Chapter 109 : Second Trial

Orochimaru continued to advance, the surrounding mist had grown so thick it obscured the sky, reducing visibility to less than ten meters, and the range of spiritual perception was limited to only a few dozen meters.

Suddenly, a light appeared in the distance, akin to a lighthouse in the depths of the sea.

"Is the White Snake Sage in some hidden temple? It seems Ryūchi Cave isn't exactly as I imagined."

Orochimaru moved toward the light and noticed a figure floating by his side.

"Who's there?"

Orochimaru turned around but saw nothing, and the figure flashed by him again.

"Is this an illusion? Or can they utilize natural energy to freely levitate like this?"

Orochimaru took a deep breath and focused on sensing his surroundings. His snake-like pupils turned a vivid shade of blood red, while his elongated tongue extended to taste the air.

When the blue figure reappeared before Orochimaru, his perception revealed nothing, except for a peculiar energy gathering in front of him.

The charming girl wore a sleeveless blue dress with a fluttering white ribbon.

She had a blue dress and a blue skirt, a bracelet on her right hand, and a white ribbon tied around her calf. She gazed at Orochimaru with curiosity, then drifted into a doorway.

Without hesitation, Orochimaru walked through the door, which promptly shut behind him, sealing an ice-blue stone door.

"What awaits me here?"

Orochimaru surveyed his surroundings, spotting only a pile of colorful stones on the floor. The sole exit was sealed shut, with various small holes on the door that seemed to match specific stones on the ground.

"I must fill the door's holes with the stones here, correct? How monotonously tedious."

Orochimaru touched the solid stone wall and tapped it twice, sensing its unyielding hardness.

"Let's test this rock wall's strength, Chidori!"

With a low roar, Orochimaru summoned a brilliant surge of thunder light on his hand. The intense illumination transformed the cave into a sea of blue. The deafening sound of thousands of birds chirping in harmony reverberated harshly within the confined space.

"I sense my chakra depleting significantly. Could using chakra here exacerbate the drain?"

Chidori's potent force wavered twice, as though its power source were insufficient. Orochimaru intensified his chakra output and thrust the stone wall with force.

"Boom!"

The formidable Lightning Release unexpectedly collapsed, dissolving into a swirling cascade of electricity that scattered in all directions. Orochimaru recoiled from the shock, while the stone wall merely bore a slight indentation before swiftly restoring itself.

"It seems my strength won't suffice!"

Rubbing his sore wrist, Orochimaru glanced at the pile of stones on the floor and sighed in resignation.

"Indeed, I must use the stones here to plug the holes above and exit, or I'll remain trapped!"

The blue-clothed girl materialized beside Orochimaru, nonchalantly resting her head on her hands as she floated effortlessly in the air. Gravity seemed to have no effect on her.

"The stones are inside, and their shapes must match to fill the gaps. You can attempt countless times until you're exhausted. Succeed, and I'll grant your freedom."

"Ah, attempting to crush my will through repetitive and tedious labour to hinder my progress this time?"

"I'm Ichikishima-Hime. You'll only proceed by engaging in this game with me, or else even if you defeat me, escape will elude you."

Ichikishima Hime maintained an indifferent gaze as Orochimaru stroked the stone wall.

Undaunted, Orochimaru tilted his head back and withdrew the Kusanagi sword from his mouth.

"What?! This sword...!"

Ichikishima Hime reacted with surprise at the sight of the Kusanagi sword.

"Compared to playing with stones, I'm actually more intrigued by the power forming this stone wall!"

Orochimaru swung the blade at the stone wall. The Kusanagi sword gleamed with a sharp cold light, leaving a deep gash in the stone.

"Cease this at once! You're causing too much havoc!"

Ichikishima Hime clenched her small fists, glaring at Orochimaru indignantly. Abruptly, she opened her mouth wide, her eyes elongating and narrowing.

A potent aura radiated from her petite form. While Orochimaru couldn't discern her chakra, he knew she outmatched him in strength.

After all, despite her youthful appearance, she harboured the power of a being who had cultivated for centuries, instilling a touch of trepidation in Orochimaru as he looked upon her Nagini form.

