"Hello there, Pla-Summoner." A voice calls out to me. Said voice belonged to a large albino snake, known as the White Snake Sage or Hakuja Sennin, the leader of the snake summons. Sasuke hasn't met her personally, only hearing of her from Orochimaru and his personal summon Aoba, speaking of I should speak with him soon
(snake)
I bow my head, while Jugo drops to his hands and knees.
"Hello to you, Hakuja Sennin. I am thankful that you would-" I say before I get interrupted.
"Yes, I can tell you are. However, there is a far more pressing issue." She said before turning their focus towards Jugo, which causes him to lift his head up. Only to be brutally forced down to the ground along with the rest of his body as the Snake Sage unleashed a massive amount of Killing Intent. It wasn't even directed towards me but I could still feel the raw presence unleashed here, probably laced with what I could guess being Senjutsu.
"What are you doing here, child of the Tenbin?" They spat the name out as if it were a curse. "Your kind was to never set foot here!"
It was rather hard for Jugo to actually say anything considering the state he was in. Not only was he faced with such raw Killing Intent, but he was also facing an issue with his Sage Transformation. He was stuck switching between his normal state and berserker state, with the ink that covered his skin seeming to burn at him.
"It was my decision to bring Jugo here. I was under the understanding that his clan once hailed from here, so I brought him here in hopes of Ryuchi Cave being able to cure him. But judging by your reaction, I can tell that I'm lacking some context."
"To say that your understanding is lacking would be an understatement."
"However I do not place any blame or anger on you, Summoner. You are new to us and as such do not know of our history."
"In that case, would you mind explaining why you had such a reaction to Jugo? What did this Tenbin Clan do to warrant such a response? And could you stop whatever is happening to Jugo, I didn't bring him here to die."
"Hmm, Jugo is what they call you, last child of the Tenbin." Hakuna Sennin comments, and as she does whatever was happening to Jugo stops. "As for that, it was a result of him being here despite those of his bloodline being banished, never to return. But allow me to start from the beginning."
"Long ago, the Tenbin Clan were once allies and summoners of the snakes of Ryuchi Cave. Much like a summoner would do for their summons, they would protect and provide for us in exchange for our aid in battle. But our relationship was unique compared to others like it at the time as we co-existed with each other in the same home. When a shinobi came of age they were injected with natural energy by me to find those worthy of learning senjutsu and becoming Snake Sages. The name Tenbin even came from this, a reference to keeping the balance of natural energy."
"But something went wrong." It always does when it comes to these things.
"When it comes to you humans things often do. A faction of the clan had grown greedy and ungrateful, wishing to rule over Ryuchi Cave. To help them in doing so they created a powerful and ingenious fuuinjutsu, on par with the wonders of the Uzumaki in their glory days, through the extensive study of natural energy and senjutsu chakra, the Heaven and Earth Seal." Hakuja said, anger laced in her words yet contained. "The insolence! In exchange for aiding us, as was expected in our summoning contract, we allow them to live in our home and share our knowledge with them for generations! If it weren't for our generosity they would be nothing. And so it was with our wrath that they became nothing." But soon that anger bursts out, starting off loud before easing into a calm but still present fury.
"For their betrayal, for taking so many lives and tearing our family apart, we used our knowledge of natural energy and the generations of their blood carved into our summoning contract to collectively unleash a jujutsu upon the entire Tenbin bloodline, the corruption of the Heaven and Earth Seal. After that, we severed all ties and forever banished them from the lands near the Ryuchi Cave."
"That curse, it's why I have that murderous rage. All because of greed…" Jugo said, eyes wide at having a question he probably asked for all of his life finally answered.
"Yes, that curse has been ingrained with your clan ever since then. The corruption that has induced an impulse to kill. So that the Tenbin would have to suffer betrayal from their own as we had from them. But for not now for you. I temporarily disabled that seal of yours, if not you would've died by now. That reaction was a measure to prevent the Tenbin from returning."
"So, I'm free. Even if it's just for a moment I'm free. Just like that…" Jugo says blankly before tears of joy burst out of his eyes and down on the ground praising Hakuja. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I promise that from this day forth that I as well as any defendants that I have will never repeat the same mistakes of my ancestors!"
"You're right you won't. Because after the catastrophe of last time, we will not be as trusting or as merciful, to ensure that such a thing will never happen again." She said sharply at Jugo. Then she turned her head towards me. "Summoner, consider this to be the Snakes' first favor to you. And since you're new, I won't ask for anything in return. But next time I will expect proper payment for your next request," To that, I just nod, it was fair enough. "But for now, Jugo will need time here, to learn as his ancestors did and of how to control himself. When you next see him, he will be far beyond the meek child afraid of and lacking control of his power, but a sure man knowledgeable and in an understanding of what he can do."
