"Kid, how did you get here?"
Tagorihime smiled as she questioned Kazuyama. Everyone who arrived at Ryūchi Cave had to be questioned before they could begin the challenge.
"My sensei is Orochimaru. I came here using the scroll he gave me."
"Very good. So it really was Orochimaru… Back then, he disappointed us all by failing the exam, but now he's sent a ninja with a Kekkei Genkai. Not bad."
Tagorihime nodded, exchanging a glance with her two sisters.
Ichikishimahime understood the signal.
"Youngster, have you come to Ryūchi Cave to receive its legacy?"
"To explore and master the power of Senjutsu?"
Oh? Straight to the point?
It seemed no one had come here in a long time, and they were a little too eager.
No wonder Chōmei had sensed madness and curiosity in their emotions.
"No, I just came to take a look. After all, my sensei told me that Ryūchi Cave is one of the Three Great Unexplored Sage Regions."
"I'm curious. I just plan to learn a bit about the Summoning Technique."
Who was Kazuyama, someone who knew nothing about the world? No.
How could he possibly follow their script?
Turning chaos on its head and defying expectations—that was his specialty.
Sure enough, the moment he spoke, the three Snake Princesses' expressions darkened.
They almost lost control of their illusion, nearly revealing their true forms.
But then, realizing that someone had finally come to Ryūchi Cave, they decided to find a way to lure him in.
With this in mind, Ichikishimahime spoke again.
"Summoning is just the most basic of Ninjutsu—it's not even comparable to Senjutsu."
"Look…"
Before finishing her sentence, she slowly rose into the air, floating effortlessly without any external force.
"Wow, she's flying?"
Kazuyama appeared surprised on the surface, but internally, he was completely unfazed.
She even dares to act superior about this? So what if she can fly? I can do that too.
Chōmei: Exactly! Who can't fly these days!
"This is the power of Senjutsu. The Senjutsu of Ryūchi Cave allows you to master natural energy and imbue your entire body with it, achieving the ability to float."
"What do you say? Do you want to learn?"
Kazuyama decisively shook his head.
Tagorihime, still floating in midair, was stunned.
No way!
Why is this happening?!
Why is he still refusing?!
Logically speaking, only those desperate for power would come to Ryūchi Cave.
So why did this kid have absolutely no desire for it?!
"Why?! Little brat, if you don't want to learn Senjutsu, why did you even come to Ryūchi Cave?"
Tagitsuhime was beyond frustrated. Tagorihime had even demonstrated Senjutsu, yet this kid wasn't the least bit curious.
"I already said, I just came to take a look and get a summoned beast."
"I'm not interested in Senjutsu or anything."
The three Snake Sages were momentarily speechless.
"Sage, do you know where I can find a suitable large snake?"
"I've brought quite a few nice things with me, and I'm looking for a snake that suits me!"
Kazuyama glanced at the three Snake Princesses, who were already visibly confused, and immediately moved on to the next step.
Putting on an eager expression, he started rummaging through his waist bag.
The three Snake Princesses, who had not been particularly interested before, suddenly perked up at the mention of "nice things."
Although they had mastered Senjutsu, they were confined to Ryūchi Cave, unable to leave or be contracted through ordinary Summoning Techniques.
Life here was dull, so they were naturally curious—no, downright obsessed—whenever a visitor arrived.
"You brought something else?"
"What did you bring? Show it to us!"
Tagitsuhime rushed over, her curiosity barely restrained, her tone almost demanding.
But Kazuyama wasn't about to indulge her so easily.
Hearing her insistence, he simply pulled his hand out of the bag.
"Oh? You expect me to take it out just because you say so? Wouldn't that be embarrassing?"
"Yeah, not happening."
Tagitsuhime was instantly furious, nearly losing her mind.
In Ryūchi Cave, aside from the White Snake Sage, the three of them were at the top of the hierarchy. No snake dared to disobey them.
Yet this brat had just outright refused her!
Unforgivable!!
She was just about to lash out when Tagorihime, standing beside her, held her back.
"Tagitsuhime, don't be impatient. It's not every day we come across an interesting brat."
"Calm down," Ichikishimahime added, the blue-haired sister stepping in to help.
The two of them joined forces to restrain Tagitsuhime, which only made her angrier.
Tagorihime gave a gentle smile, subtly channeling natural energy—Senjutsu—to soothe the situation.
The added touch of charm in her aura made Kazuyama's eyes widen.
A Snake Princess is still a snake princess… She's a total demon!
"Little brat, what's your name?"
"Kazuyama Gekkō."
"Well then, Kazuyama boy, why don't you show us what you brought?"
"Okay!"
Hearing Kazuyama's immediate agreement, Tagitsuhime nearly choked on her own rage.
Why did he refuse when she asked, but agree so easily when Tagorihime did?
He was doing this on purpose!
Kazuyama: What the hell do you know? This is called being firm when needed but knowing when to go easy.
Reaching into his bag again, he noticed the three Snake Queens' gazes suddenly lock onto him.
A rich, enticing aroma filled the air, stimulating their senses.
A small, brightly colored fruit appeared in his hand.
"I went out of my way to find these snakeberries. They taste amazing."
"Snakes may be carnivores, but I think the unique flavor of these fruits will appeal to even the biggest of them."
Snakeberries—said to be a snake's favorite fruit—were something Kazuyama had brought just for this occasion.
But his target wasn't just any snake.
It was the Snake Princess before him.
The best way to learn Senjutsu was to earn the favor of Ryūchi Cave's Great Elders and the White Snake Sage.
"Mine! Tagitsuhime! You bastard! Don't take it!"
"Delicious! Ichikishimahime! Put down my fruit!"
"No way! You two should've eaten less!"
The next second, the snakeberries had vanished from Kazuyama's hands.
The three Snake Princesses were already fighting over them, each scrambling to claim their share.
Kazuyama watched with a satisfied smile.
No matter who you are, you can't escape the temptation of food…
"That… I have some more…"
At those words, the three Snake Princesses' eyes lit up.
In an instant, they surrounded Kazuyama, their faces filled with anticipation.
He nearly burst out laughing at the sight.
[Ding! The host has successfully won over the Three Snake Princesses using the food offensive, disrupting Ryūchi Cave's normal recruitment process. Special reward: +5 Ninjutsu.]
Happiness could come so suddenly.
Even a Sage had weaknesses!
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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