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The pure natural energy crystals, according to Yao Chen's memories, were comparable to the cores of third to fourth-tier magical beasts. Over time, due to exposure to natural energy, these crystals had taken on a multicolored appearance, resembling gemstones.
These natural energy crystals were enough for Yoichi to attempt improving various kinds of medicinal pills. If there were even more potent and pure crystals, he was confident he could refine some of the more difficult grade-four pills.
"White Snake Sage, I need these crystals. Can you trade them with me?"
"Trade? Hehehe, Ryuchi Cave doesn't engage in such transactions. These crystals usually have no use here; we've only used them twice before, and that was to help a few contractors train in Sage Mode."
However, upon hearing the White Snake Sage's words, Yoichi picked up a natural energy crystal and examined it.
'How could this help someone train in Sage Mode? Absorbing it directly would be hindered by the mineral; it would be better to absorb the surrounding natural energy.
Could it be that you have to swallow it?'
"That's exactly what you're thinking. After swallowing it, the stone will slowly dissolve, and even a human can digest it, hehe," the White Snake Sage said with a knowing smile, seeing right through Yoichi's thoughts.
Yoichi shook his head and continued, "Since it's of no use to you, what would it take for me to have them?"
"If you want them, you can have them now. But didn't you say there was something else you needed? Let's talk about that too."
"Alright."
Yoichi thought for a moment before saying, "Would Ryuchi Cave be interested in joining Konoha? All the summoning snakes would wear Konoha's forehead protectors, and the three Snake Princesses could choose to sign contracts with Konoha's ninjas, assisting them in battle when needed."
He had originally planned to ask for a few dozen summoning snakes from Ryuchi Cave, but after seeing the abundant natural energy crystals, he changed his mind.
The White Snake Sage, connected to the earth, couldn't be summoned easily. Otherwise, Yoichi would have considered asking the sage to fight for him.
"Hahaha! What an arrogant little brat! You've only been a contractor of Ryuchi Cave for a few years, and now you're thinking about taking over the entire cave?"
The White Snake Sage laughed loudly, the sound reverberating through the cavern and causing rocks to fall from the ceiling.
"It's not about taking over; it's about cooperation. Konoha will eventually dominate the entire ninja world. The sooner Ryuchi Cave joins, the more of a founding member it will become. Otherwise, I can't guarantee what will happen later. Also, not just anyone can call me a brat."
Yoichi's expression remained calm, and in the next moment, powerful chakra erupted from him.
"Ah!"
Ichikishima-hime was blown away by the intense burst of energy. The ground around Yoichi seemed to buckle under an invisible weight, creating a spherical crater several meters deep.
At the same time, lightning-like currents crackled around Yoichi's body, splitting the ground beneath him and leaving scorch marks in their wake.
This... this brat...
The White Snake Sage was shocked by the overwhelming pressure, its eyes widening in disbelief.
Even the White Snake Sage was intimidated by Yoichi's chakra. It was so strong that the sage felt a significant threat, especially when Yoichi's Sharingan locked onto it. The White Snake Sage was reminded of the feeling it had a thousand years ago when it was being hunted by a natural predator.
"Enough! If this continues, Ryuchi Cave will collapse!"
The White Snake Sage quickly shouted, and Yoichi slowly deactivated his Thunder Destruction Mode.
The burst of chakra was comparable to a C-rank Wind Release jutsu in terms of impact. If Yoichi had attacked, the destruction would have been far greater.
After Yoichi's presence receded, the White Snake Sage, still shaken, said, "I understand now. Your power is on par with Ryuchi Cave's. You have the right to stand on equal footing with us. But about Ryuchi Cave joining Konoha..."
This Yoichi might really unify the ninja world someday. If I join him early, I might be able to persuade him to attack that old toad and free me from my current situation...
The White Snake Sage thought to itself. The legend of transforming into a dragon was just a cover story it had spread to hide the truth. Even the three Snake Princesses were close to taking human form—didn't it want to as well?
It simply couldn't do it.