"And his status?" I ask.
"Never again will the Tenbin rest among us in Ryuchi Cave. Once he has been properly taught, I expect him to leave and never return. And should he repeat the mistake of his ancestors… I am unsure of what his fate will be, but death will be a certainty." She said before she turned back to Jugo and laced her words with Killing Intent as his seal began to burn again. "Do you find these terms agreeable, Jugo Tenbin?"
Hmm, thoroughly derailed my plan to just bail him here but still glad that he's getting proper help, even if they hate his guts. But surely they can't be worse than Orochimaru, they actually want to help him and want him to leave forever, the exact opposite of his previous situation even. As for after, the only places I can see for him are probably a nomad or a monk, which would probably suit him well. A big no for the Leaf and a maybe for Sound depending on how that turns out.
"Yes!" Jugo said, the happiness at the chance to finally get himself under control making any of Hakuja's harsh treatment wash off.
"Good. Tagorihime!" With that a snake- humanoid makes herself known, a young and attractive woman at that, with pale skin, black hair done in a fancy hairstyle along with a fancy white Japanese robe. She simply smiled and bowed to Hakuja and then to me, while ignoring Jugo.
"Yes, Hakuja-sama?" Tagorihime asked, apparently ready to serve. I'm guessing that she's a type of servant, but if so why take the shape of a human? Is this some type of monster girl type thing, maybe these Tenbin people got it on with the snakes however long ago this was, or just an illusion as those are rather common here? It doesn't really matter but it's the only mention of animal people that I remember here, besides Kisame, the Inuzuka and those with animal traits, and that Tiger Mizuki and fish girl from filler (is it canon here?), and since this place is so unexplored I'm a bit curious.
"Gather our ancient teachings, the ones from when the Tenbin still walked among us." Hakuja ordered.
"Pardon me but do you mean what I think you mean? To let one of them into our home after the blood they had spilled?" She asked, confused and a bit angry.
"Yes, but temporarily and only because it's a favor to our new Summoner, the one who killed and replaced Orochimaru. Jugo of the Tenbin is to be taught how to control himself as his ancestors were. This means that the faster that Jugo is taught, the sooner that Ryuuchi Cave will go without the blight of his presence."
"Ah, very well. Then I will endeavor to get him out of our cave as soon as possible. How would you prefer I go about this, Hakuja-sama?"
"Hmm. Use the latest successful teachings for the fastest results, but I do want him to thoroughly learn the pain of the past, to know what the greed and treachery of the Tenbin had cost us and themselves, and what will never again be."
"I see. If pain is what is needed to learn, then there will be plenty of pain to provide," She says eagerly to Hakuja, before turning to Jugo and sneering down at him as if he was scum she was forced to be associated with, and with her noblewoman look and Jugo's status she wouldn't be wrong. "Your family has left plenty for us to go over, Tenbin."
After addressing Jugo she then turned to me. "Despite not liking your favor and hardly knowing you, I still already find you more likable than Orochimaru. You haven't commented on my form at all, or remarked about seeing how well my insides are compared to that of a normal human."
"I find it hard not to be when he sets such examples for me to avoid. Your form, however, is very much not. Despite just meeting you, I hope we can meet again soon." I say with a smirk, channeling my winning smile (which won me from massive discounts/free things to getting banned from establishments and death threats from male owners on my journey)
"And I find it interesting how we haven't already. Normally for a human to meet with Hakuja Sennin-sama they must pass three trials, which are held by my two sisters and myself. Though I suppose that an exception can be made in this case as the Tenbin would be dead otherwise, as much as I'd find it preferable. That said, it was nice to meet our new Summoner. Good day." Tagorihime said, though she retained the same polite smile, I could see a faint pink on her cheeks. She bid me goodbye before bowing to Hakuja and grabbing the back of Jugo's shirt before sinking underground and dragging him with her. Ooh, that won't be fun for Jugo I can imagine.
I'll have to visit, or summon, her another time to learn more about her. Again, animal people weren't in Shippuden or the original fillers or canon last I checked. Would Naruto run into frog girls next? Would Sakura with slug/slime girls? And there's no way that Kakashi doesn't already have bitches. Are there Ninja Turtles too, because I'm pretty sure Gai had a turtle summon before.
"Well, are you surprised?" Hakuja Sennin says after a few moments, probably noticing that I was on a train of thought. Then her own form shifts from a snake to a humanoid appearance, however, she maintains her old age. "She, along with her two sisters, Ichikishimahime and Tagitsuhime, can do the same. It helps them along with myself when conducting our trials or interacting with you humans." She elaborated before she shifted her form back to that of a snake. "Now what are you waiting for Planeswalker? We should hurry along, you can see Tagorihime and the others another time."
