Uchiha's personal opinion

Especially the huge scroll in front of them, which is the fundamental immortal technique passed down through the Ryuchi Cave lineage!

Uchiha Tokumitsu didn't rush to make a decision, but instead unfurled the scroll and began to read.

Orochimaru, being quite perceptive, bowed and took his leave.

……

"So-called immortal arts..."

After flipping through the scroll of Ryuchi Cave Sage Techniques, Uchiha Tokumitsu seemed to be deep in thought.

Unlike Mount Myōboku, the Ryūchi Cave Sage Art system corresponds to the form and shape of life, characterized by manipulating natural energy to control all inorganic matter for attacks. For example, stones that can wriggle, grow, and transform into dragon shapes to launch attacks.

The most typical technique is the profound mystery of the Dragon Land Cave Immortal Techniques—the Inorganic Rebirth Technique!

However, even with the secret scroll of Ryuchi Cave, it doesn't mean that Uchiha Tokumitsu could learn Sage Mode so easily.

—Because he has yet to figure out the secret to manipulating natural energy and the body's physical and mental energy to refine into Sage Chakra.

If we compare the Sage Techniques of Mount Myōboku to bullets, then Uchiha Tokumitsu currently lacks a usable weapon to carry them.

Moreover, even if he cultivated Sage Chakra through research at the Uzumaki Research Institute and his own exploration, Uchiha Tokumitsu did not know whether Sage Chakra without the characteristics of Ryuchi Cave could actually perform the corresponding Ryuchi Cave Sage Techniques.

This is similar to how a 9mm bullet cannot be loaded into an AKA rifle.

Thinking of this, Uchiha Tokumitsu suddenly felt that the scroll in his hand was really useless.

"It's tasteless to eat, but a pity to throw it away..."

After carefully reading the scroll's contents again, Uchiha Tokumitsu sighed slightly.

The only purpose of this scroll for him was to confirm the composition ratio of Sage Chakra in his past life memories—that is, one-third each of physical energy, spiritual energy, and natural energy.

But apart from that, it's not very meaningful.

Uchiha Tokumitsu had no intention of accepting the White Snake Sage's snake venom injection.

Therefore, the White Strike Technique in the scroll, which is of a lower rank but requires the characteristics of a Ryuchi Cave Sage Technique practitioner to perform, was actually beyond the reach of Uchiha Tokumitsu.

Furthermore, based on Orochimaru's own experience deep within Ryuchi Cave, it is evident that the difference in the concentration of natural energy between the ninja world and so-called sacred lands is vast. As such, even if Uchiha Tokumitsu wanted to learn from Ryuchi Cave's training methods, he would be powerless to do so.

"This is truly awful..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu stood up and stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the scenery of Konoha.

Under his leadership, Konoha has undergone a dramatic transformation. It no longer resembles the haphazard, punk-style architecture of his past life, with its chaotic construction and haphazard wiring. Furthermore, Uchiha Tokumitsu has intentionally or unintentionally planned Konoha's development based on the urban planning methods of his past life. As a result, Konoha's architecture today appears remarkably "modern" compared to the mainstream classical architecture of the ninja world.

The new Konoha district was considered a "testing ground" by Uchiha Tokumitsu.

He not only plans to build commercial complexes and high-rise apartments in the new district, but also intends to bring over various classic buildings from his previous life to bring a "new trend" to the ninja world.

Even so, Uchiha Tokumitsu still felt it wasn't enough.

The changes he brought about were not enough.

At least his grand ambition of unifying the world has not yet been realized, but the resistance from his opponents is growing stronger.

Aside from the Hidden Cloud Village and the Hidden Stone Village, which are like withered bones in a tomb, Mount Myōboku is doing everything it can to oppose him, and its interference is becoming increasingly intense.

In addition, although the counter-terrorism forces and the United Company have traveled all over the ninja world, they still have no trace of Uchiha Madara and his remnants, and even the reincarnations of Indra and Ashura, which he has been paying close attention to, remain a mystery.

Now, Yongji-dong has inexplicably begun to show goodwill...

As the saying goes, "Unsolicited kindness is either a trick or a theft," so would one accept the temptation of a poisonous snake?

Uchiha Tokumitsu still had no idea what to do.

Even Orochimaru, who at least resembles a human being, was only activated after taking numerous precautions. So, can we trust the outcasts of Ryuchi Cave?

Although fortune is said to be found in danger, the allure of meeting at Ryuchi Cave was not worth the risk to Uchiha Tokumitsu.

He really didn't need to take any risks.

After pacing back and forth for a while, Uchiha Tokumitsu thought of another way. He then wrote a letter of invitation and ordered it to be sent to the Senju clan's territory.

According to the records of the Uchiha clan, from the end of the Warring States period to the present, there have only been two active Sage Mode ninjas in the ninja world: one is Jiraiya in the modern era, and the other is Hashirama Senju, who pacified the chaotic world and ushered in the era of ninja villages!

However, because Hashirama Senju's Wood Release is more famous, his mastery of Sage Mode is not as widely known.

