Seeing that Hibari also agreed, the boy Orochimaru didn't want to wait any longer. After all, his goal was almost within reach, and no one would want to waste time at a moment like this.
So he nodded to Hibari and said, "Then I'll be going, aniki."
Reluctantly, Manda also took the boy Orochimaru and led him into Ryūchi Cave.
After Manda and Orochimaru had left, Ichikishimahime spoke up, sounding a little impatient. "Please come with me, honored guest."
Although Hibari felt that things were happening too fast and he was a little bewildered, he was confident in his abilities and bold. With the Flying Raijin Technique in his arsenal, even if he couldn't win a fight in Ryūchi Cave, he could definitely escape.
So he wasn't flustered or nervous at all. He smiled and nodded to Ichikishimahime, then said, "I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Senju Hibari. I apologize for my unannounced visit to Ryūchi Cave. I hope you, Princess of Snakes, will forgive me for the intrusion."
When Ichikishimahime heard Hibari's introduction, she was even more pleased with him. She truly admired his calm and poised demeanor.
However, she soon froze for a moment before asking with a hint of surprise, "Senju Hibari? Are you from the Senju clan of the Forest? What is your relationship with Senju Hashirama?"
Hibari was also taken aback. He never expected that someone in Ryūchi Cave, a place completely unrelated to his grandfather Hashirama, would know his name. Was it because his grandfather truly deserved the title of "God of Shinobi"? The legend who brought peace to a chaotic world…
What Hibari didn't know was that Senju Hashirama, as the previous "Chosen One," was a well-known figure in all three of the Sage regions. The Slug Sage's Shikkotsu Forest also shined brightly during that era and has now become the "summoning contract" passed down through the Senju clan for generations.
Despite his surprise, Hibari quickly recovered and said, "I never expected the Princess of Snakes to know of the Senju clan. Yes, I am indeed a Senju of the Forest. As for Senju Hashirama, he is my…"
"I see. So you are Senju Hashirama's grandson. No wonder…" Ichikishima-hime murmured softly. Then she smiled and said, "Please, no more 'Princess of Snakes.' That's too formal. It's been a long time since we've had a guest in Ryūchi Cave, and I've become a bit flustered. My name is Ichikishimahime, one of the disciples of the White Snake Sage. You can just call me 'Ichikishima,' Hibari-dono. I hope you'll look after me from now on."
Hibari raised an eyebrow but didn't stand on ceremony. He immediately replied, "Then I won't be formal. Ichikishima, I hope you'll look after me as well."
Hibari took a few steps forward and stood beside Ichikishimahime. Ichikishimahime took a deep breath. As Hibari got closer, her desire to devour him became even more intense. Barely managing to suppress the urge, she swallowed and looked at Hibari with a hint of greed before saying, "Please, follow me…"
Hibari didn't think much of it and simply followed Ichikishimahime deeper into the cave.
As they walked, the two chatted, and the atmosphere was quite pleasant. Hibari was genuinely surprised that the people of Ryūchi Cave were so welcoming. According to legend, wasn't this a very treacherous place? Or was his grandfather Senju Hashirama's reputation so great that it kept the entire Ryūchi Cave in check? That didn't seem right either.
And was it just his imagination, or was Ichikishimahime getting closer and closer to him? Before, there had been a two-person gap between them, but after a few steps, Ichikishimahime was almost glued to his shoulder. Her breathing also seemed to be getting faster.
The caves and tunnels of Ryūchi Cave were massive; a giant beast like Manda could easily pass through, proving how wide the path was. So why did she need to crowd him?
"Sluuurp…" Ichikishimahime suddenly made a slurping sound as she caught the drool that was about to fall from her mouth. Hibari heard the embarrassing sound clearly.
At the same time, a blush of embarrassment spread across Ichikishimahime's face. No matter if she had taken the form of a young loli or was a snake sage who had lived for a thousand years, anyone in her situation would find this awkward, right?
Hibari's expression was a bit difficult to read. He looked at Ichikishimahime, who was almost pressed against him, and hesitated before asking, "Ichikishima… Are you feeling a little cold?"
As soon as Hibari said this, Ichikishimahime seemed to snap out of her daze. When did she get so close to Senju Hibari? This gluttonous desire was truly a problem…
Forcing herself to resist the urge to get even closer to Hibari, Ichikishimahime awkwardly created some distance between them again. "It is a little cold. Please forgive me for my lack of composure, Hibari-dono."
"Cold"? What a load of crap. Hibari had just been hinting at her behavior. Ichikishimahime was a snake sage, a giant snake in her true form. She was a cold-blooded animal; how could she possibly feel cold in Ryūchi Cave? If she felt cold, she would just hibernate.
"No problem, no problem," Hibari said with a laugh and waved his hand.
Afterward, the atmosphere between them became a little awkward. As if to break the silence, Ichikishimahime thought for a moment before asking, "Hibari-dono, what business do you have with Ryūchi Cave?"
Hibari also wanted to quickly break the awkwardness. Seeing that Ichikishimahime had asked, he immediately replied, "It's like this: the boy from before, Orochimaru, is my brother and half-apprentice. He doesn't have a powerful summoning animal and is very interested in Ryūchi Cave, so he asked me to help him come here to sign a summoning contract. I also had the same idea, and I want to visit the White Snake Sage to resolve a few questions."
