After leaving the deepest part of Ryūchi Cave, Gekko Chizan had already undergone a transformation.
The three markings on his body that represented the snake princesses had completely disappeared, and by the time he returned to their residence, Tagorihime and Ichikishimahime—whom he hadn't seen for a long time—had also come back.
They were both staring at him with serious expressions.
"Chizan, you..."
"Why did you stop using the Coiling Snake Technique? Why did you give up Ryūchi Cave's senjutsu?"
Tagorihime, who was usually calm and composed, appeared somewhat agitated at this moment. The instant she saw Gekko Chizan, she stepped forward and questioned him.
Facing his companions of many years and the guides who had led him onto the path of senjutsu, Gekko Chizan chuckled.
"For the sake of pursuing greater strength."
"I want to cultivate senjutsu on my own. Only then can I become stronger."
Hearing his words about becoming stronger, Tagorihime suddenly calmed down.
Every person who came to Ryūchi Cave seeking inheritance did so to gain greater strength. For that, they sought out the sacred land of Ryūchi Cave, all to learn its senjutsu.
For ordinary people, the senjutsu of the Three Great Sacred Lands was already the pinnacle of strength.
But when she looked at the current Gekko Chizan and heard his words, Tagorihime understood that Ryūchi Cave's senjutsu was no longer the pinnacle for him.
He had found a new pursuit, and that wasn't a bad thing.
At the very least, it aligned perfectly with Ryūchi Cave's philosophy—only those obsessed with strength would come here.
"If that's the case, then don't blame me."
"Hm? What do you mean by that?"
Seeing Tagorihime suddenly change her tone, Gekko Chizan felt confused, unable to grasp the meaning behind her words.
Instead, Ichikishimahime, who was standing beside her, suddenly spoke as well:
"Don't even think about it. Pakura is more suitable to form a contract with me."
"Nonsense! I'm clearly more suitable!"
Gekko Chizan: ...
What the hell is going on??? He had just stop using the Coiling Snake Technique and cut off his connection to Ryūchi Cave's senjutsu, and these two were already setting their sights on his wife???
Are they joking?
"Wait, what's wrong with you two?"
"When did Pakura ever say she wanted to learn senjutsu?"
Tagorihime and Ichikishimahime exchanged a smile, then spoke to Gekko Chizan at the same time:
"She's wanted to for a long time! Every time you went out on missions for ages, the two of us stayed by her side and already told her everything about Ryūchi Cave."
"Pakura also deeply desires the power of Ryūchi Cave."
"Oh right, Chizan, the Ryūchi Cave contract scroll should be at your house, right?"
"I'll go find it later and have Pakura sign it. As for senjutsu, although the White Snake Sage still needs to approve it, I think it shouldn't be a problem."
"After all, Pakura's talent is very good."
Well, obviously.
One of the top-tier offensive bloodline limits, plus the special training Gekko Chizan had given her over the past few years—whether in chakra control or combat ability.
Looking across the entire Konoha Village, even ordinary members of the Uchiha or Hyuga clans wouldn't be her match.
Just think—who could create hundreds of fireballs at once, while still holding a red Rasengan in their hand???
As early as a year ago, Pakura had already mastered nature transformation and integrated it into her techniques and Rasengan.
Scorch Release could greatly increase the number of fireballs, while the Rasengan had evolved into Gekko Chizan's Fire Release: Rasengan: Blazing Burst.
A proper elite jōnin level.
"That's not bad. Even though I can't cultivate Ryūchi Cave senjutsu anymore, Pakura and my children still can."
"Oh right, Senka can't. I've already entrusted Senka to Tsunade. When the time comes, she'll receive the inheritance of Shikkotsu Forest."
Gekko Chizan had long since planned out the paths for his children.
Gekko Dōnin liked swordsmanship, so he would follow Sakumo. Combined with Scorch Release, he could become a blade master like the White Fang of Konoha.
Gekko Senka, with two bloodline limits and joining Shikkotsu Forest—perfect.
Now that Pakura had also caught the attention of the snake princesses, this meant his entire family's combat power would be unstoppable!
"Tch, a slug, huh?"
"But it's still much better than Mount Myōboku."
Among the Three Great Sacred Lands, Ryūchi Cave and Mount Myōboku had the worst relationship. As for Shikkotsu Forest, it was at least acceptable.
Gekko Chizan laughed. The senjutsu of Shikkotsu Forest was the most mysterious. While he couldn't learn it himself, his children could.
"Alright, Tagorihime, Ichikishimahime, send me back."
"After I return, I need to start preparing for cultivating senjutsu."
The two snake princesses nodded, then used reverse summoning to send Gekko Chizan back to Konoha.
...
The first thing Gekko Chizan did after returning was rush straight to the academy.
"Hey, Chizan, what's going on? I'm still in class."
"Something important. Let that old man Sakumo substitute for you."
Without the slightest hesitation, Gekko Chizan grabbed Pakura and left. Activating Flying Thunder God, he instantly brought his wife back home.
Then, under Pakura's puzzled gaze, Gekko Chizan took out a scroll from his study.
"Pakura, come, sign this."
"What is this?"
Pakura looked curiously at the already opened scroll, where the words Ryūchi Cave were clearly written.
"It's the Ryūchi Cave contract scroll. With this, you'll be connected to Ryūchi Cave."
"And you'll be able to summon the snakes of Ryūchi Cave."
"Most importantly, you'll gain the opportunity to go there and cultivate."
"Tagorihime and Ichikishimahime both think you can become Ryūchi Cave's inheritor. I think so too."
As he spoke, Gekko Chizan stripped off his clothes.
The body that had once been entwined by three giant snakes had now returned to normal.
"Chizan, where are the markings on your body?"
"I'm no longer a senjutsu inheritor of Ryūchi Cave. I stoped using the Coiling Snake Technique and severed my connection to its senjutsu."
Pakura was shocked. She couldn't understand why Gekko Chizan would do such a thing.
But soon, Gekko Chizan explained everything.
Hearing that he wanted to explore his own path of senjutsu, Pakura finally let out a sigh of relief and smiled.
"In that case, I have no problem."
"A Ryūchi Cave contract, huh? I wonder if I can do it."
Without hesitation, Pakura bit her index finger and wrote her name on the Ryūchi Cave contract.
Seeing her name appear on the scroll, Gekko Chizan smiled in satisfaction.
He put the scroll away, and the next second, he grabbed Pakura again and disappeared from the house with Flying Thunder God.
Efficiency above all.
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