Chapter 333: Shūichi Hoshita vs. the White Snake Sage!
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"The natural energy here is indeed astounding," Shisui remarked as he extended his sensory abilities.
Shūichi studied the entrance ahead with a smile. "Perhaps the environment shaped them, or maybe they shaped the environment."
"It's more likely the former," Shisui replied.
"The three great sacred places all share the trait of being ideal for Sage Arts training."
"My own sanctuary still needs to rely on the Divine Tree to convert the sun's energy into natural energy. Only then can it gradually evolve into such a haven," Shūichi said.
Shisui exuded confidence. "The Sage Emperor's Sanctuary will surpass the three great sacred places sooner or later."
"No, it won't take that long," Shūichi replied with a smile. "Let's go—the White Snake Sage has already come to greet us."
The two stepped into Ryūchi Cave. In mere moments, a dim light revealed four figures ahead.
An elderly woman with a kind expression stood at the front, flanked by three beautiful snake maidens.
Having heard from Shūichi about the peculiarities of the three great sacred places, Shisui immediately activated his Rinne Sharingan.
"As expected—an illusion," Shisui said as his Rinne Sharingan pierced through the disguises of the White Snake Sage and her entourage.
The White Snake Sage's gaze fell upon Shisui, and a smile crept onto her face. "Welcome, esteemed guests."
"Such incredible power!" she exclaimed.
"But there's no need for such vigilance while visiting Ryūchi Cave, is there?"
Shūichi chuckled. "Apologies. Shisui is simply showing respect for the Sage's strength."
"The three great sacred places possess histories far older than any ninja clan. They deserve every ninja's respect and serious regard," he added.
Despite her kind appearance, the oppressive and chilling chakra surrounding the White Snake Sage could not be concealed. Among the three sacred places, Ryūchi Cave was undoubtedly the most perilous.
The snake sages were no saints—but then again, neither was Shūichi.
"Standing at the entrance is no way to host guests. Please, come inside."
The White Snake Sage led the two into the inner sanctum of Ryūchi Cave. Inside the grand temple, she coiled herself upon her throne, revealing her massive true form. The three snake maidens took their positions on either side.
Shūichi floated in a seated lotus position midair, while Shisui stood respectfully behind him.
"I already have a general understanding of your purpose here," the White Snake Sage began.
"Ryūchi Cave can join the Ninja Alliance, but we have our own rules.
"Our contractors must pass our selection process.
"And unlike the frogs of Mount Myōboku, our Sage Art training is far more difficult. Orochimaru must have told you that."
Shūichi nodded. "We naturally respect Ryūchi Cave's traditions. Sage Art training is a personal endeavor.
"However, even if the contractors fail the trials, I hope they can leave Ryūchi Cave safely. I doubt Ryūchi Cave's authority depends on a few ninja."
The White Snake Sage chuckled. "To obtain great power, one must always pay a price."
Shūichi remained unfazed. "They will one day offer their lives to protect this world.
"That is their most valuable sacrifice.
"And you, too, are part of this world.
"If they must pay a price for power, then for the survival they offer you, you should also pay something in return."
He cast a rhetorical mantle of righteousness over them.
The three snake maidens were visibly displeased but refrained from speaking, aware of Shūichi's terrifying power.
The White Snake Sage, however, was equally unimpressed by Shūichi's boldness.
As Shūichi himself had pointed out, the three sacred places predated ninja history. The ebb and flow of the ninja world was nothing more than fleeting dust to them.
The ninja world did not dictate Ryūchi Cave's existence.
Yet the White Snake Sage was no stranger to the idea of mutual interdependence. It was the only reason this conversation was even happening.
Still, the White Snake Sage had no desire to be at the beck and call of humanity in the future. With or without ninja, the Earth remained the Earth—even in the face of the Ōtsutsuki Clan.
From behind Shūichi, Shisui sensed subtle shifts in the surrounding natural energy. "As Shūichi predicted, words alone won't be enough to convince them."
Shūichi, too, could perceive the Sage's inner thoughts. Though the immense natural energy, or perhaps the power of Sage Art, interfered with his electromagnetic sensory network, it was enough to discern her stance.
So be it.
A faint smile spread across Shūichi's face as Truth-Seeking Orbs materialized behind him.
"If Ryūchi Cave truly has the strength to fend off the Ōtsutsuki Clan on its own, then by all means, remain above it all—watching the sun and moon rise and fall, the winds and clouds shift."
The White Snake Sage stared at Shūichi, saying nothing—but she acted.
In an instant, the stone walls and ground of the cavern sprang to life, forming countless sharp spikes that surged toward Shūichi and Shisui, intent on piercing them into a pincushion.
