The White Snake Sage fell into deep thought, watching as the Seiryū (Azure Dragon) vanished without a trace. Her gaze shifted to Zixu, who stood there, smiling apologetically. The cave was silent—almost unnervingly so.
"Well… if I told you that I was training in Sennin Mōdo (Sage Mode) and reached the level of reverting to my original form, would you believe me?" Zixu offered, making up nonsense on the spot. He didn't expect them to buy it, but he figured it was worth a try.
Princess Ichikishimahime, who had been curled up on the ground with her hands over her head, slowly peeked up. Only after confirming that the Dragon was gone did she cautiously get to her feet. She hesitated before approaching Zixu, then picked up a stone pillar and gave him a light poke. After confirming that he was solid and real, she finally dared to step closer.
"It's really you… What was that? That Azure Dragon—was it really the result of Sage Mode training? You look kinda exhausted." Ichikishimahime's eyes gleamed with curiosity. Could Sage Mode really be that powerful? She had always thought the whole concept was exaggerated. After all, not even the White Snake Sage had achieved the legendary Ryūka (Dragon Transformation).
Zixu took a deep breath, still adjusting from the transformation. He had yet to fully control his Ryūka, and every time he used it, the strain on his body was immense. Fortunately, his endurance and recovery rate were exceptional. Otherwise, his power would've drained him dry by now.
"I'll be fine. Just consider it part of my training," he said nonchalantly. Feeling a gnawing hunger, he rummaged through a sealed scroll and pulled out some food. Squatting down, he began to eat.
The White Snake Sage finally spoke, her voice carrying a tinge of awe. "Young one… I never imagined you would reach such a level…"
The initial shock had passed, but the lingering excitement remained. Her massive serpentine form began to shrink, twisting and morphing until she took on the guise of a short, wrinkled old woman.
Tagorihime and Tagitsuhime stepped forward, studying Zixu with keen interest. They reached out, touching his arms, poking his stomach, examining his face with curious fingers.
Annoyed, Zixu waved them off mid-bite. "Oi! Cut that out!"
Tagorihime smirked. "I still prefer your battle form—hulking muscles, horns, the whole thing. Muscles are romantic."
Zixu rolled his eyes, brushing off her comment. "I came back to Ryūchi Cave to learn new Jutsuwaza (Mystic Techniques). Anything else you can teach me, I'll take it." He got straight to the point—there was no reason to beat around the bush. He had learned Sage Mode here when he was a kid, without fear. Why would he be afraid now?
The shrine maidens rarely spoke, but they now stood respectfully behind the White Snake Sage, awaiting her response.
The Sage's face remained unreadable, though the glimmer of excitement in her eyes hadn't faded. She had just witnessed a true dragon—something no one in Ryūchi Cave had ever accomplished before.
And then, she dropped a statement that caught Zixu completely off guard.
"You… are not human."
"???" Zixu froze mid-chew, staring at her as if she had just grown another head. I just came to learn some techniques, and now you're telling me I'm not human? What the hell?
The White Snake Sage elaborated, though the meaning didn't change much. "What I mean is… you are likely not a pure human."
Zixu thought about it for a moment before shrugging. "Well, I suppose that's fair. My transformation isn't exactly normal."
The White Snake Sage took a long drag from her pipe, exhaling slowly. "Senjutsu manifests differently depending on the user's nature and instincts. One can also integrate Sennin Chakra (Sage Chakra) into existing techniques. My question about your humanity ties into that. Since you are not fully human… this may work in your favor."
A flicker of intrigue crossed Zixu's face. "Oh?"
The White Snake Sage's lips curled into a knowing smile. "I possess many Hiden Jutsuwaza (Forbidden Mystic Techniques) that the human body cannot withstand. But you… may be able to learn them."
She paused deliberately, opening her usually squinted eyes slightly, a shrewd gleam within them. "However… there will be another test."
Zixu didn't hesitate. He patted his chest confidently and declared, "I live and die with Ryūchi Cave. This place is my second home! The people here? Top-tier. Love the atmosphere."
The White Snake Sage had initially intended to pry into the secret behind Zixu's transformation. However, his playful yet evasive response made her pause. She decided not to push the matter further—at least for now.
Instead, Tagorihime, who had no reservations, blurted out, "Enough nonsense! Spill it—what's the secret to turning into a dragon?" Her voice held a desperate eagerness. After witnessing a real dragon, how could she ever be satisfied with remaining a mere snake?
Zixu scratched his head. "It's all about talent. I don't have a concrete method, but maybe you can gain insight under a dragon's aura. If you want to transform, you'll have to rely on yourselves."
Tagorihime frowned but didn't argue.
"I can release my Ryū-ryoku (Dragon's Might) to help with your training… but I have conditions."
The White Snake Sage narrowed her eyes, then nodded, gesturing for him to state his terms.
Zixu wiped his mouth after finishing the last bite of meat. "Simple. I want full access to Sage Arts training grounds and techniques. Also, I want backup in future battles."
The White Snake Sage tapped her pipe, mulling over his request. After a brief hesitation, she nodded in agreement. "However, we cannot guarantee that those who come here to train will survive. That is the law of this land."
Tagitsuhime and Tagorihime backed her up. "This is our duty. Those who fail the trials perish. That is how it has always been."
Zixu waved a hand dismissively. "Relax. No outsiders are getting a free pass. But hey, if they fail, they fail. Simple as that." His casual attitude toward essentially bending the rules irritated them.
Ichikishimahime puffed up indignantly. "That's wrong! We can't just—"
Before she could finish, Zixu let out a controlled pulse of Uo Uo no Mi: Seiryū (Fish-Fish Fruit: Azure Dragon Form) power.
The surrounding air grew thick with draconic energy. Ichikishimahime, who had been ranting, instantly froze. Then, much like a cat sniffing catnip, she sat down cross-legged and greedily absorbed the residual Ryū-ryoku(Dragon's Might)in the air.
"Oh… ohhh… actually… maybe it's fine," she murmured dreamily, practically melting into the ground as she soaked in the energy.
Zixu smirked. "See? No big deal." He turned to the others. "Alright, let's get to it. You want to be dragons? I got you. Now let's talk magic."
The White Snake Sage exhaled, then waved a hand. "Very well. We shall start with Fushi Tensei (Inorganic Reincarnation)."
As the preparations began, a bold idea suddenly struck Zixu.
He glanced at the countless petrified statues scattered throughout Ryūchi Cave—the remains of those who failed Sage Mode training.
"If an imbalance in Senjutsu Chakra turns humans into stone statues…" Zixu mused aloud.
His gaze sharpened.
"…Then, if I inject unbalanced Sennin Chakra into someone else… wouldn't that turn them into a statue?"
The shrine maidens all fell silent.
Tagorihime blinked. "You're one twisted bastard, you know that?"
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