Chapter 46: Sage Mode
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The Third Hokage sought to strip the Uchiha of their rights. When that failed, he instead used the excuse of "Konoha Guards taking a break from midnight to two o'clock" to impose a new order: a two-hour Konoha patrol mission.
This mission was assigned to the ANBU.
The ANBU members were stunned. During the day, they had already been cursing the Third Hokage in their hearts.
Why would he choose to take away the most exhausting, vigilant, and sleep-deprived time of the night?
Carrying out missions to gather intelligence was grueling enough. Now, they had to endure another round of duties?
But even though they were furious, the ANBU members only dared to be angry silently. The Third Hokage was their direct superior. If he decided to remove them from ANBU, they would be left with nothing.
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Meanwhile, in a secluded forest, Sasuke bit his finger, smearing blood across his palm. He slammed it down onto the ground, shouting, "Summoning Jutsu: Manda!"
With a bang, a massive cloud of white mist erupted, revealing a colossal serpent. As soon as Manda appeared, it sneered, "Orochimaru, summoning me again—"
Before Manda could finish, it saw Sasuke's smirk. The sight made Manda's scales tingle. Even in the presence of Orochimaru, Manda rarely felt intimidated, but Sasuke was different.
Sasuke's voice was cold as he commanded, "Manda, take me to Ryūchi Cave."
The Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan spun in Sasuke's eyes, and his tone left no room for argument. "This isn't a request. It's an order."
Manda recoiled slightly in fear. It wasn't sure if it was imagining things, but Sasuke seemed much stronger than before. Yet, how powerful could a mere child be, no matter how strong he appeared?
Swallowing nervously, Manda hissed, "Fine! But—"
Before Manda could finish, dark flames flickered on Sasuke's hand.
"No buts!" Sasuke said firmly.
In an instant, they arrived at Ryūchi Cave. Manda's roar echoed as it appeared.
Sasuke stepped out of Manda's mouth, grimacing as the snake's sticky saliva clung to him. "Manda, when was the last time you brushed your teeth?" he complained.
Manda responded, "I'm a snake. Why would I brush my teeth?"
Among the giant snakes of Ryūchi Cave, Manda was considered powerful. But as Sasuke walked toward the core of the cave, the surrounding snakes eyed him with greedy anticipation, sensing the freshness of his scent.
Sasuke met their hungry gazes with indifference. Black flames flared to life around his body. The flames seemed harmless at first glance, but they carried immense power.
One particularly large green snake could no longer resist. It lunged at Sasuke, jaws wide open.
Suddenly, the flow of time slowed within a five-meter radius around Sasuke.
The green snake's body split as it rushed past, with the lower half slumping to the ground lifelessly. The snake's head made contact with the black flames, and in mere moments, it was reduced to ashes.
Manda observed the scene, silently mourning the green snake. 'Poor boy... of all creatures to provoke, you chose the King of Hell himself...'
Sasuke continued deeper into Ryūchi Cave, leaving Manda behind.
Soon, a stunning woman appeared. She had a beautiful smile, but her lower body was that of a serpent's tail.
"Greetings, human," the snake woman said, introducing herself. "I am Ichikishimahime, the envoy of Ryūchi Cave. To meet the White Snake Sage, you must pass three tests set by us. Fail, and we will devour you~"
Ichikishimahime added, "The first test is sincerity, the second is patience, and the third is strength."
Sasuke's expression remained unreadable as he asked, "Is there any way to see the White Snake Sage without undergoing these tests?"
Ichikishimahime's smile grew sharper. "No. Unless... you wish to be eaten by me?"
Sasuke's lips curled into a faint smile. "I don't think so."
With that, Sasuke activated his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. He locked onto the largest chakra source in the entire cave and began to gather purple chakra around him.
In the blink of an eye, Sasuke's Half-Susanoo manifested, drawing a chakra arrow aimed directly at the White Snake Sage's location.
The powerful chakra storm created by the arrow penetrated the walls between him and the White Snake Sage.
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In the distance, at the end of the tunnel, a blinding white light shone.
"Goodbye, Ichikishimahime," Sasuke said as he headed toward the White Snake Sage. Only when Sasuke stood before the White Snake Sage did he truly comprehend its enormity.
The White Snake Sage was at least three times larger than Manda. It still had a massive pipe in its mouth, exhaling clouds of smoke.
The White Snake Sage glanced sideways at Sasuke, its gaze lingering on his eyes. "An Uchiha... There was once a boy named Madara Uchiha. He became a force to be reckoned with in the ninja world."
Sasuke met the Sage's gaze confidently. "I am Uchiha Sasuke, and I will surpass Madara."
The White Snake Sage chuckled deeply, a rumbling sound. "Hahaha, child, becoming stronger requires more than just words."
Sasuke replied, "That's why I've come to Ryūchi Cave. I want to learn the Sage Mode of Ryūchi Cave."
Without warning, the White Snake Sage lunged, its massive fangs aimed at Sasuke. Venom glistened at the tips of the Sage's teeth.
But before they could make contact, a purple skeletal shield materialized around Sasuke, blocking the bite.
The White Snake Sage smiled slyly. "Don't be so tense. The essence of Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode is adaptation. I've lived for countless years, my body brimming with natural energy. I'll inject my venom into you. If you can withstand it, you'll awaken Sage Mode. If not... well, then I'll have no choice but to eat you."
The Sage continued, "In all these years, only one person has failed twice before me and still walked away alive. The Sage Mode of Ryūchi Cave differs from that of Mount Myōboku.
While Mount Myōboku cultivates a 'balanced' natural energy, Ryūchi Cave absorbs all forms of natural energy.
That's why the power of Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode far surpasses that of Mount Myōboku's. But with greater power comes greater risk."
Hearing this, Sasuke deactivated his defenses. If he couldn't survive this, it would be his final journey...
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