Prepared for such an attack, Shisui vanished, using his Rinne Sharingan's ocular technique, Great Yomi Passage, to enter the Netherworld.
Meanwhile, Shūichi rose to his full height and called out:
"Ice Age!"
Crack!
Crack!
The jagged stone spikes were swiftly enveloped in frost, freezing solid and halting their advance.
At that moment, the snake maidens Tagorihime, Ichikishimahime, and Tagitsuhime darted through the forest of stone pillars, attacking Shūichi with incredible speed while unleashing their unique Sage Arts.
Tagorihime opened her jaws, releasing a blast of Sage energy akin to a divine dragon clutching a pearl. The energy exploded into a blinding laser, accompanied by a deafening hum that assaulted vision and hearing alike.
Simultaneously, Ichikishimahime and Tagitsuhime flanked Shūichi from either side.
However, before they could close in, Shūichi's flaming Flame Spear ignited with green fire and slammed down on them relentlessly, disregarding Tagorihime's interference.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Green flames scattered as explosions reverberated throughout the cave. Smoke and dust billowed as the three snake maidens were struck unconscious by Shisui's attacks.
Meanwhile, Shūichi's Ice Age had already reached the White Snake Sage.
Tagorihime's Sage Art had no effect on Shūichi either.
The White Snake Sage, still holding her pipe, exhaled a burst of Sage Light. The entire cavern trembled violently, shattering the encroaching ice and dispersing the cold air.
Once again, the cavern seemed to come alive.
Shūichi's Truth-Seeking Orbs erupted behind him, crackling with electricity and moving at high speed, shattering the sharp stone spikes attempting to pierce him.
At the same time, the snake maidens—Tagorihime, Ichikishimahime, and Tagitsuhime—who had been unconscious, suddenly sprang into action, turning against the White Snake Sage.
It was Shisui, hidden in the Netherworld, who had used Kotoamatsukami to control them.
From all directions, more White Phosphorous Snakes surged toward Shūichi, leveraging the living stone pillars for cover.
Yet no number of snakes or stone constructs could penetrate the barrier formed by the Truth-Seeking Orbs. Accelerated by Shūichi's Electromagnetic Release, the orbs delivered devastating kinetic force, annihilating everything in their path.
"Such incredible genjutsu..."
The White Snake Sage marveled internally. Tagorihime and her sisters, renowned for their mastery of illusions, had been so easily subdued by Shisui's.
The living stone pillars morphed, restraining the three snake maidens. The White Snake Sage's massive tail lashed out, smashing the Flame Spear, which erupted into fiery fragments.
"Truly worthy of being one of the three great Sages!" Shisui exclaimed in astonishment.
He immediately summoned Susano'o within the Netherworld, equipping it with a Flame Spear and a Spiral Lance, and launched an assault on the White Snake Sage.
Gigantic White Phosphorous Snakes emerged, coiling and striking against Susano'o's weapons. The ensuing clashes sent tremors through the entire cavern, but the White Snake Sage remained seated on her throne.
Shūichi, observing, continued using the Truth-Seeking Orbs defensively. Seeing that Shisui's attacks could not subdue the White Snake Sage, Shūichi activated his Golden Nine-Tomoe Rinne Sharingan and the Blood Red Nine-Tomoe Rinne Sharingan on his forehead.
He raised his hand.
Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack!
Countless chakra fists erupted, accompanied by the sudden manifestation of a Space-Time Gate. The fists appeared directly before the White Snake Sage and descended upon her with devastating force.
Whoosh!
For the first time, the White Snake Sage moved. Despite her enormous size, her speed was incredible, narrowly evading the chakra fists.
Shūichi raised an eyebrow slightly. Then, Kotoamatsukami activated, causing the White Snake Sage's movements to falter. In that moment, beams of light descended, bombarding her massive body.
When the light dissipated, the White Snake Sage was coiled around a massive stone pillar. The areas struck by the beams were merely scorched black, her scales entirely unscathed.
"Incredible defense. As expected of the White Snake Sage!" Shūichi praised with a smile.
The White Snake Sage regarded him solemnly. "Your power far surpasses that of the Sage of Six Paths… and even that of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki."
"Thank you for the compliment," Shūichi replied with a grin. "Now, I'll show you my true power."
As his words fell, the White Snake Sage realized that the surroundings had transformed into a frozen wasteland.
Sage Emperor's Domain!
"I didn't even notice it…"
The White Snake Sage scanned her surroundings, only to see the icy mountains begin to move. Just like her own ability, they came alive and launched an attack.
The White Snake Sage immediately used Sage Art to conceal her body, but even this advanced stealth technique failed. Ice pillars and serpentine dragons of frost continued to strike relentlessly.
