Chapter 216: The White Snake Sage in Distress, The Uchiha's "Filial Piety"
As the three Snake Hime of Ryūchi Cave were successively executed by Ikeizumi Uchiha, the entire cave system underwent a "great cleansing." The so-called one of the Three Great Sage Regions of the Ninja World was almost turned into a Magma Purgatory.
Only a few isolated corners, out of the way, were not affected by the all-consuming lava.
This was because the snake species surviving in those isolated corners were mostly anomalies within Ryūchi Cave the few beings within the cave system whose temperaments were not cruel or malicious.
But what surprised Ikeizumi Uchiha was that his primary target the White Snake Sage was nowhere to be found!
Ikeizumi Uchiha had located the White Snake Sage's perennial dwelling cave, but apart from a single large chair belonging exclusively to the White Snake Sage, there was no sign of the Sage itself.
"It ran away, huh "
Ikeizumi Uchiha "hmphed." "Is this one of the reasons it has survived for over a thousand years? Its first reaction upon encountering an uncontrollable threat is to flee?"
Muttering this, Ikeizumi Uchiha shifted his gaze slightly, resting it on a black snake not far away.
The black snake, attempting to sneak away, instantly froze when it realized it had been spotted.
Immediately after, it heard the sound of faint footsteps behind it.
And a surge of heat that made its scales stand on end.
"Where did that white snake go?" When the cold voice sounded from behind, the black snake felt its entire body of scales about to explode.
It dared not turn its head, speaking in human language, stammering in reply: "I I don't know where the Great Elder White Snake Sage went. I was just here as usual to clean its cave. I never expected never expected to run into you here."
When it heard the footsteps sound again, it had given up hope, thinking its life would end here today.
Yet, unexpectedly, the footsteps did not get closer, but further away.
When it cautiously looked back, it found that the terrifying human had vanished from the White Snake Sage's cave.
"Why why didn't he kill me? He has already gone on a rampage in Ryūchi Cave, killing who knows how many of my kind."
The black snake couldn't understand this mentality.
Unbeknownst to it, it was saved because it had lived in Ryūchi Cave for so long, never ventured out, and never had the opportunity to commit evil deeds or sin.
In other words
It had saved itself.
Meanwhile.
Inside Shikkotsu Forest, one of the Three Great Sage Regions of the Ninja World, a large white serpent appeared, completely surrounded by a countless, dense swarm of slugs that was enough to make one's scalp crawl just looking at them.
The small slugs began to merge and fuse, eventually forming a massive slug roughly the same size as the white serpent.
The Slug Sage (Katsuyu) spoke in human language: "White Snake Sage, long time no see. It's been at least a thousand years since we last met. I never expected our reunion after a millennium to be under these circumstances."
"But are you sure you won't defend your Ryūchi Cave? I can vaguely sense that your Ryūchi Cave is facing a great crisis. Many snakes of Ryūchi Cave perished today."
The White Snake Sage held a smoking pipe in its mouth.
It met the Slug Sage's gaze, its tone level: "If Ryūchi Cave is destroyed, I can rebuild it. It's only a matter of time, and time is what I have the most of. But if that Uchiha ninja, who believes in 'Absolute Justice,' finds me, even I cannot guarantee that I would survive his attack."
"It would most likely be a mutually destructive outcome, and I cannot accept that. Because those toads of Mount Myōboku will definitely take the opportunity to rub it in my face if they learn I am severely injured."
The Slug Sage said: "Did you choose such a dignified excuse for your escape? Did you think about it and decide that only my place could offer you refuge?"
The White Snake Sage: "..."
The reason it didn't like dealing with the other two Sage Regions was exactly this.
The toads of Mount Myōboku the White Snake Sage instinctively disliked them, and consequently, many snakes in Ryūchi Cave also disliked the toads of Mount Myōboku.
As for the Slug Sage, in the White Snake Sage's eyes, it was a "good person," but every word that came out of its mouth was too truthful. It spoke the truth without considering the feelings of others.
But since it currently had a favor to ask, the White Snake Sage suppressed its displeasure.
It said: "So, can you permit me to stay in Shikkotsu Forest for a period? It won't be long, perhaps a century will suffice. After a hundred years, that Uchiha little justice brat will just be a pile of dried bones in a grave."
