Drip… Drip… Drip…
The sound of water droplets falling on the stalagmites resounded in the dark cave that was filled with white fog.
When Naruto tried to look around, all he saw was mist and fog that was getting heavier and heavier, making it more and more difficult to see anything as they walked deeper into the Cave.
As the group passed through the giant stalagmites and stalactites that were mostly not visible because of being covered in fog, Hinata tightly clutched the sleeve of Naruto's jacket, and her immature face was filled with nervousness and fear that she might separate from the others and be left behind in this scary place.
Obviously, Naruto felt Hinata's nervousness, he turned around, and said with a bright smile, "Don't worry Hinata… I will protect you!"
"Thank you Naruto-kun…" Hinata was moved and nodded heavily with deep blush…
Following the small episode, the group of three kept walking forward… And after a long time, when Naruto could no longer curb his boisterous and exuberant nature, he finally decided to take a step forward and curiously asked Kabuto who was walking in the front and leading the way, "Kabuto-nii-chan… where are we going?"
Kabuto looked back and said, "We are going to a place where we can be safe from the enemy intruders…"
After receiving Kabuto's reply, Naruto nodded slightly and the group of three continued to walk…
Having understood that he didn't have any chance of surviving if he were to fight the Mist squad of Akatsuki, Kabuto directly dispelled the idea of frontal confrontation with them, and he came to these deep caves together with Naruto and Hinata in order to avoid being tracked by them.
This is not an ordinary place, so Kabuto is certain that they will not be able to find him, Naruto and Hinata here…
Although many people often venture here, only those who really desire power can pass through… And because this area is covered in fog at all times, as such, this is also a place that the three of them can use to take refugees for a short while.
Kabuto has always been very interested in this place, but without Orochimaru's permission, he did not dare to rashly visit this place as he knew how dangerous this place is…
Because the members of the Akatsuki Organization had almost tracked them, and since Orochimaru is not at base, so this time Kabuto did not have any other option but to venture here together with Naruto and Hinata.
Before long, the fog in the surroundings started to become denser and denser, and soon reached the point that neither of the three people was able to see even a single step ahead… Even Hinata who had activated her Byakugan was no exception… The fog was rich in Natural Energy, and that Natural Energy was hindering the Byakugan's penetrative abilities, as such, Hinata similar to Naruto had lost her sense of direction…
By now, even Naruto––no matter how thick his nerves are––was also a little nervous, and just like Hinata had grabbed the cuff of his sleeve, he too had subconsciously grabbed the cuff of Kabuto's Kimono, and asked nervously, "Kabuto… Kabuto-nii-chan… how much longer will it take?"
Kabuto replied with a calm smile, "We will be there soon enough…"
Naruto murmured, "You have been saying the very same thing for so long… but we haven't arrived yet, ya'know…!"
Kabuto remained silent as he was thinking about Orochimaru's words, 'Only those who are willing to sacrifice anything for the sake of power can find that place…'
Kabuto then glanced at Naruto from the corner of his eyes and suddenly, a realization dawned upon him, "It's possible that I am not that desperate for power that's why I am unable to find it… perhaps Naruto who ardently desires power can lead us there…"
Thinking so, Kabuto constricted his eyes and said to Naruto, "Naruto-kun… do you know why you were unable to use Clone Jutsu, or any other Jutsu for that matter when Orochimaru-sama was trying to teach a few days ago?"
Naruto has also been worried about this, and hurriedly inquired, "Why?"
"Remember when I told you about the spirit of the Kyuubi? You see… that fox is inside you… and its Chakra is mixing up with your Chakra, thus, making it difficult for you to control Chakra… This is why you are unable to use Clone Jutsu…" answered Kabuto.
Obviously, Kabuto who is also a Jonin-level Shinobi also saw the reason why Naruto is unable to master a basic Clone Jutsu… The reason is the small gap in the Eight Trigrams Seal that seals Kyuubi inside Naruto… Because of that gap, Kyuubi's Chakra is leaking out and mixing with Naruto's Chakra, making it difficult for him to use his own Chakra…
Hearing this truth, Naruto's expression dropped, and he question with a sad expression, "Does that mean… I will never be able to learn Clone Jutsu?"
Kabuto remained silent for a while, then said slowly, "I can't be certain about that… but maybe there is still an option that you might be able to use to perform Ninjutsu…"
Naruto's expression quickly cheered up, and he asked hurriedly, "Huh? There is still another way? Are you telling the truth Kabuto-nii-chan?"
Kabuto pushed his glasses on the bridge of his nose, and answered, "You see Naruto-kun… the Chakra that we use is the conventional form used by most of the Shinobi to perform Ninjutsu… but it's not the only method… other than using the inner Chakra we extract, there is one more method… perhaps you can learn it…"
"There is another method? What is it Kabuto-nii-chan… quickly tell me!" Naruto asked impatiently…
A smile appeared on Kabuto's lips as he saw Naruto's eagerness, and he answered, "It's Senjutsu…"
"Senjutsu? What's Senjutsu?" Naruto was taken aback… because this is the first time, he has heard such a term… and he didn't know what Senjutsu mean…
Even when he was in the Village, he has never heard anyone talk about 'Senjutsu' before, not even Sasuke who is generally informed about most things and is the best source of knowledge and information for Naruto also never said anything about 'Senjutsu'… As such, Naruto did not understand what is Senjutsu… and he asked, "What is Senjutsu? Is it tasty? If I eat it, will it help me learn Clone Jutsu?"
