I, Naruto Uzumaki, don't need your approval.

In the blink of an eye, half a day had passed.

After randomly finding a sacrificial offering in the warehouse and setting up an array, Naruto used the Impure World Reincarnation technique to locate the old clan leader through DNA.

But this time the positioning failed, causing Naruto to frown.

The Impure World Reincarnation technique consists of three steps: finding the soul of the deceased, summoning it to the ninja world, and finally stuffing it into a sacrificial offering and controlling it with a cursed seal.

After several attempts, Naruto was unable to resurrect the old clan leader and bring him to the ninja world.

This made him begin to suspect that something had happened to the old patriarch. But could there be danger in the Pure Land? Or was it that the master of the Pure Land did not want them to explore it?

Over the next few days, Naruto tried using the Impure World Reincarnation technique several more times.

It wasn't until noon a week later that Naruto finally located the old clan leader's soul and successfully used the Impure World Reincarnation technique, allowing the old clan leader's soul to descend upon the sacrificial White Zetsu.

Ashina glanced at Naruto and said with a smile, "Why are you looking at me so impatiently? I only stayed in the Pure Land for a few more minutes."

A few minutes?

Naruto noticed something interesting and immediately asked, "What did the old clan leader find out during this investigation? Did you encounter any other souls? Are there any rules or regulations within the Pure Land?"

After pondering for a moment, Ashina Uzumaki said, "After returning to the Pure Land this time, I sensed many powerful souls, but no matter how I moved, I couldn't get close to them, and the senses were sometimes weak and sometimes strong, as if the positions between us were constantly changing..."

After hearing Ashina's information, Naruto fell into deep thought, and then told him the truth:

“Elder, you said you only investigated the Pure Land for a short time, but a week has passed in the Ninja World. I suspect that the flow of time in the Pure Land is different from that in the Ninja World, or perhaps the Pure Land has no concept of time at all.”

Uzumaki Ashina stroked his chin and said with a smile, "You're right, I do not have a concept of time in the Pure Land. However, this is the world of the dead after all, so it is normal for it to be different from the ninja world."

Naruto nodded, then looked at the old clan leader and said, "Clan leader, tell me the details of the experiment. I can't quite remember what happened..."

"Experiment content?"

Ashina Uzumaki paused for a moment, then stared at Naruto and said, "You little brat, are you trying to trick me? Do you suspect that I am no longer me, but something else?"

Hearing this, Naruto chuckled and said, "This is just a necessary measure. After all, it's the world of the dead, and you can't be too careful."

"That's true, but why are you so keen on investigating the Pure Land? Is it for power?"

Ashina Uzumaki has always had this question: Naruto's strength is only weaker than Hashirama and Madara back then, and there shouldn't be anyone in the current ninja world who can rival Naruto.

"Of course, it's to guard against the Impure World Reincarnation technique. I'm not the only one who has mastered this technique."

Naruto initially intended to brush it off, but after careful consideration, he voiced his suspicion: "Besides that, I have another bold question: are you souls living in the Pure Land, capable of thought, truly dead?"

"Of course I'm dead. You saw my corpse, didn't you?"

Uzumaki Ashina said with a strange expression, then seemed to remember something: "You mean my soul hasn't dissipated yet, but for most people, physical death is considered true death."

"If a powerful person like me doesn't go to the Pure Land and forcibly stays in the Ninja World, my soul won't last more than a few days."

Naruto asked, "But what if I could change bodies before I die? Would that allow me to continue living?"

"Maybe, but the ninja world probably doesn't have that technology right now."

Naruto shook his head slightly and then said, "The ninja world already has this technology, and some people have already achieved the goal of replacing their bodies and extending their lifespan."

In fact, there are indeed ninjas in the ninja world who can change their bodies to maintain immortality.

One is Orochimaru, who developed the Reanimation Jutsu, and the other is Sasori, who transformed himself into a chakra core. For these two, as long as their souls remain, they are practically immortal.

However, according to the old patriarch's investigation of the Pure Land, the Pure Land should be an alternate dimension without a concept of time, which is very friendly to souls and can slow down the dissipation of souls.

