The town was peaceful, a rare sight in these turbulent times. Two neighboring countries had even cooperated to establish it, fostering an unusual sense of stability.
Kaito led Tsunade and the others into a modest hotel. As they waited for their rooms, he casually asked the shopkeeper, "Is there anything interesting to do around here?"
Noticing their ordinary attire, the shopkeeper relaxed slightly before responding, "There's a waterfall to the west, well-known for its breathtaking beauty."
"Thanks," Kaito nodded and turned to head upstairs.
Just as he was about to leave, the shopkeeper hesitated before grabbing his sleeve. Lowering his voice, he whispered, "If you visit the waterfall, don't stray too far."
Kaito raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
The shopkeeper darted his eyes around nervously before continuing, "Three kilometers from the waterfall lies a strange place. People say a monster lurks there, attacking travelers and villagers alike. But it only appears in certain areas and hasn't been spotted for a while. So, if you just go to the waterfall, you should be fine."
"A monster?" Kaito's interest was piqued.
"Thanks for the warning," he said with a faint smile before heading upstairs with Tsunade and the others.
Once out of earshot, Tsunade turned to him. "You seem unusually interested in this 'monster.'"
"Not in the monster itself," Kaito replied, "but in Orochimaru."
Tsunade frowned at the mention of the name.
"Orochimaru is a brilliant researcher, a talent worth acquiring," Kaito explained. "Even after defecting from Konoha, he continued his experiments, establishing secret laboratories in various locations. I suspect one of them is near here. That 'monster' might be one of his escaped experiments—one that was recently recaptured."
Tsunade crossed her arms. "So you plan to find Orochimaru?"
Kaito nodded. "Tracking him is difficult, but this might be a lead. We'll investigate tomorrow."
---
The following morning, Kaito and the group arrived at the waterfall. He instructed Fu to explore the area under Tsunade's watchful eye while he climbed to the highest vantage point.
Tsunade joined him. "How do you plan to find anything?"
Kaito smirked. "Like this."
Closing his eyes, he activated the chakra of the Ten-Tails and Sage Mode. Within moments, everything within a ten-kilometer radius became crystal clear in his mind.
"Huh," he muttered under his breath.
"What is it?" Tsunade asked immediately.
"No sign of Orochimaru's lab," Kaito said, a slight frown appearing. "But I found something else."
Tsunade, initially disappointed, perked up. "What did you find?"
"Follow me," Kaito replied with a cryptic smile before vanishing in a flash. Tsunade immediately followed.
They reappeared outside a dark cave.
"This is where the 'monster' is hiding," Kaito remarked before stepping inside without hesitation.
Tsunade followed. Almost immediately, a chilling whisper echoed through the cavern.
"Don't come any closer… Stay back…"
Then, a sharper voice snarled, "If you get any closer, I'll kill you!"
Tsunade's curiosity intensified, but Kaito remained unfazed, striding forward leisurely.
The deeper they ventured, the clearer the scene became. A large cage stood in the center of the cavern. Curled up in the farthest corner was a lone figure, cloaked in shadows.
Slowly, the figure lifted its head. A hoarse voice escaped its lips. "Who… are you?"
Kaito's expression remained neutral. "Your rescuer."
The words were met with silence. Then, suddenly, the figure trembled and let out a furious roar. "Leave now! Before I lose control and kill you!"
Kaito smiled faintly. "Let's put that to the test."
A guttural growl rumbled through the cave. In an instant, the captive figure lunged forward, shattering the bars of its cage in a violent burst. Dust and debris filled the air as it charged straight at Kaito.
Tsunade instinctively took a few steps back, knowing Kaito didn't need her assistance.
The beast-like figure swung its massive arm toward Kaito with enough force to obliterate a normal shinobi.
"Crack!"
With a mere raise of his hand, Kaito blocked the strike effortlessly.
He lowered his gaze to his opponent's trembling fist and said, "Not bad. Even a Jōnin might struggle to take that hit."
"How is this possible?!"
Jūgo stared in disbelief at the scene before him.
He had an intimate understanding of the power behind his fist—especially after his transformation. And yet, the man in front of him had caught his full-force blow effortlessly, as if it were nothing.
The stranger—Uchiha Kaito—nodded in satisfaction. "Furious Mode. The magic chakra of Sage Arts... the power increase is much stronger than I expected."
Jūgo tensed. "Who... are you?"
At this moment, half of his face was covered in dark markings, one pupil morphing into an eerie shape. His right arm remained grotesquely enlarged, monstrous in form.
Kaito smiled slightly. "You're Jūgo, right?" He took a step forward. "I've come to take you with me."
Jūgo recoiled immediately, shaking his head in panic. "No! No!" His breath came in sharp, ragged gasps. "If I leave... I won't be able to control myself. I'll end up hurting innocent people again!"