Huh, so it was an illusion. But how tho, and why would they give up having thumbs? As a shinobi and guy from the 21st century, I can't imagine going through life without my thumbs or hands. And where did this come from anyway?
"Now that Jugo is gone we can speak of the true reason I suspect you came here in the first place. The Sage of the Six Paths has contacted me through a vision and explained your situation and what happened to our previous summoner. He also asked that I allow you to learn our Sage Mode. Normally you would go through three trials to determine your worth, but his word is enough to bypass all of that." Hakuja informed.
Ah, that explains why she knows about that. I would've preferred not telling her but I can understand why. Since this involved soul shenanigans with me and Sasuke and the technical death of their summoner, I imagine Hakuja wouldn't be speaking with or helping me unless she knew what was going on.
"I thank you for your understanding, Hakuja Sennin." I say with a bow, the one Fugaku taught Sasuke to do to show respect to one who had higher status than you but still showing yourself with respect as well.
"It is nothing. Besides, it would be in the interests of all, not just the Snakes, that Kaguya Otsutsuki remains sealed, for she would bring ruin to alI who bears chakra. Now before I begin the process, I recommend that you let go and unleash the chakra that the Sage has given you, it will help with the process of surviving my bite and awakening what he called Six Paths Sage Mode." She said to me, before absentmindedly mumbling. "To think that one could even go further beyond, fascinating."
To that I don't bother with words, simply nodding my head. I let go and stopped suppressing my full chakra. Once I do so, she bites me in the neck, in a non-lethal area thankfully. She bit me in the same spot Orochimaru did during the Chunin Exams 3 years ago. And damn does it feel strange, having what I can feel as pure natural energy flowing through me when that used to be Orochimaru's natural chakra.
(Drug trip)
Once that finished flowing through I could feel my eyes opening, I didn't even notice that I closed them in the first place. Though a bit sore in the neck.
"Oh my, now that hasn't been a power I've felt since the Sage of the Six Paths reached out to me a few days ago, but that was purely spiritual. I have to say that without a doubt you are by far the powerful sage, human or snake, that Ryuuchi Cave or anywhere else has produced, with the only exception being the Sage himself." She said as she peered at me with, what I could tell, a fascinated curiosity.
From what I remember of Naruto's feats upon gaining that form in addition to what Sasuke has on top of that I'd certainly agree. Hahaha! And a few days ago? That would be around the time that I got inserted into Sasuke in the first place. Geez, such big changes in so little time. (Though it feels far longer for some reason).
"And as for that bite on your neck," she says after seeing me rub at it, "I figured that I'd do you a favor and apply a proper mark on you, not one of the Tenbin's or Orochimaru's inferior recreations, but one from the Snake's of Ryuchi Cave. What I gave you is the Heaven and Earth Seal but refined by using our unparalleled knowledge of Senjutsu, making it far more effective than the human developed ones."
Ah! A bit loud, geez. But not her voice itself, more to say the surroundings around me. Now I know what Superman felt after his super senses kicked in, in terms of them being overwhelming. Except, I already had gotten used to such senses as via having Sasuke's experience with them and using them while walking around. But Senjutsu was a different matter entirely. While I did have memories of using the Curse Mark to access Orochimaru's Nature Chakra, there was a difference of worlds apart between that and using Six Paths Sage Mode, and it wasn't as easy as it was for Naruto to transition from 'normal' Sage Mode into Six Paths Sage Mode. I could sense the Natural Energy all over the Cave, all of the snakes here, Jugo, and Hakuja Sennin here being a beacon with how much of it that's around her. Essentially I had total awareness of my surroundings, and it was by that I noticed the lack of any creature smaller than an insect-like bacteria and how my senses were limited to the area surrounding Ryuchi Cave.
"I see you finally noticed. While you were out, I had a few seals set up around to prevent you from sensing the outside of the Cave and a few to block out the presence of the smallest of creatures. The Sage warned me that you may receive senses far beyond those normally attained by sages and may prove debilitating for you. As you get used to your senses, I will weaken the seals until you are able to perfectly function. Now, anything I may help you with Summoner?"
"Thank you for that. And would you mind explaining the differences between the mark you gave me and the others? The only one I have experience with is Orochimaru's and that may work differently from what you gave me." It never hurts to know everything about your abilities after all, and while I knew things from seeing them in action there may be new things to be learned.
"It serves the same purpose as the others, making you no longer need to stay still to use Senjutsu, absorbing and balancing Nature Energy on your behalf. The differences are that this one is far more efficient and faster in gathering Nature Energy than the others, and the biggest one is the transformation. The Snake Sage Mode that you have access to also has elements of the Tenbin's Sage Transformation, but you'll retain serpentine-like qualities rather than their brutish ones."