The battlefield had shifted entirely in Shūichi's favor.
The White Snake Sage's enormous body writhed and thrashed, smashing ice pillars and dragons alike.
Above, a clone of Shūichi appeared in midair.
In the palms of his hands, a pair of eyes suddenly opened.
They were none other than the eyes of Ōtsutsuki Isshiki.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Black cubes descended from the sky, slamming into the White Snake Sage, pinning her in place.
Immediately afterward, massive ice pillars appeared on her body, piercing through her pressure points.
This was the power of the Byakugan's insight, combined with Isshiki's ocular technique of material amplification, and Kaguya's All-Killing Ash Bones, enhanced by Shūichi's personal touch—not with hair, but with ice needles.
This sequence of powerful techniques finally managed to restrain the White Snake Sage.
With a clinking sound, chains shot out from Shūichi's body, piercing through the White Snake Sage's form.
"Hm?"
Shūichi raised an eyebrow.
It was empty!
She had shed her skin!
The White Snake Sage, now significantly smaller, darted away at high speed.
Suddenly, the surroundings shifted once more, transforming into a vast desert.
In the distance, a towering figure appeared.
Golden Susano'o!
The Susano'o began to change, transforming into the God of Thousand-Armed Celestial Star, cloaked in golden lightning.
In the next moment, countless arms emerged, each holding a Rasenshuriken infused with various chakra natures: Wind Release Rasenshuriken, Ice Release Rasenshuriken, Scorch Release Rasenshuriken, Blaze Release Rasenshuriken, Lava Release Rasenshuriken...
The sheer might of this attack caused the White Snake Sage's expression to change drastically. Her smaller form rapidly expanded, her tail splitting into countless giant snake heads that rose to meet the descending storm of Rasenshuriken.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions erupted, multicolored lights flashing as dust and smoke engulfed the battlefield.
Moments later, the enormous White Snake Sage lay in a massive crater, her body scarred and countless scales shed.
Standing atop the God of Thousand-Armed Celestial Star, Shūichi Hoshita gazed down at the injured White Snake Sage with his hands behind his back.
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In the Land of Fire, at the daimyo's experimental base:
Haku and his group had just arrived at the entrance to the base when a White Zetsu emerged from the ground.
"Perfect timing, Haku. A squad of shinobi is heading this way, and they don't seem friendly!"
Suigetsu grinned. "Perfect! Let's take care of them outside!"
Haku quickly asked, "How is Mother doing?"
White Zetsu smiled. "The experimental base has a teleportation array. Sarutobi Asuma sent word earlier, so Lady Mizu has already used the array to head to Konoha!"
Sarutobi Shinnosuke nodded with a smile. "That's even better."
"Haku, Kimimaro, Kurotsuchi, Suigetsu, prepare for battle!"
"For now, you'll engage first. I won't act unless it's absolutely necessary."
"White Zetsu, provide us with the enemy's movements."
"Of course!" White Zetsu replied cheerfully before sinking back into the ground.
Shortly after, armed with White Zetsu's intelligence, the group chose a dense forest along the enemy's path as their ambush point.
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Moments later, a dozen masked shinobi entered the ambush zone.
Hiding behind a tree, Haku raised a single hand.
In an instant, a cold mist spread throughout the forest.
"Be careful, it's an ambush—Hidden Mist Jutsu!"
"No, the temperature is dropping! It's Ice Release! The enemy must know we're here!"
The rogue shinobi immediately went on high alert.
Within the dense fog, Kurotsuchi pressed her hands to the ground, and sharp stone pillars erupted, spreading rapidly.
Ahh!
Boom! Boom!
Screams and explosions echoed as rogue shinobi leapt to avoid the pillars. Some were too slow and were impaled, while others evaded only to be struck mid-air by flying bones that pierced their bodies.
Ten Finger Drilling Bullets!
Splash!
One shinobi landed in a puddle, only for water to rise and coil around him. Suigetsu grabbed the rogue by the neck with one hand while forming a finger gun with the other.
Pfft!
A water bullet shot from his fingertip, piercing the shinobi's skull.
Suigetsu, Kurotsuchi, and Kimimaro engaged in close combat, easily handling the remaining seven or eight opponents.
Haku remained hidden, and when the time was right, he raised a single hand.
In an instant, the rogue shinobi fighting Kimimaro and the others froze mid-movement, their bodies rapidly encased in ice. They were easily dispatched by Kurotsuchi, Suigetsu, and Kimimaro.
Observing from the shadows, Shinnosuke sighed in admiration. "This could easily be considered an elite jonin team!"
(End of Chapter)
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