Three days later, another challenger arrived at Ryūchi Cave. With overwhelming strength, they passed the trials and stood before the White Snake Sage in the temple.
The White Snake Sage, looking at the familiar face, teased, "Orochimaru, I thought you were dead. But here you are again. You only learned a bit of my combat skills, but you've mastered the art of survival."
Orochimaru humbly replied, "You're too kind. I was truly on the brink of death this time and almost didn't make it to see you."
The White Snake Sage chuckled, "You've certainly improved your flattery. But I see you're empty-handed. Did you come with nothing?"
Orochimaru spread his hands, looking slightly helpless. He had intended to bring some fresh human organs as a gift, but he didn't get Naruto's permission. Of course, he wouldn't mention this in front of the White Snake Sage. He said, a bit embarrassed, "I came in a hurry and didn't have time to prepare. But with your vast collection of treasures, I doubt you need anything from me."
"Hmph," the White Snake Sage said sternly. "It's not about the gift itself but the thought behind it. Have you forgotten basic manners after surviving death? Here's the deal: my assistant who cleans the alchemy room is away visiting family. You can fill in for him."
Orochimaru asked, "How long will that be?"
The White Snake Sage blew a smoke ring and replied, "Not long, about ten years."
Hearing this, Orochimaru shrugged helplessly. "I'd love to serve, but I'm indispensable to Naruto Uzumaki here."
"Oh?" The White Snake Sage turned its gaze to Naruto, who had been quietly standing beside Orochimaru. Seeing him, the sage's expression changed dramatically. "I see, the winds of change are blowing. Indra's reincarnation just left, and now Ashura's has come."
Naruto calmly responded, "So Sasuke was indeed here."
The White Snake Sage, intrigued, said, "It seems this generation's Ashura is quite perceptive, much more so than your predecessors. You know the rules here, right?"
Naruto replied lightly, "Yes, it's about kneeling, isn't it?"
He pulled over a cushion, casually sat down, and said, "White Snake Sage, with your thousand years of cultivation and high virtue, I address you as the Grand Matriarch."
The White Snake Sage exhaled smoke, "No matter how you flatter me, you still have to kneel if you want to receive sage power."
Naruto, unhurried, continued, "Grand Matriarch, what is the purpose of kneeling? Let's explore this."
"Kneeling, or 'dogeza,' is a gesture of lowering oneself to show respect from junior to senior, or when making a request."
The White Snake Sage responded, "Exactly, aren't you a junior, and I a senior? Aren't you here to make a request?"
Naruto sincerely said, "Technically, yes. I can kneel; it's not difficult. But if I kneel, you grant me sage power, and that's the end of our relationship. Our bond would end with a mere formality."
The White Snake Sage, intrigued, said, "Interesting, go on."
Naruto calmly explained, "But if I don't kneel, you help me this time, and I remember your kindness. In the future, if there's something you can't handle personally, I can assist. We build a long-term relationship, which is much more beneficial than a simple kneel. What do you say?"
The White Snake Sage laughed, "Interesting, very interesting. If that Sasuke had half your tact, he wouldn't have left so disgraced."
Naruto pretended to prepare to kneel, "So, should I kneel or not?"
The White Snake Sage generously said, "I'll allow you not to kneel. Come forward."
"Thank you," Naruto said, standing up and bowing slightly before stepping forward.
Orochimaru couldn't help but admire, "Naruto-kun, you're truly adept at handling situations. You've managed to convince the White Snake Sage, which even I find difficult. And if you establish a reciprocal relationship, it's only beneficial for you."
The White Snake Sage's massive form leaned forward, biting into Naruto's neck with sharp fangs. Her slit pupils flashed, and sage power was infused!
Yet, Naruto's body showed no change, nor did his expression shift!
"Hmm?" The White Snake Sage was puzzled and increased the sage power infusion, but Naruto remained unaffected!
She thought, "All those who have received my sage power before have struggled to endure it. Why is he so calm?"
Prideful from her long life, she poured sage power like a flood into Naruto!
But Naruto's body seemed like a bottomless pit, absorbing it all without a ripple!
"This boy came prepared," she thought. "Hmph, I'll test his limits!"
The sage power surged into Naruto like a river!
Boom!!
A fierce wind rose in the temple, Naruto's robes flapped, his face alternated between light and shadow, and he clenched his fist. Finally, at a certain moment, snake-like slit pupils appeared in his eyes, and six horns emerged from his hair!!
Whoosh!
The White Snake Sage retracted her body back to the throne, sighing, "Finally filled. It took one percent of my sage power, making you unique among all seekers, surpassing even Hashirama Senju!"
One percent might not sound like much, but it was equivalent to ten years of the White Snake Sage's accumulated power!
Naruto humbly said, "I barely managed to withstand it."
The White Snake Sage laughed, "You don't look like you're barely managing. Never mind, if you can handle it, it's your fortune."
Naruto bowed again, "Thank you very much."
At this point, the White Snake Sage became serious, "You know about Indra and Ashura, and even that you and Sasuke are their reincarnations. You've also been to Mount Myōboku and the Shikkotsu Forest, right? Tell me, how much do you know about the secrets of this world?"
The temple fell silent, with only smoke swirling around.
Even Orochimaru held his breath.
After a long pause, Naruto spoke, "Everything, including the fact that you originate from Takamagahara."
Swish!
The White Snake Sage's slit pupils narrowed sharply!
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