Chapter 175: The Pathetic White Snake Sage, Uchiha “father And Son’s Filial Piety”
Following the successive executions of the three Snake Princesses of Ryuchi Cave by Uchiha Ikeizumi, the entire Ryuchi Cave ushered in a “Great Cleansing.” One of the three major sacred lands of the Ninja World almost turned into a lava purgatory.
Only a few remote corners were spared from the lava that burned everything in its path.
That was because the snakes of Ryuchi Cave surviving in those remote corners were mostly outliers in Ryuchi Cave, and also the few existences in Ryuchi Cave that were not cruel or vicious in temperament.
But what surprised Uchiha Ikeizumi greatly was his most desired target—the White Snake Sage.
It had completely vanished without a trace!
Uchiha Ikeizumi had already found the cave where the White Snake Sage had lived for many years, but aside from a large chair uniquely belonging to the White Snake Sage, there were no other traces of the White Snake Sage.
“It ran away…”
Uchiha Ikeizumi clicked his tongue: “Is this one of the reasons it has survived for over a thousand years? When encountering a dangerous element it cannot control, its first reaction is to flee.”
Muttering to this point, Uchiha Ikeizumi’s gaze shifted slightly to the side, landing on a black snake not far away.
That black snake, which had tried to sneak away, suddenly stiffened all over upon realizing it had been discovered.
Immediately after, it heard light footsteps coming from behind.
Along with a towering heatwave that made its flesh crawl.
“Where did that White Snake go?” When the cold voice rang out from behind, the black snake’s scales nearly exploded outward.
It didn’t dare to turn its head, and stammered human speech in reply: “I… I don’t know where White Snake Sage went… I was just here as usual to clean the cave for the big master. I didn’t expect… didn’t expect to run into you here.”
When it heard the footsteps approaching again, it felt utter despair, thinking it was done for today.
But unexpectedly, the footsteps were not getting closer, but farther away.
When it turned back in shock, it discovered that the terrifying human had already vanished into the White Snake Sage’s cave.
“He… why didn’t he kill me? He has already gone on a killing spree in Ryuchi Cave, slaughtering who knows how many of my kin.”
The black snake could not understand the other’s line of thinking.
What it didn’t realize was that it had been spared precisely because it had lived in Ryuchi Cave for many years, never gone out, and never had the chance to commit evil deeds.
In other words…
It had saved itself.
…
At the same time.
In Shikkotsu Forest, one of the three major sacred lands of the Ninja World, a white giant snake appeared here, completely surrounded by a dense mass of slugs so numerous that even a glance made one’s scalp tingle.
One by one, the small slugs began to merge and fuse, finally forming a giant slug almost as large as the white giant snake.
The slug spoke in human tongue: “White Snake Sage, long time no see—it’s been at least a thousand years since we last met. I didn’t expect our reunion after a millennium to be in this manner.”
“But are you sure you don’t want to protect your Ryuchi Cave? I can faintly sense that your Ryuchi Cave has fallen into a great crisis, with many Ryuchi Cave snakes perishing today.”
The White Snake Sage had a pipe in its mouth.
It looked straight at the Slug Sage ahead, its tone flat: “If Ryuchi Cave is destroyed, I can rebuild it—it’s only a matter of time, and time is the one thing I have plenty of. But if that Uchiha ninja who believes in 「Absolute Justice」 finds me, even I can’t guarantee I can survive in his hands.”
“It’s most likely a mutually destructive outcome, and I can’t accept that, because those toads from Mount Myōboku would definitely take the opportunity to give me a hard time if they learned I was badly injured.”
The Slug Sage said: “So you’ve chosen such a high-sounding excuse for your escape? After thinking it over, I’m the only one who can shelter you, right?”
White Snake Sage: “…”
This was exactly why it didn’t want to deal with the other two major sacred lands.
The White Snake Sage instinctively disliked Mount Myōboku’s toads, and by extension, many snakes in Ryuchi Cave also disliked Mount Myōboku’s toads.
In the White Snake Sage’s eyes, the Slug Sage was someone who could be called a “good person,” but every word from that mouth was overly honest, speaking the truth without regard for others’ feelings.
But in its current situation, needing a favor from the other, the White Snake Sage suppressed its inner displeasure.