Holy shit! She just did for me what took Kabuto a whole bunch of effort to do and something Orochimaru never could, jeez that has to suck for them but honestly I'm too busy enjoying the perks of unlimited Sage Mode. Something I'm gonna rub in Jiraiya and Naruto's faces since I can't do it to Orochimaru.
She must have sensed my excitement as she smiled as well. "Rejoice Planeswalker, you are the first true human practitioner of the Snake Sage Mode in centuries! In addition to this new version of it as well! But do not be too excited, you still have a few lessons to learn before you can be considered a proficient user of the art. Imparted to you should be knowledge of our greatest technique, Sage Art: Inorganic Reanimation."
She's right, similar to how the abilities of the Mangekyou and Rinnegan came to me but not instinctually, more akin to being sent over from email and being able to open it.
"Tagitsuhime!" Again, another humanoid snake woman pops up. Pale skin, dressed in a white and fancy Japanese robe with black long hair.
"Yes, Hakuja-sama. How may I be of assistance?" Tagitsuhime asks as she stands in front of the White Snake Sage.
"I need you to demonstrate the greatest of our Sage Arts to our summoner."
"Huh, to think that I would encounter another human trying to learn our Sage Mode so soon after the last one, but not only that but has actually done so. If you don't mind me asking, what makes you different, Summoner-san?" She asked.
"Nepotism." I simply said.
"Excuse me?" She asked with her eyebrows raised, a bit taken back by my answer.
"Well, you're not wrong Summoner. The Sage of Six Paths' word was the only reason I allowed you to skip the trials after all." Hakuja admitted rather bluntly.
"So you achieved one of the greatest feats in Senjutsu because of a handout, hm? Very well, I'll show you how to use that power. But do not expect it to come as easily." Tagitsuhime said before performing a single ox hand sign. My Rinne-Sharingan eye locks on to it as well as the shift of nature chakra it caused, ingraining the jutsu in my memory.
A set of instincts came in, the one Sasuke had honed and boosted by Six Paths Chakra as well as the one provided by Sage Mode.
I quickly moved out of my former position as a spike that rose from the ground missed the area I was in, and judging from where it was I imagine that while non-lethal it still would've hurt like a bitch. I turn to give Tagitsuhime a look. Not a glare as that would imply that spike would've threatened me at all, but one I usually gave Suigetsu, 'really?'. In return she mere gave me a coy smile.
"It seems that your sensing ability is rather strong to sense my attack. As you can see, with Inorganic Animation, I breathed life into the Cave to use as a weapon to attack you. This works by filling the atmosphere with Natural Energy. Now that you've seen it used by a true master, have you gotten it down novice, or are you in need of-" She finds herself interrupted as she is quickly sucked into the ground. "-another demonstration…" She blinks for a few moments before realizing what just happened, glaring up at me with my hands in a repeat of her motions. "You! You can't just do that!"
"And why not. Surely a true master outta be able to sense the use of Natural Energy, especially by one as undeserving as I." I say with a shit-eating grin while looking down at her. That'll teach you to disrespect my nepotism skills. As for the sinking into the ground, I stole it from the once shown most OP Earthbending move in Avatar the Last Airbender, General Fong I think his name was. But rather than using the motions of my arms and legs like Earthbenders did, I copied the snake woman's motions by placing my hands on the ground and doing as she said with the basis of the Hiding Like a Mole jutsu to pull her down.
Though I do find Inorganic Animation interesting when compared to using regular ninjutsu. Ninjutsu allows people to impact their environment in a certain way while the use of Inorganic Animation could let you use your environment in its entirety for an impact, assuming your location allows for it anyway.
"Because attacking abruptly is my thing." To that Tagitsuhime just rises up from the ground without much effort, with not even a speck of dirt on her as she did. "Well, it seems that you do possess some skill, far more than any human and even most snakes on their first try I'll admit. But my sisters and I are not the ones who hold the trials for Senjutsu without reason, as we are the greatest practitioners of Senjutsu behind Hakuja Sennin-sama herself!" She exclaims with no small amount of pride.
"You seem awfully insistent on those trials meaning something. If me skipping them rustles your jimmies that much then I'll do yours. Besides, it's not like I'll lose my Sage Mode or anything like that," I quickly turn to Hakuja. "Right?"
"Oh no, no. The worst that happens is that she'd eat you out." Hakuja said with a smile that knew what she was saying.
"Oh my, I fail to see how that serves as a deterrent from one so beautiful."
"Hakuja-sama! No!" Tagitsuhime screams in embarrassment before turning back to me, her cheeks red despite being cold-blooded. "What she meant to say is that I'd eat your chakra, and nothing else. I don't find the taste of humans to be appealing at all, not since then…" Whatever she was about to say, probably some painful memory, was quickly dropped. "But enough of that, if you wish to prove that you somewhat deserve your power I'll begin with my stage of the trials. I'll need to bite your neck first."
