"Ryuchi Cave, is it really a dragon?"
"After a lifetime of practicing Immortal Techniques, is it worthy of being called an Immortal?"
"You're just a snake. Do you really have the chance to shed your snake skin and ascend to become a dragon, reaching the other shore?"
"If success is beyond reach, then it'd be better to end it all now; after all, these hundreds of years spent in the cave have been meaningless..."
Tagitsuhime was trapped in a cycle of reincarnation over and over again.
In a void world, she experienced countless transformations from a small snake to human form, yet ultimately failed to become a dragon...
Ryuchi Cave?
Snake Cave!
Merely a group of snakes boasting in self-indulgence after acquiring a blessed place and some Secret Techniques!
Tears of relief slowly rolled down from Tagitsuhime's eyes, and she suddenly opened them wide.
Her hands, just as countless times in the Genjutsu, were wrapped firmly around her neck, decisively exerting force!
Which is real, which is illusion?
Tagitsuhime could no longer distinguish.
She only knew that the faith in becoming a dragon, which had sustained her for hundreds of years, was just illusory foam.
The truest thing was the life marked by constant failure...
Aomi stepped forward and separated Tagitsuhime's hands, which had been attempting suicide, his voice resonating heavily like a clash of bronze bells beside her ear!
"Repent now!"
Tagitsuhime flinched, pierced by the powerful sound wave, raising her head blankly.
In thousands of cycles, wasn't there this scene?
"If you wish to shed your snake skin and ascend to become a dragon, then you must have a valiant and aggressive spirit of advancement, even if failing hundreds or thousands of times, so what..."
Aomi looked compassionately at the kneeling Tagitsuhime, his large hand covering her head, and said solemnly:
"With a floating mindset and unstable soul, you must roll through the mundane world to shape an invincible heart against the swirling red dust!"
Tagitsuhime stared blankly at Aomi.
For some reason, at this moment Aomi reminded her of those virtuous monks at the Fire Temple, with a presence even more grand...
Aomi gently rolled up his sleeve, revealing the two small white snakes nestled against his arm's Bone Armor: "No need to say more, come join me!"
Tagorihime and Ichikishimahime lazily blinked their snake eyes, their delicate tails even making a circle, seemingly welcoming their sister.
Tagitsuhime blinked in confusion, but her body transformed honestly, then coiled around Aomi's arm.
Aomi smiled slightly, heading with the three Snake Princesses towards the grand hall of Ryuchi Cave, stopping before the mountain gate, and slowly said:
"Uchiha Aomi of Konoha, pays respects to the White Snake Sage!"
——
Meanwhile, at the distant Hidden Rock Battlefield.
Zetsu was conversing with Kakashi, looking both sorrowful and pitiful, depicting vividly the role of a suffering widow.
Actually, this was the very role it was playing.
The news of Uchiha Obito's death was witnessed by most Konoha Ninjas on the Hidden Rock Battlefield.
Hit by the Dust Release, no chance of survival...
"Let me be alone for a while, Kakashi, I want some peace..." Zetsu forced a smile, and after seeing Kakashi off, its eyes gleamed, its figure sinking into the earth.
The plan, ready to commence!
And just as its leg entered the ground, Aomi appeared joyfully from below, grabbing its arm: "Oh, my foolish brother..."
"Have you finally stopped hesitating?"
Zetsu froze on the spot!