Naruto: Sasuke Uchiha Returns from Soul Society

At the end of the passage, the view suddenly opened up.

What appeared before us was a huge underground cavern.

At the center of the cave is an altar that emits a faint white light.

At the very top of the altar, a massive white figure was perched.

It was a snake.

A huge white snake, its body pure white, its scales like the finest mutton-fat jade, and a golden crown on its head.

Just by sitting there, it exuded a powerful aura.

The moment Princess Tashin and Princess Ichikishima arrived at the foot of the altar, they immediately knelt down respectfully and bowed their heads deeply.

"White Snake Immortal, the guests have been brought."

"Oh dear..."

Yoruichi leaned on Sasuke's shoulder, her voice unusually serious, "It seems we've really run into a big one this time."

However, the giant white snake did not respond immediately. Its vertical pupils scanned back and forth between Sasuke and Yoruichi, as if scrutinizing something.

For a long, long time.

An aged voice suddenly resounded throughout the cave.

"...It has been many years since any human has been able to get here."

"You have a very special smell about you."

The moment the words fell, the enormous snake body slowly dissipated in a silent twist, like smoke being blown away by the wind.

Instead, a soft white light appeared.

The light dissipated.

On that empty rock altar, a figure had appeared at some unknown time.

She was an old woman dressed in a pure white kimono, with white hair and beard.

She was emaciated, her face was covered with wrinkles, and she held a long staff made of snake bones.

"So, travelers from another world."

The old woman, who was actually the White Snake Sage, looked at Sasuke and the others and gave them a meaningful smile.

"Speak, what do you seek in coming here?"

Chapter 134 What does it mean that the ninja cat has learned Sage Mode?!

"A traveler from another world..."

These words echoed in Sasuke's mind. His eyes narrowed, and he instinctively gripped the hilt of his sword, his aura instantly becoming dangerous.

He was certain that no other presence existed during the communication across the world's barriers. How did this old snake know all this?!

"Please don't be nervous, Uchiha Sasuke."

Beside him, Princess Tianxin, who had just stood up, seemed to have seen through his thoughts. She bowed slightly and explained to him softly, "Nothing in this ninja world can be hidden from the White Snake Sage."

"The earth will tell her about the pulse beneath the ground, and every inch of the sunlit corner will reflect everything it sees and hears into her eyes."

"This world itself is the best eyes and ears for immortals."

She glanced at Sasuke one last time and added, "That's why I knew your names before."

Sasuke's heart sank.

If this is true, then all my previous conversations with Yoruichi...

Just as his thoughts were churning, Yoruichi nimbly leaped off his shoulder.

After a puff of white smoke, the tall woman with cascading purple hair reappeared.

She crossed her arms and calmly met the gaze of the White Snake Immortal on the throne with her golden eyes, her aura showing no sign of weakness.

"Since you, Immortal, know everything."

Yoruichi's voice carried a hint of teasing, "So, you probably already know perfectly well what we've come here for, right?"

Her words put the ball back in her court.

Hehehe...

The White Snake Immortal let out a hoarse laugh, the echo of his snake bone staff seemingly responding to his laughter.

"Knowing your purpose and whether or not to grant your request are two completely different things."

His cloudy eyes slowly swept over Sasuke and Yoruichi.

"I want to hear with my own ears what you have been searching for, having crossed the barriers of this world to come here?"

These words caused Yoruichi to raise an eyebrow slightly. She turned her head and handed the right to answer to the boy beside her.

Sasuke met that gaze and spoke frankly.

"What I seek is a power that can sever the corrupt order that binds everyone."

"And learning immortal arts is the way to obtain this power."

His voice was flat; although he was asking for a favor, there was no hint of pleading in his tone.

Yoruichi looked at Sasuke's profile, a slight smile curving her lips, and added a sentence, which served as a reasonable explanation for the purpose of her trip.

"As for me, I simply want to explore how this world without a wedge works."

She stepped forward, steer the conversation back to the core issue, "Just tell us straight, what price do you want us to pay before you'll teach this brat your magic?"

Inside the cave, silence fell once again.

"hehe......"

The White Snake Immortal chuckled softly, speaking with a hint of approval, "The price? The fact that you were able to stand before me is enough of a price to pay."

His gaze first fell on Yoruichi, a hint of admiration in his eyes.

"Your soul is pure and unadulterated. Although you are not a human of this world, your innate 'beastly nature' has a very high affinity with the energy of nature."

He paused for a moment, then gave his judgment.

"Learning immortal arts is not difficult for you."

"Oh dear, thank you so much for the compliment." Yoruichi smiled and accepted the praise without hesitation.

The next second, the White Snake Sage's gaze fixed on Sasuke.

"But you..."

The White Snake Sage's voice deepened, his gaze seemingly piercing through Sasuke's body: "Uchiha Sasuke, you are different from her."

“Deep within your soul, I see another storm that has yet to subside.”

"A power born of pure hatred, it is both your sword and your shackles."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed instantly; he knew that the White Snake Sage referred to Indra.

"The essence of magic lies in harmony."

The White Snake Immortal continued to explain, "It is the fusion of your own power with the omnipresent natural energy of the outside world in a perfect proportion."

"This process requires the caster's soul to be an absolutely stable vessel."

His cloudy eyes became incredibly sharp at this moment, “Otherwise, you will be completely eroded by the violent forces of nature, turned into a stubborn stone, and fall into eternal silence.”

"And you..."

The White Snake Sage looked at Sasuke and slowly shook his head. "Your soul is not yet a suitable vessel."

"You haven't even fully mastered the power that belongs to you."

These words caused Sasuke's breath to catch in his throat slightly, and his grip on the sword tightened involuntarily.

"Therefore, until you become the true master of that sword... until you completely transform that hatred into 'something within its sheath,' rather than 'a fire within its heart'..."

"I cannot pass on my immortal arts to you."

"..."

The air seemed to freeze at that moment.

A rare look of surprise flashed across Yoruichi's face; she hadn't expected the White Snake Sage to refuse so decisively.

Uchiha Sasuke stood there quietly, silently processing the White Snake Sage's words.

But he didn't refute it, because he knew it was the truth.

That power of resentment and hatred was indeed not yet fully under my control.

"Go back, young man."

The old voice of the White Snake Immortal rang out again, "Your path still needs to be honed."

“When you are truly united with the One, come back to this place, and the gate of Ryūchi Cave will be open for you.”

"..."

After a long while, Sasuke slowly raised his head and nodded gently to the White Snake Sage on the altar.

Without saying another word, he resolutely turned around, preparing to leave this sacred place.

"Hey kid, wait for me!"

Seeing this, Yoruichi immediately tried to follow, but her tall figure was stopped by Sasuke's raised left hand.

He stopped at the cave entrance, turned his head to the side, and spoke in a flat voice.

"You stay."

"Huh?" Yoruichi paused, then crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean? You think I'm in your way?"

What happens next is none of your business.

Sasuke glanced at Yoruichi, his voice still flat, and added softly, "Aren't you very interested in the power system of this world?"

"Since you have the opportunity, stay here and experience it for yourself. It will help you understand the rules of this world."