"I know you can't move, so Konoha just needs the other intelligent snakes."
Yoichi said, "Konoha will definitely unify the ninja world in the future. I hope you'll consider this carefully."
"If that's the case..."
The White Snake Sage coiled its massive body, pondering for a while before saying, "Alright, we'll do as you say. Ryuchi Cave will join Konoha, and I'll prepare a new summoning scroll."
"A wise decision. I know of a place with even denser natural energy. If Ryuchi Cave performs well, you might be able to live there."
Yoichi smiled as he spoke. He had just thought of this—the Dragon Vein should have natural energy crystals as well.
He hadn't completely undone the seal before, but later, he could have the snakes of Ryuchi Cave explore it for him, or send in puppets.
"Here are the natural energy crystals you wanted. There might be more deeper in the cave. I'll have Hoshigaki or Ichikishima-hime deliver them to you later."
"Then I won't be polite. Once the Konoha forehead protectors are ready, I'll bring them to you."
"Make sure to prepare one for me too!"
The White Snake Sage's sudden request surprised Yoichi. It had been so resistant at first, but now its attitude had changed so quickly. Was it because he had shown his power?
That was only the first layer of Thunder Destruction Mode. Was it really that intimidating?
"Understood."
Yoichi took the natural energy crystals, glanced at Ichikishima-hime, and then started walking out.
After getting up, Ichikishima-hime said to the White Snake Sage, "I'm going to gather some information for you." With that, she chased after Yoichi.
When she caught up to him, Ichikishima-hime clung to Yoichi's back like a koala, wrapping her arms and legs around him like a snake.
"What are you doing?"
It was only because Ichikishima-hime appeared harmless and naive. If it had been anyone else, they would have been electrocuted by his lightning mode.
"You have the nerve to ask? You left without a word twice after we finished important matters. This time, you're not getting away."
Ichikishima-hime was still angry about being tricked twice before. She had helped, but got nothing in return.
"I said I would repay you, and I will. When have I ever lied?"
Yoichi pried Ichikishima-hime off his back, but the little snake girl stubbornly clung to his arm, afraid he would release the summoning technique and return to Konoha.
They returned to the cave where Hoshigaki resided, and Yoichi suddenly asked, "Do you know anything about the White Snake Sage? Why can't she leave Ryuchi Cave? Is it some kind of secret technique you've inherited?"
"I don't know. We never inquire about the White Snake Sage's affairs, and only four of us have managed to attain Sage Mode. The White Snake Sage is over three hundred years older than us."
Ichikishima-hime shook her head. There might have been snakes from the same era as the White Snake Sage back then, but none had achieved Sage Mode, and they had all gradually withered away.
Now, only four snakes in Ryuchi Cave had long lifespans. Under such circumstances, it was impossible to gather information unless they asked the sage directly.
"I see."
Yoichi felt that something was off with the White Snake Sage but couldn't pinpoint what it was without more information.
But now, the White Snake Sage had extended an olive branch to him, giving him natural energy crystals and agreeing to have Ryuchi Cave join Konoha, so there was nothing to complain about.
It was just the sudden change in attitude that made Yoichi feel uneasy.
"Forget it. Tell me what you need from me. Once it's done, I'm heading back."
What Yoichi wanted most now was to return and ask Tsunade if Shikkotsu Forest had similar natural energy crystals so he could start refining pills.
There were many types of grade-four pills, and Yao Chen had even researched some of his own.
"I want a piece of your flesh."
"Stop dreaming. I'm leaving!"
"Wait, wait! If not flesh, then at least let me have some of your blood!"
Ichikishima-hime quickly tightened her grip on Yoichi's arm. He was the most perfect human she had ever seen. Just being near him made her stomach growl with hunger.
After attaining Sage Mode, eating or not eating made no difference to Ichikishima-hime. Eating humans was just an old habit—she could go decades without it and be fine.
But being near Yoichi awakened her primal desire. Just being close to him made her want to devour him. It wasn't so noticeable at first, but as time went on, his "scent" became more potent, and Ichikishima-hime found it harder to resist.