"My my, so eager to give me a hickey already. Though I doubt that you can out do Hakuja Sennin, I welcome you to try." I say which drew another laugh from the White Snake Sage herself as well as a bit of sputtering from Tagitsuhime.
"I never said I was going to bite your neck, just give me your hand." And seeing that I was about to say something she quickly interrupted me. "And I don't mean your hand in m-marriage or anything like that!" Upon seeing me chuckling and Hakuja laughing, Tagitsuhime started grumbling "You are getting far too much enjoyment out of this."
"Well what can I say, it's quite fun watching you go from high and mighty to a blushing mess is quite-" I start to reply but quickly notice when she moved. What I saw in front of me looked as real as a living person could be, akin to a Bushin, but I saw a strange movement towards the ground she was standing on and could sense that she wasn't there. She was underground moving towards me. I already knew her intentions so I allowed her to continue with them.
"HA!" Tagitsuhime yells once she bursts out of the ground, hands raised in the air even.
"ahhh. what a surprise. Heh."
"That was supposed to be a surprise attack, how did you see through it so quickly!"
"To be honest I noticed that you did something then it was simply a matter of sensing where you were to figure out what you planned."
"Quite impressive Summoner. Not many would expect such a thing, especially newcomers to sensing." She praised, with slight reluctance.
"Thank you. Would that be enough to get your seal of approval then?" I asked.
"Not yet, get through my trial and I'll consider you mostly deserving. Despite not truly earning it you can certainly use Senjutsu effectively."
"It helps that I had practice with a bastardized version of it, even if it was far inferior. Anyway," I hold out my hand. "I believe it's time that we get this over with Tagitsuhime."
With that, she simply grabbed onto me and bit my shoulder. After that I could feel the beginning of a genjutsu being cast over me.
Once it fully takes hold of me I see a few individuals, a highly detailed Suigetsu, somewhat detailed Naruto, and vague but still readable Itachi, and already have a guess towards what kind of trial this was supposed to be.
I just shake my head at this.
"I understand why you did it but you are genuinely an idiot." I say before the illusion can say anything and throw a kunai at Itachi.
I turn to Naruto expecting some grand ol' speech, one right out of a shounen and befitting one of the legendary Talk no- "Hokage Dattebayo!" Or that, I could also get classic Naruto. Again I just throw a kunai at him and move on.
"To be perfectly honest I have no idea why I'm even here. Buuut if I'm important enough to be here clearly I must be quite important to you, eh Sasuke." Vision Suigetsu greeted, his voice and mannerism the most similar to how I remembered him, or perhaps it's how the original Sasuke saw him.
"You are the first person I met since waking up besides Hagoromo, not that I'd ever tell you that tho, so it makes sense that you're here. But honestly, there's not much value you can add here. By the way, your swords are dumb."
"You can't go one day without disrespecting them, can you?"
"Nah."
"I'll see you in the real world then, Sasuke. Or you'll see me there. Dammit, this is confusing." Suigetsu says before turning into water, landing with a splash of water before fading away. And with that, the last illusion is gone.
Not gonna lie this was a bit of a waste. I'm legitimately surprised that I didn't see my past self or some remnant of the actual Sasuke. Then again I was for the most accepting of this new situation, which was leagues better than dealing with the shit show of 2020 and so on, and Sasuke was in the Pure World and probably found peace with the rest of his family. Though I'm not sure what would he take worse, that I'm running around in his body or the truth of the Uchiha Massacre.
Hmm, it seems that despite the illusions leaving I'm still here. Well, then it's time to break out ol' reliable. 'Kai!'
"How!? How did you get through it so quickly!? This trial wasn't supposed to end until you faced the doubts and confusion in your heart. Either succeeding and getting out, or failing and me eating your chakra! Or since you're quite favored I'd just let you go. Still, there has not been once in all my years of doing this a third option happening."
"You see, I'm a simple fellow with a simple goal and the means to fulfill it, so no need for doubt or confusion in my heart, I know what I want and am more than willing to do whatever I deem necessary to get it. And lastly, and most importantly, you tried to cast a genjutsu on an Uchiha, it doesn't tend to end well for most people." I said, finishing off with the trademark Uchiha smirk.
"You. You are one of the most frustrating humans I have had to deal with, and I had to deal with Orochimaru and his incessant whining over never mastering our Sage Mode."
"I can't imagine his trials being better than mine."
"No, you are just the most irritating. That man was just nightmare fuel. So I suppose I was wrong in there never being a third option, just a case I very much wish to forget. But enough of that, you passed my trial so I now consider you to be mostly deserving of Senjutsu. Anyway, with that all said and done, I'll start teaching you the basics of proper Senjutsu use. After all, dropped into incredible power you may be, talent without training is nothing."