"If you refuse to comply, I'll devour you!"

Orochimaru gazed at Ichikishima Hime, the enchanting snake visage now exuding a unique charm and adorableness.

"Understood."

Orochimaru gulped down the Kusanagi sword, transforming into a perfect replica of Ichikishima Hime—his appearance and penchant for ingesting objects mirrored hers.

Orochimaru ran his fingers over the stone wall's crumbled debris, which disintegrated into the wind with a mere touch.

"Regular ninjutsu is indeed inferior in quality compared to Senjutsu. The techniques employed in this realm are doubtlessly more intricate than the so-called Sage mode." Orochimaru analyzed.

Ryūchi Cave had endured through ages, attracting countless individuals seeking power. Most failed to surmount the initial challenge, succumbing to their desires—mere seekers of strength driven by personal cravings who couldn't withstand the onslaught of temptation, meeting their demise within the serpent's belly.

Those who perished in the second stage typically demonstrated inadequacy and naivety, paling in comparison to Ichikishima Hime's prowess.

A majestic spiritual energy swept the confined space, enabling Orochimaru to effortlessly identify the matching stones among the scattered pile, much to Ichikishima Hime's evident frustration. Only the final shape eluded him.

"This shape isn't among these stones."

Orochimaru regarded Ichikishima Hime with indifference. "Are you deliberately trying to vex me?"

"... Figure it out yourself!"

A trace of anger tinged Ichikishima Hime's voice as she made her displeasure known. Her cunning attempts to deceive Orochimaru had been thwarted.

Shaking his head, Orochimaru deduced her intention. The absence of the last piece was deliberate. He needed an alternative approach to plug the gap, lest despair's embrace seal his fate.

Selecting a stone, Orochimaru shattered it and inserted the fragments. He meticulously arranged the last pattern.

"Satisfactory?"

"Fine, you've passed. Depart now."

Ichikishima Hime wore an expression of mild discomfort, ushering Orochimaru away like a harbinger of plague.

"Why's this brat so composed? My test feels absurd!"

The rocky walls dissipated, revealing a realm engulfed in mist before Orochimaru.

As he was about to seek guidance from Ichikishima Hime, an unexpected occurrence transpired: a sudden gust blew against him—then, a mouth clamped onto Orochimaru's neck.

"Damn it! You've actually bitten me!!"

Caught off-guard, Orochimaru found himself under attack by a red-clad woman who darted like the wind, evoking the eerie spectre of a female ghost—a presence so swift it barely stirred the mist.

Orochimaru's suppressed mental power were powerless to counter the red-clothed woman's supernatural speed.

"Merely a trial for you!"

Gracefully alighting on the ground, the woman discarded her sinister snake visage in favour of an alluring royal sister bearing an air of refinement. She provocatively glanced at Orochimaru.

"Youngster, I'm aware you possess a penchant for consuming spiritual energy, and this time, you've intentionally increased the measurement!"

"Unbelievable! What sort of trial is this? To develop resistance to diverse toxins, perhaps?!"

Blood coursed rapidly through Orochimaru's veins, his heart racing beyond the capacity of ordinary physiology. His surroundings appeared to double, his perception reduced to the rhythmic thrum of his own heartbeat.

"Incidentally, I'm known as Tagitsu-hime. My poison harbours no antidote, hee hee hee~"

Amused, the red-clad woman stifled a chuckle, driving Orochimaru into a state of hallucination.

"You're taking this too seriously! This boy shares a connection with our Ryūchi Cave. What if you botch the test?"

Ichikishima-hime grumbled, dissatisfied.

"I don't think anything can truly faze him. Otherwise, he wouldn't venture alone, remaining so composed."

Tagori-hime materialized silently, observing Orochimaru, who stood motionless.

"For the first time, I've encountered someone who revels in darkness and loneliness, embracing it wholeheartedly, finding solace within its depths, and thoroughly enjoying it!"

"Is that so?"

The two conversed in hushed tones, while Orochimaru engaged in an intense mental struggle against Tagitsu-hime!

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