Sure, I'll continue the translation:
However, when Yoichi first arrived, his power was already formidable, so Ichikishima-hime didn't dare make a move. Afterward, there was no chance, so she could only resort to begging.
"I can give you a cup of blood."
"A cup is fine, but... are you mocking me?"
When Ichikishima-hime saw the small cup Yoichi produced, she was instantly furious. The cup was the size used for sipping sake, and it probably wouldn't even be enough for half a sip.
"As long as you don't use chakra, you can drink as much as you can bite."
"Deal!"
Upon hearing this, Ichikishima-hime's face lit up with joy. She immediately clung to Yoichi's neck, opened her mouth to reveal two snake fangs, and bit down hard.
"Mmph..."
After a while, Ichikishima-hime felt like she was biting into an extremely tough piece of leather. Without using chakra, she couldn't pierce the skin at all. In the end, she tried pulling and tugging, but even though her snake fangs were about to break, she still couldn't make a dent.
Every so often, a clone would return with refined genetic energy, and at those times, Yoichi would use the genetic energy to further strengthen his body. Now, even machine guns had difficulty penetrating his defense.
When his body was strengthened to the point of being as hard as diamond, even a B-rank Wind Release jutsu would only leave a white mark on him.
"How is your body this hard?"
"Give it up. Without chakra, it's impossible."
After saying this, Yoichi used Lightning Release chakra to condense a three-inch lightning blade on his finger, then made a small cut on his wrist.
Blood slowly dripped from the cut, and as soon as the tiny sake cup was filled, the wound automatically healed.
"Couldn't you have given me more?"
Despite saying this, Ichikishima-hime still eagerly took the cup and drank it all in one go, then even licked the cup clean with satisfaction. She then said, "This is truly delicious. Those who have trained in Sage Mode can't compare to you at all. What exactly makes you so delectable?"
"I'll tell you later. The favor is repaid, so I'm heading back now."
With that, Yoichi had Hoshigaki reverse the summoning technique and send him back, giving Ichikishima-hime no chance to ask for more.
Upon returning to Konoha, the first thing Yoichi did was report the matter to Sakumo. From now on, Ryuchi Cave would be Konoha's summoning beast contract.
Once the White Snake Sage prepared a new summoning scroll, Yoichi would bring it to Konoha.
At that point, any ninja who wanted a summoning beast could apply to the village. Once they signed the contract, they could summon the great snakes of Ryuchi Cave. If the first summoning was successful, all future summonings would be based on that initial one.
Moreover, the summoned great snakes from Ryuchi Cave would wear Konoha's forehead protectors, just like the ninken of the Hatake and Inuzuka clans, or Hiruzen's Enma.
However, unlike Hiruzen's Enma, who only contracted with the Sarutobi clan, other ninjas would also be able to form contracts with the snakes.
Sakumo nodded upon hearing this and then smiled approvingly, saying, "This is good news, Yoichi. I'll have many Konoha forehead protectors made, and when the time comes, please take them over to Ryuchi Cave. Also, please help in spreading the news to all the Konoha ninjas."
"Understood."
After leaving the Hokage's office, Yoichi suddenly realized that once again, he had been given all the work.
Returning to his own office, Yoichi wrote up a report on the matter, stamped it, and handed it to Rumi, saying, "Rumi, please deliver this to Uchiha Masato of the Konoha Police Force. Make sure he handles it quickly."
"If any of you are interested, let me know, and I'll find a suitable summoning snake for you in advance."
"Yes, Yoichi-sensei."
After finishing, Rumi noticed that Yoichi was about to leave again and asked, "Yoichi-sensei, are you heading out?"
"I'm going to the Konoha Hospital, and I might not be back this afternoon. If there's an emergency, you can find me at the Uchiha clan's residence."
Yoichi casually replied and then left the office.
After meeting with Tsunade, he planned to work in the lab to get a feel for things. If only his clones could control Godzilla's abilities, he would have had ten clones trying to refine the pills already.
(End of Chapter)