Natsume had never been to Ryuchi Cave, and neither had Kaguya Otsutsuki.
Although he could use destiny value for teleportation, he didn't want to waste it.
Soon, he thought of a spy—Katsuyu Sage.
Among all involved parties, the greatest beneficiary was Natsume himself.
But the second greatest? That would be her.
With Mount Myoboku destroyed and Ryuchi Cave sealed away, only Shikkotsu Forest remained intact among the Three Great Holy Places.
In the future, they could dominate the ninja world alone.
Though Katsuyu didn't harbor such ambitions, she had indeed gained significant benefits.
So asking her to put in a little effort shouldn't be an issue.
Only contractees could reach the Three Great Holy Places through the Reverse Summoning Jutsu.
But how about meetings between the Three Great Sages?
Certainly not through that method.
Therefore, there must exist alternative paths to the Three Holy Places.
[Summoning Jutsu!]
Natsume formed hand seals with both hands and slammed his palm onto the ground.
A plume of white smoke rose, and a humanoid slug roughly half a person's height was summoned.
As the smoke cleared, the slug saw Natsume and was about to greet him when suddenly its whole body trembled.
Kaguya Otsutsuki!
Instinctively, it wanted to run, but quickly remembered their current status as partners.
It hastily stopped itself.
In a gentle and deferential tone, it said, "Lady Kaguya, Master Natsume."
The slug deliberately placed Natsume second, clearly showing caution.
Back when they were still separate entities, it always prioritized the contractee.
Such a scenario would have been unthinkable back then.
But Kaguya Otsutsuki was an exception.
After all, she had left lasting psychological trauma.
She was just too strong.
Not just a minor disadvantage—it was a huge power gap.
Fortunately, now they were on the same side.
"Katsuyu, it's been a while."
Natsume smiled lightly as he greeted her.
Its reaction just now had been quite amusing.
As for Kaguya Otsutsuki, she completely ignored Katsuyu's presence.
Looking at Natsume with her pale eyes, Kaguya seemed to be thinking about how to get more rewards.
"It has been some time since we last met."
Katsuyu had recently been summoned most often by Shizune and Ino Yamanaka.
Tsunade and Natsume rarely called upon her anymore.
To be honest, she felt quite happy being summoned today—if only Kaguya Otsutsuki weren't present.
Even though Kaguya showed no hostility, the pressure of being watched by such a terrifying being was overwhelming.
It was like visiting a zoo—except without the glass walls. Who could handle that?
"Master Natsume, may I ask why you summoned me today?"
In a soft and respectful tone, Katsuyu asked politely.
She knew Natsume's power—it wasn't meant for battle.
If it were for combat, she wouldn't even be needed—with a certain ancestor right here.
"We're going to Ryuchi Cave and Mount Myoboku."
Natsume stated directly. "We don't know the way."
Katsuyu's face stiffened, betraying a hint of panic.
So it had finally come to this moment.
She had anticipated something like this during their previous cooperation.
After all, Natsume already had Kaguya Otsutsuki.
And the Great Toad Sage recklessly tried to eliminate them using prophecies.
Added to old grudges from a thousand years ago—
Eventually, the time would come to settle all scores.
He just didn't expect things to progress so quickly.
At the same time, he felt a pang of sorrow for the dying Great Toad Sage.
Recklessness was always bound to lead to trouble.
In the end, it was the simple, ordinary things that were real.
Having witnessed countless deaths over the past millennium, Katsuyu quickly composed itself.
"Will we be dealing with Ryuchi Cave the same way as Mount Myoboku?" it asked curiously.
After all, in their prior collaboration, Natsume had only spoken of destroying Mount Myoboku.
Ryuchi Cave hadn't been discussed much.
Ultimately, it was the Great Toad Sage who had caused the trouble.
The White Snake Sage had basically stopped getting involved after Kaguya Otsutsuki's sealing.
"No," Natsume shook his head and said. "I intend to cooperate with them."
Katsuyu twitched its two antennae but let the matter drop. "Now I'll take you all to Ryuchi Cave."
"If we followed you, it would only slow you down," Natsume said, taking out a Flying Thunder God Kunai. "Katsuyu, take this. I'll come later."
Recognizing it as the Flying Thunder God Technique, Katsuyu nodded.
Traveling alone to Ryuchi Cave would certainly be faster and more efficient.
Thinking about finally leaving Kaguya Otsutsuki, it bit onto the Flying Thunder God Kunai and with a bang, vanished.
Its speed truly was something else.
"You scared it," Natsume said with a smile.
"It's timid," Kaguya Otsutsuki slightly turned her cheek to look at him.
"It's because you're just too powerful."
Natsume gazed at her delicate features and porcelain skin.
"Then why aren't *you* afraid?" Kaguya countered.
Hmm, straight to the point—sharp and direct.
How should he answer?
Was it because he was reckless beyond reason? Or… did he desire her?
Natsume thought for a moment and said, "Maybe because they only see your strength and not your beauty."
Kaguya narrowed her eyes slightly and coldly replied, "There's still time… for now."
Before Natsume could react, he was pulled into Amenominaka.
