Enduring Shishou's ultimate attack, even the colossal body of the White Snake Sage couldn't hold up.
If Ryuchi Cave hadn't been sealed, the White Snake Sage could have quickly absorbed natural energy to heal her body. However, with Ryuchi Cave sealed by the Great Slug Sage and the natural energy within it being depleted by their battle, the White Snake Sage found herself in this dire state due to Shishou's attack.
Far off, beside the Great Slug Sage, Tsunade, Mei Terumi, Yugito, Priestess Miroku, and others watched the defeated White Snake Sage in utter disbelief.
Hinata, Kushina, and Mikoto Uchiha were especially stunned.
This was the same White Snake Sage they had just fought together without leaving a scratch!
The women's eyes shone with admiration and joy as they looked at Shishou, their hearts filled with pride. This was their man!
Shishou's immense strength inspired genuine worship and affection in them, making them want to embrace and kiss him right then and there.
Meanwhile, Konan watched the image of Shishou with a complex expression.
This man truly posed a threat to Nagato!
She knew she had to keep a close eye on him and prevent any clash between him and Nagato.
On the other side.
After exhausting her curses, the White Snake Sage lay motionless in the hand of Hell's Gaze.
If it weren't for the occasional twitch, Shishou might have thought she was dead.
Despite the White Snake Sage's dire state, Shishou remained cautious.
He extended his right hand, summoning countless black dots that formed flying insects, which flew towards the White Snake Sage in Hell's Gaze's palm.
Only by having the Phosphorus Destruction Bugs consume the White Snake Sage could Shishou feel truly secure.
"Ahhh~"
As the swarm of Phosphorus Destruction Bugs flew the hundred-meter distance and began devouring the White Snake Sage's body, she let out a few weak cries of pain.
Watching the White Snake Sage being consumed by the Phosphorus Destruction Bugs, Shishou frowned slightly.
It wasn't out of pity; he just felt it was too easy.
Perhaps Orochimaru's tenacity had left a lasting impression on Shishou.
He had a feeling the White Snake Sage might have another trick up her sleeve.
Suddenly, a small white snake emerged from the head of the wooden golem by Shishou's feet, striking his leg with lightning speed.
Looking down at the snake biting his left foot, Shishou asked calmly:
"White Snake Sage?"
The snake, still biting Shishou's left foot, spoke with a sinister tone:
"Struck by my venomous fangs, you will become my vessel, no matter who you are."
"Trading this old snake body for your potent human one is a deal well worth it."
From the moment Shishou arrived in Ryuchi Cave, the White Snake Sage had sensed the terrifying energy and potential within his body.
Even if Shishou hadn't attacked her, she would have sought an opportunity to ambush him.
Her goal was to acquire his strong body.
Feeling a strange toxin rampaging within his body, Shishou asked curiously: "Vessel?"
The Great Slug Sage had told him that being bitten by these venomous fangs would turn him into a snake.
"Heh heh heh~"
The White Snake Sage chuckled confidently and explained:
"Do you know why the snake kings in Ryuchi Cave are never fully eradicated?"
"Besides natural reproduction, many are transformed from the strong ninjas and samurai who came seeking Sage Jutsu by my venomous fangs."
"They provide me with suitable bodies and sustenance, allowing me to use the Reincarnation Technique to possess younger bodies."
Hearing this, Shishou thought of Orochimaru's Living Corpse Reincarnation from the original story.
He then recalled that Ryuchi Cave's Sage Jutsu could animate inanimate objects through Organic Reincarnation.
It seemed there was a connection between these techniques.
Thinking of this, Shishou asked the White Snake Sage:
"You've already gained eternal life. Why do you still need to possess others' bodies?"
The White Snake Sage was already one of the strongest in the ninja world and had no reason to switch bodies for power like Orochimaru.
The White Snake Sage laughed and explained:
"While Sage Jutsu can greatly extend my life, it can't keep my body youthful like the Great Slug."
"To prolong my life and maintain my combat abilities, I need to change bodies."
Hearing the envy in her voice when she mentioned the Great Slug Sage, Shishou's curiosity was piqued, and he asked:
"You seem quite envious of the Great Slug Sage?"
The White Snake Sage was silent for a while before saying softly:
"The Great Slug has a unique body that can liquefy, split, and reassemble, always staying in its prime."
"Though her strength is the weakest among us three Great Sages, her potential is the greatest. She only needs to survive long enough to outlast both me and the Great Toad Sage."
"So, the Great Slug Sage is playing the long game for immortality," Shishou mused and then asked his final question:
"Did Orochimaru learn Living Corpse Reincarnation from you?"
The White Snake Sage sneered, "Of course. His mastery of that forbidden S-rank technique is just the tip of the iceberg of my Ryuchi Cave's Reincarnation Technique."
"The true Reincarnation Technique wouldn't leave so many flaws!"
Hearing the White Snake Sage's arrogant words, Shishou realized, "I see."
"The conversation is over. Boy, become my vessel!"
The White Snake Sage released Shishou's left foot, looking at him expectantly.
As soon as Shishou started transforming under her venom, the White Snake Sage would successfully turn him into her vessel, making him one of her reincarnation containers.
However.
Shishou simply looked down at the White Snake Sage with an impassive face, reached out, and grabbed her.
Like playing with a small reptile, he kept squeezing and kneading her.
This odd behavior left the White Snake Sage momentarily stunned.
Looking at the White Snake Sage in his hand, Shishou said with a smile:
"I'm someone who is least afraid of toxins and strange chakra."
"So when you bit me, all the substances you injected were broken down by the bugs inside me."
"Transforming into a snake? That's impossible."
"What did you say?" The White Snake Sage was shocked.
She then noticed her body changing colors and feeling immense pain.
Shortly after, the White Snake Sage in Shishou's hand turned into a pile of white bones.
Eventually, even the bones disappeared.
**********
This fanfiction is complete on my Pa treon. If you want to read it, you can find it at patreo n.com Betek.