"I refuse."
"Huh Huh? What?" The Slug Sage's concise sentence nearly bewildered the White Snake Sage. It glared at the Slug Sage with disbelief.
It couldn't imagine that this "good person" would suddenly change its mind.
The Slug Sage said: "My most excellent summoning contractor has a very good relationship with Ikeizumi Uchiha. I cannot ruin her relationship with Ikeizumi Uchiha because of you, nor can I make things difficult for her. So, I am sorry, but Shikkotsu Forest cannot harbor you."
The White Snake Sage felt its hearing must be failing.
For the sake of a mere summoning contractor, the Slug Sage is going to drive me away?
Could a simple summoning contractor really be more valuable than my favor, the favor of the esteemed White Snake Sage?
The White Snake Sage did not understand!
Just as the White Snake Sage was about to say something more, it noticed that the number of slugs gathering around it seemed to be increasing,
And the size of the Slug Sage before it was also growing. It had been able to look at it eye-to-eye before, but now it could only look up.
This meant that the Slug Sage was ready to fight it.
If it were to shamelessly insist on staying in Shikkotsu Forest.
The Slug Sage would definitely attack without hesitation.
Damn it. A Sage of the Shikkotsu Forest, one of the Three Great Sage Regions, can just unilaterally tear up summoning contracts so easily? Those contracts don't restrict a Sage at all. Is this worth it, for a human?
"...I understand." Although the White Snake Sage was in a terrible mood, it maintained the composure of a Sage on the surface.
It took a deep breath, gave the Slug Sage a deep look, and then turned to leave without hesitation.
After the White Snake Sage left, the Slug Sage separated a small slug from its body.
That small slug disappeared with a "Poof" sound.
"What? That kid Ikeizumi chased Orochimaru all the way to the sacred Ryūchi Cave? And completely wrecked Ryūchi Cave, scaring the White Snake Sage into abandoning the sacred cave and fleeing?"
If the information hadn't come from a clone of the Slug Sage, Tsunade would have thought someone was trying to fool her.
Tsunade was momentarily stunned by the information the Slug Sage shared.
Although she was well aware of Ikeizumi Uchiha's penchant for "trouble," hadn't he caused a bit too much trouble this time?
The small slug perched on Tsunade's shoulder spoke in Tsunade's mind: "That Ikeizumi Uchiha carried out the cleansing of Ryūchi Cave to execute his Absolute Justice, because many of the snake species in Ryūchi Cave are relatively cruel and tyrannical. Especially some of the older snakes have committed many acts against human morality, and the victims were always humans."
Upon hearing this, Tsunade's shock suddenly dissipated considerably.
"Then they deserved it," Tsunade said.
At this point, Tsunade suddenly thought of something, a complex expression crossing her face. She continued: "Slug Sage, even the White Snake Sage was chased away by that boy Ikeizumi. Does that mean that Orochimaru, who fled to Ryūchi Cave, has already "
"Yes," the Slug Sage's voice softly replied.
"Hah..."
Tsunade slowly exhaled. Although she had long anticipated Orochimaru's fate, he was still once her dear friend.
"This result is not necessarily a bad thing for him. At least he didn't sink deeper into the abyss of sin. Though, judging by the evil deeds he committed, he was already at the bottom of the abyss."
"But speaking of which," Tsunade muttered, "He chased Orochimaru all the way to Ryūchi Cave. Does he know how to get out?"
The Slug Sage said: "I have already sent a clone to give him directions."
Tsunade was stunned.
Why does it feel like the Slug Sage cares more about Ikeizumi Uchiha than I do?
They shouldn't have met, right?
They shouldn't know each other, right?
"Walk forward another ten kilometers, cross a thousand-meter-deep canyon covered in mist and poisonous fumes, and you can leave Ryūchi Cave."
A mini-slug, no bigger than a finger, perched on Ikeizumi Uchiha's left shoulder, its voice carrying a feminine tone.
"Thank you." Ikeizumi Uchiha was never stingy with the word "thank you" to people or other creatures who helped him.
He calmly voiced his doubt: "Appearing before me so suddenly and offering to guide me out of Ryūchi Cave. The Slug Sage shouldn't be here just for this matter, should it?"