Kaito simply nodded, unfazed. "You really are a kind child."
With that, he raised a hand and channeled his chakra. A precise flow of energy entered Jūgo's body.
In the face of Kaito's perfect Sage Mode, the wild chakra inside Jūgo was nothing more than a candle before a storm. In mere moments, the black markings receded from his face, and his monstrous form melted back into its original state.
Jūgo blinked, staring at his hands in stunned silence. "This... this is amazing..."
For the first time in years, his mind felt clear.
Kaito met his gaze. "Come with me. I'll make sure you never lose control again."
Jūgo hesitated. "Really...? You're telling the truth?" His voice wavered with a mixture of fear and hope, and for the first time in years, tears welled in his eyes.
Ever since that fateful day, he had lived in a nightmare. A curse had turned him into a monster—one that slaughtered his village with his own hands. That memory had haunted him relentlessly, driving him to confine himself in this cave, locked away from the world.
And yet, deep down, he had always longed for freedom.
If what Kaito said was true... if he could truly live without fear of hurting anyone ever again—
Jūgo clenched his fists, then slowly nodded.
"...Alright."
Kaito gave a small nod before turning towards the cave entrance. "Let's go."
Without hesitation, Jūgo followed.
Outside, Tsunade frowned as she watched them approach. Her sharp gaze shifted to Shigego. "This kid... something about him doesn't seem right."
Kaito shook his head. "It's not an illness—it's a talent."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Talent?"
"His body is special. It naturally absorbs massive amounts of natural energy."
At that, Tsunade's eyes widened. "Natural energy?!"
As someone contracted with the Slug Sage of Shikkotsu Forest, she understood the immense power of natural energy. It was the very foundation of Sage Mode, an ability that could amplify strength beyond human limits.
But... that technique was only known to exist in the Three Great Sage Regions.
Kaito continued, "Not only that but where he's been living all this time is dangerously close to Ryūchi Cave. That place constantly leaks vast amounts of natural energy."
Tsunade inhaled sharply.
"Ryūchi Cave...!"
One of the Three Great Sage Regions.
A place shrouded in mystery, home to the White Snake Sage.
Kaito's expression grew serious. "Jūgo's body has been absorbing that energy for years, but without the knowledge to control it. That's why he enters a false Sage Mode—what you know as the 'Curse Mark.' The excess energy makes him lose his mind."
Tsunade exhaled. "I see..."
But then, something else clicked in her mind. She suddenly turned to him, eyes wide. "Wait... you just said Ryūchi Cave is nearby?!"
Kaito nodded. "That's right."
Tsunade tensed. "So... what are we doing just standing around?!"
Kaito's gaze darkened slightly. "We're going to take a look."
And with that, he led them into the depths of the forest.
After some time, the trio arrived at a hidden cavern deep within the wilderness.
As soon as they stepped closer, Tsunade and Jūgo both shuddered instinctively.
A primal, bone-deep dread clawed at their nerves.
"...Are we going in?" Tsunade asked, her voice quieter than usual.
Kaito didn't answer immediately. His crimson eyes remained fixed on the cavern entrance.
Then, for the first time since arriving in this world—
A strange, unfamiliar emotion gripped his chest.
Nervousness.
"No," he finally said. "There are too many secrets hidden inside."
Tsunade frowned. "Secrets?"
Kaito's voice dropped to a murmur. "...This place is connected to another dimension."
That was why he felt it.
Deep within this cavern, an immense, overwhelming power stirred.
A power at the level of the Six Paths.
And there was only one being in this region who could possess such an aura.
The White Snake Sage.
"This isn't the real entrance to Ryūchi Cave," Kaito continued. "The true Sage Region exists in a separate dimension. This place is only a gateway."
He clenched his fists.
"If that's the case... then what about the other two Sage Regions?"
If Ryūchi Cave existed in a separate dimension—then it was likely that Mount Myōboku and Shikkotsu Forest did too.
This meant that the Three Sage Regions were far older and more powerful than anyone had ever realized.
Kaito narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.
And if the Sage Regions were this powerful... then what role had they played in the past?
Because now, one thing was abundantly clear—
The secrets of this world ran far deeper than anyone had ever imagined.
***
In the original work, the planet where the ninja world is located is far stronger than other planets. This is first reflected in the strength of the future Otsutsuki trio. Kaguya feared these three so much that she went to great lengths to create an army of White Zetsu to prepare for their arrival. However, when the trio finally appeared, their actual strength was underwhelming.
Though Naruto and Sasuke were pushed to their limits, they ultimately managed to defeat the trio. It's important to remember that their true power is significantly lower than Kaguya's. When they sealed her away, it was only possible due to the Yin-Yang power granted by the Sage of Six Paths, as well as their combined effort to use the Six Paths: Chibaku Tensei. Luck also played a major role, along with Kaguya's inexperience in battle, allowing them to seal this so-called "naïve powerhouse."
