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Qianyu announced within the Leaf Village Defense Force that Kakashi would serve as his acting captain.
Uchiha Shisui kept his head slightly bowed, saying nothing.
In truth, Shisui couldn't wait for Qianyu to leave. The longer he was gone, the better. His clan members could finally breathe a little easier. No more needing to tread carefully just stepping outside, constantly looking over their shoulders for patrols.
A slight smile touched Qianyu's lips. "Well then, Vice Captain," he said. "I'll be leaving my student in your care while I'm away."
Shisui nodded. "Understood."
Qianyu clapped Kakashi on the shoulder. "Alright, Kakashi. Do good work. I'm off."
"I will, Master Qianyu," Kakashi affirmed.
Qianyu left the Defense Force headquarters. Once outside the village walls, he performed a hand seal. A cloud of smoke erupted, and the white snake appeared.
The moment it materialized, the snake fixed Qianyu with a pitiful look. "Master Qianyu… you haven't summoned me in so long."
Qianyu made a disgusted sound. "Cut that out. The war's over. Fewer summons. Now, White Snake. Do you know Reverse Summoning?"
"Reverse Summoning?" The snake blinked its small eyes. "Master Qianyu, do you wish to go to Ryūchi Cave?"
"Correct," Qianyu confirmed. "I'm going to Ryūchi Cave to learn Sage Mode."
The white snake's eyes widened to an almost comical degree. "Master Qianyu, why would you seek death like this?!"
Qianyu's expression darkened. "You talk too much. If you can do it, just do it!"
The snake coiled around Qianyu's body, its voice urgent. "No, please! Only power-mad lunatics go to Ryūchi Cave for Sage Mode! Every single person who has tried… not one has succeeded! They all get devoured by the Great White Snake Sage or her attendants! If you go, you won't come back alive! I'll never get to follow you and eat people again! And even if you fail, I won't get to eat you!"
Qianyu's mouth twitched. So that was why it was so frantic. It was worried about missing its meal.
He peeled the snake off and dropped it on the ground, staring at it with dead-fish eyes. "Are you doing it or not? If you won't, plenty of other snakes will."
The snake sagged, defeated. "If you're this determined… fine. I'll return to Ryūchi Cave and summon you there."
With a puff of smoke, the white snake vanished.
Back in its home, the snake used the summoning contract scroll. A reverse swirl of space distorted the air where Qianyu stood, pulling him away.
He reappeared, his senses immediately on high alert.
He was in a vast forest. The light was dim, gloomy and shrouded in a thick, coiling mist. An eerie, oppressive silence hung in the air.
The white snake materialized beside him, glancing around nervously. "Master Qianyu," it whispered. "Only those who seek with true sincerity may meet the Great White Snake Sage. For aspirants like you, the Sage sends her three attendants—Lady Tagorihime, Lady Ichikishimahime, and Lady Tagitsuhime—to screen them. Those who pass the trials receive the Sage's fangs, which inject natural energy. They learn the Sage Mode of Ryūchi Cave. Those who fail… whose bodies can't handle the serpent transformation… they're devoured by the attendants before they turn completely to stone."
It shivered. "The Great Sage already knows you're here. I… I should go now. Please… don't die, Master Qianyu."
Qianyu gave a short nod. "Don't worry. My life is a stubborn one. It won't end so easily."
"Good luck," the white snake hissed one last time before slithering away into the murky undergrowth.
With no clear direction, Qianyu simply chose forward and began to walk.
The moment he moved, three figures materialized in the canopy above his previous position. They floated silently, watching. Tagorihime, Ichikishimahime, and Tagitsuhime.
"A Reverse Summoning arrival," one observed, voice soft as rustling scales.
"Another seeker of power, drawn to our domain."
"An interesting one. He possesses a contract with Ryūchi Cave. Could it be him?"
"We shall see soon enough. Regardless of who he is, the trials of Ryūchi Cave await."
As they spoke, Qianyu—unseen by them—glanced almost imperceptibly towards their hiding place.
The moment he'd arrived, he'd activated his Observation Haki. He'd sensed their presence immediately. And through that heightened perception, he knew. They weren't human. They were serpents wearing human skin.
Both Orochimaru and the white snake had mentioned trials to reach the Sage. These three disguised serpents had to be the proctors.
He walked on. A point of light appeared ahead in the gloom. As he drew closer, it resolved into a surprisingly opulent palace. A grand plaque above its entrance bore the characters for 'Ryūchi Cave'.
The massive doors swung open silently.
A young woman stood within the doorway. She had long green hair and wore a golden crown topped with a sphere. She bowed gracefully. "We have been expecting you. Welcome to Ryūchi Cave. I am Lady Tagorihime. Your journey must have been taxing. Please, rest awhile. We have prepared a feast for you."
Qianyu followed her inside. The interior was lavishly decorated. A long table groaned under the weight of platters of food that looked and smelled exquisite.
His eyes, however, remained fixed on Tagorihime. His voice was flat. "I came to seek the Great White Snake Sage to learn Sage Arts. You are here to administer a trial. Skip the formalities. Let's begin."
Tagorihime's pleasant smile didn't waver. "The Great Sage awaits you in the temple deep within Ryūchi Cave. She observes you even now. Since you are aware of the trials, please allow me a moment to prepare. In the meantime, please partake of the meal."
"Thunder Breathing: First Form: Thunderclap and Flash!"
Lightning erupted. Qianyu vanished in a burst of speed, his blade a silver arc aimed at Tagorihime's neck.
Shwoop!
Tagorihime floated effortlessly into the air, the slash passing harmlessly beneath her. She looked down, a hint of confusion in her serpentine eyes. "Why this sudden violence, honored guest?"
Qianyu's three-tomoe Sharingan spun to life, locking onto the floating figure. "You emphasized the food twice. It put me on edge. I'm not sure if it's poisoned or cursed, but it doesn't matter. If I kill you, whatever trial you had planned ends with you. That should count as a pass, right?"
Tagorihime stared at him, utterly dumbfounded.
Kill the proctor to pass the test. This logic… was completely unhinged
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