This may be one of the reasons why the Sage of Six Paths has always stayed in the Pure Land.

After all, for such a powerful being at the Six Paths level, the boundary between life and death has become incredibly blurred. As long as their power does not dissipate, they can live forever.

While Naruto was thinking, Ashina Uzumaki was also thinking.

After a long silence, Ashina Uzumaki seemed to have made a major decision, and sighed softly as he said:

"Naruto, you're researching Pure Land, not to revive the dead, are you? I won't stop you, but you mustn't revive me. Living too long isn't a good thing, and neither is reviving the dead. The line between life and death must not be blurred."

Chapter 164 Trip to Ryuchi Cave

Although Ashina Uzumaki outwardly seemed indifferent to life and death, he always considered it a taboo.

Moreover, living too long is not a good thing. You will watch your loved ones die one by one, and watch the village of Wochao, which you have worked so hard to build, turn into ruins and become a paradise for the homeless.

Such an experience is not something an ordinary person can bear; his soul almost collapsed several times.

Therefore, he did not want Naruto to go astray and become an immortal monster, suffering the greatest pain and loneliness in the world.

Naruto didn't think too much about it; if he didn't try to become stronger...

Even if they achieve immortality, they will be destroyed by Kaguya and Otsutsuki, becoming part of the Divine Tree's nourishment, and when they reappear, their identities will be as White Zetsu.

Clearing his mind of distractions, Naruto smiled and said, "Don't worry, I don't have anyone I want to revive for the time being, and I'm not worried about lifespan. Does the old clan leader still want to continue the experiments?"

Ashina Uzumaki shook his head slightly: "Let's hold off for now. I still have a lot of data to process, and I won't be able to start the next external investigation in the short term."

At this moment, Naruto seemed to remember something and said, "By the way, Elder Clan Chief, I plan to go out for a while soon. I would like to ask you to manage Uzushio Village in my place. If nothing unexpected happens, I should be able to return within a month."

"Where are you going this time...?"

Uzumaki Ashina was somewhat displeased: "Stop attacking other villages again. Kamon came over to complain to me several times, saying that the territory is too big to manage."

"I need to find a way to cultivate immortal techniques so I can defeat Nagato next time..."

Upon mentioning Nagato, Ashina's expression changed: "You juniors are really strange. You all share the same bloodline, so why don't you sit down and have a proper talk? Instead, you each created your own faction..."

Naruto's expression turned serious: "This is a clash of ideologies, and has nothing to do with the identity of the Uzumaki clan."

Hearing this, Ashina Uzumaki felt helpless. For decades, the Uzumaki clan had been thinking of closing themselves off and living a peaceful life, but they ended up being targeted by the surrounding ninja villages and getting ganged up on.

Decades later, the Uzumaki clan wants to start a war, a change that even the elderly can't keep up with.

After leaving the Uzumaki Shrine, Naruto first returned to the Uzumaki Village building, told his subordinates that he was about to go out, and told them to be careful during this time. Then he boarded the ship leaving the Land of Whirlpools.

After boarding the ship, Naruto took out the map he had traded with Orochimaru. He planned to first find Ryuchi Cave and then Mount Myōboku.

According to the map, Ryuchi Cave is located in a small country at the border of Iwagakure and Kazegakure, and even Orochimaru himself did not know its exact location.

As for whether Orochimaru deceived himself, the possibility is extremely low.

Orochimaru and Jiraiya did not discover the Holy Land on their own initiative; rather, the Holy Land's summoning beasts found them and signed a summoning contract.

Minato Namikaze's method of reaching Mount Myōboku was even more direct, using the Reverse Summoning Technique.

None of these were ways to reach the Holy Land. In his memory, the only time they officially went to the Holy Land in Shippuden was when Jiraiya led Naruto step by step, which took more than a month.

Therefore, based on Naruto's speculation, the three holy lands should be in another dimension, rather than existing in a specific location.

It took Naruto a week to cross the Land of Fire and arrive at the many small countries on the border of the great powers. Along the way, he encountered many wandering ninjas and ninjas from small countries.

These small-country ninjas are no different from wandering ninjas; they all obtain orders through price advantages.

