Shedding the Snake Skin and Becoming a Dragon
Chi Yu had finally succeeded in mastering Sage Mode.
Yet, Sage Mode itself was only the foundation. Under the tutelage of the White Snake Sage, he began studying the secret Sage Arts of Ryūchi Cave.
The White Snake Sage's methods were not harsh, at least from Chi Yu's perspective. In truth, they were demanding, but because Chi Yu could quickly grasp and execute her teachings, it never felt oppressive. The hardest part—perfecting Sage Mode itself—was already behind him.
Learning the Sage Arts of Ryūchi Cave was akin to a shinobi learning advanced ninjutsu after first grasping chakra control. Simply channeling natural energy into a technique—say, adding it to a Fireball Jutsu—could be called Sage Art, but that was the most basic application, little more than enhancing existing ninjutsu.
Chi Yu had been able to infuse Sage Chakra into his Great Fireball almost immediately. But what the White Snake Sage wanted to impart went beyond raw enhancement. She taught techniques unique to Ryūchi Cave—specialized Sage Arts that fully exploited its serpent-style Senjutsu.
Among them were techniques such as Inorganic Reincarnation, which granted control over the environment, and the White Rage Technique, a paralyzing blast of sound and light. These were arts that Yakushi Kabuto would one day employ during the Fourth Shinobi War.
Three months slipped by under this relentless training. In that time, Chi Yu not only mastered the arts passed down by the White Snake Sage but also adapted his body to maintain Sage Mode longer. From a mere three minutes at first, he could now sustain it for nearly six.
He trained with little rest, driven by the desire to return to Konoha and reunite with Kushina Uzumaki.
---
One night, after a destructive demonstration of the White Rage Technique that left an entire cavern wall in ruins, Chi Yu returned to the White Snake Sage. The Sage appeared in her guise of an old woman, smoking leisurely from her pipe.
"White Snake Sage," Chi Yu said with satisfaction, "I've completed this Sage Art. What's next?"
"There is no next," the Sage replied after a slow exhale of smoke. "I have already taught you all of Ryūchi Cave's Senjutsu."
Chi Yu's eyes widened, a smile breaking across his face. "So… I can leave?"
"Yes," she said with a faint, knowing smile.
He bowed deeply. "Thank you for everything, White Snake Sage."
But when Chi Yu turned to leave, reality struck him. He had come to Ryūchi Cave through reverse summoning—brought here by one of the snakes. But there was no one in Konoha who could summon him back.
"White Snake Sage," he asked stiffly, "how long would it take to reach Konoha from here on foot?"
"Judging by your speed… about a month," she replied.
Chi Yu sighed. "Figures."
There was no helping it. If he wanted to see Kushina sooner, he would have to push himself beyond his limits. After offering a final bow, he departed Ryūchi Cave.
Behind him, the White Snake Sage watched until he vanished from sight, her smile twisting into a sinister grin.
"Go," she whispered, smoke curling around her lips. "Spread chaos in this ninja world."
---
Chi Yu sprinted tirelessly, compressing what should have been a month-long journey into just twenty days. By the time he arrived at Konoha's gates, it was the dead of night. Exhaustion weighed on him, but his heart burned with anticipation.
Soon… I'll hold Kushina in my arms again.
He signed in with the gate guards and strode through the quiet village streets toward his home. Nearly five months had passed since he had left Konoha. By now, Kushina should have been pregnant—several months along. And soon, Obito Uchiha's fateful night would arrive.
Everything was on track. He had Sage Mode, Ryūchi Cave's techniques, and power rivaling the strongest shinobi alive. The only way forward now was to amass enough Witness Points to awaken his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. And the impending Nine-Tails' attack would be his opportunity.
If he fought the Third Raikage again in his current state, Chi Yu thought grimly, he would not only hold his own—he might even surpass him.
His home was just steps away when danger suddenly emerged from the shadows. A ninja blade slashed toward him.
Chi Yu slid back effortlessly, raising an eyebrow. "Kakashi… the first thing you do after all this time is try to cut me down?"
"Kakashi?" The silver-haired boy froze, wide-eyed. "…Chi Yu-sensei?"
Chi Yu frowned. "Why are you lurking around here at night instead of sleeping?"
Realization dawned on Kakashi, and his usual cool composure cracked with joy. "Sensei, you're back!"
"Keep it down," Chi Yu hushed him with a smile. "I want to surprise Kushina."
But Kakashi shook his head violently. "No! Sensei's wife mustn't be startled right now!"
Chi Yu's expression turned puzzled. "…Why?"
Kakashi looked him straight in the eye. "Kushina-sama is pregnant. She's already six months along."
For a moment, Chi Yu was frozen, his thoughts scattered. "…Six months?"
"Yes," Kakashi said firmly. "Lord Orochimaru has been monitoring her every month. He even provides nutrient solutions. Both she and the baby are healthy. Sensei, you don't need to—"
Before Kakashi could finish the word worry, Chi Yu had vanished into the night, faster than the boy's Sharingan could track.
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