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JST Chapter 197: Power, Fear, and the Path to Sagehood
🕑 Added 2025-03-01 15:20:42 +0000 UTCJust as Tagorihime was preparing to retreat and let Kazuki pass the test, a thick fog began to fill the cave, drastically reducing visibility.
“Is this…?” Immediately, a corrosive burning sensation ran through her body, as if her skin and scales were about to melt.
The fog became increasingly dense, turning from milky white to yellowish, increasing its corrosive capacity.
The cave was an enclosed space; the fog had nowhere to dissipate, and the acid was beginning to devour everything in its path. Even the rocks on the ceiling were beginning to drip molten liquid.
"It hurts! Is this man crazy? He wants to die with me?!"
Tagorihime's scaly skin cannot withstand the erosion of this fog. She cannot imagine how a human body can survive in this acidic fog.
Her mind was on the verge of collapse. She had never met such a deranged challenger before.
'You are only human. How can your fragile body compare to my scales hardened by centuries of training?' Tagorihime thought furiously, 'Even if I have to be seriously injured, I will see you melt into the mist before me! You will not pass this trial!'
But then, when she saw Kazuki appear before her, her expression changed completely.
His face was covered by a terrifying bone mask, and his eyes… Radiated a scarlet light of death, filled with indifference and bloodlust.
His arms displayed a sort of bone armor, and thick golden chains coiled around his fists.
Around him, a skeletal Susanoo armor enveloped him. His body had lightning crackling on its surface. There was also a latent presence of tailed beast chakra in his aura.
"I don't enjoy fighting… but I do enjoy finishing fights." Kazuki muttered to himself, "If someone attacks me first, I won't be lenient either."
Tagorihime was paralyzed.
Her instincts screamed at her that Kazuki's murderous aura was not fake. Only someone who had killed thousands could have such a look of utter disregard for life.
Where did this monster come from?!
Those who came to Ryuchi Cave were all lunatics willing to risk their lives for the power of the Sage. But just because they risked their own lives didn’t mean they were risking the lives of the Sages as well… This guy has no respect for even the Sages!
"Kazuki, wait!" Tobirama saw Kazuki preparing to unleash chaos and tried to persuade him. "We came in peace! In peace!" he hurriedly reminded him.
"It's true that she attacked you first, but we already knew the rules of Ryuchi Cave. This is a legitimate test, an evaluation."
"Don't start a massacre! Have you forgotten the ancient Uchiha's chakra inside you? If you keep killing, maybe that chakra will end up manipulating you…"
"First try to dialogue. Stay calm. Remember that we came to learn Sage Mode. You need a calm mind."
Tobirama now felt as if he were a Jinchūriki, and Kazuki was the tailed beast sealed within his body.
After the death of the Iwagakure shinobi army, he could see how Kazuki's killing intent grew stronger. Before, he would at least try to speak before acting; now, any provocation ended in immediate violence.
Kazuki nodded slowly. “Okay. If you say so, Tobirama…”
He turned towards the dense fog and spoke in a deep voice, "Serpent Princess, I will give you a chance to bathe in the Will of Fire. You have three seconds to decide…"
Tobirama covered his forehead. No, why are you still talking about the will of fire in Ryuchi Cave?
From Konoha to Kirigakure, and now at Ryuchi Cave…! That was just a phrase I said to better control the masses! Stop taking it so seriously, Kazuki!
“Wait, wait! Don’t attack!” Immediately, Tagorihime’s figure emerged from the mist, her hands raised high and a look of pure terror on her face. “You have passed the test! Respected visitor… the next phase is over there.”
Just by looking at Kazuki's appearance, Tagorihime knew that a single blow from him would be enough to finish her off.
“I passed the test?” Kazuki raised an eyebrow and asked in a deep voice, “That means I can now train in the sage arts of Ryuchi Cave, right?”
"I-It's not exactly like that…" Tagorihime replied cautiously. "You've only passed my test. You still have two more to go. If you can pass them, you'll be able to present yourself before the White Snake Sage and obtain her power."
In fact, she also had to evaluate whether Kazuki's body was durable enough to receive such power.