If even ninjas are in such a predicament, ordinary people live even more precariously, constantly threatened by war. Among these small countries, the Land of Rain under Nagato's rule is the best off.

From this perspective, Nagato was right; small countries suffer far more than large countries.

However, Nagato and his Akatsuki organization also became one of the sources of tragedy for the small country, which is why he did not want the Akatsuki organization to exist.

An organization composed of ruthless and treacherous individuals, commissioned to carry out assassinations and instigate wars.

Even if such an organization collected all the tailed beasts and intimidated all the major powers, it would still be unable to maintain world peace. This is Nagato's limitation, and also the limitation of the Akatsuki organization.

If Nagato can give up his illusions, the Land of Rain can still be saved.

The future of the ninja world will ultimately be about who is superior, not who is inferior.

After several more days, Naruto finally found the location of Ryuchi Cave. To be precise, a small viper found Naruto.

This small snake was not Orochimaru's familiar, but a sage belonging to Ryuchi Cave. It carried a faint aura of natural energy, which seemed to confirm its identity as a member of Ryuchi Cave's familiar.

Naruto wasn't surprised at all that the little snake was able to find him.

The toads of Mount Myōboku can make prophecies, and so can the serpents of Ryūchi Cave. The three holy sites are all on the same level. Although there is competition, there is not much difference between them in all aspects.

Following the snake's guidance, Naruto entered a cave.

The cave was so deep that it was impossible to see, and there was not even a sound of wind. After following the little snake for half an hour, the view gradually widened and a huge underground space appeared.

"I don't like the taste here."

Nine-Tails smelled the outside world and frowned as he spoke.

Naruto looked at the taciturn Kurama and said with a smile, "Kurama, how much do you know about Ryuchi Cave? Can you defeat the Great Sage of Ryuchi Cave?"

Nine-Tailed Fox snorted and said, "I have never fought against the White Snake of Dragon Cave, but those snakes are very weak. Their melee combat is barely passable, but they can't even withstand one of my Tailed Beast Balls. They are too weak."

Nine-Tailed Fox avoided the battle with the White Snake...

Naruto noticed this, which meant that even the strongest tailed beast, the Nine-Tails, was wary of the Great Sage of Ryuchi Cave. It truly lived up to its reputation as one of the three great holy lands independent of the Divine Tree system.

Following the little snake, Naruto soon came across a temple with a plaque that read "Ryuchi Cave," which must be where the white snake lived.

After sensing the Flying Thunder God mark outside the cave, Naruto became even more certain that this was another dimension.

However, with the Nine-Tailed Fox around, he wasn't afraid of the White Snake Sage taking action. He and the Nine-Tailed Fox together were enough to make the White Snake Sage wary.

Upon arriving at Ryuchi Cave Temple, Naruto saw several beautiful snake women walking towards him.

Judging from the rich natural energy emanating from them, these beautiful snake women must be the immortals of Ryuchi Cave.

Thinking of this, Naruto walked towards the group and asked first, "Where is the White Snake Sage?"

One of the snake princesses said, "If you want to see the White Snake Immortal, you must pass our test. If you fail, you will be eaten by me."

Naruto frowned, a Rasengan forming in his hand: "Are you sure?"

Chapter 165 Cultivating Immortal Arts

Sensing the highly concentrated chakra within the Uzumaki Maru, Snake Princess's face showed a solemn expression.

The mysterious young man before them was no ordinary ninja; his strength was at least equivalent to Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin. However, it was the duty of the three of them to test the visitors to Ryuchi Cave.

Just as the three snake princesses hesitated, an old voice rang out from inside the Dragon Cave: "You are no match for the Child of Prophecy. Let him in. This old woman also wishes to meet this Child of Prophecy."

Upon hearing this, the three snake princesses breathed a sigh of relief and made way for them.

As immortals, they could sense Naruto's vast, ocean-like chakra, and naturally felt considerable pressure.

After advancing through Ryuchi Cave for a while, Naruto saw the White Snake Sage sitting cross-legged on a stone platform. The White Snake Sage was wearing a hat and had a pipe in his mouth, looking very relaxed.