226-230

*Chapter 226: Daily Training in Hell Valley*

Arriving at Hell Valley was part of a mission.

Accordingly, after the leisurely time on the first day had passed, everyone quickly began familiarizing themselves with their work under the guidance of members of the Uchiha clan.

This included Uchiha Shinji.

However, his tasks were somewhat different from the others.

"Senior Hokari, isn’t this approach a bit too conspicuous?"

Early in the morning, at the secluded forest training ground behind the cliffs of Hell Valley, Uchiha Shinji followed closely behind the Uchiha clan member assigned to guide him. Before long, he was brought to this training area.

“No, there’s no problem,” replied Uchiha Hokari, his expression calm as he retrieved two wooden swords from the weapon rack at the training ground. He tossed one to Uchiha Shinji.

“Unlike others, you’ve already surpassed the level of an ordinary Jonin by being able to face the Cloud Village’s Jinchuriki in combat.

“There’s no need for you to waste time on meaningless tasks.

“Your objective is simple: solidify your foundation and grow stronger in the limited time available!"

“Starting today:

“In the mornings, I will teach you the basics of various Uchiha-style sword techniques.

“After lunch, the Great Elder and other Uchiha clan members in Hell Valley will train you in live combat, honing your skills in genjutsu, swordsmanship, taijutsu, and ninjutsu.

“In the evenings, you will use specially prepared medicinal baths made by the clan’s apothecaries to help you master Orochimaru’s cursed seal.

“Additionally, we’ve received word that the sealing techniques we purchased will soon be delivered to Hell Valley. When they arrive, you’ll spend your nights studying the sealing scrolls to enhance your ninjutsu knowledge.”

Hokari paused, took a scroll from his waist, and tossed it to Uchiha Shinji.

“Furthermore, during your training, you’ll need to wear this.”

Uchiha Shinji unfurled the scroll and saw a large character in the center: *"Iron"*.

Following the unsealing sequence—Boar, Dog, Rooster, Monkey, Goat—he summoned a pair of wrist guards and ankle weights sealed within the scroll.

As soon as the equipment materialized in his hands, their incredible weight pulled him toward the ground, nearly crushing him. They easily weighed over a thousand pounds!

Uchiha Shinji hurriedly channeled chakra, barely managing to lift the wrist guards.

Hokari smiled faintly and explained, “These training tools are the ‘Thousand-Pound Iron Rings,’ used by taijutsu practitioners to enhance their physical strength, speed, and endurance.

“Each piece of equipment weighs a thousand pounds, for a total of four thousand pounds.

“Moreover, the sealing techniques on them were designed by the Uzumaki clan. They will restrict your chakra flow to that of a Genin level.

“We’ll adjust the weight of the iron rings based on your progress.”

Uchiha Shinji stared in realization at the equipment in his hands.

He remembered seeing similar training tools in the original storyline. In the future, Might Guy had given a pair to Rock Lee, who used them for his leg training. These specialized training tools, crafted from unique materials, were valuable enough to be used as weapons. Their weight could leave deep craters in the ground and kick up clouds of dust, with the word *“Resolve”* engraved on them.

However, the equipment provided by the Uchiha clan was clearly more advanced.

Not only could the weight be adjusted, but it also restricted chakra circulation for the wearer.

At that moment, Hokari raised an eyebrow after finishing his explanation. He lifted the wooden sword in his hand and assumed a right-slash "Jump Step Moon Watch" stance, his gaze turning cold.

“Alright, stop standing around like an idiot. Put them on and get started!”

Holding the wooden sword in one hand and the absurdly heavy training equipment in the other, Uchiha Shinji couldn’t help but feel dumbfounded.

“With this gear on, can I even move?”

“You’d better find a way to move,” Hokari replied coolly, his eyes fixed on Uchiha Shinji.

“You’re carrying the hopes of the clan. We’ve spared no expense to train you. To be honest, I’ve never seen anyone receive opportunities like this.

“At this point, do you think you have any choice but to press forward?”

Hearing these words, Uchiha Shinji fell silent for a moment.

Indeed, at this point, where could he retreat to?

The familiar storyline had already been rewritten beyond recognition, and the once-predictable future was now shrouded in uncertainty.

However, Uchiha Shinji understood one thing:

Coming here, to Hell Valley—a place buried in the ashes of history,

To this desolate land where Cloud ninja and Uchiha Yatsushiro had been slaughtered,

To accept this opportunity offered by those who lived as though damned,

It was all because of him.

It was the result of battles fought to the brink of death.

In other words, this was the reward waiting for him at the end of his grueling journey.

*Should one give up the opportunity for a destined gift just because of a 'small' challenge?*

At that thought,

"I understand now!"

Uchiha Shinji took a deep breath, his gaze firm, and with great difficulty donned his protective gear. He raised his wooden sword, stepped forward, and stood shoulder to shoulder. His eyes locked onto the man before him—a man with a calm expression but an unmistakable aura of strength.