Ultimately, at the time, Orochimaru failed because his body couldn't take it.
However, seeing Kazuki's overwhelming presence, Tagorihime immediately dismissed that worry. The energy emanating from him was denser than that of a Tailed Beast.
Watching him warily, she decided to choose her words carefully. With a tight smile, she said softly, "There's nothing to worry about. For you, passing these tests will be a piece of cake..."
Kazuki looked at her out of the corner of his eye and, after a brief pause, asked, "If you have already acquired human form, it means that you are not a simple summoning beast. Do you master Senjutsu?"
"I-I… only know the basics…" Tagorihime replied hesitantly.
"Do you think I can learn the Ryuchi Cave Sage Art?" Kazuki slowly approached until he was right in front of her, looking down at her.
Tagorihime gulped and nodded with difficulty. Although learning Sage Mode did not depend only on the amount of chakra, but on the ability to manipulate natural energy, Kazuki…
If she dared to say no, perhaps she would never have another chance to practice the wise art in her life.
"Good." Kazuki smiled slightly. With a quick movement, he grabbed Tagorihime's chin and stared at her with a menacing intensity. "I want you to help me practice Sage Mode. I'm sure you can do it… can't you, Snake Princess?"
As her gaze met his, Tagorihime felt a chill run through her body. The ominous red light in his eyes chilled her blood. "O-Of course I can!"
Without a second thought, she transformed into a small white snake with a green crest on its head and coiled around Kazuki's arm. Sticking out her tongue, she explained, "Sir, in Ryuchi Cave there is a secret technique that allows me to fuse with your body and help you absorb natural energy..."
“A fusion, huh…?” Kazuki opened a gap in the bone armor on the surface of his body and allowed Tagorihime to slide inside. With a carefree tone, he added, “Be careful of my chakra. For now, just stay there and watch.”
Hidden under Kazuki's sleeve and protected within the bone armor, Tagorihime watched the outside through Susanoo and lightning chakra mode. Suddenly, a strange feeling came over her: So powerful, so safe!
Tagorihime sensed Kazuki's complex and enormous chakra, and her curiosity was instantly piqued.
This man… how can he possess so many unique bloodlines?
Tagorihime and Kazuki were momentarily fused together, allowing her to more clearly perceive what was happening inside Kazuki's body…
She decided to concentrate to deepen her perception, and as soon as she did, her entire figure froze in shock.
First, a man with white hair and red eyes appeared, wrapped in a blue shadow. With his arms crossed, he gave her a cold and distant look.
Then, a strange pumpkin emerged, spitting out crimson red and white flames that sent a chill down her spine.
Following this, two blurry scarlet figures flashed briefly. Although she could barely catch a glimpse of a pair of Sharingan, the imposing pressure of the pupil power and the intense killing intent made her shudder.
Finally, three towering tailed beast shadows materialized: The Four-Tails, the Five-Tails, and the Nine-Tails.
Tagorihime almost thought she had fallen into a genjutsu again.
Kazuki is just one man, but his body looks like a luxury hotel for high-level entities!
She hurriedly withdrew her perception and, not daring to breathe too loudly, obediently coiled around Kazuki's arm without moving any further.
It's not that she, with hundreds of years of existence, was ignorant... but not even the White Snake Sage would have seen something like this in her life.
[From the target Tagorihime you gain: Your perception and natural energy extraction ability are enhanced!]
Kazuki gently stroked the little snake clinging to his arm and spoke calmly, "Don't worry, you're safe..."
"If you have decided to help me, there is no need to fear."
After saying that, he channeled some of his chakra towards Tagorihime.
Sensing the flow of chakra, the snake's eyes immediately lit up.
What a pure and powerful chakra!
Compared to Kazuki's complex and rich chakra, all the chakra she had consumed in the past seemed bland and monotonous.
Tagorihime was completely carried away by the experience, so much so that even her pupils began to blur, and the strength with which she held on to his arm unconsciously increased.
Once you experience some things, you can't go back...
Kazuki smiled slightly and hid the small snake inside his sleeve before calmly advancing towards the second test.