……

"Your Excellency, welcome!"

After receiving a reply from the Senju clan, Uchiha Tokumitsu arrived at the Senju clan's territory within the agreed time, surrounded by his attendant ninjas.

On the outskirts of the clan's territory, a group of Senju clan members led by Kato Dan and Senju Nawaki were responsible for welcoming them.

Kato Dan was still the same as before. Although the Second Shinobi World War had long ended, his face was still as pale and even bluish as when he had just recovered from serious injuries. His steps were also a bit unsteady, which was really unlike a well-known elite Jonin.

As for Senju Nawaki... Uchiha Tokumitsu examined him briefly and felt that his strength was quite remarkable. At least from the perspective of his aura and chakra fluctuations, he had reached the level of a Jonin.

It seems that this direct descendant of the Senju clan, who perished prematurely in his previous life, is gradually turning his bloodline talent into strength.

That said, both of them had their fates changed by the rise of Uchiha Tokumitsu; otherwise, their bones would probably have withered away by now.

"You two are too kind. Please forgive us if our visit has been unannounced and has caused any disturbance."

Uchiha Tokumitsu spoke to the two of them in a similarly polite manner.

Although the Senju clan's strength is no longer comparable to that of the Uchiha clan, they are still the same founding clan, and Uchiha Tokumitsu is here to ask for a favor, so it's not a big deal to show them some polite respect.

As expected, Uchiha Tokumitsu's polite words made the Senju clan members who were lined up to greet him stand up proudly.

"My elder sister and the elders are waiting for Your Excellency in the main hall. Please follow me..."

Senju Nawaki also spoke very politely.

Uchiha Tokumitsu then instructed his ninja servants to wait outside the clan compound, and then entered the compound under the guidance of the two.

After going through an extremely tedious series of formalities, Uchiha Tokumitsu sat down in a quiet room, accompanied by Tsunade, Nawaki, and Kato Dan.

"Princess Tsunade, I have come here unexpectedly because I have something to ask you."

Uchiha Tokumitsu got straight to the point.

He had already said enough polite words during his meeting with the elders of the Senju clan, so he didn't intend to beat around the bush anymore.

"Please speak freely, Your Excellency De Guang."

Tsunade replied just as politely.

"I would like to consult the Slug Sage of Shikkotsu Forest about some matters, and I hope you can do me a favor."

Although his tone was polite, Uchiha Tokumitsu did not leave Tsunade any room to refuse, "Of course, what I intend to consult is not a matter that has anything to do with the Senju clan."

"The Shikkotsu Forest lineage has always been rather unique, and the Slug Sage's temperament is beyond my control..."

Tsunade looked troubled.

"Whether the Slug Immortal agrees or not is irrelevant; I'm just trying to resolve a knot in my heart."

Uchiha Tokumitsu still did not voluntarily withdraw his request.

"...Then let me go ask the slug for its opinion first."

Tsunade nodded apologetically, then got up and went to another room to summon her summoning beast.

After a while, Tsunade returned to the quiet room with a slug in her hand.

It seems the Slug Sage has agreed...

Uchiha Tokumitsu breathed a sigh of relief.

"Hello, Tokumitsu-kun... You don't mind me calling you that, do you?"

After Tsunade placed the slug on the table, the blue and white patterned slug waved its tentacles and greeted Uchiha Tokumitsu.

"You're too kind, Immortal..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu bowed slightly in respect, "To be honest, I have something I'd like to ask you."

"Ah~ I'm just a small clone, so I probably don't know much. Please don't be offended if I can't win the fight, De Guang-kun~"

The slug continued, waving its antennae.

"You're too kind..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu nodded again.

"What is the relationship between Mount Myoboku and Ryuchi Cave?"

"As everyone knows, Gamamaru and the White Snake are mortal enemies..."

The slug's tone was a little strange: "Of course, that's only on the surface~"

"surface?"

Uchiha Tokumitsu felt a sudden tremor in his heart.

Therefore, there must be something wrong with Yongji-dong's attentiveness!

"Gamamaru possesses the power to see the future, while the White Snake can know everything in the past. Although their powers are nominally opposed, they are actually complementary..."

The slug casually revealed a secret in public: "Even during the time when the Goddess of Rabbit was sealed, the White Serpent intended to support the Hagoromo brothers, but Gamamaru beat them to it."

"There's also this part of history..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu was somewhat surprised.

Tsunade, Nawaki, and Kato Dan exchanged bewildered glances, feeling both confused and impressed.

"That is why their ethnic groups turned against each other."

"As expected... what's free is always the most expensive..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu chuckled twice.

If I hadn't acted on impulse, I probably would have fallen into some kind of trap.

"Every gift that fate bestows has a price already marked on it in secret."

The slug tapped its antennae and said, "Including the scent of the divine tree on De Guang-jun, it might cause him some trouble someday~"

"You mean..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu was taken aback at first, then frowned, hesitated for a moment, and then pointed to the sky.

Are they still in the ninja world?