Naruto: Zanka No Tachi

Chapter 170: NZNT: Chapter 170

Using Kamui’s space-time jutsu, Yusuke instantly transported Kabuto to the location specified in the Ryūchi Cave intel provided by Kabuto. T

Using Kamui’s space-time jutsu, Yusuke instantly transported Kabuto to the location specified in the Ryūchi Cave intel provided by Kabuto. They soon discovered a concealed cave nearby.

The cave was eerily silent, the only sounds their footsteps and the occasional drip of water from the cave ceiling.

”This is Ryūchi Cave? But Kamui is incredibly convenient; the entire ninja world is practically your backyard, Sensei,” Kabuto remarked, his gaze sweeping over the cave’s interior.

Yusuke chuckled, modestly waving off the compliment, ”It’s not quite that simple. Kamui’s space-time jutsu can’t directly access locations protected by powerful barriers or certain unique, secluded areas.”

As they ventured deeper into the cave, their field of vision gradually expanded, and Yusuke sensed a significant concentration of life forms ahead. He stated calmly, ”The true Ryūchi Cave should be just ahead.”

After proceeding a short distance further, the cave’s dimensions suddenly expanded dramatically.

Before them lay a vast valley, with an ancient, heavily secured gate situated on the opposite side. A stone tablet above the gate bore the inscription: ’Ryūchi Cave.’

A sturdy stone bridge spanned the valley, providing passage to the gate. Below the bridge, the valley floor teemed with countless venomous snakes.

These snakes, exhibiting a vibrant array of colors and varying in size, were densely intertwined, their ceaseless writhing movements creating a truly unsettling spectacle.

Upon noticing the arrival of Yusuke and Kabuto, the snakes immediately surged from the valley, slithering towards them in a menacing wave.

Kabuto prepared to counter with a jutsu, but Yusuke swiftly intervened, halting his movement. Simultaneously, Yusuke unleashed his potent spiritual pressure, creating a powerful field of immense spiritual energy that extended five meters around his body.

As the snakes approached this field, they were instantly overwhelmed by the sheer force of Yusuke’s spiritual pressure, their eyes rolling back as they collapsed, unconscious, onto their backs.

Yusuke and Kabuto proceeded across the stone bridge as if strolling through a park, leaving a trail of incapacitated snakes in their wake.

By the time they reached the gate at the entrance to Ryūchi Cave, the snakes had ceased their advance and retreated back into the valley. Those snakes that had been rendered unconscious by Yusuke’s spiritual pressure were quickly consumed by their brethren.

A series of creaking sounds emanated from the wooden gate as it slowly swung open, revealing a strikingly beautiful young girl hovering within.

The girl’s long hair was styled in two topknots, adorned with a crown featuring a golden orb at its center. A blue jewel earring graced her left ear, and she wore a flowing white robe, complemented by a gracefully floating ribbon.

”I am Ichikishimahime. I have been sent by the White Snake Sage to welcome you,”

Ichikishimahime stated, her words delivered at a remarkably rapid pace as she floated forward to appraise the two visitors. After speaking, she turned and glided deeper into Ryūchi Cave, clearly intending to guide them inside.

Although Ichikishimahime appeared to be human, her true form was not hidden from Yusuke’s perceptive senses. He could clearly discern that her true nature was serpentine, utilizing some unique technique to assume a human guise.

Yusuke sensed an immense reservoir of natural energy emanating from her, surpassing even that of Gamabunta, the colossal toad he had encountered in the past. Despite her seemingly frail appearance, she was undoubtedly a formidable combatant, ranking among the most powerful within Ryūchi Cave.

Following Ichikishimahime, Yusuke inquired with a smile, ”It seems the White Snake Sage anticipated our arrival. I wonder, however, if the Sage also foresaw our identities?”

Ichikishimahime responded with a slight sniff, ”The White Snake Sage naturally knew who you are, but chose not to reveal it to us. However, you must be individuals of considerable importance, otherwise, the White Snake Sage would never have dispatched me to personally greet you! You should know that my position within Ryūchi Cave is second only to the White Snake Sage herself!”

Both Yusuke and Kabuto were taken aback by Ichikishimahime’s revelation, never expecting such a young girl to hold such a high-ranking position.

However, before Ichikishimahime could elaborate further, a dissenting voice echoed from the distance.

”Such presumptuous boasting from a mere child! Ryūchi Cave is not a place where you have any authority to speak!”

Yusuke and Kabuto turned their gaze towards the source of the voice, and as the mist cleared, a massive stone throne, intricately carved with serpentine motifs, came into view. Seated upon the throne was a diminutive yet corpulent old woman.

Flanking the throne were two young women, attired in a similar style to Ichikishimahime, and beside them, three enormous snakes of different colors, one of which, a striking purple specimen, appeared to be none other than Manda, the gargantuan snake with whom Kabuto had forged a summoning contract.

After guiding Yusuke and Kabuto to their current location, Ichikishimahime approached the throne and engaged in a heated verbal exchange with one of the young women, the very individual who had just rebuked her for her ”presumptuous boasting.”

Yusuke’s gaze swept across the assembled figures, and he realized that all those present—the old woman on the throne and the young women standing beside it—were, in fact, massive snakes possessing immense reserves of natural energy.

The natural energy coursing through their bodies far exceeded that of the other large snakes standing nearby, with the old woman seated upon the throne possessing the most potent and refined natural energy of them all.

It became abundantly clear that those gathered before them constituted the upper echelon of Ryūchi Cave, and the seemingly benevolent old woman enthroned was none other than the legendary White Snake Sage.

”The strongest ninja in the world graces Ryūchi Cave with their presence. However, being of advanced age, I have entrusted Ichikishimahime with the task of greeting you. I hope you will not hold it against me,” the White Snake Sage stated weakly, giving her snake-headed cane a gentle shake.

The White Snake Sage’s words were merely a polite formality; Yusuke had no reason to take offense. Moreover, his purpose in visiting, along with his disciple, was to seek tutelage in the Sage Arts, and he had no intention of acting aggressively unless absolutely necessary.

Yusuke responded with a smile, ”The White Snake Sage, indeed, lives up to their reputation as one of the Three Great Sages of the legendary sanctuaries of the ninja world, possessing the foresight to anticipate my visit. Truly remarkable.”

Gesturing for Kabuto to step forward, Yusuke continued, ”I have come today to seek instruction in the Sage Arts of Ryūchi Cave for my disciple, and I earnestly hope that the White Snake Sage will not hesitate to impart their wisdom.”

No sooner had Yusuke finished speaking than a vibrant crimson snake let out a disdainful hiss, ”The Sage Arts of Ryūchi Cave are not so easily acquired. Should your attempt prove unsuccessful, the young man standing beside you shall become our sustenance!”

At that moment, the purple snake, Manda, spoke in a low, grave tone, ”Kabuto, is it not true that you already possess mastery over the Sage Arts of Mount Myōboku and Shikkotsu Forest? Why then do you seek to acquire the Sage Arts of Ryūchi Cave?”

The purple snake was indeed Manda, and having previously clashed with Kabuto at Konoha’s Research Institute, he was well-acquainted with Kabuto’s background and capabilities.

____________________

For more advance Chapters visit my patreon

patreon.com/kane45

Tier: 10$ Casual Reader - +20 Advance Chapter

20$ Intermediate Reader - +40 Advance Chapter

40$ Expert Reader - +80 Advance Chapter

Update: ”Monday to Friday - Update 3 Chapters a Day”

”Saturday and Sunday - Off”