Led by Manda, Orochimaru navigated the complex, branching pathways and arrived at a cavern distinctly different in style, it was a space with clear human architectural influences rather than a naturally formed cave.
As Orochimaru entered, he paid no attention to his surroundings. His gaze was immediately drawn to the enormous white serpent seated on a colossal throne before him.
An unfathomable depth of power emanated from the serpent, that was Orochimaru's immediate impression of the Great White Snake Sage.
Part of the sage's body, covered in white scales, was coiled upon the throne, while the rest of its enormous form curled to the side. The sheer size and length of the serpent made it impossible for Orochimaru to estimate its full dimensions, but it was undoubtedly massive.
Around the serpent's neck hung a green jewel. A long, slender pipe rested in its mouth, and it wore a black, horn-shaped hat atop its head. Its flowing orange hair gave it an odd, almost otherworldly appearance.
The sage's golden serpentine eyes, devoid of emotion, gazed at Orochimaru as though observing a lifeless object.
"Great White Snake Sage," Manda said, bowing his massive head to the ground despite being larger than the sage. His posture showed absolute respect.
"Manda, is this human your guest?" the Great White Snake Sage asked, its mouth slightly parting to emit a voice that was ancient yet calm.
"Yes, Great White Snake Sage," Manda replied respectfully. "He is a human who signed a summoning contract with our clan. He has come seeking senjutsu."
"Another human who wishes to learn senjutsu," the sage remarked, its gaze fixed on Orochimaru.
Orochimaru calmly met the sage's eyes and asked directly, "Can you tell me what senjutsu is?"
The Great White Snake Sage, unhesitating, replied, "Senjutsu refers to techniques powered by senjutsu chakra."
"Senjutsu chakra…" Orochimaru murmured, startled. He then asked, "What is senjutsu chakra, and how can it be obtained?"
"Chakra is formed by the combination of physical energy and mental energy. To create senjutsu chakra, one must absorb natural energy and maintain a balance between all three," the sage explained patiently.
Orochimaru's mind raced. The mention of natural energy confirmed that the mysterious energy he had been studying was indeed natural energy, a critical component of senjutsu.
"What is natural energy?" Orochimaru asked further, his curiosity deepening.
Manda interjected coldly, "Natural energy is the mysterious energy you spoke of earlier."
With just a few sentences, Orochimaru's mind pieced the information together, forming a clear picture.
"With senjutsu chakra, one can activate Sage Mode. In Sage Mode, strength, speed, and the power of ninjutsu are greatly amplified. If you wish to learn it, I can help you," the sage said calmly, its words seemingly designed to tempt Orochimaru.
Through his research on Jūgo, Orochimaru had already gained some understanding of natural energy, now confirmed to be the same energy that formed senjutsu chakra.
"How would you help me?" Orochimaru asked, his expression composed and his emotions unshaken.
For the first time, a dangerous glint appeared in the sage's golden eyes. "I will inject natural energy into your body using my fangs. If you can endure it and maintain balance among the three energies, you will gain senjutsu chakra and enter Sage Mode."
"And if I fail?" Orochimaru inquired indifferently.
At this, the Great White Snake Sage realized that this human was unlike the others who had come seeking senjutsu.
"If you fail, you will lose your sanity and eventually transform into a snake," the sage replied calmly. "Once you've turned into a snake, I will devour you."
The sage was forthright about the risks, but Orochimaru's demeanor thus far led it to believe that this human might have a chance at mastering senjutsu.
Orochimaru's lips curved into a sly smile as he latched onto a key point. "Every individual has varying levels of physical and mental energy, and their chakra reserves differ. If you inject more natural energy than the balance allows, failure is inevitable, isn't it?"
The sage remained silent for a moment before speaking. "Human, what is your name?"
"Orochimaru," he replied.
"Orochimaru, many humans have come here before you with the same goal. Regardless of their chakra reserves, I inject a fixed amount of natural energy into each of them," the sage said calmly. "Let me warn you: those with insufficient chakra cannot learn senjutsu and are doomed to fail."
"I see." Orochimaru's serpentine smile widened. From the sage's not-so-detailed explanation, he had gathered enough to understand the situation. However, given Jūgo's enzyme, there was no need to risk undergoing the sage's process.
He could instead determine through experimentation how much enzyme was needed to attract a specific amount of natural energy. With precise data, he could use the enzyme to train in senjutsu safely.
Once he achieved a balance of the three energies using the enzyme, he could eventually sense and absorb natural energy without it.
In other words, Jūgo's enzyme could serve the same purpose as the sage's injection of natural energy.
The difference was that Orochimaru didn't know the risks of the sage's method, whereas he could gradually eliminate the risks associated with the enzyme through research.
After contemplating for only a moment, Orochimaru calmly said, "Great White Snake Sage, I will return."
With that, he turned and left without hesitation.
"Hmm?" the sage murmured, watching him go.
The Great White Snake Sage was somewhat surprised, while Manda looked completely dumbfounded.
What was this abrupt departure about? Shouldn't the sequence of events go something like this: Orochimaru, after careful consideration, becomes captivated by the power of senjutsu and decides to undergo training. Then, the Great White Snake Sage injects natural energy into him using its fangs, after which Orochimaru fails to control the energy, loses his sanity, transforms into a snake, and is promptly devoured by the sage?
Why did he leave so decisively?
Did he go through all the trouble of finding this place just to hear an explanation?
Manda stared blankly at Orochimaru's retreating figure.
"An interesting human," the Great White Snake Sage murmured. "He will return here someday. I have a feeling."
The sage watched calmly as Orochimaru's figure grew smaller in the distance. It showed no anger at his abrupt departure. Having become one with the earth, the sage no longer experienced emotions over trivial matters.
Even if Orochimaru had stayed and chosen to train in senjutsu, receiving natural energy through the sage's fangs and eventually mastering the art, the sage wouldn't have felt excitement or surprise.
Manda said nothing. Normally, if someone behaved like Orochimaru, Manda wouldn't hesitate to devour them without waiting for the sage's command.
However, Orochimaru was a summoning contract holder of the Ryūchi Cave clan and one of Manda's more acceptable contractors. Naturally, Manda wasn't going to eat him, especially since the Great White Snake Sage had made no move to indicate otherwise. He simply remained silent.
Leaving the Great White Snake Sage's cave with the crucial information he sought, Orochimaru was now eager to return to the base as quickly as possible.
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Currently on Chapter 434 - Combination Assault