If Kaguya was truly that powerful, why was she afraid of the trio? Kaito speculated that she may not have understood the true value of the Chakra Fruit she consumed. To her, all fruits might have seemed equal, leading her to assume that those who had consumed multiple fruits must naturally be stronger than someone who had eaten only one. This perspective explains her fear.
This alone demonstrates the power of this planet. A single immature fruit from it was enough to rival the collective strength the Otsutsuki trio had built over centuries. Additionally, this power is further reflected in the three great summoning sanctuaries. Each sanctuary possesses its version of Sage Mode, an ability comparable to the Sixth Path level. While the original work doesn't delve too deeply into this, Kaito, having mastered the most refined Sage Mode, could sense its vast potential. Given enough time, there appears to be no upper limit to this power.
If the Otsutsuki had never planted the God Tree on this planet, natural energy might have eventually replaced chakra as the dominant force. In that case, ninjas could have evolved into immortal cultivators. Though an outlandish idea, it remains within the realm of possibility. The core manifestation of Sage Mode already grants a vastly extended lifespan. The creatures in the three great summoning lands live far longer than ordinary humans, further proving this potential. They also possess incredible abilities such as flight, stealth, and various forms of magic, resembling the immortal cultivators of ancient legends from Kaito's previous life.
However, the current version of Sage Mode used in the ninja world does not rely on pure natural energy. Instead, it fuses natural energy with chakra, creating Sage Chakra. It is difficult to determine which is stronger. Observing Jugo's transformation, it's clear that pure natural energy is not necessarily superior to Sage Chakra. This might be due to the planet's devastation, which has led to a significant loss of natural energy. Alternatively, the ninja world's current weakness might have reduced the potency of its natural energy, limiting its overall impact.
The Otsutsuki clan collects energy by treating entire planets as mere nutrients. This alone proves the immense potential of chakra. Despite this, the fact that Sage Mode can reach power levels comparable to the Otsutsuki's demonstrates the incredible strength of the planet itself.
For a moment, Kaito pondered these thoughts while Tsunade and Jugo stood by, curiously observing Ryuchi Cave. Snapping out of his reverie, Kaito glanced at the cave ahead and turned away without hesitation.
Seeing this, Jugo immediately followed, placing complete trust in Kaito. Tsunade, on the other hand, looked puzzled.
"We're just leaving?" she asked.
Kaito shook his head. "The depths of this place are beyond our reach right now. It's too dangerous. Especially with two burdens like you tagging along."
"Tch!" Tsunade scoffed, muttering, "What's there to be afraid of? I've been to Shikkotsu Forest before, and it wasn't that dangerous."
Kaito replied indifferently, "Then don't go back there in the future."
Hearing this, Tsunade frowned. "What's the problem?" she asked, her concern evident.
Kaito continued walking as he explained, "I don't see any issues for now, but it's better to be cautious. The creatures controlling the three great sanctuaries have lived for thousands of years, dating back to the era of the Sage of Six Paths. These places aren't truly in the ninja world but in separate dimensions. And yet, you, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru each happened to form a connection with one of these sanctuaries? That kind of coincidence is too suspicious."
"Before you three, there was no recorded history of anyone having such close ties with the summoning lands. That alone is concerning. Right now, my power is not yet on their level, so it's best to be wary. Once I grow stronger, I'll investigate this matter further."
Hearing this, Tsunade sensed a deeper conspiracy at play. Everything was too convenient. She had always assumed it was luck that they had all found their summoning creatures so easily. But now, thinking about it rationally, it no longer seemed so simple.
However, since she had already boarded Kaito's metaphorical ship, she decided not to dwell on it too much. There was no point in overthinking it. If even Kaito couldn't handle whatever threat lurked behind this mystery, then she had no chance of dealing with it herself.
As the three of them continued walking, something stirred deep within Ryuchi Cave.
---
In a separate dimension within the cave, a massive white snake suddenly opened its eyes. The creature was none other than the White Snake Sage, the ruler of Ryuchi Cave.
"Such a powerful presence... Another monster has appeared in the ninja world," the White Snake Sage muttered. After a brief moment of contemplation, she closed her eyes once again, entering a special spiritual world shared by the three great sages.
"Old toad, a powerful being has entered Ryuchi Cave—one as strong as Hashirama and Madara from decades ago. Have you noticed anything?" the White Snake Sage asked.
A deep, croaky voice responded. "Oh? I wasn't aware... Wait a moment."
The Great Toad Sage fell silent, activating a prophecy technique. The other sages remained patient, knowing that the vision would take time.
After a long pause, the Great Toad Sage finally spoke again. "Strange... All my past prophecies have vanished. The future has completely changed. I can no longer see what lies ahead."