It said: “So, can you permit me to stay in Shikkotsu Forest for a while? Not long—just about a hundred years. After a hundred years, that Uchiha justice brat will be nothing but dry bones in a grave.”
“I refuse.”
“Uh… huh? What?” The Slug Sage’s curt response nearly stunned the White Snake Sage, its gaze incredulously fixed on the Slug Sage.
It could hardly imagine this “good person” suddenly changing temperament.
The Slug Sage said: “My most outstanding summoning contract partner has a very good relationship with Uchiha Ikeizumi. I cannot ruin her relationship with Uchiha Ikeizumi because of you, nor can I put her in a difficult position. So, very sorry, but Shikkotsu Forest cannot shelter you.”
The White Snake Sage felt like its hearing had failed.
Just for a summoning contract partner, the Slug Sage was going to drive it away?
Was a mere summoning contract partner more precious than the favor owed by it, the grand White Snake Sage?
The White Snake Sage could not understand!
Just as the White Snake Sage wanted to say something more, it noticed the surrounding slugs gathering in even greater numbers, and the Slug Sage before it growing larger and larger. Previously, it could look it in the eye; now, it could only look up.
This meant the Slug Sage was already prepared to fight it.
If it shamelessly tried to stay in Shikkotsu Forest.
The Slug Sage would absolutely strike without hesitation.
Damn it…
A grand sacred land sage of Shikkotsu Forest—summoning contracts could be unilaterally torn up at will; such contracts couldn’t bind a sage at all. Was it worth it for one human?
“…I understand.” Though the White Snake Sage’s mood was foul, it maintained the composed demeanor of a sacred land sage on the surface.
It took a deep breath, gave the Slug Sage a deep look, then turned and left without hesitation.
After the White Snake Sage left, the Slug Sage’s body split off a small slug.
That small slug went “poof.”
And vanished in a puff of white smoke.
…
“What? Ikeizumi chased Orochimaru all the way to Ryuchi Cave Sacred Land? And he left Ryuchi Cave in ruins, scaring even the White Snake Sage into abandoning Ryuchi Cave Sacred Land and fleeing?”
If the intelligence hadn’t come straight from the Slug Sage’s split body, Tsunade would have thought someone was trying to fool her.
Tsunade was momentarily stunned by the intelligence shared by the Slug Sage.
Though she was well aware of Uchiha Ikeizumi’s propensity for “trouble,” wasn’t this incident a bit too big?
The voice of the small slug on Tsunade’s shoulder rang in her mind: “That Uchiha Ikeizumi carried out the cleansing of Ryuchi Cave to enforce his Absolute Justice, because many snakes in Ryuchi Cave have cruel and brutal temperaments. Especially some of the older snakes, who have done many things intolerable to human morals, with all victims being humans.”
Hearing this, much of the shock in Tsunade’s heart dissipated.
“Then they had it coming.” Tsunade said.
At this moment, Tsunade suddenly thought of something, her expression complex as she continued: “Slug Sage, even the White Snake Sage was driven away by Ikeizumi. Doesn’t that mean Orochimaru, who fled to Ryuchi Cave, has already…”
“Yes.” The Slug Sage’s voice responded softly.
“Phew…”
Tsunade slowly exhaled, though she had anticipated Orochimaru’s fate, he had after all been one of her rare close friends.
“This outcome isn’t bad for him—at least he didn’t sink deeper into the abyss of sin. Though given his evil deeds, he’s already at the bottom of that abyss.”
“That said.” Tsunade muttered: “He chased Orochimaru to Ryuchi Cave—does he know how to get out?”
The Slug Sage said: “I’ve already sent a split body to guide him.”
Tsunade was taken aback.
Why did it feel like the Slug Sage cared more about Uchiha Ikeizumi than she did?
They shouldn’t have met before, right?
They probably didn’t know each other, right?
…
“Go another ten kilometers ahead, cross a canyon a thousand meters deep and filled with misty poisonous fumes, and you’ll be out of Ryuchi Cave.”
A mini slug the size of a finger was perched on Uchiha Ikeizumi’s left shoulder, its voice in a feminine tone.
“Thank you.” Uchiha Ikeizumi never stinted on “thanks” for those who helped him, human or otherwise.
