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Chapter 190 - Chapter 190: Passing the Trial, the True Intent Behind Seeking an Alliance

The Dragon Transformation Immortal Art taught by Black Dragon was far more effective than that of the White Snake Sage). Moreover, Ryun's transformation was very different from previous humans who had passed the test.

Just from observation alone, the White Snake Sage felt that this young man was much stronger than previous successful candidates. What's more, he didn't even enter a temporary state of weakness, as if he could already control the power of the sage art within his body!

Once the transformation was fully complete, Ryun looked down at his body, now covered in fine black scales, his eyes wide with shock.

He could clearly feel that his physical abilities had been enhanced at least tenfold. Even his perception and mental strength had been greatly amplified.

"Is this the power of sage art? It's incredible!"

Clenching his powerful, hardened fists, Ryun felt as though he could barely control this unfamiliar power.

"This is nothing compared to true sage art. It's just a way to let you familiarize yourself with that power. The real Dragon Transformation Sage Art is far stronger!"

The Black Dragon laughed as it spoke. Ryun's current appearance satisfied it greatly—this was the first human it had personally nurtured into a sage, and the first human it had ever acknowledged.

Ryun's success filled it with pride.

"Can this state be undone?"

Ryun didn't feel his power fading. It didn't seem like a temporary boost.

His assumption was influenced by his knowledge of Mount Myōboku's Sage Mode from the original series, where the enhanced state would quickly dissipate over time.

In reality, the sage arts of the two locations were vastly different, including their training methods.

Mount Myōboku relied on toad oil—once a person came into contact with it, natural energy would rapidly pour into their body. If they lost control, a special black rod unique to Mount Myōboku could be used to expel the excess energy.

Ryūchi Cave had no such tool. The sage chakra the Black Dragon had injected into Ryun's body, along with the natural energy that followed, would remain within him.

Orochimaru was in a similar situation. He showed no signs of reverting to human form, but the difference was that Orochimaru appeared weakened, while Ryun seemed strengthened.

"The power I gave you can last for a long time. But if you want to undo this draconic state, you'll have to wait until you fully master Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode," the Black Dragon explained.

"You should stay in Ryūchi Cave for now and focus on learning the art."

Ryun nodded. His current appearance would mark him as a monster in the outside world, so he had no choice but to remain.

"Can my teacher learn it too? I believe he can definitely master the power of Ryūchi Cave's sage art!" Ryun turned to the White Snake Sage, his eyes pleading.

"Hmph, we already spared him once, and now he dares to covet our sage art?" one of the Three Great Snake Maidens sneered.

"Let him learn if he wants. Those who fail the test have a low chance of success, and even if they do, it won't be perfect. If he wants to waste his time and energy, so be it."

The White Snake Sage made a rare exception. In truth, it was quite satisfied with Ryun's current state—he was the first human to display so many draconic traits during the test.

The White Snake Sage felt that he would have no trouble mastering Sage Mode. In fact, he might even achieve the most perfect form of it.

Humans who passed the test were, in a way, regarded as kin by Ryūchi Cave's higher-ranking serpents. Thus, the White Snake Sage had developed some tolerance and goodwill toward Ryun.

"Teacher, how do you feel?" Ryun asked the giant snake on the ground with concern.

"I'm fine. The weakness is fading, and I feel strength surging within me."

Orochimaru was unused to his limbless state, but he could sense immense power coursing through his body.

"In a way, our test is also a blessing for you. As long as you're lucky enough not to be eaten..." one of the Snake Maidens explained.

Sage chakra could enhance cells and physical abilities. Though Orochimaru had turned into a snake, his strength had also increased significantly.

Having no limbs wasn't a problem for Orochimaru—he could just create a new vessel...

"First, try to adapt to the sage chakra within you. Once you can control it, I will teach you the next step of sage training," the White Snake Sage said calmly.

For the next period of time, Ryun and his teacher remained in Ryūchi Cave to learn Sage Mode.

Meanwhile, in an underground chamber somewhere in the ninja world, a White Zetsu was reporting the intelligence it had gathered that day.

This intelligence covered all five great nations. Some White Zetsu had already infiltrated the five major villages and obtained many crucial secrets.

"The Hidden Cloud Village intends to form an alliance with the Hidden Leaf Village to jointly target the Hidden Stone Village of the Land of Earth," the White Zetsu relayed.

"An alliance? Heh... The first time the Land of Lightning and the Land of Fire allied, two Kage died right after signing the treaty (the Second Raikage and the Second Hokage). They still dare to talk about an alliance?" Madara couldn't help but sneer.

Back then, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, had led his students to the Land of Lightning to sign the alliance treaty, only to get caught in an internal conflict in the Hidden Cloud Village.

The Gold and Silver Brothers had killed the Second Raikage and torn up the treaty, then relentlessly pursued Konoha's elites, forcing Tobirama to stay behind as a rearguard. In the end, the Hokage and the brothers perished together.

As long as Konoha's higher-ups still held any respect for their teacher, Tobirama, this alliance would be difficult to achieve. And even if it did happen, it would likely be unreliable—after all, so-called alliance treaties were sometimes worth less than toilet paper...

"The Hidden Cloud Village isn't placing much hope in this alliance either. It's just that they share a common enemy now (the Hidden Stone Village)," the White Zetsu said with a grin.

The Hidden Cloud Village's current stance was that it would be great if the alliance succeeded, but if not, it didn't matter. The relationship between the two villages had never been good to begin with.

If not for the Hidden Stone Village's bandits drawing their ire, the Land of Lightning might have even tried to conquer the Land of Fire—the wealthiest nation in the ninja world, coveted by all.

In truth, the Hidden Cloud Village had another objective in sending envoys to Konoha for alliance talks.

According to their intelligence, Konoha's Nine-Tails jinchūriki was already very old. Combined with the recent death of her grandson on the battlefield in the Land of Rain, the Hidden Cloud Village deemed it necessary to assess the jinchūriki's condition.

Moreover, the Hidden Cloud Village had recently obtained classified intelligence suggesting that Konoha had already selected a new vessel for the Nine-Tails. They hoped to use this visit to Konoha to see if they could sabotage Konoha's jinchūriki plans.

As a nation that had once attempted and failed to capture the Nine-Tails, the Land of Lightning understood the beast's terror all too well. Thus, if the opportunity arose, even at the cost of worsening relations between the two nations, they would do everything to stop Konoha from successfully transferring the Nine-Tails to a new "vessel."

If the elderly woman could no longer hold on and Konoha failed to find a suitable replacement, the Nine-Tails might break free and wreak havoc—an outcome the Hidden Cloud Village would welcome.

"Keep a close eye on the talks between the Land of Lightning and the Land of Fire. I sense an opportunity to manipulate the Hidden Cloud's delegation," Madara ordered the White Zetsu.

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