"Very well, I'm rather eager and ready to learn Tagitsuhime-sensei." I said with a smile.
"Sensei eh, what brought upon this? Some proper respect at last?" She inquired with her eyebrow raised.
"I'm always respectful with those who have something to teach. My favorites, in particular, being those with a stick and some leather, one of which you got plenty of alr- You know, for a cold-blooded creature you turn red an awful lot, could it be that I'm making you all hot and bothered."
To that, she was red for a bit before she sighed, closed her eyes and started chuckling. "Oh, then you'll love me as there will be sticks. All you can ask for and more." She ends with another chuckle before sinking into the ground. Then all of the walls became sharp, like spikes and spears and anything else that could be called sharp. And rapidly heading in my direction hoo boy.
--
Following that opening move, Tagitsuhime proceeded to demonstrate the rather varied and destructive uses of Inorganic Animation. Of which would've definitely skewered most A ranks/jonin and left an injury or two on a S rank.
To best describe how it went, I'd say it was like Undertale except I was the heart and the Cave was the box and projectiles. So it was easy enough to deal with once I got used to it, before quickly descending into a fan game and then Touhou tier of bullet hell. Her constant attempts to drag me underground every time I touched a spike that was still connected to the Cave was also annoying but I found it funny that she was still salty over my first use of Inorganic Animation.
The main reason I even got hit, glancing blows at most before, was because Hakuja was cheating, biased referees I swear, by dropping the seals as time went on, allowing me to sense much more of my surroundings. Which proved to be quite distracting/disorienting at first when trying to play a game of everything is lava, even more so when I was ordered to keep my eyes shut as to solely rely on my sensing upon halfway though. But what better way is there to get used to something than to get it and be thrown into the thick of it? The bright side of that however is that I learned how to use my fingers and feet to channel enough natural energy briefly for Inorganic Manipulation to aid me in my defense and slight attack, using the parts of the Cave that were trying to hit me as my shield, leaping point, and occasional sword.
My reason for me hardly attacking is so I didn't accidentally kill Tagitsuhime, despite wanting to get her back for the hassle of having to avoid anything solid in the cave. But I did give her a few hits, when she wasn't staying deep underground as if that wasn't cheap and against the spirit of the thing. Not going to lie I'd much rather deal with Kabuto, at least he isn't as experienced with Inorganic Animation as she was and I was free to kill him, since I have Truth-Seeking Orbs to deal with the Edo Tenseis if I was ever in such a scenario.
Oh yeah, those. I also used those a lot. The Truth-Seeking Orbs were my one friend during that whole ordeal, being the only physical thing I can trust not to betray me to Tagitsuhime. Not to say that I couldn't just take control from her, I certainly had enough power to do so, but I didn't have the skill so she either took back control or the many pieces of the cave I was trying to use blew up from me putting in too much chakra. But by the end, my skill had improved quite nicely. I wasn't better than her, who had been doing this for who knows how long, but thanks to being enough of a genius to pick it up and then having to use a lot I certainly got good with Inorganic Animation.
"You know, there hasn't been this much damage in the cave since we've fought a war here. Daughter of mine I expected better from you, all this destruction and he only has a few scratches on him." Hakuja scolds, more upset at her now apparent daughter for the lack of damage to me than the cave since she easily fixed it back up once we were done. And I guess it'd make sense that Tagitsuhime along with her sisters were the daughters to the White Snake Sage, it explains the 'hime' in their names and them all being good with Senjutsu.
"I could've sworn I saw some blood. And I know I hit you hard enough for at least bruises." Tagitsuhime grumbled as she glared at me after taking in my appearance. She was right about the bruises, but the nice thing about Six Paths Sage Mode was the healing factor that, while not as good as Naruto's or Madara's due to not having a fucking Biju to beef it up, was certainly more than good enough to make minor injuries a thing of the past, as long as I had chakra at least.
I'm touched that you're so concerned about my well being, but there's no need to worry too much about me. Even though I am a bit sore. It'll heal soon, probably sooner than I can explain, but hey! I don't mind being taken care of." I assured with a wink, looking away sheepishly when I noticed she was staring daggers into my face. Well it was kinda cute…
Tagitsuhime huffed, crossing her arms and turning her head away before looking back at me, "Summoner you are quite a pain, but I will admit that you have done rather well to keep up with me," She praises before face turns angry with her next couple of words. "But do not think that I didn't notice that you were holding back. Of course, I know that your full power would"ve destroy Ryuchi Cave in its entirety had you used it, but the least you could've done was not hold back so much, otherwise, I could hardly claim to have beaten you if the only effort you've shown was towards avoidance and the use of those damn orbs of yours for defense." She growled out, glaring at the Truth-Seeking Orbs hovering behind me. It was quite the surprise for her when she noticed and then tried to use Inorganic Animation on my Truth-Seeking Orbs, only for them to completely no sell her attempts. Despite Senjutsu and physical force being their only weaknesses, Tagitsuhime had neither of which were sufficient enough in strength to overcome them, especially when my Senjutsu chakra was beyond her own. To say that this pissed her off might be putting it a tad bit lightly, but it sure was satisfying to watch the bustedness of the Orbs in action. Before Hakuja lifted more seals which let me sense the Natural Energy of the bacteria which gave me a slip or three.
