Thinking of this, Sora’s tone softened slightly. He said thoughtfully,
"Since that is the case, after I finish handling the matters at hand, I may visit Ryūchi Cave later if I have ti."
Hearing this, Tagitsuhi’s eyes imdiately lit up.
Although it was only a hint of agreent and not a definite promise, this was already significant progress.
As long as Sora was willing to make contact, Ryūchi Cave would have the opportunity to demonstrate its "value" and have a chance to win him over.
"Really?"
"That is wonderful. The White Snake Sage would surely be very pleased if she knew."
Tagitsuhi’s eyes shifted. She imdiately seized the opportunity and proposed,
"In that case, why not let this elder sister stay by your side for the ti being?"
"First, it would allow you to understand our Ryūchi Cave more directly and deepen our mutual relationship."
"Second, if you have any questions about natural energy or dragon lineage during your cultivation, I can promptly answer them or relay them back to Ryūchi Cave to consult the White Snake Sage."
"Thirdly..."
Tagitsuhi licked her red lips, her eyes seductive. "With a beauty like accompanying you, the journey won’t be so boring, right."
Sora looked at Tagitsuhi. Under his mask, his eyebrows raised slightly.
Letting a dangerous beautiful snake follow him.
This was undoubtedly placing an uncertain factor by his side.
But on the other hand, this might also be an opportunity to observe and understand Ryūchi Cave up close.
Moreover, as long as he did not go to Ryūchi Cave, the other party’s ho ground, with just one Tagitsuhi, even if she had any malicious intent, given his current strength, he could handle it. It wouldn’t cause much trouble.
Keeping her under his watchful eye was better than letting her spy from the shadows or go back and stir up trouble.
After weighing the pros and cons, Sora nodded.
"Fine."
Seeing Sora agree so readily, Tagitsuhi was montarily taken aback. Then her smile grew even brighter, and her clothes couldn’t help but slip down a tiny bit more.
"Young man is indeed straightforward."
She thought to herself with secret satisfaction, believing her charm had finally taken effect.
As long as she stayed by his side, there would always be ways to slowly build the relationship and figure out Sora’s background and needs.
Sora said no more. He turned and continued walking towards the direction of Konoha.
Tagitsuhi then chuckled softly. She followed unhurriedly a few ters behind him. Her purple skirt swayed in the night breeze, like a shadow following closely.
...
In front of the Konoha village gates.
Two Chunin on guard duty straightened up and saluted respectfully after seeing the approaching figure.
"Azure Dragon Lord."
But their gazes were involuntarily drawn to the alluring and enchanting figure behind Sora. Their eyes held a mix of amazent and wariness.
One of them hesitated for a mont but still spoke up to ask.
"Azure Dragon Lord, who is this."
Sora did not stop walking. He just replied flatly.
"Tagitsuhi of Ryūchi Cave. The Hokage knows about this."
Hearing this, the two guards, though still curious and sowhat fearful of Tagitsuhi who exuded an unusual charm, imdiately stepped aside and asked no more.
"Azure Dragon Lord, please."
Entering the village, Sora could feel Tagitsuhi’s interested gaze from behind, taking in everything about Konoha.
Sora paid no attention to her reaction. He headed straight for the Hokage Building.
...
Inside the Hokage’s office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen finished listening to Sora’s brief report. He pondered for a mont.
"You wish to study in the Anbu ninjutsu archives to address your shortcomings."
"Yes."
Sora replied simply.
"From battling strong opponents like Kitsuchi and even the Third Tsuchikage, this subordinate deeply feels his ninjutsu thods are too limited. It is difficult to handle complex battle situations."
Sarutobi Hirzzen took a puff of his pipe. He said slowly,
"Hmm. Having the drive to improve is good. You have contributed much to the village. You do indeed qualify to enter the Anbu ninjutsu archives for study. Go ahead. I will notify the guards."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama."
Sora nodded slightly. He did not ntion a word about the forbidden techniques on the Scroll of Seals.
Given the rits he had ostensibly earned, it wasn’t impossible to exchange them for the right to learn one or two forbidden techniques. But that was before he secretly transferred the orphanage personnel out of Konoha.
And Sarutobi Hiruzen had no intention of bringing it up proactively.
rits could be rewarded. Authority could be granted. But when it ca to the village’s most core secrets, especially those powerful forbidden techniques, he had to be cautious.
A delicate balance was maintained between the two of them. An unspoken understanding.
At this mont, Sarutobi Hiruzen’s gaze turned towards Tagitsuhi, who had been standing quietly and smiling charmingly behind and to the side of Sora. His eyes beca slightly sharper.
"You are Tagitsuhi of Ryūchi Cave."
Tagitsuhi gave a slight bow.
"I have long heard of the Hokage-sama’s great na. This humble one is Tagitsuhi. I extend greetings to you on behalf of Ryūchi Cave."
Sarutobi Hiruzen’s tone was even, not revealing any emotion.
"Ryūchi Cave has long stayed out of worldly affairs. For what purpose have they sent you to Konoha this ti."
"Hohoho, Hokage-sama need not worry."
Tagitsuhi covered her mouth with a light laugh. "This humble one’s journey is mainly to follow Lord Sora and discuss with him so... questions about the source of power. Ryūchi Cave harbors no ill will towards Konoha. Perhaps in the future, there might even be possibilities for cooperation."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked deeply at Tagitsuhi. He glanced at the expressionless Sora. Thoughts turned in his mind.
Ryūchi Cave, as one of the Three Great Sage Lands, its attitude and power could not be underestimated.
Their initiative to contact Sora, whether it was a blessing or a curse, was still unknown.
But for now, it seed at least superficially polite.
Moreover, Ryūchi Cave had a good relationship with his disciple Orochimaru, which also ant its relationship with Konoha and with Sarutobi Hiruzen himself was decent.
"In that case, during your stay in Konoha, you must abide by Konoha’s rules."
Sarutobi Hiruzen finally said in a deep voice, tacitly allowing her presence.
Tagitsuhi responded with a smile.
"That is only natural. Thank you, Hokage-sama."
...
When they left the Hokage Building, it was already evening.
Sora was walking on the road towards the underground Anbu base when, at a street corner not far away, he ran into three familiar figures.
It was precisely the team of Asuma, Kurenai, and Uesugi Min, whom he hadn’t seen for months.
"Sora."
Kurenai saw him. Her wine-red eyes instantly brightened. A smile appeared on her face as she walked over quickly.
Asuma also greeted with a smile.
"Yo, isn’t this our very busy man. Back from the front lines so soon."
His gaze was then drawn to the enchanting Tagitsuhi behind Sora. Obvious amazent and curiosity flashed in his eyes.
As for Uesugi Min, the mont she saw Sora, her eyes brightened briefly, but soon dimd again.
She stood in place. Her lips moved slightly, as if she wanted to greet him, but didn’t know what to say. In the end, she just lowered her head slightly.
"Hmm. Ca back to handle so matters."
Sora nodded at the three of them. His gaze lingered on Kurenai’s face for a mont, and he also noticed Uesugi Min’s unusual silence.
Asuma’s eyes swept back and forth between Tagitsuhi and Kurenai. A look of teasing, "spectator" amusent appeared on his face. He nudged the Uesugi Min beside him with his elbow.
Uesugi Min raised her head and t Asuma’s gaze. She forced out a faint smile.
---
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