Chapter 186: The Unlucky Clan
Early the next morning, Orochimaru found Masahiko, carrying a thick travel bag on his back, looking all set to go.
Masahiko was stunned. "You're bringing so much stuff..."
Halfway through, he realized that since Orochimaru was going to Ryuchi Cave to train in Senjutsu (Sage Arts), it was normal to bring some food. Moreover, the bag might also contain some of his experimental equipment...
"Senior, if you get into a conflict with the White Snake Sage, please collect some of its blood." Orochimaru said in his raspy voice. Obviously, since Masahiko decided to go with him, he had made some additional preparations.
"Why would I get into a conflict with the Snake Sage for no reason?" Masahiko had black lines on his face, though he really didn't have much confidence saying that.
"Alright, let's go." Masahiko waved his hand, signaling Orochimaru to follow.
He had assigned his three little team members a full month of training tasks. Masahiko felt that a trip to Ryuchi Cave wouldn't take a month no matter what.
Masahiko didn't fly with Orochimaru; their relationship hadn't reached the point where Orochimaru would completely relax his body to be carried by him. The two ran all the way, heading due west from Konoha Village.
Shikkotsu Forest was southwest of Konoha, and Ryuchi Cave was north of Shikkotsu Forest. After Masahiko's long calculations... anyway, Ryuchi Cave should be west of Konoha.
Of course, Masahiko couldn't determine the exact location. The two spent two days arriving at the western border of the Land of Fire. This place was already close to the Land of Wind, located at the border of the two countries, looking desolate and uninhabited.
"Senior, is it this location?" Orochimaru asked doubtfully.
Masahiko frowned and looked around, responding with a smile, "It should be within a fifty-mile radius of here."
"A fifty-mile... radius?" Even Orochimaru had an exaggerated expression on his face.
Masahiko felt a bit embarrassed and didn't speak anymore. He formed the Tiger seal with his right hand: "Kagura Shingan (Mind's Eye of the Kagura)!"
"Oh? There's a village in a place like this?"
Masahiko was startled. About five miles away, he detected several weak chakra reactions, like those commoners with insufficient talent who barely possessed a tiny bit of ninja ability.
"Follow me." Masahiko waved his hand, signaling Orochimaru to keep up.
After a few twists and turns, they found that small village nestled between several mountain peaks.
"Senior, this is..." Orochimaru showed a surprised expression for the second time today.
Masahiko was also somewhat surprised. In the small village before them, people were still dressed in the style of the Warring States Period, looking as if they hadn't been in contact with the outside world for a long time.
"The Peach Blossom Spring of the Naruto world?" Masahiko muttered. The two stepped forward and arrived near the village.
The people in the village also noticed them and gathered around one after another.
"Who are you!"
Their words were full of vigilance.
Masahiko frowned at first, then sensed that those people with weak chakra fluctuations were also approaching rapidly.
"These people..."
Seeing these few people arrive, the villagers naturally stepped back a few paces, their faces full of complex expressions.
"I was wondering why I had a familiar feeling. It turns out to be them!"
Masahiko suddenly realized. Hiding here was the Tenbin (Libra/Scales) Clan from the Warring States Period. back then, because they were deeply affected by the Senjutsu chakra of Shikkotsu Forest, they asked Masahiko to seal their transformation ability. Later, they relocated and came to this place.
"The seal I placed back then was a Bloodline Seal. It should be stronger with each generation. Why are there still clansmen with chakra appearing? Judging by their expressions, these few people probably still lose control occasionally."
Masahiko looked around, a slightly wry expression on his face. "Could it be..."
Unexpectedly, Orochimaru didn't choose to conquer them by force but began negotiating with them. Those few people frequently looked toward Masahiko.
Masahiko didn't go over. Judging by their expressions, they should know he was their clan's "benefactor." Masahiko stood tall on the spot, waiting for their gratitude.
Unexpectedly, they did come over, but surrounded Masahiko in a hostile manner.
"Masahiko Uzumaki, I didn't expect you to still be alive. You haven't forgotten what you did to our clan, have you!" The leader spoke angrily.
Masahiko was stunned for a long while and looked at Orochimaru. Orochimaru returned an "I don't know either" expression.
"I haven't forgotten, but have you forgotten?" He was waiting for gratitude, but it turned into an interrogation. Masahiko felt helpless.
"Since you forgot, let us remind you!"
"Hmm, I might be getting old, my memory isn't very good." Masahiko mocked himself.
"Back then, the Seventh Clan Head entrusted you to seal our transformation ability, but you only made us lose the ability to be ninjas. The transformation ability has always existed."
Masahiko sighed. "I explained back then that the Bloodline Seal would cause your descendants to gradually lose the ability to be ninjas."
"But you also said you would seal our transformation ability!" The people opposite looked indignant.
"That can't be blamed on me. I can only say you are unlucky."
"Unlucky?"
Masahiko didn't know whether to laugh or cry inside...
This Tenbin Clan was simply favored by fate. back then, they moved because of the disturbance from the Shikkotsu Forest's Senjutsu chakra, and ended up moving to the vicinity of Ryuchi Cave.
Countless people in the ninja world wanted to find the Three Great Sage Regions, yet this clan unwittingly stumbled upon two of them. It could only be called luck (bad luck).
After the explanation, the people opposite looked as if they had been struck by lightning, unable to speak for a long time.
"Do you want to move again? Don't go south; there's Mount Myoboku over there."
"Senior, you can let them move to Konoha Village." Orochimaru walked over.
Masahiko frowned. Their constitution, susceptible to Senjutsu influence, had caught Orochimaru's eye.
However, Orochimaru's words reminded him.
"You can move to our Land of Whirlpools." The Land of Whirlpools was short of population. Moreover, with his current Level 9 Sealing Jutsu, sealing a transformation didn't require that "unethical" Bloodline Seal; there were better methods to solve it. This way, the Land of Whirlpools would gain a relatively powerful affiliated ninja clan.
The people opposite were clearly somewhat tempted but couldn't decide immediately.
Masahiko waited for a moment, then smiled and said, "No need to rush the decision. We will be staying here for a while. You can discuss it first."
Saying that, he led Orochimaru towards the back of the village; he had already sensed the location of Ryuchi Cave.
Separated from the village by only a small mountain peak, Masahiko discovered a bottomless cave entrance. Masahiko activated his full perception, and a moment later, his expression turned ugly.
"This is Ryuchi Cave. You go in yourself." His perception revealed countless snakes, large and small, densely packed to the point of being disgusting.
Orochimaru showed no fear, nodded directly, entered the cave, and walked further away.
Masahiko's expression changed several times. His curiosity about Ryuchi Cave finally overcame his dislike for the swarm of snakes. He quickly chased after him... Anyway, he couldn't have made the trip for nothing!
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