"What stimulated you?"
"What made you suddenly have this kind of idea, to form your own school? Do you know how many years Ryūchi Cave has existed?"
"And even how many years Mount Myōboku has existed?"
Tagitsuhime asked Gekko Chizan in return.
But it was obvious that the latter dismissed this question with disdain, after all, he had his own thoughts.
"I know what you want to say, but Tagitsuhime, whether it's the Sage of Six Paths or the First Hokage, they were both ordinary people at the beginning, just with somewhat stronger bloodlines."
"In this regard, I don't think I'm inferior either. The advantages of my Transparent Release are enough to support my idea."
"I just haven't found the direction yet."
Gekko Chizan slowly activated Transparent Release, and in the next second, the natural energy belonging to the depths of Ryūchi Cave crazily surged into his body.
In just one second, he revealed his form again, and filled with natural energy, he had already entered Sage Mode.
"Sage Mode is indeed very strong, but my Sage Mode is based on Ryūchi Cave."
"I need to leave this range in order to take it further."
This was a method Gekko Chizan deduced based on his recent analysis.
As a human, learning the sage arts of Ryūchi Cave was already the wrong direction.
To become a true sage, he needed to overturn everything from before.
"My god..."
"You brat, has your brain exploded? What kind of theory is this..."
"Creating sage arts with your own strength?"
Tagitsuhime widened her eyes, disbelief filling them.
But Gekko Chizan firmly believed in it.
After all, back then Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo learned sage arts from Gamamaru, but that wasn't the sage arts of Mount Myōboku—it was a form of sage arts he comprehended himself.
It could be said to be a completely self-compatible system of sage arts.
That was what allowed Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo to truly transform into a sage.
"I need to cancel the Coiled Snake Technique, and then abandon all of Ryūchi Cave's sage arts."
"And then cultivate my own sage arts instead."
"For this, I need to meet the White Snake Sage."
He needed to sever all connections with the sage arts of Ryūchi Cave.
Cancel the Coiled Snake Technique.
Of course, he didn't want to cancel the summoning contract—Ryūchi Cave was still his first choice.
"I'll take you there, but whether you succeed or not will depend on yourself."
"For so many years, you're the first person who, after cultivating the sage arts of Ryūchi Cave, still wants to give it up."
Tagitsuhime didn't know what to say, but looking at Gekko Chizan's serious expression, she knew he was serious.
Although she was a snake princess, she also couldn't cancel the Coiled Snake Technique.
After all, it was a very profound technique within Ryūchi Cave.
Just as one person and one snake walked toward the deeper parts.
The voice of the White Snake Sage slowly sounded:
"Tagitsuhime, you can go back."
"Gekko Chizan, continue inward, and bring that Seven-Leaf One-Flower along the way."
Tagitsuhime glanced at Gekko Chizan. Everything in Ryūchi Cave was under the White Snake Sage's watch.
She had definitely heard what Gekko Chizan said earlier.
"Yes, White Snake Sage."
"Chizan, the rest is up to you. I'm going back to eat snakeberries."
After giving Gekko Chizan an encouraging look, Tagitsuhime immediately turned around and flew back in the original direction.
You couldn't fly when coming here, but you could when going back.
Meanwhile, Gekko Chizan remained extremely calm. He first took out the Seven-Leaf One-Flower he had obtained by chance, then held it in his palm as he walked step by step toward the deepest part.
The deepest part of Ryūchi Cave was the residence of the White Snake Sage.
When Gekko Chizan arrived, a faint light flashed in the previously empty cave, and a residence appeared in illusion.
"Come in."
After entering, the White Snake Sage was already sitting on a chair, calmly watching him.
"Long time no see, White Snake Sage."
Gekko Chizan smiled and extended his right hand, presenting the Seven-Leaf One-Flower.
Seeing this, the White Snake Sage also smiled, lightly waving the hand holding his pipe.
A small white snake crawled out from behind him and took away the Seven-Leaf One-Flower.
Having obtained what he wanted, the White Snake Sage took a puff of his pipe and slowly said:
"I know your purpose for coming."
"Very well. I can cancel your Coiled Snake Technique. At that time, the sage arts of Ryūchi Cave that you cultivated will, due to losing their connection with the snake princess, enter a temporary blank period."
"Unless you rebuild the connection yourself, you will be unable to use the sage arts of Ryūchi Cave."
"I believe this is also your goal."
Gekko Chizan smiled, a very happy smile.
Indeed, this was his goal—cutting off his connection to Ryūchi Cave's sage arts.
"White Snake Sage, you are said to know everything in the ninja world. Back then, when Gamamaru taught Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo sage arts, did you know about it?"
The White Snake Sage exhaled a puff of smoke, glanced at him, and nodded.
"Hmph, I am older than that old toad. Even he wouldn't dare do anything to me if he saw me."
"Back then, he didn't just teach the Sage of Six Paths sage arts, he also gave him the Sage Talisman of Mount Myōboku."
Gekko Chizan nodded. Since he knew, that made things easier—the next part was the key.
"Then do you know how exactly the Sage of Six Paths cultivated sage arts?"
"His sage arts are a different type from those of the three great sacred lands—they belong to another system."
The White Snake Sage shook his head.
Seeing him shake his head, Gekko Chizan sighed helplessly.
"When natural energy enters the body, everyone has their own understanding."
"In the entire ninja world, very few can learn sage arts. Among them, those like you who cultivate the sage arts of the three great sacred lands are relatively common."
"To independently comprehend a complete system of sage arts is very difficult."
"But I think for you, it's not much of a problem. After all, you have advantages far beyond others."
"Your Transparent Release still amazes me even now."
In the end, trying to explore a path alone was simply too difficult.
But unfortunately, Gekko Chizan believed that only by continuing down this path could he truly contend with certain enemies in the future.
After all, whether it was Madara or Kaguya, they had already surpassed the level of shinobi.
Sage—he had to reach it.
Next, the White Snake Sage put down his pipe and slowly stood up.
Under Gekko Chizan's gaze, he transformed into his true form—a massive white snake, its tail out of sight.
"Prepare yourself. I will now sever your Coiled Snake Technique."
"But this will not affect your summoning contract, so you can rest assured."
Hearing this, Gekko Chizan let out a sigh of relief. As long as the summoning wasn't cut off, it was fine. After all, whether it was the snake princesses or Jinlin, they were all excellent assistants—Gekko Chizan didn't want to weaken himself too much.