Chapter 282: Journey to Ryuchi Cave

After spending a few days in Shikkotsu Forest with Tsunade and Shizune,

Shishou traveled to the Land of Demons, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure, handing over the barrier scrolls given by the Great Slug Sage to Miroku, Yugito, Mei Terumi, and others who had already mastered Sage Mode, instructing them to master it quickly.

Then, he returned to Konoha, swapped out his clone, and resumed his daily school life.

During the day, he studied with Ino and Hinata.

In the evening, he trained water-walking techniques with Tenten.

At night, he used the Flying Thunder God technique to travel around the ninja world, comforting the many women who felt neglected during his two years of Sage Jutsu training.

Shishou's mastery of the Flying Thunder God technique also improved significantly through this practice.

...

A few days later.

At the entrance to Ryuchi Cave.

Shishou appeared with Tsunade, Mei Terumi, Kushina, Yugito, Miroku, Konan, Mikoto Uchiha, and Hyuga Rimei, all wearing white robes and masks.

To avoid awkwardness, Shishou had them all wear masks.

Tsunade, Mikoto, and Kushina, to avoid revealing their identities, were especially cautious, wearing long robes and cloaks that covered them completely.

The women were silent as they surveyed each other.

'How many women has this scoundrel Shishou tricked?' Tsunade thought, her mouth twitching. She secretly pinched Shishou's waist.

Shishou endured the pain without speaking.

In this situation, Tsunade's anger was understandable.

But Tsunade, though angry, knew when to hold back. She gave a light pinch and then let go.

Kushina, seeing Tsunade's actions, pursed her lips.

The moment Tsunade's small hand reached out, Kushina recognized her identity but chose to remain silent, pretending not to know.

After all, if her identity were revealed, it would be even more embarrassing for her.

Yugito frowned slightly under her mask upon seeing Tsunade dare to pinch Shishou.

But remembering Shishou's instructions, she said nothing.

'That must be the woman from Konoha!' Mei Terumi thought, noting Tsunade's actions.

Mikoto, Miroku, and Rimei, who were more docile, already knew about Shishou's many women and often cooperated with them.

So this scene didn't surprise them, and they had no particular reaction.

Konan, on the other hand, glared at Shishou, feeling he was a shameless playboy.

Shishou said nothing more and placed his hand on the ground.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

With a puff of white smoke, a small slug's clone appeared and then divided into several parts, slowly crawling onto the women's bodies.

"Follow the small slug's instructions," Shishou said.

He then used the summoning technique again to bring out the three snake sisters of Ryuchi Cave, knocking them out immediately.

The three snake sisters had diligently helped Shishou teach Sage Jutsu to the women over the years, earning his gratitude.

So he didn't want them to get caught up in the upcoming battle.

Of course, Shishou also feared they might turn on him, so he knocked them out to be safe.

"Let's begin," he said.

After glancing at the women, attaching some phosphorescent worms containing Sage Jutsu energy to them, Shishou led Hyuga Rimei and Mikoto Uchiha into Ryuchi Cave.

The three of them would face the White Snake Sage together.

The others would activate the barrier and maintain it in Sage Mode.

Tsunade, Mei Terumi, Kushina, and Yugito exchanged glances and simultaneously entered Sage Mode, with blue stripes from the small slug appearing on their bodies.

Miroku, who had not yet mastered Sage Mode, used the Sage Jutsu energy from the phosphorescent worms that Shishou had previously implanted in her, entering a cursed seal state and growing a single horn on her forehead.

Under the small slug's guidance, they spread out to several nodes within dozens of kilometers around Ryuchi Cave to prepare the barrier.

Maintaining the sealing barrier required a tremendous amount of Sage Jutsu energy, so even those who had mastered Sage Mode needed to work together.

Konan sighed as she watched the others leave.

She hadn't expected that as a high-ranking member of Akatsuki, she would now be the weakest among the women.

'Once this matter is over, I must have Shishou help me increase my strength!' she thought, feeling somewhat unwilling.

She flew into the air, quietly waiting for the battle to begin.

...

Inside the vast cavern of Ryuchi Cave.

An orange-haired, yellow-eyed, pipe-smoking white snake coiled around the throne, coldly watching Shishou and his two companions approach.

The White Snake Sage could already guess Shishou's purpose from the killing intent he exuded.

Exhaling a puff of smoke, the White Snake Sage spoke slowly: "It's been several hundred years since Ryuchi Cave last showcased its power in the ninja world, to the point where someone dares to challenge me..."

With a puff, the White Snake Sage transformed into an old woman sitting on the throne, leisurely smoking her pipe.

Shishou could tell from her movements that she didn't take him seriously.

This didn't surprise Shishou.

As one of the strongest beings in the ninja world, the White Snake Sage had every reason to be arrogant.

To show respect for the White Snake Sage's power, Shishou followed ninja etiquette and respectfully formed a seal of confrontation.

Seeing Shishou's action, Mikoto and Rimei followed suit.

In the distant Shikkotsu Forest, a Shishou shadow clone in Sage Mode suddenly dissipated.

In the next moment, blue stripes appeared on Shishou's body as he instantly entered Sage Mode.

Although Shishou couldn't enter Sage Mode instantly on his own,

he used the feedback mechanism of his shadow clones stationed in Shikkotsu Forest to achieve instantaneous Sage Mode activation.

Seeing the blue stripes on Shishou, the White Snake Sage said expressionlessly, "Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Jutsu, interesting..."

Unfazed by the White Snake Sage's indifference, Shishou clapped his hands.

Dozens of massive Sage Jutsu wood dragons rose in the cavern, instantly attacking the White Snake Sage.

"Wood Release that can absorb Sage Chakra..." the White Snake Sage muttered, exhaling smoke that formed a stone wall in front of her.

Boom boom boom~~~

The wood dragons crashed into the stone wall, causing a series of explosions but failing to break through.

Shishou frowned slightly as the wood dragons began to change color, turning from green to dark, then to stone, and finally crumbling into a pile of sand on the ground.

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