"…"
Facing the rather 'intense' Kaguya Otsutsuki, he could do little more than resist.
Time passed.
The afternoon arrived in the Land of Snow.
The previously white sky was now tinged with a light pink.
It carried a certain allure.
Natsume gazed at the sky, looking somewhat spaced out.
Meanwhile, Kaguya watched him, slowly licking her lips before lightly touching her stomach—her whole being radiated satisfaction.
Oh...
Before long,
Natsume snapped back to reality.
Katsuyu reappeared before him.
But compared to the previous one, this one was noticeably smaller.
Clearly, this was yet another clone.
Natsume suspected Katsuyu Sage's clones might function similarly to Shadow Clone Jutsu.
"Honorable Lady Kaguya, Honored Natsume," Katsuyu murmured softly. "Katsuyu has already reached the entrance of Ryuchi Cave."
"Thank you," Natsume smiled, taking Kaguya Otsutsuki's hand, and the pair disappeared.
When they opened their eyes once more, they stood in a stark and desolate place.
Though called a cave, Ryuchi Cave spanned a far greater expanse than its name suggested.
Bones lay scattered all around—
some human, others from snakes.
Among the Three Great Holy Places, Ryuchi Cave stood out as the most ruthless.
At Mount Myoboku, those who failed to master Sage Mode would be turned to stone.
But here, failure meant becoming a meal for snakes.
Even those who succeeded had to pay a heavy price to summon a snake.
In comparison, this place fell short of Mount Myoboku.
At the very least, the methods there were gentler, and when it came to battle, everyone earnestly did their duty.
The only requirement was obedience.
"This is the edge of Ryuchi Cave."
Katsuyu explained upon seeing them. "Walk straight ahead, and you'll reach the temple where the White Snake Sage dwells. However, you generally won't be granted an audience—you must first complete a trial."
"What kind of trial?"
Natsume asked casually.
"It's the trials of the Three Serpent Goddesses."
Katsuyu elaborated. "The Three Serpent Goddesses are Tanagami no Mikoto, Ichikishimahime no Mikoto, and Tachibana no Tsumi Himiko. Complete the trials, and you will be granted an audience with the White Snake Sage, allowing you to make a request—like training in Sage Mode."
Each of the Three Holy Places had its own unique Sage Arts.
Ryuchi Cave possessed a special human-transformation technique.
The Three Serpent Goddesses were originally snakes who had taken human forms—they were also the three highest-ranking authorities here.
Interestingly, the Three Serpent Goddesses represented three different female archetypes: a loli, a young maiden, and a mature woman.
Well, they were simply exceptionally fierce.
Back in his past life, he would have referred to them as 'evil cultivators,'
Unlike someone like Bai Suzhen.
As for the White Snake Sage, he could also take human form—but appeared as an old hag.
Others, such as Manda, Shinta, Aoda, and so forth, lacked this ability.
Natsume suspected it was due to insufficient talent, preventing them from mastering the human transformation art.
"Um…Lord Natsume, I think I'll stop here and not accompany you further?"
Katsuyu asked hesitantly, embarrassed.
Currently branded a traitor, she preferred not to interact with the White Snake Sage just yet.
Once she was subdued again, meeting face-to-face wouldn't be awkward anymore.
"Alright."
Natsume nodded, already having located his position. Whether Katsuyu accompanied them or not mattered little anymore.
Katsuyu exhaled in relief. With a pop, she returned to Shikkotsu Forest.
"Let's go."
Natsume walked forward.
Kaguya Otsutsuki caught up and took his hand.
Thanks to Natsume's growth over the past two years, the height gap between them had narrowed, making them look more like a genuine couple now.
Still, this place was anything but romantic.
They hadn't walked far before being surrounded by snakes.
Activating her Byakugan, Kaguya unleashed a wave of blood mist.
Every snake perished beneath her gaze.
The remaining snakes, terrified by the horrifying sight, fled in panic.
"You two are rather reckless."
A voice sounded alongside the arrival of a figure standing before them.
It was a girl who exuded a more youthful masculine aura—exquisitely beautiful, with long brown hair and a golden crown atop her head.
She wore a white robe, and on her chest hung three green ornaments shaped like tomoe.
As she spoke, sharp fangs and a blue tongue could faintly be seen.
Worth noting was that she floated midair.
"I am Tachibana no Tsumi Himiko, tasked with screening human applicants seeking entry into Ryuchi Cave."
Tachibana no Tsumi Himiko's eyes swept over the pair, briefly landing on Natsume before settling on Kaguya Otsutsuki.
She did not recognize Kaguya.
After all, a thousand years ago, she hadn't even been born yet.
The White Snake Sage also had no reason to bring up past humiliations without cause.
It was only because of Kaguya Otsutsuki's shocking actions just now that she realized just how powerful she was.
But Tachibana no Tsumi Himiko didn't think much of it.
In her eyes, no matter how strong Kaguya became, she still couldn't compare to Ryuchi Cave.
"We're here to visit the White Snake Sage."
Natsume said, smiling.
Tachibana no Tsumi Himiko frowned slightly.
She found this indifference annoying.
Plus, they had killed many of her kind before.
