Together with Sarutobi Hiruzen, Kiyosuke walked out of the underground base. Kiyosuke left first, while Hiruzen stayed behind to reseal the place.
This was a hidden location that not even Tsunade knew about. Originally, Hiruzen had planned to bury it away forever. But now, because of Kiyosuke, it had been opened again.
"It's best to seal this place off completely… never let it be opened again."
Though it contained a wealth of important research material, most of it was the kind of knowledge that should never be made public. There was no need for it to remain.
Perhaps, one day, Kiyosuke would come here to open it again.
Hiruzen let out a heavy sigh. He could only hope Kiyosuke wouldn't recklessly go too far. Uchiha Madara's power wasn't something so easily controlled.
Kiyosuke was strong, yes. But compared to Madara in his prime, there was still some distance between them.
Once the base was sealed, Hiruzen finally departed. He prayed no disaster would come of this. The older he grew, the more cautious he became—gone was the ambition and daring of his youth. Now he simply longed for peace to last as long as possible.
Of course, if danger came for the village, he would still be ready to give his life.
...
After obtaining Uchiha Madara's flesh and blood, Kiyosuke returned to his men. He gave them instructions to train on their own for a few days, saying he had matters to take care of.
After making a report to Tsunade, he took a death row convict from the prison. With a sealing technique, he bound the prisoner and stored him inside a scroll. Then Kiyosuke entered Ryūchi Cave.
...
Ryūchi Cave.
"Well, if it isn't little Kiyosuke? My, it's been ages! You humans do grow so quickly."
The one who flew over to greet him was Ichikishimahime—the liveliest of the three great sages who served under the White Snake Sage. She circled around Kiyosuke with a cheerful look.
"Ichikishimahime-sama."
Kiyosuke bowed slightly in greeting, then asked,
"Do you know sealing techniques?"
"Sealing techniques? I know a little."
Ichikishimahime drifted lazily in the air, reclining as though she were lying down, smiling as she said,
"Planning to learn senjutsu again? It seems you've already used up your chance. If you want to learn more, you'll have to pay a price."
"Hm?"
Kiyosuke had originally hoped to ask for her help. But now it seemed he had gotten some unexpected information instead.
"And what kind of price would that be… ?"
With a huff, Ichikishimahime smacked him on the head. In the entire ninja world, hardly anyone dared do that to Kiyosuke. But Ichikishimahime was different—an ancient monster who had lived for countless years.
Kiyosuke, respecting the old and caring for the young, didn't take offense.
"Your chakra."
Ichikishimahime sniffed, then said,
"As long as you pay me enough chakra, I can teach you new senjutsu. But only if your chakra satisfies me."
"And if you drain me of chakra and then say it's not tasty enough?"
"Then you won't learn anything."
She spread her hands, wearing an expression of pure mischief.
"Damn it! You've changed, Ichikishimahime-sama! You used to be the conscience of Ryūchi Cave!"
Among the three great sages, she had always been the one Kiyosuke got along with best. But now, after all these years, even Ichikishimahime had grown crafty.
"Rules are rules."
Ichikishimahime chuckled, then asked,
"Enough banter. Why are you here this time?"
"Uchiha Madara."
Kiyosuke spoke the name slowly.
Ichikishimahime tilted her head, thinking.
"That name… it sounds familiar…"
She furrowed her brow, searching her memory. Suddenly she clapped her hands in realization.
"Ah, I remember now! I once ate someone, and in their memories was a man by that name. Yes, he was called a clan leader… A descendant of the Sage of Six Paths, with those eyes—what were they again? Ah, Sharingan!"
She went on,
"Not long ago, Orochimaru brought a boy here to make a contract with Ryūchi Cave. That boy, too, was a descendant of the Sage of Six Paths. And interestingly, he asked about you."
"He asked about me? What's there to ask?"
So Orochimaru had already brought Sasuke here for the contract?
"He was curious about your Sage Mode. He wanted to learn Ryūchi Cave senjutsu. But the White Snake Sage refused him."
Ichikishimahime added,
"That was the first time the White Snake Sage ever refused a human who had passed the trials."
Likely, it was because Sasuke was Indra's reincarnation.
The White Snake Sage, like the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku, possessed the ability to glimpse into fate.
Long ago, the Great Toad Sage had even known the Sage of Six Paths personally, teaching him senjutsu and helping him gain the power to defeat his mother, Kaguya.
Now, countless years later, though Hagoromo's body had perished, his soul still lingered in the world. The Great Toad Sage, outwardly senile, still retained its ability to peer into the flow of the shinobi world.
It had even foretold the destinies of Jiraiya and Naruto.
The White Snake Sage, too, possessed such power. Upon seeing Sasuke—Indra's reincarnation—it may have wanted no further ties to Hagoromo.
...
At that moment, Tagitsuhime appeared, dressed in shrine maiden robes. She drifted silently toward them.
"Asakawa Kiyosuke," she said.
"Come with me. The White Snake Sage wishes to see you."
"To see me?"
Kiyosuke blinked in surprise.
Since the day he had first learned senjutsu here, the White Snake Sage had never summoned him again.
Why now, out of the blue?
What, had the old crone smoked so much her brain was filled with smoke?
"Fine."
He followed behind Tagitsuhime to the temple where the White Snake Sage resided.
Within the gloom, the Sage's enormous body melded into the darkness. From between her great jaws, a massive kiseru pipe jutted out. Smoke coiled around her with every breath.
"White Snake-sama, Asakawa Kiyosuke has been brought."
Tagitsuhime bowed respectfully.
"Well now, White Snake-sama, long time no see."
Kiyosuke greeted her casually.
"Hmph. Still the samet as ever. But at least you're far better than that arrogant little Uchiha brat Orochimaru brought here."
The White Snake Sage snorted, her form shifting into that of an elderly woman with orange hair. She reclined against a stone bed, her face lined with deep wrinkles like cracks in desert rock.
"Hahaha! That Sasuke is an Uchiha. Most of the Uchiha are exactly like that."
"Hmph. The Uchiha are the bloodline left by that boy Hagoromo's eldest son. All of them are the same—Indra's reincarnations, every one alike."
Well, wasn't that obvious?
Of course reincarnations would resemble each other.
Suddenly, the White Snake Sage opened the eyes she usually kept shut. Golden serpent pupils gleamed in the darkness as her lips curled into a chilling smile.
"You, boy… your fate has been altered."
"Hm?"
Kiyosuke froze.
She continued,
"Yes. Your fate has shifted. You are indeed different from others. Summoning you here was the right choice. The shadow of death still looms over you… But it is no longer as certain as before. You now possess a glimmer of survival."
Kiyosuke's brows twitched violently.
Wait—was she saying he would still die in battle?
No way!
Don't tell me I'm still doomed to die!