The Slug Sage answered frankly: "Indeed."
It didn't beat around the bush with Ikeizumi Uchiha, but openly stated its purpose: "You are the second excellent summoning contractor I have met since Tsunade. Because like Tsunade, you possess a very sincere and pure heart. This is what sets you apart from the other ninja in the ninja world."
Ikeizumi Uchiha said: "Most people describe me as having an extreme personality. You are the only one who says my heart is sincere and pure."
The Slug Sage said: "The ability to consistently adhere to one's Ninja Way many people in the ninja world can do this. But the problem is, not everyone's Ninja Way is good. I can see that while the Absolute Justice you pursue is currently somewhat extreme. Overall, it is actually highly beneficial to the entire ninja world."
"Shikkotsu Forest rarely interferes with the big and small events in the ninja world. Even if we do, it's a passive involvement. I will not judge what changes you wish to make to the ninja world. That is your own choice, and I have no right to interfere."
"In short, I want to invite you to become a summoning contractor for Shikkotsu Forest. This way, after Tsunade, Shikkotsu Forest will have another qualified and admirable summoning contractor."
"And I also believe that you will not only use the power of Shikkotsu Forest to fight but also to benefit the entire ninja world."
"This is the real reason I consider you the best candidate."
The Slug Sage was indeed very frank, pouring out everything that could and couldn't be said, to avoid any misunderstanding.
Its expressed meaning was simply this: Shikkotsu Forest needs talent like you, but Shikkotsu Forest will never interfere with your ideological choices, nor will Shikkotsu Forest demand any price from you.
It was more like seeking an equal, powerful alliance.
Truly worthy of being the Sage who, solely on its own, developed Shikkotsu Forest into one of the Three Great Sage Regions, alongside Ryūchi Cave and Mount Myōboku.
Its calm, amiable, and uncontentious personality was something neither the Great Toad Sage nor the White Snake Sage possessed.
Ikeizumi Uchiha, however, said: "Instead of Shikkotsu Forest only partnering with me, why not take in all those who believe in Absolute Justice?"
The Slug Sage was momentarily surprised. It knew Ikeizumi Uchiha's words meant he agreed, but he had presented a condition.
However, the Slug Sage could accept this condition.
It said: "Then I have a condition of my own. All those who believe in Absolute Justice must pass your test. Those who pass your test are also those I can deem worthy."
Ikeizumi Uchiha calmly replied: "Agreed."
Konoha, Uchiha Setsuna's compound.
Sasuke Uchiha, returning from school, found the atmosphere within the Uchiha Clan compound extremely strange, which utterly puzzled him.
When he got home, he found that both his mother and father wore tense expressions, and there seemed to be lingering, subtle anger between their brows.
Sasuke immediately realized that his parents must have quarreled again, and the subject of the quarrel was probably still related to Sensei Ikeizumi.
After all, that was the only source of conflict between them.
His father did not approve of Absolute Justice, and his mother approved of Absolute Justice that was their biggest disagreement.
Sasuke spoke, breaking the eerie silence: "Father, doesn't the Police Force work end an hour from now? Why are you back early today?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Sasuke noticed that his father's expression seemed to be on the verge of cracking.
Sasuke suddenly realized he might have said the wrong thing.
"I am no longer the Commander of the Konoha Military Police Force. I am not even the Clan Head of the Uchiha Clan. In the future, I don't need to wait an hour to come home; I can be home anytime." Fugaku Uchiha gave his second son a deep look, then walked away toward the depths of the family courtyard without looking back.
Sasuke was momentarily stunned.
"Your father isn't in a good mood. You don't need to pay attention to what he said," Mikoto Uchiha offered a gentle smile, comforting Sasuke.
"Mother, did something happen within the Uchiha Clan?" Sasuke felt his brain was a little slow to process this.
Mikoto Uchiha sighed and patiently explained the situation.
After listening, Sasuke couldn't quite describe his feelings.
As Fugaku Uchiha's second son, he should feel angry upon learning that his father had been forced out of two positions.
But what if the person who forced his father out was the Absolute Justice he believed in?
Sasuke found himself actually wanting to laugh a little!
He quickly strained his young face to remain composed, lest he fail at maintaining his poker face.
.............
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