Ninja World: I, Kisame Hoshigaki, am no longer human!

If Nagato grows up in the future, even if he can't become the second Sage of Six Paths, with his Sage Body and Rinnegan, he probably won't be any worse than Kisame.

In retrospect, Kisame's previous actions seem to have created a kind of "catfish effect."

All the characters in this timeline, whether good or evil, are under the influence of Kisame, the catfish, and are using various means to urgently improve their strength, becoming much more powerful than in the original work.

That's quite interesting.

When Kisame decided to change the storyline, he considered these consequences. No matter how strong his opponents became, he was confident he could be stronger than them.

As the undisputed number one ninja in the world, he fears no challenge from anyone.

That being said, having figured out the current situation of the Rain Ninja, Kisame was in no hurry to take action.

After all, the allied forces of Konoha and Sunagakure will inevitably clash with Obito and his allies, who have returned from Ryuchi Cave, in a world-shaking battle in Amegakure.

Kisame could have simply sat back and watched the fight unfold, reaping the benefits of the situation.

……

In the corridor.

Kakashi found Minato Namikaze, but hesitated to speak.

"Kakashi, is there anything you'd like to talk to me about? Is it about Obito?"

Minato noticed his disciple's thoughts, so he smiled and patted Kakashi on the shoulder, encouraging the latter to open up and confide in him.

Kakashi took a deep breath, his memory returning to that most painful and regretful night of his life, and told Minato Namikaze his conjecture.

171. Ryūchi Cave and the White Snake Immortal

"When Rin was kidnapped by the Hidden Mist ninja, I was supposed to rescue her, but in the end... I pierced her heart with Chidori with my own hands."

Kakashi recalled the past, his expression turning somber.

However, at the moment he killed Rin, Kakashi felt a violent change in his left eye, which caused him to faint on the spot.

When he woke up, he learned from Jiraiya that his left eye had been gouged out by Kisame Hoshigaki of Kirigakure.

For a demigod like Kisame, an ordinary Sharingan wouldn't even register on his radar, unless it's... the Mangekyou Sharingan.

"You mean, you awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan at that time?" Minato Namikaze understood Kakashi's meaning and was quite surprised.

What surprised Minato even more was Kakashi's next words.

“I think… Obito was there too, he awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan with me.”

As Kakashi spoke, he ran his fingers through his hair, his expression turning extremely painful. "I promised Obito that I would use the eye he gave me to protect Rin from any harm. But in the end, he watched Rin die at my hands... It's all my fault."

In Kakashi's view, Obito's descent into darkness began on that night.

"Kakashi, don't blame yourself. You just did what you were supposed to do. As the teacher of the three of you, I also bear responsibility for failing to protect my students."

Minato gently placed a hand on Kakashi's shoulder, comforting and encouraging him, "What we need to do now is find Obito and pull him back from the wrong path."

"Is it really... still possible to salvage this?"

"Of course! Cheer up, Kakashi! We must bring Obito back with us and bring him back to Konoha."

……

Yongji Cave is hidden deep underground. Legend has it that only those with unwavering determination and a strong desire for power can find it.

Orochimaru and his group set off from the Land of Rain and, after more than ten days of arduous travel, finally arrived at the gate of Ryuchi Cave.

Before them stood a tall, antique-style building, resplendent in gold. Above the main gate was a plaque bearing the three large characters "Longdi Cave," and golden dragons entwined around the pillars on either side, while lanterns illuminated the dark underground world.

Magnificent, imposing, and majestic.

"As expected of the legendary holy land." Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan looked up at the building, feeling a sense of awe.

"Humph."

Danzo, standing to the side, snorted coldly, leaned on his cane, found a rock to sit on, and questioned Orochimaru with great dissatisfaction:

"Orochimaru, don't you have any other methods, such as the Reverse Summoning Jutsu, to send us directly to Ryuchi Cave? Why do you have to walk for half a month, enduring all this bumpy travel?"

Danzo was old and usually used a cane, making it very difficult for him to move around. This journey almost cost him his life.

"This is a rule set by the White Snake Immortal, which is to test the sincerity of humans. There's nothing I can do about it."

Orochimaru glanced at Danzo and kindly advised, "Lord Danzo, I suggest you give up the idea of ​​learning Sage Mode as soon as possible. With your old bones, you probably can't withstand the transformation by natural energy."

Danzo's face darkened upon hearing this, but having traveled so far, how could he give up so easily? So, catching his breath, he coldly replied:

"You don't need to worry about that. Just tell me about the tests that Ryuchi Cave tests for cultivators, and let me see the White Snake Immortal."

"That's right, Orochimaru, stop keeping me in suspense."

Obito chimed in, urging Orochimaru to hurry up. Ever since he heard that Kisame had mastered Sage Mode, he had been restless and unwilling to fall behind his lifelong rival.

Obito was determined to obtain the Sage Mode when he came to Ryuchi Cave.

A bunch of ignorant fools, they won't even know how they died.

Orochimaru chuckled inwardly at the group, but smiled as he explained the three trials of Ryuchi Cave to them.

To meet the White Snake Immortal, one must first pass the tests set by his three snake maidens.

Simply put, the first test is a person's composure, the second test is a person's patience and wisdom, and the third test is a person's sincerity.

If it were the first time experiencing these tests, it would indeed be difficult to pass, but with Orochimaru, who has been through it all, guiding you is like going to the exam with the answers already in hand, making it much easier.

