Reborn wind shadow: Attack the country of fire in the beginning

#132 - Chapter 132 Dragon Cave Secret Technique

The original palace had been transformed into a massive cave, surrounded by black rocks and filled with incredibly humid air. At the cave's forefront stood a stone wall resembling a giant mountain, adorned with countless lanterns. At its center was carved a bizarre beast head.

The beast's head held a massive scroll in its mouth, inscribed with three large, ink-black characters: Ryūchi Cave.

Below the beast head was a colossal stone chair. A gigantic white-scaled serpent, as large as a mountain, was perched there, a pipe clenched in its jaws, its emerald eyes gleaming as it gazed at Rasa, exhaling a puff of smoke.

Below the white-scaled serpent, Tagitsuhime, Ichikishimahime, and Tagorihime stood obediently.

Seeing the master of this place finally appear, Rasa also focused his mind, calmly answering its question.

"Impressive. Although I've also mastered the ability to transmute matter, my current level of control only allows me to create familiar substances, and even then, only those with simple structures. I truly can't replicate something as complex as Ryūchi Cave."

This wasn't Rasa's attempt at modesty.

Since arriving in this world, Rasa had acquired various abilities, but he had too little time to truly delve into and develop each one.

He had no choice. To gain the power to control his own destiny in a short amount of time, he had to superficially grasp those powers.

Hearing Rasa's words, Ichikishimahime, in her loli form, immediately said in a haughty voice.

"Hehehe... Human ninja, it seems you are quite afraid of snakes. But that's useless here, this is Ryūchi Cave..."

Rasa replied, neither humble nor arrogant.

"No... I'm just stating the facts. Besides... afraid of snakes... if I remember correctly, it seems you were the ones who invited me here..."

The loli girl's eyes widened instantly, looking quite displeased.

The brown-haired girl beside her, Tagitsuhime, immediately chimed in.

"Is that so? Human ninja, weren't you also seeking our Ryūchi Cave?"

Although somewhat surprised how the Ryūchi Cave snakes knew he was looking for them, he still had his own excuse ready.

"Oh? When have I ever sought Ryūchi Cave?"

The loli girl immediately seized upon the flaw in Rasa's words, saying haughtily.

"Hehehe... You humans truly love to lie. But everything you do cannot escape the White Snake Sage's notice. I learned from those people of the Sea Country that you were seeking a place inhabited by giant snakes. Do you intend to deny it?"

Hearing this, Rasa roughly understood the source of the leak of his movements.

Though somewhat curious about how the news of his association with the merchants of the Sea Country had been leaked, it was no longer important.

"No... I'm seeking a place inhabited by giant snakes, not necessarily Ryūchi Cave."

"Hmph! Still trying to hide it even after coming here? Humans are truly full of lies!"

When it came to sophistry and unreasonable arguments, how could the snakes of Ryūchi Cave be a match for Rasa?

"It's not a lie. Although I know of Ryūchi Cave's existence, like the other two great sacred lands, given your relationship with Konoha, I never thought there would be any connection between us. Therefore, seeking Ryūchi Cave would be of no use to me."

Tagitsuhime said with disbelief.

"Is that so? Then, Mr. Rasa, why are you looking for a place inhabited by giant snakes?"

Rasa didn't hide anything, even hoping to obtain some information from Tagitsuhime.

"I only heard that near Ryūchi Cave, there lives a clan of humans born with the ability to absorb natural energy. I'm simply interested in them."

This time, the three girls under the White Snake Sage were stunned, somewhat believing Rasa's words. Because, at a certain exit of their Ryūchi Cave, there truly was such a group of humans.

Just then, the giant white-scaled serpent finally exhaled a puff of smoke and said in an old woman-like voice.

"I see, Kazekage of Sunagakure, are you looking for the Jūgo clan?"

The three Ryūchi Cave girls immediately fell silent at the White Snake Sage's words.

Rasa was taken aback and said.

"The Jūgo clan?"

He truly didn't know Jūgo's surname.

"If the White Snake Sage is referring to the clan born with the ability to absorb natural energy, then it should be them... I've only heard of their existence, and I don't know much about the specifics..."

"That should be it. However, even within the Jūgo clan, those born with the ability to absorb natural energy are extremely rare. I wonder, Kazekage, what is your purpose in seeking them?"

Rasa said very directly.

"Of course, it's because I'm interested in their innate ability to absorb natural energy."

"Oh!"

The White Snake Sage moved its body, raising its giant head, looking at Rasa and saying with a sigh.

"Kazekage, I can sense the pure natural energy within you. Even I have only sensed it a long, long, long time ago. With this pure and powerful natural energy, you shouldn't need the Jūgo clan's ability."

Rasa didn't rush to explain, but first said.

"Sage Art energy, I now call this energy within me Sage Art energy."

"Sage Art energy? A good name!"

The White Snake Sage pondered for a moment, then exhaled another series of smoke rings.

Rasa then continued.

"I have indeed mastered Sage Art energy, but it's only me. I have no idea how to let others master Sage Art energy, and as the Kazekage, I naturally hope that others in the village can also master even more powerful energy."

"I see, truly a qualified leader!"

The White Snake Sage sighed, taking a deep puff from its pipe, exhaling smoke that filled the entire cave, and then looking at Rasa and saying.

"Then, Kazekage of Sunagakure, are you willing to become my Ryūchi Cave's successor!?"

Although Rasa had long anticipated this possibility, he was still somewhat surprised when the White Snake Sage actually said it.

"Why? Don't you already have Orochimaru?"

The White Snake Sage seemed to fall into deep thought and said.

"Orochimaru? That is indeed a clever child, but unfortunately, the path he has chosen is not the future path of Ryūchi Cave that I desire."

"The future path of Ryūchi Cave?"

"Hmm..."

The White Snake Sage pondered for a long time, finally looking at Rasa and slowly asking a question.

"Kazekage, do you want to break away from this fragile body and evolve into a dragon that can soar through the nine heavens?"