"So this is the so-called Ryuchi Cave?" To switch scenes: after the chunin exam preliminaries ended, Meruem set to work on what he needed to do next—head to Ryuchi Cave to obtain the training method for Sage Mode.
Of course, the chunin exam results were basically no different from the original. Lee's opponent was still the gourd boy Gaara. Early on, the two went back and forth evenly; mid-fight, Lee manhandled Gaara; late, Gaara seized on Lee's brief hesitation when opening the Eight Gates and instantly turned the tables.
To be fair, Guy's standard for teaching apprentices was indeed the strongest among the jonin instructors of the Konoha Twelve.
Even if his training was simply inhuman to endure.
Meruem didn't care for most other things in the Naruto world—like ninjutsu and the like—useless in the face of absolute power.
But there were a few things that were good: Shadow Clone, Sage Mode, and the Chakra Fruit, for instance.
Don't underestimate Shadow Clone. Though a shadow clone disappears when hit, it perfectly inherits the caster's body and taijutsu, and can freely allocate chakra.
What does "perfectly inherit the caster's taijutsu" mean? For ninjutsu- or genjutsu-types, shadow clones aren't as strong as you'd imagine. But for taijutsu-types?
Especially for a physique-combat fighter like Meruem—this is the biggest cheat. And although a clone's chakra doesn't return if it's dispersed by impact, it does return if it's dismissed automatically.
That raises a question: if your dismissal speed is fast enough, your reactions fast enough—does that mean that if you auto-dismiss a clone the instant you know it's about to be hit, you could fight without losses? In a sense, that's a bug.
Of course, easy to say, hard to do. So far, even Uchiha Madara couldn't pull that off. The time needed to dismiss a clone is no less than the time required to form hand seals; in that time, rather than dismiss a clone, you'd be better off planning your next move.
But that's a mortal's mindset. If it's Meruem, perhaps it's possible.
Next is Sage Mode. Sage Mode isn't part of the chakra system—rather, it greatly enhances the caster's taijutsu, genjutsu, and ninjutsu, while granting powerful sensory abilities. It's a very practical amplification state.
For Meruem, it's also a way to grow stronger. As for the Chakra Fruit, no need to say more.
The Naruto plane actually has plenty of other good stuff too, like Impure World Reincarnation. If you could reincarnate powerhouses from other worlds, that would be quite a powerful and usable technique. For example, Meruem could reincarnate Netero and Jed.
Then interesting things would happen. You could watch Netero's Hundred-Type Guanyin battle Hashirama Senju's Great Wooden Man Technique and the All-Containing Bag Technique.
Or Jed's Hundred Demons Curse vs. Susanoo. Just imagining it is exciting.
There are also the nine Tailed Beasts and the very powerful Bloodline Convergence—Truth-Seeking Orbs. Those are all good things. The nine Tailed Beasts could be taken as enforcers, devoured, or modified into Chimera Ants—even fused into the Ten-Tails.
And the Truth-Seeking Orbs, said to nullify all ninjutsu and erase any object—offense, defense, and support all in one Bloodline Convergence.
Lastly, there's the Eight Gates, which might be useful for Meruem. Who knows if a perfect body like Meruem's even has something akin to the Eight Gates? If so, then Meruem's power after opening them...
The picture's too gorgeous—downright intoxicating.
If Meruem could obtain all these, he'd at least double his strength—more than that, even.
At present, Meruem had only obtained Shadow Clone Jutsu and Impure World Reincarnation. Sage Mode he was now going to gain. As for the nine Tailed Beasts—save it for when Akatsuki gathers them.
Truth-Seeking Orbs he still couldn't figure out how to acquire. The description says they're black spheres formed by fusing the full nature transformations of the five elements and yin–yang release.
But Meruem still didn't know how to actually produce them—what kind of fusion? Even with his talent, he'd at least need to see the real thing once. Just theory won't get it done.
As for the Eight Gates—only Guy and Lee in the whole Naruto world can use them, so no rush. The Chakra Fruit won't show up until Kaguya appears either.
As a side note, there are also the Sage of Six Paths' treasured tools. While not game-breaking, they should be decent. No idea where they are now.
