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Recently, due to Kaito, an archaeological craze has swept across the ninja world. The power that humans possessed before the birth of ninjas and chakra has piqued the curiosity of many. Ninjas from clans with heritage have started to comb through the various ancient texts left by their ancestors, attempting to find any relevant information. Some have even begun searching for ancient ruins or tombs.
Of course, the most fanatical among them is none other than Orochimaru.
However, as his findings increased, he began to feel that he had uncovered deeper secrets hidden in history.
"Interesting. A thousand years ago, this world was actually invaded by beings from beyond the heavens." Orochimaru's eyes sparkled as he stared intently at a tattered scroll. "What do you think, Kabuto? Is the content recorded here true?"
Kabuto respectfully replied, "To verify that, we need more evidence, Lord Orochimaru."
"Hahaha..." Orochimaru chuckled with delight. "You're right. I need more ancient knowledge."
"Lord Orochimaru," Kabuto suggested, pushing up his glasses, "since this is about something that happened a thousand years ago, perhaps the White Snake Sage is a living history."
Orochimaru, somewhat displeased, replied, "That old creature wouldn't be so kind as to share such things with me."
"I will notify our people to continue their efforts in searching for more ancient relics," Kabuto quickly changed the subject.
"Yes, it's a shame we still don't have more information about spiritual power," Orochimaru remarked regretfully. "I'm really curious about that power."
"Are you certain that everything Kaito said is true?" Kabuto asked, somewhat doubtful.
"Of course I believe it, Kabuto," Orochimaru laughed again. "You didn't see it yourself—Kaito-kun possesses a power entirely different from chakra."
"Unfortunately, according to Kaito-kun, spiritual power is a naturally awakened force that conflicts with chakra." He licked his lips with his tongue. "In today's chakra-filled world, perhaps the environment for spiritual power to be born no longer exists."
"Kaito-kun is truly fortunate to be born with such power," he mused.
"Kabuto, I'm going to Ryūchi Cave." Orochimaru suddenly seemed impatient and disappeared from Kabuto's sight as soon as he said this.
"You've noticed it too, haven't you, Lord Orochimaru?" Kabuto murmured to himself after being left behind. "This world has begun to undergo strange changes. Perhaps that's why you're so eager."
He pushed up his glasses again, the lenses flashing with a cold light.
"If we don't keep up with the pace of change, we may be completely defeated."
...
Ryūchi Cave.
"What are you here for, Orochimaru?"
Manda, coiled within the dark cave, opened its eyes.
"I want to see the White Snake Sage," Orochimaru stated.
"Hmph, go by yourself then," Manda grumbled reluctantly. "If you get eaten by other snakes along the way, it would only prove that you are too weak."
"Manda," Orochimaru's cold snake-like eyes met Manda's, his aura filled with killing intent like a blade, "you know better than to repeatedly test my patience."
"Hmph, get on," Manda lowered its raised head to the ground, and after Orochimaru jumped on, it sped off towards the depths of Ryūchi Cave.
After passing through dark, winding tunnels filled with all kinds of snakes, Manda brought Orochimaru to the outer area of the White Snake Sage's abode.
"This is as far as I can take you," Manda said before falling silent, laying on the ground.
Orochimaru jumped down from Manda's head and walked towards the White Snake Sage's residence.
"Is there something you need, Orochimaru?" The voice of the White Snake Sage echoed from the depths of the cave.
"I simply want to inquire about some matters with the White Snake Sage," Orochimaru replied with a smile.
After a long silence, the White Snake Sage said, "Come in."
Orochimaru unceremoniously walked deeper into the cave.
The White Snake Sage, covered in white scales, sat coiled on a massive stone chair, holding a long smoking pipe.
It looked at the approaching Orochimaru and asked in an indifferent tone, "What do you want to ask, Orochimaru?"
"Recently, I acquired some ancient artifacts. I accidentally discovered an interesting record," Orochimaru's raspy voice sounded, "so I wanted to ask the White Snake Sage if the world was invaded by beings from beyond a thousand years ago."
Upon hearing this, the White Snake Sage glanced coldly at Orochimaru and, after a few seconds, replied, "That's right. A thousand years ago, beings from beyond not only invaded but even ruled the entire world."
"So that's how it is."
Orochimaru became thoroughly excited and continued to ask, "Then, is chakra something foreign?"
The White Snake Sage remained silent.
"I understand!" Orochimaru took its silence as confirmation and immediately asked a new question, "Then do you know what spiritual power is?"
"Spiritual power, huh..." The White Snake Sage seemed dismissive. "Whether it's chakra or spiritual power, they're essentially just forms of energy. Why bother distinguishing between them?"
Orochimaru understood what the White Snake Sage meant.
Since chakra already existed, there was no need to covet something else.
Orochimaru even felt that the White Snake Sage's words made a lot of sense.
Although there may be qualitative differences between energies, quantity can often compensate for that, and the way energy is utilized can also close the gap.
Unfortunately, Orochimaru couldn't accept that.
He had always been very honest with his desires.
Now, his curiosity about spiritual power had reached its peak.
Seeing Orochimaru's stubborn gaze, the White Snake Sage clicked its tongue and exhaled a long puff of smoke.
"Fine, I understand."
After all, Orochimaru was the signature contractor of Ryūchi Cave, so the White Snake Sage had to give him some face.
"Spiritual power is a human power, so I'm not too knowledgeable about it."
The White Snake Sage seemed to be lost in thought.
"Even a thousand years ago, humans with spiritual power were extremely rare."
"Those who had spiritual power were born different from ordinary people, with eyes that could see spirits and demons."
"At that time, most of those with spiritual power were onmyoji, priestesses, monks, and the like."
"I can tell you want that kind of power," the White Snake Sage said, exhaling another puff of smoke, "but it's impossible."
"Why?" Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. "As long as I find someone who was born with spiritual power and use the Living Corpse Reincarnation technique..."
"Don't delude yourself," the White Snake Sage interrupted. "Unlike chakra, spiritual power comes from the soul. Now, no matter what you do, it's too late."
"The soul?" Orochimaru said, "If spiritual power comes from the human soul, then it must be that only those born with strong souls can awaken spiritual power."
"That's correct."
"Then why does spiritual power conflict with chakra?" Orochimaru felt something was amiss.
The White Snake Sage, of course, wouldn't reveal the truth to Orochimaru.
The chakra on this planet is intertwined with the consciousness of Kaguya, who merged with the God Tree, and naturally repels all other energies.
Even the White Snake Sage, ever since it transformed from a yokai into a chakra-based creature, had not experienced any growth in the thousand years since. Even though it had developed Sage Mode, it was merely hanging on by a thread.
Now, a thousand years later, chakra has permeated all living things on the planet.
Originally, it would have been too late to change anything.
However, Kaito's sudden emergence also alarmed Ryūchi Cave.
A chakra insulator.
Though the White Snake Sage detested that old, mysterious toad, it too felt the urge to call Kaito the Child of Prophecy.