"Are you ready? If there are no questions, I'm going to knock on the door of Ryouji Cave."

After Orochimaru finished speaking, he asked the others.

Nagato took a deep breath, placed his hands on Konan's shoulders, and said to her, "Konan, you and Yahiko stay here and wait for me. I will definitely succeed in meeting the White Snake Sage and learning Sage Mode."

After saying that, he glanced at Yahiko, who was in the Edo Tensei state next to him, and the latter still looked like a living dead.

"Nagato, please be careful. Your safety is the most important thing. I will take good care of Yahiko and wait for you to come back."

Konan nodded and also gave Nagato a few words of advice.

On the other side, Obito ordered Zetsu, whose body was half buried in the ground, "Stay here to support me, and also keep an eye on Konan and Yahiko, understand?"

"Okay," Jue readily agreed.

So, led by Orochimaru, Obito, Danzo, and Nagato knocked on the door of Ryuchi Cave and went inside.

As Orochimaru predicted, things happened exactly as he had said.

The three subordinates of the White Snake Sage—Princess Tashin, Princess Ichikishima, and Princess Takitsu—each of these beautiful women put everyone through a test.

As expected, all of them passed.

Finally, led by the three snake princesses, the group arrived at a temple deep within Ryuchi Cave, where they met the White Snake Sage who lived there.

Surprisingly, the legendary White Snake Immortal is an elderly woman dressed in a white robe, who looks kind and not scary at all.

"Orochimaru, it's you. Long time no see."

The White Snake Sage, reclining on his throne, smiled and waved to Orochimaru.

"Respected White Snake Immortal, we apologize for our intrusion in visiting you."

Orochimaru bowed to the White Snake Sage, looking somewhat nervous.

That's because he had seen the old woman's true colors and knew that she was eccentric and difficult to please. If he accidentally said the wrong thing or did something that displeased the White Snake Immortal, he would probably have a hard time getting out of here alive.

As expected, upon hearing Orochimaru's greeting, the White Snake Sage, who had been wearing a kind expression just a moment before, suddenly changed his expression and coldly said:

"Orochimaru, you still have the audacity to return to Ryuchi Cave. Manda is a junior I greatly admire. I made him sign a summoning contract with you because I trusted you. But I heard that you sent Manda to his death, where he was devoured alive by a monster called Kisame Hoshigaki. Is that true?"

Upon hearing this, Orochimaru's expression changed drastically, and cold sweat poured down his back.

Three snake girls walked over and started chattering amongst themselves:

"We've always been the ones who eat people, I never thought it would be the other way around. I heard that Manda was even made into barbecue. What a piece of trash, he disgraced Ryuchi Cave, he deserved to be eaten."

"However, that ninja named Kisame Hoshigaki is undoubtedly provoking the authority of Ryuchi Cave. He dares to ride roughshod over us, and we absolutely cannot tolerate it!"

"Orochimaru, when are you going to kill Kisame Hoshigaki and bring his corpse to Ryuchi Cave for us to enjoy? If you can't do that, we'll eat you!"

The three men threatened Orochimaru as they surrounded him, revealing their sharp fangs.

Orochimaru, seeing the situation was dire, immediately knelt before the White Snake Sage and begged for mercy:

“White Snake Sage, you are unaware that Kisame Hoshigaki is a confidant of the Slug Sage and has been personally taught by him, having already mastered the Sage Techniques of Shikkotsu Forest. I am no match for him, please forgive me.”

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, the White Snake Immortal's expression changed; he hadn't expected this to happen.

So he's a descendant of the live slug, huh?

It, along with the toad-maru of Mount Myōboku and the slug of Shikkotsu Forest, are known as the three great immortals. All of them are extraordinary creatures with lifespans exceeding a thousand years, and they are old acquaintances of each other.

There is actually a relationship of mutual restraint among snakes, toads, and slugs.

Slugs are afraid of toads, toads are afraid of snakes, and snakes are afraid of slugs.

Therefore, the White Snake Immortal has always been very wary of live slugs.

When it heard that the Thousand Serpents had been torn apart and swallowed alive by the descendant of the Living Slug, it became even more enraged, and a fierce glint appeared in its eyes.

However, the White Snake Immortal suppressed his anger and waved his hand, signaling the three snake princesses to step back.

Then, it glanced casually at the three people behind Orochimaru and asked again:

"So, what brings you to Ryuchi-dong this time?"

Orochimaru breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said, "The three people behind me all have a deep hatred for Kisame Hoshigaki. They came to Ryuchi Cave with me this time hoping to obtain the power of Sage Mode from you so that they can kill Kisame. In this way, they can avenge Manda and restore the prestige of Ryuchi Cave."

Upon hearing Orochimaru's words, Danzo and the other two exchanged glances and frowned.

No wonder Orochimaru was so enthusiastic and willing to bring them to Ryuchi Cave; it turns out he did it all to get himself out of trouble.

However, if I could really learn immortal techniques, then it wouldn't matter.

Upon hearing this, the White Snake Immortal narrowed his eyes and carefully examined the three of them.

One was an old man with a bandage wrapped around his head and one was a one-eyed boy wearing a mask. The last one, a red-haired boy, had both eyes. Otherwise, the White Snake Sage would have thought Orochimaru had deliberately found three one-eyed men.