Within the mist, Kaede continued forward.
After a few steps, Rin beside him silently vanished, only to reappear as a faint, flickering shadow within the fog.
It was a small figure with deep blue hair styled into two buns, wearing a golden circlet and aquamarine magatama-shaped earrings. She floated in the air, her presence marked by a subtle chakra aura that vanished completely whenever she disappeared.
"An intriguing ability," Kaede remarked, folding his arms across his chest as he observed her.
"To be completely undetectable even when right in front of you... Is it a simple blending with large-scale genjutsu, or some kind of sage art that merges with natural energy?"
As his words fell, the figure paused, then silently disappeared, reappearing instantly behind Kaede, pressing close.
"Hehe, interesting human," Ichikishimahime whispered like a ghost, placing her tiny hands on Kaede's shoulders. "To remain so calm, not startled by my ability at all… Your companion vanished too, didn't she? Aren't you worried or afraid?"
Kaede glanced at her casually. "Because I understand your ability perfectly. By the way, tell me, what is your relationship with Isobu?"
"Isobu?" Ichikishimahime tilted her head in confusion, the name vaguely familiar but not heard for a long time. Then realization dawned. "You mean that big turtle…"
Bang!
Before she could finish, the entire misty space suddenly shook.
Ichikishimahime's gaze snapped toward a spot behind Kaede, her expression momentarily dazed. Her mouth twitched as she rubbed her temple, clearly annoyed.
"Why is that guy here at Ryūchi Cave?!"
She floated to Kaede's front, crossing her legs as she sat in midair, drifting up and down as she said, "No wonder you're so calm, you brought that turtle with you. But you're here to seek sage power, right? If you fail my test, don't think that turtle will save you. I'll still eat you up!"
Kaede lowered his eyelids and replied calmly, "I think you'd regret that. But I'm not too keen on the experience of being eaten, so, what's the test?"
Snap!
Ichikishimahime clicked her fingers, and the surrounding mist instantly dispersed, revealing a strange cave that sealed off all directions.
She pointed to one side with her right hand, resting her chin on her left as she said, "See that door? Just push it open, and you pass the test. But here's a heads-up: that door absorbs chakra. Your chakra is quiet and steady, I like it, so I'll consume every last drop of it. Eventually, I'll even take your body."
Kaede approached the door, resting a finger on his chin as he examined the stone portal. "Is that so… I wonder if you can really manage that."
Then he reached out and pressed his hand against the door.
Seeing this, Ichikishimahime's eyes curved into a strange smile. She leisurely crossed her arms behind her head and reclined in midair.
She could feel the chakra being absorbed by the stone door, flowing continuously into her body. Rubbing her belly, a satisfied smile spread across her face.
Then, she flipped over and hovered, watching Kaede push the door, her expression warm with a smile. The chakra's scent pleased her greatly, and she guessed the human himself would taste good too.
But after several more seconds, her smile faltered. A massive surge of chakra burst forth like a flood breaking through a dam.
"How could this be…"
Shock flashed in her eyes.
This amount far exceeded what she had sensed before. It couldn't all be from Kaede's body. Could he be a jinchūriki too?!
No!
Kaede is not a jinchūriki!
The chakra's quality never changed once.
Buzz!
The overwhelming chakra battered the door like an avalanche. Not only did the door tremble violently, but the entire cave shook intensely.
Ichikishimahime's belly, once flat, began to swell as if pregnant. Panic finally appeared in her eyes.
"Enough! Enough already!"
"Stop! Stop it now!"
This cave wasn't just a fog-formed illusion, it was her own stomach, transformed into a space. Similar to the technique used by the toad sages of Mount Myōboku, but with far stronger chakra absorption.
Yet Kaede's chakra release had long surpassed any human ninja she'd encountered, exceeding even the tailed beasts!
This was beyond what she could consume!
"The test's not over yet. Why would I stop now?"
Kaede smiled calmly, neither pulling back nor pushing the door further, simply pouring more surging chakra into the stone.
Feeling the relentless flood of chakra hitting her, Ichikishimahime finally showed fear and begged:
"Stop! Stop!"
"You've passed! You've passed!!!"
Kaede chuckled. "Oh? But you do like my chakra, don't you? I thought I'd give you a little extra, as a courtesy."
"No… Noooo…"
Ichikishimahime screamed.
Boom!!!
The violently shaking cave finally gave way, exploding into countless fragments flying everywhere before fading into nothingness.
Kaede reappeared amid the mist.
With a thud, Ichikishimahime could no longer maintain her illusion or invisibility and tumbled out of the fog, landing before him. Pale and fearful, she looked at Kaede approaching.
"Don't… come closer!!"
Whoosh! Whoosh!!
In a flash, she transformed into a large teal serpent, swiftly swimming into the depths of the mist and disappearing.
Orochimaru had provided detailed introductions to the three great snake sages under the White Snake Sage of Ryūchi Cave, warning that each was more malicious than the last. He'd suffered greatly during his time here.
As Orochimaru's student, Kaede had to be just as "courteous" in dealing with them.
Glancing around, the mist showed no signs of clearing. Tilting his head, Kaede looked deeper into the fog and said, "Looks like they don't want me going in so easily… well, then, let's keep going."
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Note: the name Ichikishimahime is really long that pronouncing it is like doing tongue twister
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