Chapter 45: Sage Mode of the Serpent
After Uchiha Douhuan saw through the illusion of Ryūchi Cave, Tashin Kamihime stopped trying to maintain the illusion and led him deeper into the cave.
Soon, two more shrine maidens dressed similarly to Kamihime joined them. One of them, a younger girl named Ichikishima-hime, glanced at Douhuan with a somewhat displeased expression.
"What a letdown... We finally got a new challenger, and he just bypasses the trial like that. How boring," she muttered.
Douhuan didn't mind her comment, simply following the three shrine maidens without a word. As they moved further into the cave, the surroundings grew darker, and stone-carved human limbs—remnants of those who had failed the Sage Trial—began to appear on both sides of the passage.
However, none of this seemed to affect Douhuan. His expression remained calm and indifferent.
Unable to hold back her curiosity, Ichikishima-hime finally spoke up.
"Aren't you curious about what these are?"
Douhuan replied casually, "They're just the remains of those who failed to master Sage Mode, right? Those who seek power must be prepared to face failure."
"Well said," commented the third shrine maiden, Tagitsuhime, with a smile. "I do hope you succeed, Douhuan-sama. Otherwise, it would be such a pity to have to taste you after your failure."
They finally arrived at the deepest part of Ryūchi Cave. The cavern was dimly lit, with a massive white serpent coiled on a stone throne. Its body was adorned with golden rings, engraved with countless ancient runes. On its head, two large dragon horns protruded, signifying its evolution toward becoming a Dragon.
The three shrine maidens bowed in unison.
The massive serpent, White Snake Sage, shifted its colossal body, creating a grinding noise as its scales scraped the stone floor.
"You three can leave now. Let me have a private conversation with our guest, Uchiha Douhuan," the sage ordered.
"Yes, White Snake Sage." The three shrine maidens bowed and withdrew from the chamber.
Once they were gone, the White Snake Sage looked directly at Douhuan with its ancient, piercing eyes.
"It has been many years since I last saw a descendant of Indra come to this place," the sage began.
Douhuan raised an eyebrow. "Indra? Is that supposed to be one of our clan's ancestors?"
"Yes, he is the very origin of your Uchiha bloodline," the sage replied.
"The very first Uchiha... Huh," Douhuan mused. "You must have been around a long time to know that. I suppose it's true that the sages of the Three Great Summoning Grounds have unnaturally long lifespans."
The sage chuckled. "I have never personally met Indra, but his legacy and presence were well known even in my time. He was one of the sons of the Sage of Six Paths, the creator of Ninjutsu and the Shinobi World."
"Then you're saying the Uchiha are direct descendants of the Sage of Six Paths?" Douhuan asked.
The sage nodded. "That's correct."
"So we're the descendants of a Sage... That's quite the revelation," Douhuan said, smirking. "But what's the point of telling me this? Are you trying to influence me like the Great Toad Sage at Mount Myōboku? If so, I'll stop you right now. I'm not some prophecy-driven puppet like Jiraiya."
The sage's eyes narrowed as it laughed. "You misunderstand, Douhuan. Ryūchi Cave has no interest in shaping the future of the human world. I merely spoke of it on a whim. However, aren't you curious about the legacy of your ancestors?"
Douhuan shrugged. "Not really. Human history is a cycle of power struggles and betrayal. Nothing changes over the centuries. Why should I be interested?"
"Hahaha... What a refreshing outlook," the sage mused. "You are unlike any of Indra's descendants I have seen. Most of them are driven by hatred and ambition, but you... You are different. I must admit, I find myself curious about what kind of future you will create."
The White Snake Sage slithered closer, lowering its massive head.
"Show me your hand."
Douhuan extended his left hand, removing his wrist guard.
The sage opened its mouth and bit down on his wrist, injecting natural energy into Douhuan's body.
A sharp pain coursed through his veins as violent natural energy rushed into his system. In an instant, his body began to transform—scales sprouted along his arms and legs, and his feet began to turn to stone.
The sage silently observed, unmoving. In Ryūchi Cave, there were no second chances. Whether it was Douhuan or anyone else, failure meant death or petrification. Even though the sage admired Douhuan's spirit, it would not intervene.
Just as the transformation was about to consume his entire body, Douhuan's eyes snapped open. His left eye spun rapidly, lightning-shaped tomoe whirling in his Mangekyō Sharingan, and blood tears streamed from his eye.
Instantly, the chaotic natural energy was forcibly subdued, merging harmoniously with his chakra, creating a perfect Sage Chakra. The petrified areas reverted back to normal, and the snake-like features faded. The only change that remained was the purple eye shadow around his eyes and a vertical slit in the center of his Sharingan.
Breathing heavily, Douhuan wiped away the blood and felt the immense power of Sage Mode surging within him. The once-wild natural energy now flowed smoothly, revitalizing his body and restoring his eye power.
He couldn't help but laugh triumphantly, his voice echoing through the chamber.