The Land of Hot Springs is a small nation located northeast of the Land of Fire, known as a famous hot spring paradise often bustling with travelers and merchants from various regions.
Mikoto and Kushina arrived at a small town there, found a hot spring inn to stay in, and prepared to enjoy their time together.
Kushina had been in low spirits at first, but after soaking in the hot springs, shopping around town, and indulging in delicious food with Mikoto, her mood gradually improved.
In the misty hot spring pool, their graceful bodies were submerged in the water, with only their heads exposed.
"This feels amazing. If I could live like this every day, I'd die happy," Mikoto said with her eyes closed, resting her head against the edge of the pool.
"There are hot spring inns in the village too, aren't there?" Kushina asked.
"Those can't compare to this place. Plus, everyone there knows each other, and you have to greet everyone with a smile."
"Isn't it nice to have lots of friends?" Kushina said.
Mikoto chuckled. "Not that many real friends—just acquaintances, really."
She turned over and leaned on the edge of the hot spring pool, looking at Kushina with a smile.
"Only you're truly my friend, and Ayari too. But it's a shame she couldn't come because she has to look after her child."
Kushina asked, "Can't Ayari leave her child with her sister? I remember her family even has maids specifically to care for the child."
Mikoto sighed. "Her sister doesn't produce milk. What would Neji do if he got hungry?"
Kushina suddenly realized this and let out an "Oh."
"Raising a child sure is troublesome," she remarked.
Mikoto smiled. "It is troublesome, but it's all worth it. Itachi is very well-behaved now. You'll understand one day."
Kushina's gaze remained fixed on the mist-shrouded ceiling, where occasional cold droplets fell onto her face and slid down her cheeks.
Mikoto, realizing a bit too late that she had misspoken, quickly changed the topic. "What should we eat later? I heard the inn serves eel rice."
Kushina muttered, "I want grilled meat."
Mikoto chuckled, "Alright. Want a drink too?"
"...Sure."
They didn't soak for too long.
After finishing their casual conversation, they got out of the hot spring, rinsed off again, and wrapped themselves in towels to dry off.
"Kushina, you have a really nice figure," Mikoto couldn't help but reach out and touch Kushina's waist and abdomen.
"You're pretty slim yourself."
"I've got some flab now."
"Still want grilled meat?"
"Yes!"
The two walked out of the inn arm in arm, heading toward a grilled meat restaurant when they suddenly noticed a crowd gathering on the street ahead.
Curiosity drove them closer to see what was going on.
In the center of the crowd was a man wearing a black veil and turban, with a thick pale purple hemp rope tied around his waist.
"The White Snake Sage will descend upon the White Snake Shrine tomorrow night to listen to mortal petitions and select the most virtuous person to grant blessings, dispelling calamities and illnesses..."
The White Snake Sage?
Kushina and Mikoto exchanged glances.
Kushina mumbled quietly, "Probably just a scam."
Mikoto nodded in agreement.
"You shouldn't say such things!" A nearby woman was shocked and warned them urgently.
"The White Snake Sage is a true Sage! He healed many seriously ill people in our town and even made the blacksmith Futaro's severed arm grow back!"
"Regrowing severed limbs... is that even possible?"
Mikoto and Kushina were both surprised.
In their knowledge, only one person had ever accomplished such a feat — the Fourth Hokage, Orochimaru!
But Orochimaru was already dead; many had seen his corpse with their own eyes.
Mikoto struck up a conversation with the woman. "Big sister, is this White Snake Sage really that powerful?"
The woman raised her eyebrows proudly.
"Of course! The White Snake Sage not only heals injuries and illnesses but also blesses his followers and fulfills any wish they have. There was someone who had been unable to conceive for over ten years, despite seeing countless doctors. After receiving the White Snake Sage's blessing, she became pregnant right away."
Could it really be that miraculous?
Kushina and Mikoto remained skeptical.
This all sounded too much like a scam, and common people were often the easiest targets for deception.
Kushina suddenly couldn't help but ask, "Really? Any wish can be fulfilled?"
The woman replied, "Of course, but only those who sincerely and devoutly believe in the White Snake Sage and are truly virtuous have a chance to receive his blessing."
Mikoto pulled Kushina out of the crowd. "Kushina, you're not seriously buying this, are you?"
Kushina lowered her head in silence. "...Just curious, that's all."
Seeing her expression, Mikoto thought for a moment and then said, "Then let's go take a look. See if it's real or not."
Both of them were ninjas, and Kushina was especially powerful.
Even if they encountered some kind of scam or trap, there wouldn't be any real danger.
Seeing Kushina looking at her, Mikoto smiled and said, "If it's really an Sage, there's no harm in offering a prayer."
"...Alright."
They gathered more information about the White Snake Sage and found that everyone in town held an extraordinary reverence for him.
It was said that the White Snake Sage had suddenly appeared here not long ago, seemingly unable to ignore the people's hardships, choosing to stay and help them.
The next day, the two prepared themselves and joined the townsfolk heading to the White Snake Shrine on the mountain.
There were so many people it seemed like the entire town had come.
By the time they reached halfway up the mountain, the path was packed tightly with people.
Many had come early just to get a spot near the front.
Fortunately, Kushina and Mikoto were ninjas.
Scaling the steep rock face on the side, they quickly reached the mountaintop.
It was less crowded there.
People stood in orderly rows, faces filled with awe as they gazed at the massive shrine in the distance.
Several people dressed like the black-robed follower from the previous day stood neatly on both sides.
Mikoto and Kushina exchanged glances — it all looked surprisingly formal.
Suddenly, two figures emerged from the shrine, instantly making the two women widen their eyes in shock.
The entire crowd at the mountaintop fell to their knees upon seeing these two figures.
The figures wore ordinary human clothes and had humanoid bodies, but their collars revealed python-like heads! Their forked tongues flicked in and out, and although their snake eyes gleamed with the coldness typical of serpents, there was a trace of human emotion within them.
Monsters?!
Mikoto and Kushina felt a slight chill of fear as they realized that the gaze of the two... or rather, two snakes... had locked onto them.
They were the only ones still standing atop the mountaintop.
"The White Snake Sage wants to see you," one of the snakes spoke in human language.
Mikoto pinched herself, then whispered to Kushina, "Don't worry, they're probably just ninja summons."
Talking ninja summons weren't all that rare.
Glancing at the people kneeling around them, the two tried to reassure themselves before following the two snakes into the shrine.
Upon entering the main hall, the sight inside left them utterly speechless in shock.
A massive snow-white python lay coiled in the center of the hall.
The sheer width of its body was as tall as a grown man, and its entire surface was covered with countless tiny white snakes.
Most terrifying of all, this colossal python had eight heads!
--------------
Exclusive access : All novel on paetron
Genshin impact Complete novel, Naruto birdcage Complete novel, Overlord Complete novel
From the apocalypse 100+ch, Fairy tail Destiny 200+ch, Genshin Impact Eerie Teyvat 100+ch
Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz