Sōmi being consumed by it significantly decreased.
"Will he be alright?"
Shinga asked, its single eye filled with concern as it watched Sōmi writhe in pain on the ground.
"Humans are born of desire and inevitably fall into darkness. Those who come to me are all driven by their desires, willing to abandon everything—even their lives—to fulfill them..."
The White Snake Sage took a slow drag from its pipe, the glowing embers flickering in the darkness as it gazed down at Sōmi, whose convulsions were gradually subsiding.
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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