"What?!" The White Snake Sage was stunned. "Does this mean our fate is no longer set?"
"It seems that way," the Slug Sage added. "And this change is connected to the person who entered Ryuchi Cave."
"Should we intervene?" the White Snake Sage asked.
"No," the Great Toad Sage rejected the idea outright. "We made a pact with the Sage of Six Paths long ago not to interfere in the ninja world's affairs. Let him handle this."
"And if he fails?" the Slug Sage inquired.
Silence filled the spiritual realm. After a long pause, the Great Toad Sage sighed.
"If he fails... then I fear the world will fall into the hands of the Otsutsuki once again."
The spiritual world grew quiet once more, as an uneasy tension filled the air.
"Such a beautiful world," the Great Toad Sage murmured. "Why must it always be targeted by those monsters? And now, with this new variable... I no longer know what lies ahead."
With a heavy heart, the sages withdrew from the spiritual realm, each lost in their thoughts.
---
"I placed energy in your body that allows you to control your transformation without losing your mind!"
"Use this energy to suppress it. You are now learning to control the natural energy within you."
"Once you no longer need my help to suppress it, you will be able to walk the ninja world on your own."
"Train well!"
During this time, as Kaito and the gang traveled toward the Land of Wind, he was also teaching Fu and Jugo.
Both of them had considerable talent—one wielding natural energy, the other possessing the power of the Seven-Tails.
Because of this, he didn't mind nurturing them properly.
He placed particular importance on Jugo. While the curse seal derived from his abilities was slightly weaker than the true Sage Mode, it could still amplify a user's power several times over!
This was an excellent tool for rapidly strengthening his subordinates.
However, although Orochimaru researched it in the original work, the fatality rate was very high! But now that Kaito is ready to intervene, he will naturally eliminate the hidden dangers of the curse mark! Kaito's understanding of natural energy can be said to be the strongest without any doubt! Now that Jugo has been located, the next course of action is to seek out Orochimaru.
However, before doing that, he intended to obtain the last of the three remaining tailed beasts.
There were still formidable enemies ahead, and he needed power on par with the Six Paths before facing them…
---
"It's getting dark. Let's head to the village up ahead!"
Tsunade stepped forward, gazing down at the valley below. The village was illuminated, standing in stark contrast to the surrounding wilderness.
"That place… it's the Hidden Grass Village, right?" he asked.
Tsunade nodded. "It's not a large village, but it's well-known for its unique binding techniques."
"Because of this, various nations utilized their abilities to construct a high-security prison in a ghost town near the border of the Land of Grass."
"That prison houses shinobi who have committed grave offenses in different countries."
As she spoke, something clicked in his mind—memories of a story from the past about this very village.
In that tale, there was a legendary artifact known as the 'Ultimate Weapon.'
Perhaps it could prove useful for research.
After contemplating for a moment, he said, "Let's go. We'll rest there for the night."
With that, he led the group down the hillside.
As they approached the village, Tsunade's expression darkened. Her sharp senses picked up on something unsettling.
"There's a strong scent of blood!" she said gravely.
He nodded. "Looks like the Hidden Grass Village just went through a serious battle."
Even so, their pace remained steady.
With him present, there was no real danger.
Slowly, the outline of the village became clearer.
Then, they spotted something unexpected—a young girl crouched on the side of the road. Behind her stood a worn-down thatched cottage.
Tsunade's eyes narrowed as she took in the girl's appearance.
Her hair color…
This child reminded her of someone—someone from long ago.
"Could she be from the Uzumaki Clan?" she murmured, her voice tinged with emotion.
Excitement flickered in Tsunade's eyes.
Among all the clans, the Uzumaki were the closest to the Senju. Her grandmother had been a Uzumaki princess, making her bond with the clan even stronger.
Now, she was the last of the Senju, and the Uzumaki had been all but wiped out.
The few who survived scattered across the ninja world, their numbers dwindling.
Finding a survivor filled her with an emotion she had not felt in years.
Without hesitation, she stepped toward the girl.
Meanwhile, he also recognized the girl.
Her familiar hair color…
This village…
Everything clicked.
This child was Karin.
Recalling the tragic past of Karin's childhood, he cast a cold gaze toward the Hidden Grass Village in the distance.
---
Tsunade knelt in front of the girl, gently placing a hand on her head.
The girl, sniffling softly, looked up at her with tear-filled eyes.
"What are you doing here, little one?" Tsunade asked gently.
The girl hesitated, then whispered, "My mother was taken away… she hasn't come back."
Tsunade's eyes hardened, but her voice remained soft. "Taken away?"
She nodded tearfully.
Tsunade smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. I'll take you to find her."
"Really?"
Hope flickered in the girl's eyes.
"Of course," Tsunade said warmly. "What's your name?"