"So, this is Ryūchi Cave? Looks so gloomy, like the exact opposite of Mount Myōboku."
Shadow Avatar #2 muttered, standing before a place that resembled an abandoned building.
Despite the comnt, his expression was serious. He could sense terrifying energy sources within the cave.
"Good thing I’m just an Avatar," he murmured to himself softly before stepping inside.
Ryūchi Cave was dark and damp, making the pervasive moisture sent a chill through Avatar #2’s body.
Activating his sensory abilities to the maximum, he imdiately detected three snakes.
The snakes floated silently in midair, watching him. The mist here was so thick, however, that even his sharp senses couldn’t discern their shapes clearly.
More curiously, Avatar #2 couldn’t sense any chakra from them; it was only by detecting their life energy that he beca aware of their presence.
To conceal their chakra so thoroughly and float effortlessly in midair, there was little doubt that these three snakes were Tagorihi, Ichikishimahi, and Kuzuhi, the humanoid serpents.
These were the White Snake Sage’s most trusted subordinates, responsible for evaluating those seeking Ryūchi Cave's trials.
Avatar #2 recalled them vividly from Boruto.
Afterall, their trials had been quite morable.
‘So, where’s my test? Co on, I’m ready!’
Inwardly, Avatar #2 was eager.
Knowing the "answers" to these trials made him look forward to showing off. After all, there was a certain pleasure in acting like you already had everything figured out.
But to his dismay, the three snakes refused to initiate anything, simply floating silently as Avatar #2 ventured deeper into Ryūchi Cave. They followed him at a steady pace, maintaining their distance.
This set him on edge.
If the usual trial rules had changed, his foresight might no longer be useful.
Thankfully, he was only an Avatar. Even if sothing went wrong, it wouldn’t matter.
After a few more minutes of walking, one of the large snakes in the sky seed to receive a command. It descended gracefully, blocking Avatar #2’s path.
Before him stood a stunning girl, with flowing green hair and a golden crown adorned with a sphere at its peak.
Shadow Avatar #2 couldn’t help but admire her beauty.
But having watched Boruto, he knew her true form.
She had another appearance; with golden slit pupils, red eyeliner extending to her nose, pale skin, a white robe with a magatama-shaped green ornant on her chest, sharp teeth, and a blue tongue.
The stark contrast between her two appearances was like comparing a goddess to a ghoul.
The girl before him was none other than Tagorihi.
Avatar #2 maintained a calm gaze, saying nothing. Since she had approached him, it was clear she had sothing to say.
Sure enough, Tagorihi spoke.
"The Sage has decreed: if you wish to et her, you must co in person."
Her words startled Avatar #2, leaving him speechless.
Why must he use his real body to et the White Snake Sage? This was blatant discrimination against shadow Avatars!
"Coming in person is dangerous," he replied. "After all, we're talking about one of the Three Great Sagesl; the White Snake Sage, a being that’s lived for countless years, with extraordinary abilities and unparalleled power."
He said this not only to Tagorihi but knowing full well that every word spoken here would reach the White Snake Sage’s ears.
Hearing this, Tagorihi frowned. "It seems you know many of Ryūchi Cave’s secrets. Since you’re aware of the White Snake Sage’s power, don’t you find it disrespectful to co as a re shadow avatar?"
Her eyes shifted to slits, radiating cold indifference.
Avatar #2’s thoughts churned. Her specific reference to "shadow Avatar" rather than "shadow clone" confird that Ryūchi Cave had indeed been monitoring him closely.
"You know I’m aware of Ryūchi Cave’s dangers. Facing a being as formidable as the White Snake Sage directly would be reckless in my part. Surely, you can understand this."
His response made Tagorihi’s face grow icy.
"The Sage’s word is final," she declared. "If you refuse to comply, leave at once!"
As she spoke, her appearance shifted, revealing her monstrous form—pale, clawed, and fanged.
At the sa ti, the surroundings changed drastically. The damp cave morphed into a massive castle.
"An illusion?" Avatar #2 scoffed. "Are you looking down on with this level of genjutsu?"
With a thought, he broke free of the illusion.
Unleashing a burst of energy, he sent the surrounding serpents flying.
A sword materialized in his hand, and with each swing, waves of sword energy slashed through the advancing snakes.
Tagorihi vanished into the mist, commanding waves of snakes to attack Avatar #2.
The snakes, however, were no match for him.
Swinging his blade, he dispatched them in droves.
Suddenly, Avatar #2’s expression shifted.
Leaping into the air, he narrowly avoided sharp spikes erging from the ground beneath him.
But the ceiling above transford as well, with countless spikes hurtling toward him.
Avatar #2’s pupils contracted as he dove downward. The ground shifted, creating a safe landing spot amid the spikes.
Touching down, he accelerated, bolting deeper into the cave.
Before he could get far though, the tunnel ahead sealed shut, blocking his path entirely.
Frowning, he tried to use natural energy to reopen the path.
However, the natural energy sealing the tunnel was far stronger than his own.
The passage began shrinking, threatening to crush him.
Realizing resistance was futile, Avatar #2 muttered to himself as the walls closed in.
"As expected of the White Snake Sage. Impressive. Fine, I’ll take my leave."
With that, he released the jutsu, vanishing into thin air.
As his body disappeared, the cave stopped constricting and returned to its original state.
…
Outside Ryūchi Cave, not far away, Hui absorbed the mories of Avatar #2.
His brows furrowed.
"So, they want to go there in person…"
To be honest, the thought unsettled him.
It wasn’t that he feared the White Snake Sage, he simply didn’t trust her within Ryūchi Cave.
Outside her domain, he felt confident. But here…
"Tch, trying to force my hand?" Hui murmured, his expression darkening.
If Ryūchi Cave was the White Snake Sage’s ho field, then destroying it would eliminate her advantage. After all, he had no shortage of large-scale jutsu.
As this thought crossed his mind, he began walking toward Ryūchi Cave.
Though he considered taking drastic action, his primary goal remained learning the Sage Mode of Ryūchi Cave.
Better to avoid unnecessary conflict…for now.
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