Chapter 110 : White Snake Sage

Orochimaru's mind was buzzing, his thoughts in turmoil. Thanks to the potent chakra he had absorbed on his journey, Orochimaru had rarely experienced the sensation of being ensnared in an illusion. Today, Tagitsu-hime had given him a harsh lesson in what it meant to be trapped in a genjutsu. The experience was like a living nightmare, a biological hallucinogen of the mind.

Before him, Tagitsu-hime seemed slightly uneasy as well. Injecting so many toxins at once could cripple even a skilled Jonin, causing paralysis. If not for the guidance of the White Snake Sage, she would never have taken such a drastic step.

This was the utmost limit of Tagitsu-hime's power!

"Orochimaru, how dare you intrude here?!"

An impatient female voice suddenly pierced the air. Orochimaru looked up and saw Tsunade, her face etched with anxiety.

"You're well aware that trespassing without permission and exposing yourself to discovery is a flaw in our profession! We were comrades once, and yet you didn't even offer a word!"

Jiraiya also emerged from the shadows, his presence commanding.

"Captain! We've placed so much trust in you. Why would you disregard Anbu's code for the sake of power? Have you considered the impact on us?"

Four more figures appeared: Nightingale, Hyuga Kazuki, and the rest, lined up in solidarity, disappointment evident on their faces as they gazed at Orochimaru.

Orochimaru met their stares and spoke calmly, "I came here to seek strength. To me, Konoha is merely a sanctuary, and you are my temporary allies. While I may not pass judgement on the village, the prospect of acquiring mystical abilities and addressing the questions that haunt me are all compelling reasons."

Despite the searing pain at his neck, Orochimaru's eyes remained composed and unflinching.

"Are you testing my resolve? To be frank, facing these inquiries from my companions doesn't stir any emotions within me. If anything, I find it almost laughable."

Orochimaru fought the creeping numbness, allowing his crimson snake-like pupils to manifest.

"I'm not ashamed of my comrades. Even if I tread a path of Konoha's dissent, it would only perplex and disappoint them. It signifies their lack of understanding. Each of us holds individual aspirations, so where's the harm?"

A faint smile graced Orochimaru's lips, while those around him appeared taken aback, silenced by his words.

"Look at his eyes, could it be the power he devoured?!"

Beyond the scene, Ichikishima Hime mused in a hushed voice, her hand covering her mouth.

"Impossible! How could he directly absorb another's bloodline limit?"

Tagori Hime also marvelled, scrutinizing those eyes intently.

"Could it be a Sharingan?!"

........

"What about me? As your teacher, I'm disappointed in you."

Sarutobi Hiruzen materialized slowly, his expression one of concern.

"Indeed, these masks are your true face. You lack Konoha's Will of Fire entirely."

Tobirama appeared next, his icy gaze directed at Orochimaru, a mirror of his stoicism and ire.

"That's right! Such an individual is a menace! Aspiring to master dangerous forbidden arts, harbouring sinister intentions. Why not let me handle this?"

Danzo emerged behind Tobirama, his tone indifferent and calculated.

"Even if you obtain these powers, what does it matter if you lack the true essence of strength in your heart? You're unworthy of engaging me in combat!"

Kato Dan's voice followed, filled with arrogance as he stared Orochimaru down, causing a hint of annoyance to flicker across Orochimaru's expression.

Orochimaru's gaze swept around the room, his companions' voices converging into an overwhelming cacophony, threatening to drown him.

Indeed, Tagitsu-hime's venomous concoction had proved potent, relentlessly probing Orochimaru's resilience and determination.

"Poor souls, you have no inkling of what lies ahead, nor do you comprehend the future that beckons... Nevertheless, perhaps that doesn't matter. After all, what truly matters is my path, isn't it?"

Orochimaru retorted with an audacious smirk, the illusions surrounding him shattering into oblivion.

"None of you have the right to pass judgement, for I've never been beholden to you, nor have I relied upon your approval."

"But you lack ruthlessness, your actions are insufficiently malevolent, leaving room for compromise. How do you expect to rise to the pinnacle?"

A hoarse, alluring voice resonated from behind Orochimaru—none other than Orochimaru's own form, draped in a white kimono.

"Your kindness is a flaw, a waste of your potent bloodline. Why not eliminate ninjas, absorb their lineage, and seize their power? Only then can you break free from this prison, akin to a wretched reptile!"

Orochimaru's appearance shifted, oscillating from youthful to mature, the same cunning personality thriving beneath the surface, orchestrating schemes in the shadows.

"Why not experiment on humans? Such endeavours could fuel your might. Or do you lack the courage to confront your true nature?"

Orochimaru gazed at the contemplative Orochimaru before him, an insidious gleam in his eyes, almost as if mocking Orochimaru's perceived naivety.