Instantly, she revealed striking black eyeliner and a long, flickering tongue.
Natsume finally got to witness a snake's volatile nature firsthand.
Tachibana no Tsumi Himiko flew toward him, opened her large mouth wide, and attempted to bite his neck.
This was her unique Sage Art.
[Binding: A technique that paralyzes the enemy while weaving illusions.]
"Don't kill her."
Natsume spoke immediately.
He feared even a second's hesitation would mean losing her.
Actually, that was exactly what would've happened.
At the exact moment Tachibana no Tsumi Himiko showed killing intent toward Natsume, an unimaginable pressure enveloped her.
Her body went limp without her control, and in the next second, she was grabbed by the neck and lifted into the air by Kaguya Otsutsuki.
The sheer force forced Tachibana no Tsumi Himiko to activate her Byakugan.
Yet compared to the pain of suffocation, she felt even more panic about Kaguya Otsutsuki's power.
Just casually raising a hand had subdued her completely.
Even the White Snake Sage might not have such strength.
Actually, she believed that this oppressive force she'd just experienced did surpass hers.
Precisely because of that, it seemed unbelievable.
None of it made sense.
Why was this woman so powerful?
At that moment, Natsume's "Don't kill her" had finally reached Kaguya's ears.
Without changing expression, Kaguya Otsutsuki released her grip.
Tachibana no Tsumi Himiko fell heavily to the ground, gasping for breath.
Meanwhile, lingering fear and shock remained on her face.
What kind of person was this woman...? And why was she so strong?
That made absolutely no sense.
"Tachibana no Tsumi Himiko, you shouldn't treat guests like that."
Natsume squatted beside her and said.
"..."
A chill shot through Tachibana no Tsumi Himiko as she stammered, "S-sorry..."
Even snakes have their fears.
Facing Kaguya Otsutsuki—who could overpower her at any moment—she bowed her head submissively without hesitation.
"Lead us forward."
Natsume gave her a light kick.
Tachibana no Tsumi Himiko, seething with anger, dared not voice any complaints and quickly stood up.
Since she couldn't do anything about Kaguya Otsutsuki, she could only pin her hopes on the White Snake Sage.
Not long afterward, a magnificent temple appeared ahead.
Besides that, two figures stood at the entrance.
One looked like a loli, the other a youthful maiden.
Compared to Tachibana no Tsumi Himiko, they both looked much younger.
But their attire was similar.
They both wore flowing white robes.
The only difference lay in their hair color.
One was blue, the other green.
"Tachibana no Tsumi Himiko, did these two humans pass your test?"
Ichikishimahime no Mikoto, in her childlike form, asked while studying Natsume and Kaguya Otsutsuki closely.
"If that's the case, then it's time for our test."
Tanagami no Mikoto ran her tongue across her lips and spoke,
All three trials must be completed.
Fail at any point, and you'll be devoured.
In short, Tanagami had grown hungry.
After all, surviving even one trial already makes you one of humanity's strongest.
The more chakra they possess, the sweeter the feast.
"Tachibana no Tsumi Himiko gave them a meaningful look as she spoke. "Let them go meet White Snake Sage."
But her warning went completely unnoticed by the other two Serpent Goddesses.
They were far too used to doing exactly as they pleased.
Tanagami's expression hardened; dark eyeliner appeared around her eyes, and a long tongue slithered out.
At the same time, the environment shifted, transforming into a castle where countless delicacies floated in midair.
This was her signature illusion-based Sage Art.
[Object Transmutation]
Anyone who consumed even a bite would instantly lose.
But the next moment, the illusion vanished.
Natsume opened his eyes to see Kaguya Otsutsuki gripping Ichikishimahime no Mikoto and Tanagami by the scruff of their necks.
The two Serpent Goddesses flushed red as they struggled, their eyes wide with disbelief.
Tachibana tugged at the corner of her mouth.
She'd known this was how it would end from the beginning.
"What about them?"
Kaguya Otsutsuki turned her head toward Natsume, asking coolly.
"They're still useful," Natsume immediately replied.
After all, if he'd hesitated even a second longer, they might've actually killed someone—well, snakes, to be precise.
Kaguya loosened her grip.
The two snake goddesses landed.
"White Snake Sage."
Natsume arched a brow, glancing toward the temple's depths. "Since we've already arrived, why not come out?"
Considering the White Snake Sage's power level, missing her presence at the border was understandable—but not anymore. Now that they were this close, ignoring her was just absurd.
At those words, the Three Serpent Goddesses all lit up with glee.
Because they could now sense the presence of White Snake Sage as well.
Soon, an old woman appeared.
Orange hair, white robe.
The Three Serpent Goddesses quickly hid behind her.
"White Snake Sage, you absolutely must avenge us!" Ichikishimahime no Mikoto cried out, her loli face filled with hatred.
"Silence!"
White Snake Sage stared intently at Kaguya Otsutsuki, her body beginning to tremble violently.
Ichikishimahime stared blankly, stunned by the scolding.
Completely unsure what had just happened.
The same went for the other two Serpent Goddesses.
"You… You're… Who even *are* you?!"
As for Natsume, she had completely forgotten he was even there.
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