"Do not think that I am letting this go." She hissed out, pointing a finger in my face as she glared at me, "Just because I have given up on winning against you now doesn't mean that I cannot try to later. For now, I wish you a good day, Summoner. It seems that I have much to improve on if I am to do better the next time we face, I haven't had such a challenge in a while. Now then, I shall look forward to facing you again." Tagitsuhime said before bowing towards her mother and walking away. I simply wave as she goes.
"And since when do you walk? I thought you'd either slither away or go through the ground." I asked.
"I have these legs for a reason do I not? As you can clearly see, I am using them." Tagitsuhime replied as she looked back at me.
"I hardly saw you use them with how often you'd like to hide in the ground. Perhaps the next time we meet, you can give me a thorough demonstration of how those legs work, hm?" I tease with a grin.
She rolled her eyes at me, and it seemed that I was losing my effect, "Perhaps I may consider it if you can use your mouth as well as you run it. Though I wouldn't count on it, Summoner." Tagitsuhime snorted but smirked slightly as she walked off. It took me a moment to realize that she actually was smiling as opposed to blushing madly as she had before.
"Well, well, I didn't expect you to bite back after all your previous reactions." I chuckled as I waved her off.
With my goodbyes said I turned toward Hakuja Sennin whose attention was towards the direction of her daughter. Before she then shifted it towards me.
"You have quite the effect on her, Planeswalker. Not many snakes have spoken so openly with Tagitsuhime or her sisters due to their status as my children, either out of fear or respect of it. Of course, it is to be expected from them, but it has been a while since they've interacted with humans in such a manner. So I thank you for your levity." She said, her serpentine mouth in a smile. Before she went back to normal as she then got serious. "And now your time here comes to a close. You have learned to a sufficient degree on how to utilize the art of Senjutsu. As you are now you should be more than capable of fulfilling your goals. Now go, ensure that Kaguya Otsutsuki can never threaten us! And go, knowing that as our summoner, we will take care of you as you will take care of us." Sounds fair enough, although I do wonder if that will still apply once I leave this world, probably for the best to keep in touch at least.
Before I am ready to go, I lower myself back into the standard Snake Sage Mode. It was one thing to walk around as an Indra or Asura reincarnate with Six Paths Chakra, there was always a possibility or something close to it happening on its own despite it being unlikely, and it could be rationalized that neither knew the full truth. But it was another thing to have one of them walking around with powers of both. And I really didn't want Zetsu to go into hiding or pull some panicked emergency plan of some sort.
I simply nod with a little bow and with that,
'POOF'
I am sent back to the Elemental Nations all the more different.
I find myself in the same place I was before I was reversed summoned, and find Karin and Suigetsu right in front of me.
"Sasuke! You've been gone for three hours, geez. Anyway, what took you so long, and what happened to Jugo?" Suigetsu asked, who seemed to have been in the middle of some minor training with his sword while I was gone..
"Better yet, why is it that your chakra can never stay the same? The first time I met you, you were a normal genin, the next time you had a piece of Orochimaru on you, next you felt so alien, then that alien feeling turns otherworldly, now it's that yet all too natural! Which is funny because most shinobi don't go through such drastic changes in their chakra in such a short time!" She gets a little manic so I put my hands on her shoulders to keep her steady. "Ah, but I'm sure you already have an explanation so please forgive me for freaking out a little, I'm just concerned."
"I'm alright Karin, in fact, this is the best I've ever been. What you're feeling right now is my newfound Senjutsu chakra that I've attained via Snake Sage Mode." I leave out the mention of Six Paths to limit any risk of Zetsu or Obito somehow overhearing it. Speaking of which, I use to check my surroundings for signs of life. Of which I find not many as an area like the wastelands wouldn't support as much life as a forest can, it's through this that I don't sense any human or human-sized plant life. Good to have.
"Senjutsu, that's what that was. It feels so different from what I know of it from Orochimaru's use of it. But of course, when it comes to you, things always feel better." Karin said, grabbing onto me to prove her point.
