Chapter 34: Ryuchi Cave  

Sasuke knew it would be difficult to convince Kabuto in a short time. 

He needed to offer him a bargaining chip that he couldn't refuse to make him work for him. 

He believed that his words had planted a small seed in Kabuto's heart, just waiting for it to take root and sprout one day. 

Next, Orochimaru found Sasuke, and the two talked alone. 

"Sasuke-kun, I will do my best to train you in the next two years," Orochimaru said proudly. 

"With your current strength, it may be possible to reach the Kage level in two years." 

Orochimaru didn't know that Sasuke had already reached the Kage level but usually held back. 

Jiraiya didn't tell Orochimaru about his strengths and weaknesses, and Sasuke smiled but said nothing. 

Orochimaru was too modest. He might accidentally touch the threshold of Super Kage in two years. 

"Let's go, Sasuke. I'll take you to a mysterious place, a miraculous place where you can master transcendental ninjutsu." 

"Ryuchi Cave?" 

The two of them didn't need to prepare anything; they usually carried important things with them. 

Orochimaru used the body of his summoning beast, while Sasuke used his system backpack, which was more convenient and quick. 

Kabuto and Kimimaro were waiting at the gate of the base. 

Their presence was within Sasuke's expectations. Orochimaru didn't see him as a threat, but he didn't trust him either. 

"Kimimaro, are you okay?" 

"Thank you for your concern, Lord Sasuke," Kimimaro said politely. 

Orochimaru interrupted, "It seems that Sasuke-kun has taken a fancy to my subordinates, otherwise, why would he care about them so much?" 

Sasuke smiled and said, "No, no, I just care about the partners who will be with me day and night in the future, Orochimaru, don't think too badly of me." 

After Orochimaru's words, Kimimaro and the others obviously felt distant from him. 

Sasuke was a little unhappy. Old man, don't think you can talk nonsense in front of me just because you brought me out. 

Be patient for a while. When I make a move, I will break your claws and teeth fiercely so you can understand who is the leader. 

Thinking of Orochimaru being pierced by his sword and becoming his nourishment, Sasuke was full of motivation. 

The location of Ryuchi Cave is extremely remote. Orochimaru led a few people, and they finally came to a dark lake. 

He didn't use reverse summoning because he didn't want to meet the disgusting Manda. 

Using reverse summoning would most likely lead to Manda. 

Another reason was that he wanted more time to understand Sasuke. 

Unfortunately, Sasuke did things flawlessly, which disappointed Orochimaru a little. 

"Well, this is the place." 

Sasuke looked at the huge shadow at the bottom of the lake. He knew it was a giant snake. 

The green snake emerged from the water, spoke human language, and led them to a dark place. 

An ancient stone sculpture of a giant snake was on the shore, with a huge stone door in the middle. 

The green snake sent them to the shore, dived into the water, and disappeared. 

"Hehe, how do you feel, Sasuke-kun?" 

Sasuke was amazed but didn't praise Orochimaru. 

This guy always wanted to show off in front of him, which was really annoying. 

"It's a very dark and humid place, which suits your temperament, Orochimaru." 

Orochimaru, with a cold tone, smiled sinisterly. 

"Sasuke-kun, a ninja who likes to talk is not a good ninja." 

Sasuke smiled, never considering himself a ninja, so Orochimaru's words had no effect on him. 

Kimimaro and Kabuto looked at each other, seeing helplessness in each other's eyes. 

Lord Orochimaru, usually aloof and scary, didn't know what happened. 

Ever since Sasuke came, they have been scolding each other, but Lord Orochimaru is not angry and seems quite positive. 

Sasuke and Orochimaru, walking ahead, whispered. 

If not for Lord Orochimaru's increasingly flexible expression, Kabuto would think they were discussing something fun. 

"Sasuke...you..." Orochimaru, angry, looked at Sasuke with murderous intent. 

Sasuke said disdainfully, "I didn't say anything wrong. Orochimaru, your current state is no different from a demon! None of my business. Who told you to be curious?" Sasuke waved his hand, not wanting to keep quarreling. 

He was about to enter Ryuchi Cave. 

"Good, very good," Orochimaru decided to give Sasuke a hard time after entering so he would understand awe. 

The giant monster stone statue bit a huge scroll in its mouth, the plaque of Ryuchi Cave. 

Since Orochimaru was a frequent visitor, the White Snake Sage didn't send anyone to screen. 

After entering Ryuchi Cave, Orochimaru's attitude became serious. 

"Don't talk nonsense after entering, or you'll lose your life. Especially you, Sasuke, don't offend the White Snake Sage." Orochimaru warned Sasuke specifically. 

Is the White Snake Sage the white phosphorus snake that has lived from the Kaguya period to now for thousands of years? 

They continued until a magnificent temple came into view. 

A white snake sat on a stone chair with yellow hair and orange eyes, two golden rings on its tail, and a pipe in its mouth. 

Its pupils scanned Orochimaru and finally stopped on Sasuke. 

The White Snake Sage didn't know what he was thinking, and his gaze on Sasuke changed subtly. 

A cold voice sounded, "Orochimaru, the person you brought this time is great, and there is a high chance he can withstand the snake transformation. How about it? Should we let him try it?" 

Orochimaru didn't expect the White Snake Sage to give Sasuke such a high evaluation. 

He just wanted Sasuke to see the world and sign a summoning contract. 

But since the White Snake Sage said so, Sasuke might master Sage Mode. 

Orochimaru hesitated. He wanted Sasuke to master Sage Mode so that after he took over his body, he could master the power of nature. 

On the other hand, he worried that Sasuke, mastering Sage Mode, would be extremely difficult to deal with, affecting his plans. 

Thinking the offering ceremony was his home court, Sasuke couldn't threaten him, so Orochimaru decided to let Sasuke try. 

He envied Sage Mode but lacked the talent and opportunity to master natural energy. 

Sasuke might be his only chance. 

"Sasuke-kun, what do you think?" 

Since we're here, of course, we have to see what's so great about the Sage Mode of Ryuchi Cave. 

He ignored that those who can't bear the snake transformation will be eaten by the giant snake of Ryuchi Cave. 

This is similar to the Sage Mode practice in Mount Myoboku, where those who fail to absorb natural energy become a stone statue. 

Ryuchi Cave is even crueler. Those who fail become food for the giant snake. 

If you don't pursue power, you won't work hard to find Ryuchi Cave's location. 

Sasuke walked to the White Snake Sage and accepted the natural energy injected by the White Snake Sage's fangs. 

A strange power quickly took over his body, and chakra was like a lamb before it. 

Sasuke sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, quietly trying to master this power.