Ryuchi Cave, famed as one of the three great summoning sanctuaries alongside Shikkotsu Forest and Mount Myoboku. The Mount Myoboku summoning scroll is in Jiraiya's possession, but he's in Konoha at the moment. Meruem can fetch that later.
Shikkotsu Forest's summoning scroll is with Tsunade. Legend says Shikkotsu Forest has only one slug—the ones Tsunade summons are all split from that giant slug.
In a sense, that slug should be stronger than Mount Myoboku's Great Toad Sage and Ryuchi Cave's White Snake Sage. It alone represents an entire species yet stands equal with the other two.
Meruem would visit them one by one when time allowed. For now, he was going to Ryuchi Cave to ask the White Snake Sage for the training method for Sage Mode.
Meruem signed his name on the summoning scroll and used Reverse Summoning to enter the snake clan's domain—Ryuchi Cave.
And yes, fitting for a snake dwelling—unlike Mount Myoboku's birdsong and flowers, this place was dark and damp. Still, better than the slimy Shikkotsu Forest, which is perfect for slugs.
He also used the Four-Dimensional Apartment to set a coordinate here for convenience next time. As for summoning beasts—Meruem wasn't interested for now. These snakes were a bit too weak. Once he left, he'd void the summoning contract. As for the scroll—whoever wants it can have it.
Across the Naruto world, the only creatures Meruem found worthy as summoning beasts were the nine Tailed Beasts.
The snakes of Ryuchi Cave are extremely sensitive—especially to the strength of other creatures. Though Meruem didn't deliberately release any aura, the snakes weren't idiots. The aura of this top-tier monster made them scatter, fleeing far away.
Even the usually arrogant Manda only dared watch from a distance.
Because Ryuchi Cave's area, while not small, isn't huge either. Without a guide, finding the White Snake Sage is difficult. So Meruem expanded his En and quickly found a powerful life signature.
Though Manda is the current clan head of the Ryuchi Cave contracts, his strength falls far short of the White Snake Sage—about on par with Gamabunta at best. The energy in the White Snake Sage's body exceeds that of most Tailed Beasts, nearly approaching Nine-Tails level.
No surprise—a being who's lived countless years and dares call itself "sage" has some skill.
"That monster disappeared!" After locating the White Snake Sage, Meruem raced toward that position. But because his speed was too fast, not just the summoning beasts—even top Kage-level experts wouldn't be able to see clearly. Naturally, the snakes assumed he'd vanished.
"So you're the White Snake Sage? Truly an impressive monster." In the blink of an eye, Meruem stood before the White Snake Sage. Forget the other snakes—even the Sage was startled by him, nearly dropping the pipe from its mouth.
"Who are you? What business do you have in Ryuchi Cave?" The White Snake Sage pretended not to have heard Meruem's earlier rude remark, feigning calm while narrowing its eyes to carefully size him up.
What else could it do—rebuke him? If it were Orochimaru, it would have thrown a fit already. But unfortunately, this was some monster from who knows where.
Meruem felt too uncanny—there was a bizarre, extreme danger about him. Yet not a trace of energy could be sensed from him. But from Meruem's sudden disappearances and appearances, it was clear this guy wasn't powerless. In terms of power tier, he was likely above the Sage.
The one thing the White Snake Sage could be sure of: the monster before it was definitely not human. Beyond that, it had no information.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Meruem, King of the Chimera Ants. I've come here for one thing only."
"What thing?"
"The training method for Sage Mode. I want the most perfect kind." Meruem couldn't be bothered to waste words. If the other refused, he intended to kill her outright.
Though that might draw the attention of the Sage of Six Paths—so what? A nuisance, perhaps, but Meruem wasn't afraid.
Of course, if she handed it over, that'd be easiest. After all, the White Snake Sage still had a smidgen of presence later on.
"Fine." Hearing what Meruem wanted, the White Snake Sage agreed readily. Just that? Take it. No need to offend such a super powerhouse over a method that wouldn't affect her. But where did this "Chimera Ants" come from? A newly emerged race? Forget it—not my concern.
Snakes are the very emblem of slyness, treachery, and knowing which way the wind blows—submitting to the strong is their ingrained nature.
But that had nothing to do with Meruem. He got what he came for—the training method for Sage Mode.
(End of Chapter)
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