"And as for Jugo, the Snakes have temporarily taken him in. It turns out that his clan was a part of Ryuchi Cave long ago like I said, but were kicked out due to bad blood, so right now they're teaching Jugo of his clan's history and how to properly control his abilities as a favor to me. The White Snake Sage herself told me that the next time we saw him that he'd be in full control of himself." I continue with my explanation.
"Ah, so we won't have to deal with a rampaging monster now or in the future, that's good. As much as I can appreciate a good rampage, it's typically when I won't end up on the receiving end. But I do have a bigger concern, why do you have the Curse Mark again, and what's up with your skin and eyes?" Suigetsu narrowed his eyes when he mentioned the Curse Mark. Which is a fair concern, with how powerful I am now it would be a disaster to deal with Orochimaru in control of it. And my new features didn't help with that worry either.
"Ah, that. Before you worry or go crazy, Orochimaru is still very much non-existent or very dead. What I have here is a perfect replica of Jugo's mark, which was applied to me by the White Snake Sage so I could use Sage Mode without worrying about turning to stone or a snake. My skin and eyes are also from Sage Mode." Of course, that only applies to my base eye with it gaining a yellow snake-like slit, the Rinnegan still hidden with a Henge. As for my skin, it resembled what Kabuto looked like, with the partially scaly skin and horns at the side of my head. I even had the option to grow out a snake tail but chose to leave that alone until later as it's strange. Strange because I'm used to such a feeling due to having previously grown those wing hands, which I also have back, as well as the option to do all that Jugo did. Still feels weird that I only now noticed how much my body has changed once I left Ryuchi Cave, though my focus was drawn mainly towards Senjutsu for most of my time there.
"Good, good. Well now that we're done with Jugo for now and you've got a new look, again, what now?" Suigetsu asked.
"Simple, as I mentioned before, our next destination will be to the Land of Sound. To clean up any loose ends left from Orochimaru's time alive and keep anyone there from doing something stupid, like unleashing a murder plague or starting a civil war. Basically, we'll put any foolish ambitions, be they his or anyone else's, to rest." And with that said we made off to the next stage on-
"Great, now go summon your giant chakra warrior. If we hurry, the nearest town or village would only be an hour or so away and may have some decent food and water for us before nightfall, because these rations just ain't shit."
"We won't be using the Perfect Susanoo." I said, a bit sad honestly.
"What?!" Suigetsu yelled, clearly not too enthused by the idea of having to walk after experiencing the convenience of air travel. Trust me buddy I have it way worse, haha. Sigh "Whhhyyy?" He cried out in mock agony. To be fair I wouldn't want walk in a wasteland either.
"Unfortunately the sky is cleared of clouds at the moment, so it'd gain far too much suspicion to use it. Eventually we'd have to land and I'd much rather not advertise that I can become something on par with a Biju in size. So once more your ears will have to greet the beat of feet."
"Nooooooooo." Wither or not that was in response to my little rhyme or the news, probably both, I didn't care much.
So we made off to the nearest place of civilization, to restock and some rest, before we made way to the Village Hidden in the Sound.
I won't lie, out of all of the chapters written so far, this feels the most like filler. And this is a bit raw but honestly I just wanted to get this out, so I may make a few changes here or there (probably the ending I'm not too thrilled with it). This was legit supposed to be around 4 to 5k words, but I got too much into characters interacting for my own good, yeesh.
Originally these parts were much shorter. But I also wanted to give Jugo some attention before leaving him in Ryuchi Cave for a little while. At first I just had the Snakes take him in with open arms but realized that it was way too simple, if it was that easy canon would've mentioned it, so I borrowed an idea from Narutoversity that I liked for his family history.
As for why Sasuke getting Sage Mode was so long, it was something that was originally much short but I introduced the other snakes because Shippuden was bare on the details for the Snakes and I liked some of the ideas Boruto introduced so I took the Snake sisters and added them in. I also added more detail since summons are rather useful and personal allies, so things had to be cleared up before Sasuke could just work with them since he's not truly him. I also had Sasuke train with it outside of Ryuchi Cave, thanks to the new Seal allowing him to gather the chakra passively, but after I had the other snakes in I thought that it'd never hurt to learn Senjutsu in a safe place with people who know enough about it to help you should you need it.
Though they don't have much of a personality due to having so little screen time, I liked what I gave Tagitsuhime and she had some fun interactions with Sasuke.
Something good from this I could say is that I already have some of chapter 6 written out already, but again that'll take some time to write out.
So I thank you guys for reading! I hope some or most of you liked it and please leave your thoughts. Tell me what you liked, what you didn't, or any sort of suggestion/criticism really. And I hope you all have a good day.
(So I only have half of what I mentioned in the last spoiler. So the next half should happen, as for after said events I'm not too sure. Depends on how long it will be. )