"You're unworthy of inheriting my power. Unworthy of standing here. Return from whence you came, and live out your days in obscurity."

Orochimaru roared malevolently, his lips parting to reveal a sinister grin, his visage transforming into that of a white-scaled serpent lunging toward Orochimaru.

"Is this to be his fate?"

The Three Snake Girl studied the dispassionate Orochimaru, her expression tinged with concern.

"Yet, aren't you the true loser here?"

Orochimaru, who had bowed his head, suddenly raised it, revealing a pair of scarlet Sharingan eyes, locked onto the white serpent that was once Orochimaru.

"In your pursuit of Sageity, you shattered your soul. You may have succeeded, but you forfeited the chance to attain true strength, condemned to dwell under the shadow of these eyes."

The Sharingan revolved slowly, and the figure of the white serpent, Orochimaru, froze in place.

"When you eventually find liberation and rebirth, the ninja world will have evolved beyond recognition, leaving you a mere spectator."

Orochimaru's gaze bore into the serpent, his head shaking, "I am not you, and perhaps I am not as grand or unscrupulous, but I possess my convictions and goals. Regret does not mar my actions."

This time, the Kusanagi sword materialized in Orochimaru's grasp, and with a single swing, Orochimaru cleaved through the air, a blinding brilliance rending the very heavens and earth.

"Regardless of my choices, they shall always be guided by my own volition, and you shall watch in silence!"

The blade's brilliance dispersed the great serpent, dispersing its form into vapour that dissipated into thin air, accompanied by the fading illusions.

A chilly breeze swept through, and Orochimaru drew a steadying breath, his determination fortified. Tagitsu-hime's venomous concoction had indeed taken its toll, yet Orochimaru's newfound resolve invigorated him. A surge of potent chakra surged within Orochimaru, nearly transcending the threshold into true mastery of the Kage level.

"Not bad, young one~"

The Three Snake Girl appeared, their three forms hovering, smiles dancing across their faces. Beyond them stood the entrance to the fabled Ryūchi Cave Palace.

"Congratulations, you've passed our trial and earned the right to meet the White Snake Sage."

Tagitsu-hime spoke, her voice gentle as a breeze.

"Though your methods are perplexing, you've managed to outshine us."

Tagori Hime and Ichikishima Hime joined the assembly, their expressions radiant. Their ethereal forms had returned, their fairy-like appearances restored.

"Thank you."

Orochimaru nodded and proceeded toward the palace hewn into the rock.

"What an intriguing individual. May he find success. Grandmother isn't the most articulate!"

The Three Snake Girl watched Orochimaru's departing form, their figure fading once more.

The grand palace gates swung open, unveiling the legendary White Snake Sage—a colossal serpent adorned with gleaming white scales. It coiled and undulated atop a stone divan, its golden eyes fixing upon Orochimaru, exuding a commanding aura.

"Welcome, young visitor. You have come to learn the mystical arts of the Sages."

The White Snake Sage's gaze bore into Orochimaru, transmitting a palpable pressure that engulfed him.

In Orochimaru's earlier notions, the White Snake Sage was a formidable combatant, yet the reality surpassed even his expectations. The overwhelming force weighed Orochimaru down, as though the very space itself conspired to crush him into oblivion.

Orochimaru's movements grew sluggish, his very bones creaking under the strain. This was no mere illusion! The power and technique on display were unprecedented, beyond Orochimaru's previous encounters.

"This is a test of my physical limits. No wonder White Scales guided me back, awaiting the maturation of my true strength!"

Orochimaru gritted his teeth, droplets of sweat forming on his brow, his eyes remaining steadfast, unyielding before the towering figure of the White Snake Sage.

The pressure intensified, bearing down upon Orochimaru. The sense of his enhanced bones, augmented by the Shikotsumyaku, proved insufficient to repel the force.

"A test of my physical prowess... No wonder the White Scales allowed me to return only when I was truly ready!"

As Orochimaru's will endured, the White Snake Sage's voice finally cut through the oppressive atmosphere.

"Brave one, your spirit has withstood the trial, your strength recognized by my gaze. You possess the requisite qualities to delve into the mystic arts."

The White Snake Sage possessed an accent that defied gender classification, exhaling a leisurely plume of smoke, its intense pressure subsiding.

"Ah—!"

Orochimaru stumbled forward, the sudden release of pressure nearly toppling him. Fortunate for his agility, he managed to steady himself and avert an embarrassing fall.

"However, comprehending the Senjutsu of Ryūchi Cave is no facile endeavor. Failing in your endeavour shall be met with consumption."

The White Snake Sage observed Orochimaru from its elevated vantage point, a hint of a smile curling along its massive form.

"And there is something intriguing about your origins."

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