He calmly voiced his doubt: “Suddenly appearing before me and offering to guide me out of Ryuchi Cave—surely the Slug Sage isn’t doing this just for that?”
The Slug Sage answered frankly: “Indeed.”
It didn’t beat around the bush with Uchiha Ikeizumi, but straightforwardly stated its purpose: “You are the second outstanding summoning contract partner I’ve encountered after Tsunade. Like her, you have a sincere and pure heart—that’s what sets you apart from other ninjas in the Ninja World.”
Uchiha Ikeizumi said: “Most people call me extreme in personality. You’re the only one who’s said my heart is sincere and pure.”
The Slug Sage said: “Many in the Ninja World can steadfastly adhere to their Ninja Way. But the problem is, not everyone’s Ninja Way is a good one. I can see that the Absolute Justice you pursue is somewhat extreme at present, but overall, it is truly beneficial to the entire Ninja World.”
“Shikkotsu Forest rarely gets involved in the Ninja World’s events, great or small, and even when it does, it’s passively drawn in. I won’t judge what changes you want to make to the Ninja World—that’s your choice, and I have no right to interfere.”
“In short, I want to invite you to become Shikkotsu Forest’s summoning contract partner. That way, after Tsunade, Shikkotsu Forest will have another qualified one whom I admire.”
“And I believe you won’t just use Shikkotsu Forest’s power for battle, but to bring blessings to the entire Ninja World.”
“That is the real reason I see you as the best candidate.”
The Slug Sage was indeed very frank, spilling everything it could and couldn’t say to avoid any misunderstandings.
Its meaning boiled down to this—Shikkotsu Forest needs talent like you, but it will never interfere with your thoughts or choices, nor demand any price from you.
It was more like seeking an equal alliance of the strong.
As expected of the Slug Sage, who single-handedly built Shikkotsu Forest into one of the three major sacred lands, on par with Ryuchi Cave and Mount Myōboku.
Its calm, amiable, and detached personality was something neither the Great Toad Sage nor the White Snake Sage possessed.
Yet Uchiha Ikeizumi said: “Rather than cooperating with just me, Shikkotsu Forest might as well include all who believe in Absolute Justice.”
The Slug Sage was taken aback; it knew Uchiha Ikeizumi was agreeing, but with a condition.
Still, it was a condition the Slug Sage could accept.
It said: “Then I have my condition too—all who believe in Absolute Justice must pass your test. Those who pass your test are the ones I deem excellent.”
Uchiha Ikeizumi calmly said: “Acceptable.”
…
Konoha, Uchiha Setsuna’s residence.
After school, Uchiha Sasuke found the atmosphere in the Uchiha Clan extremely strange, leaving him puzzled.
Upon returning home, he saw both Mother and Father with tense expressions, faint anger lingering between their brows.
Sasuke immediately realized Father and Mother had argued again, likely over Teacher Ikeizumi.
After all… that was their only point of contention.
Father did not accept Absolute Justice, while Mother did—that was their biggest divide.
Sasuke broke the eerie silence: “Father, doesn’t the Police Force work end in over an hour? Why are you back early today?”
As soon as he said it, Sasuke noticed Father’s expression seemed on the verge of cracking.
Sasuke suddenly realized…
He had said the wrong thing.
“…I’m no longer Captain of the Konoha Military Police Force. Nor am I Clan Leader of the Uchiha Clan. I no longer need to wait an hour to come home—I can return anytime.” Uchiha Fugaku gave his second son a deep look, then walked toward the depths of the courtyard without turning back.
Sasuke was stunned.
“Your father is in a bad mood; no need to mind his words.” Beside him, Uchiha Mikoto gave a gentle smile and comforted Sasuke.
“Mother, has something happened in the Uchiha Clan?” Sasuke felt his head spinning.
Uchiha Mikoto sighed and patiently explained everything.
After hearing it, Sasuke didn’t know how to describe his mood.
As Uchiha Fugaku’s second son, he should feel anger upon learning his father had been forced out of his two positions.
But…
What if it was the Absolute Justice he believed in that had forced Father out?
Sasuke found himself wanting to laugh!
He quickly schooled his young face to avoid losing control of his expression.
…
…