Ichikishimahime nodded in response, then asked with a bit of confusion, "By the way, your Senju clan of the Forest has always maintained a friendly relationship with Shikkotsu Forest, which is as famous as us. With your status, you should be able to get a summoning contract with them, right? Why haven't you signed a contract with the Slug Sage? Why come to Ryūchi Cave instead?"
Hibari scratched his head, a little embarrassed. "Well, although the Slug Sage is great, it doesn't seem to suit me. I personally prefer Ryūchi Cave. And compared to slugs, I like snakes more…"
Upon hearing this, Ichikishimahime became a little happy. She said, "So you like snakes, Hibari-dono? You have very good taste."
Hibari wanted to say that he just preferred snakes more in comparison to slugs, but it was important to say what people wanted to hear. Since he was in Ryūchi Cave, which was full of snakes, it was best to say something nice. So Hibari didn't explain further and just nodded. "Indeed."
As he said this, he didn't even think about what he had done not long ago: he had almost flayed Manda. How could he possibly say he liked snakes?
Fortunately, the person with Hibari was Ichikishimahime, not Manda. Otherwise, he would've been truly embarrassed.
"A summoning contract is easy to grant. I can decide that for you. If you want one, Hibari-dono, I can give you a contract without any trouble. I'm sure you are worthy of it. However, as for Senjutsu, it's a very important matter in all three of the Great Sage regions. I don't have the authority to decide this. You must get the White Snake Sage's approval before you can begin to learn this secret art. But as I said before, meeting the White Snake Sage isn't that simple…"
Hibari smiled when he heard Ichikishimahime's words and asked, "What are the requirements and qualifications needed to meet the White Snake Sage?"
Just then, before Ichikishimahime could speak, another clear voice came from a cave not far ahead. Hibari saw a beautiful young woman float out of the cave. It seemed that all three of Ryūchi Cave's Princesses of Snakes had the ability to float.
Ichikishimahime's small loli body wore accessories that were entirely light blue, and her true form was also a light blue giant snake. The young woman floating toward them wore emerald green accessories. With just one glance, Hibari recognized her. This Princess of Snakes should be Tagorihime.
"You need to pass the trials set by us, the three Princesses of Snakes of Ryūchi Cave. Otherwise, it's impossible to meet the White Snake Sage… Unless you want to force your way through… If you can defeat the three of us, that will also suffice," Tagorihime said with a chuckle as she floated in front of Hibari and Ichikishimahime.
Just like Ichikishimahime, the moment she saw Hibari, she almost returned to her true form. Her appetite also increased greatly. As she spoke, she tried to nonchalantly move closer to Hibari to get a closer whiff of this "ingredient's" delicious scent.
However, Ichikishimahime seemed to not want Tagorihime to "steal her man." She also took a step forward, naturally placing herself between Tagorihime and Hibari. Then she smiled and said, "But I must warn you, Hibari-dono, the trial is not that simple. It's been hundreds of years since anyone passed it… If you fail, it will be the end for you."
Tagorihime was so angry her teeth were grinding. 'What's wrong with me having a little sniff? How dare you block my path, you little brat?'
'Do you want to eat all by yourself?'
She couldn't explode in anger right now, so she just secretly noted this down and planned to settle the score with Ichikishimahime later.
Hibari smiled upon hearing what the two of them said, then spoke. "I won't be forcing my way through. You two Princesses of Snakes are as beautiful as flowers. I, Senju Hibari, consider myself a chivalrous person who cherishes beauty, so how could I lay my hands on you? Therefore, I have no choice but to take on this trial. However, if I fail, will there be a second chance? And what will happen if I fail?"
"A second chance? I'm afraid there's no such thing. Failure is failure, and the trial is a one-time opportunity," Ichikishimahime said with a smile.
Before she could finish her sentence, a figure suddenly appeared behind Hibari. Hibari felt someone lick his cheek, which shocked him greatly. Although he seemed relaxed in Ryūchi Cave, he had been on high alert, and his chakra sensing had not let up for a moment.
Yet someone had managed to get behind him. If the person had been hostile, he would have either died on the spot or been seriously injured.
'Sure enough, the three Princesses of Snakes have perfect stealth abilities that can't be sensed?' Hibari thought to himself.
At the same time, he heard the voice of the third Princess of Snakes, Tagitsuhime. She whispered in his ear, "If you fail, honored guest, we will eat you… Hehehe."
It was only then that Hibari finally understood. No wonder he had always felt that something was off with the loli Ichikishimahime. He had initially thought that it was because he was too handsome and that Ichikishimahime, who probably hadn't seen such an outstanding man in a long time, had been attracted by his unparalleled charm.
Now that he thought about it, that wasn't it at all. He instantly understood the meaning of the "sluuurp" sound he had heard earlier. That was her appetite! These three were treating him like a dish delivered right to their doorstep!
'My handsome looks and unparalleled charm… in your eyes, I'm just a dish?' Hibari thought to himself, completely without shame.
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