"Arisu, this sage art is really sinister!"
The White Snake Sage reminded Arisu with a worried look.
At this time, the White Snake Sage and Arisu had also become familiar with each other.
Arisu also learned that the little white snake was actually the future White Snake Sage.
The current little white snake was still in the form of a young girl, not yet the old granny she would become later.
It was hard to imagine that the bright girl in front of him would be that old granny in the future.
"White Snake, I have never been afraid of training sage arts!"
"Another one!" Arisu sat cross-legged on the ground and spoke calmly.
Seeing that Arisu had made up his mind, the little white snake could only nod. "Brother Arisu, don't worry. I will assist you from the side. If there is a problem, I will immediately interrupt."
"Then thank you." Arisu nodded slightly.
Hearing that, the White Snake opened her small mouth and suddenly bit toward Arisu's neck, injecting natural energy to guide him.
After that, Arisu officially began training the sage art.
In just another short three hours, the aura of Ryuchi Cave's sage art appeared on Arisu's body.
"You?! You actually… have already mastered it?"
The White Snake Sage's pupils shrank. Her heart was shocked.
She had never seen a human able to train Ryuchi Cave's sage art. Now not only did she see one for the first time, but he mastered it so quickly.
'Hmph, this power is nothing special…' Arisu thought to himself, the corner of his mouth lifting as he felt the sage markings appear on his face.
He did not grow scales or turn snake-like like Kabuto did.
According to the setting, the more physical features that appear, the worse the level of sage art.
For example, Jiraiya. He did not achieve a complete Sage Mode, which was why he had such serious toad transformation.
Naruto, Hashirama, and Yakushi Kabuto did pretty well.
They basically only had sage markings.
However, Arisu did even better than them.
Not only did he learn Mount Myoboku's sage art, he also learned Ryuchi Cave's.
'Hiss… this child's talent is terrifying. What kind of monster did that White Brow guy take in…'
The Black Snake Sage, who was remotely observing Arisu's training through a water mirror, could not help but sigh in amazement.
Just as the Black Snake Sage was concentrating on monitoring Arisu through the water mirror, Arisu slowly opened his eyes and looked at it from a distance.
"Hiss… this child can actually sense that I'm watching him!?"
The Black Snake Sage was startled and once again updated its understanding of Arisu's sensing ability.
'So strong. Maybe this person really can go deal with that alien woman outside…' The Black Snake Sage thought quietly.
———
[About a Month Later]
As expected, Arisu mastered and became proficient in Ryuchi Cave's sage art.
The only regret was...
Arisu had not yet had time to fuse Ryuchi Cave's sage art with Mount Myoboku's and the Ape Demon sage art.
Once Ryuchi Cave's sage art was activated, Mount Myoboku's sage art could not be used.
Once Mount Myoboku's sage art was reactivated, Ryuchi Cave's sage art could not be used.
This was a problem.
The two were like two tigers that cannot share one mountain.
Fortunately, Arisu's control was strong, otherwise the two sage arts would have already clashed.
"You're leaving so soon? Won't you stay a bit longer?"
"Brother Arisu? If you leave, no one will keep me company….." The White Snake Sage held onto Arisu's arm and said pitifully.
"No, White Snake, if fate allows, we will meet again." Arisu smiled slightly and gently pulled his arm away.
Seeing the White Snake Sage looking at him affectionately.
Arisu thought to himself, 'Could this little white snake have fallen for me?'
During this month, the White Snake Sage often came to talk with him. Maybe because Ryuchi Cave was full of snakes, she developed different feelings toward him.
"Sigh, alright. If you are willing to come back, you must come see me."
A deep look of disappointment flashed in the depths of the White Snake Sage's eyes.
"Mm."
Arisu smiled slightly and then slowly walked toward the main hall of Ryuchi Cave.
The future White Snake Sage liking him?
That was a bit too outrageous.
'Although it is said that women are like fine wine, the older they get, the richer they are, but with a snake…'
'Sigh, forget it. If in the future the White Snake Sage gets too old...'
Arisu would not mind stepping in to manage Ryuchi Cave.
After all... Having an elder at home is like having a treasure.
"Arisu, your talent is unprecedented, and probably will never be seen again."
The Black Snake Sage looked at Arisu with admiration, then changed the topic. "Do you need to add icing on the cake and choose a snake from Ryuchi Cave to form a summoning contract?"
"Since Sage has said so…"
"Then I won't be polite…"
Arisu naturally knew that the Black Snake Sage wanted to bind him together with Ryuchi Cave.
He had already learned the sage art, so there was no need to refuse.
"Brother Arisu! Pick me, pick me!"
Before Arisu could speak, the White Snake Sage eagerly raised her hand.
Looking at the girl in front of him who wanted to form a contract with him.
"You…"
Arisu felt slightly helpless. But at present, among the named figures in Ryuchi Cave, there was only the girl in front of him, the White Snake Sage.
Manda, Aoda, Manda II, or the three snake princesses had not yet been born.
"Is that alright?"
Arisu cast an inquiring look at the Black Snake Sage.
After all, he was about to form a contract with the future master of Ryuchi Cave, so he still needed to ask the opinion of the "current chairman."
The Black Snake Sage focused for a moment in brief thought, then nodded. "Yes."
"That's great! Arisu, if you have something in the future you can summon me! Of course, even if there's nothing, you can still summon me and chat with me. I'm very bored alone in Ryuchi Cave….." The White Snake Sage looked at Arisu playfully as she spoke.
Arisu felt complicated inside. He actually formed a contract with the future ancestor of Ryuchi Cave….
"There is one more thing I ask. Could Sage tell me the location of Shikkotsu Forest?" Arisu asked.
Hearing this, the Black Snake Sage was slightly stunned. "Why are you asking about that?"
"I want to learn the sage art of Shikkotsu Forest." Arisu did not hide it and said it directly.
"What!? Brother Arisu, you still want to go learn Shikkotsu Forest's sage art?"
The White Snake Sage widened her eyes and looked at Arisu in surprise.
The Black Snake Sage trembled slightly and could not help looking at Arisu with a strange expression.
"You have already learned Mount Myoboku and Ryuchi Cave, plus the Ape Demon clan. Just these alone are enough to make you invincible in the world. There is no need to learn Shikkotsu Forest."
Arisu shook his head. "The strong enemy outside is too powerful. It's better to be more prepared."
Seeing this, the Black Snake Sage did not say much more and nodded. "With such talent, it would indeed be a pity not to learn it."
After speaking, it threw a scroll to Arisu.
"This is the location of Shikkotsu Forest. Shikkotsu Forest is different from Mount Myoboku and Ryuchi Cave. To be precise, there is only one existence there, and that is the Slug Sage..."