Kabuto chuckled, and while shaking his head, he said, "I don't think you are supposed to eat Senjutsu… anyway, Senjutsu, as far as I know, is a unique style in which Sennin––Senjutsu users––use the energy present in the environment rather than the energy in their body to perform Ninjutsu… If you master Senjutsu, not only will you be able to use Clone Jutsu, but I can guarantee that you will become an exceptional Shinobi… even achieving your dream––becoming Konoha's Hokage––won't be impossible…"
After listening to Kabuto's words, Naruto suddenly imagined what would happen if he were to master Senjutsu…
'After mastering Senjutsu, he returns to Konoha gloriously, and he will be appointed the next Hokage… Sasuke would respect him… all the adults in the village will happily greet him, and praise him for his talent… all the children in the village will come to play with him… and no one will ignore him…
The more Naruto thought about it, the more he felt excited, and the more he longed for Senjutsu… he didn't even realize it when saliva started to drip from the corner of his mouth… "Hehehe… Senjutsu… I want Senjutsu!"
After imagining all sorts of good things, Naruto quickly recovered his mind, and said to Kabuto, "Kabuto-nii-chan… Please teach me Senjutsu!"
Kabuto shook his head helplessly, "I am sorry… I can't teach you Senjutsu… I don't know how to use it…"
The current Kabuto hasn't lost the meaning of life… therefore, although he is fascinated by Senjutsu and Natural Energy, he isn't willing to take such a big risk… so obviously, Kabuto has not attempted to learn or master Senjutsu…
"Huh?" Naruto was taken aback, and quickly asked, "Then, can Orochimaru-Sensei teach me Senjutsu?"
"Orochimaru-sama does have a lot of knowledge of Senjutsu." Said Kabuto, then while shaking his head, he added, "But even Orochimaru-sama too won't be able to teach you Senjutsu… because even he hasn't been able to truly master it…"
Because of intensive research on Jugo, Orochimaru has a very deep knowledge of Natural Energy and Senjutsu, but because he uses Living Corpse Reincarnation, so Orochimaru's body and soul are no longer suitable for learning Senjutsu… Additionally, there are also several other dangers associated with Senjutsu training such as permanently becoming stone or losing your mind et cetera, so Orochimaru hasn't been able to make up his mind whether he should really learn Senjutsu or not…
Naruto was taken aback, "Even a Shinobi as powerful as Orochimaru-Sensei hasn't mastered Senjutsu?" and was also disappointed, "And if even Orochimaru-sensei can't teach me… then who can teach me?"
Kabuto said, "In this Shinobi World, there have been very few Shinobi up until now who have been able to truly master Senjutsu… and I don't know if they will be willing to guide you…" said Kabuto much to the disappointment of Naruto, then Kabuto looked deeply at Naruto's expression and added, "But you needn't be disappointed… because I know the place where you can learn Senjutsu…"
"Where?" Naruto's eyes regained their light, and he asked with a yearning tone… Obviously, Naruto now really wants to learn this Senjutsu thing…
Just as Kabuto was about to reply to Naruto; he came to an abrupt stop and his eyes widened in shock and disbelief as he looked at the sight before him…
The sudden stop of Kabuto was unexpected for Naruto and Hinata, as a result, the two of them bumped into him and fell backwards on their butts, "Ouch!"
After quickly getting up, Naruto rubbed bit butt and complained, "Kabuto-nii-chan… why did you stop so suddenly…?"
Kabuto stared at the door in front of him, and muttered unexpectedly, "Unexpectedly… we arrived here without your help Naruto-kun…"
"Huh? What do you mean Kabuto-nii-chan?" muttered Naruto in confusion, then he poked his head out and looked at the simple, yet majestic cave door in front of him, and murmured, "What place is this?"
Hinata who stood next to Naruto recognized the Kanji characters written on the cave door and said, "Ryuchi Cave…"
"Ryuchi Cave…?!" Naruto tilted his head in confusion, "Hinata… do you know what is inside the Ryuchi Cave?"
"No… Naruto-kun…" Hinata shook her head…
Kabuto smiled strangely and answered Naruto's question, "Ryuchi Cave is one of the three Holy Lands where you can learn Senjutsu…"
Naruto was taken aback, "Huh? Are you serious Kabuto-nii-chan…? I can learn Senjutsu here. Do the people living here really teach Senjutsu? Will they teach me?"
Kabuto shrugged, "I can't say for sure…" and added, "Also… be careful… the beings that live here can not be considered people…"
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Read up to Chapter - 845 on P.a.t.r.e.o.n Page: p-atreon.com/Milta_translations