*Uchiha Hikaru*

This man, prior to the arrival of the Great Elder Uchiha Setsuna at Hell Valley, was one of the top-tier warriors in the Uchiha clan stationed there. His father was Uchiha Hinoka, a master second only to Uchiha Madara and Izuna during the Warring States Period.

"Now, that's more like it."

"And one more thing: let me remind you, my teaching methods are… unconventional."

Uchiha Hikaru's lips curled into a faint smile, but in the blink of an eye, his gaze turned icy.

"You’d better train with the resolve to kill me."

"Otherwise, you will die."

"And remember, Uchiha-style swordsmanship belongs to geniuses. Ordinary fools won't get far with it, even if they grasp its basics."

"During this process, I’ll be evaluating your potential."

"If I determine that you lack the aptitude to master this swordsmanship, then, unfortunately…"

"Uchiha Shinji, even if you're the future clan leader, even if the Great Elder personally requests it, even if your resolve is unshakable…"

"I will advise you to give up on swordsmanship, and I won’t teach you a single move more."

As his voice fell silent, a sudden system notification appeared before Uchiha Shinji:

*[Warning! Uchiha Elite Jōnin, Uchiha Hikaru, has developed killing intent toward you!]*

In the next moment, a chilling wave of killing intent surged from the incoming wooden blade. The opponent swung his wooden sword with a form Uchiha Shinji had never seen before, ferociously slashing toward him!

Startled, Uchiha Shinji quickly activated his Sharingan and, with great effort, swung his wooden sword to block.

*Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!*

“Argh!”

In the dense emerald forest, the sharp clash of wooden swords echoed through the air.

From time to time, the pained cry of a young man could also be heard.

---

Perhaps some sort of mechanism had been triggered.

Up until now, Uchiha Shinji had always gained skills directly through combat, forging them in the heat of battle. He had never undergone such proper training, grinding through painstaking effort to master a skill.

To his surprise, Uchiha Shinji noticed some changes on his status panel after enduring Uchiha Hikaru's morning "training session."

Under the swordsmanship category, the panel now displayed a progress bar:

- *[Uchiha Style: Dance of the Solar Eclipse (S+), Proficiency: (Beginner, 85/100)]*

- *[Basic Swordsmanship of the Ninja World (D), Proficiency: (Adept, 22/500)]*

However, before Uchiha Shinji could fully analyze these changes, lunchtime ended, and he hadn’t even had the chance to walk off his meal when the Great Elder Uchiha Setsuna subjected him to a second round of brutal training.

When it came to swordsmanship, Uchiha Setsuna admitted that Uchiha Hikaru was superior. Thus, in the afternoon, the old man focused on training Uchiha Shinji in practical combat.

(End of Chapter)  

Chapter 227: Practical Training - Summoning the Sage

The afternoon training session was grueling. It focused on honing ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu simultaneously. By adjusting the seals on his protective gear, Uchiha Shinji's chakra was restricted to the level of an average Uchiha Chunin, simulating real combat conditions.

The Uchiha clan didn’t seem to care much about the Zero-Tails within Uchiha Shinji or the potential development of this man-made tailed beast. Their primary focus was on Uchiha Shinji’s fundamental abilities as a ninja.

To Uchiha Shinji, the experience was straightforward:

Compared to Uchiha Hikaru, a reserved swordsmanship master who rarely spoke,

Uchiha Setsuna, the old man in charge of his training, had a much sharper tongue—

"Who taught you to use ninjutsu like that?"

"Are you trying to give me a heart attack? Why do you throw ninjutsu around like shuriken? Where’s your aim?"

"Wrong! Wrong again!"

"Are you stupid? Shuriken are for cover; ninjutsu is what kills!"

"Without your Fire Release: Chakra Mode, you can't even beat that brat Shisui!"

"Hmm?"

"Your Four-Attribute Chakra Blade is interesting, but it still needs work."

"And as for Lightning Release, compared to Wind, Fire, and Water, your Lightning Release is so weak it’s only good for scratching my back!"

When Uchiha Shinji finally ran out of chakra, he was granted a brief respite.

*Bang!*

Exhausted and covered in dirt, Uchiha Shinji collapsed onto the messy training ground.

As he stared at the clouds drifting by, the birds in flight, and the falling leaves, he glanced at the old man’s smug expression. For a fleeting moment, he wanted to curse the heavens:

"Screw this training! I quit!"

With his chakra restricted to a Chunin's level, Uchiha Shinji had no choice but to rely on conventional combat methods. In front of Uchiha Setsuna, he was riddled with flaws.

The once-invincible Uchiha Style: Manipulated Wire Shuriken Technique was utterly ineffective against this old man. He cycled through every ninjutsu technique he knew, only for the elder to exploit their weaknesses with the precision of the Sharingan.

Then, using a mastery of Uchiha swordsmanship far surpassing Uchiha Shinji’s, the old man darted through the battlefield like a phantom. It was reminiscent of when he danced blindfolded through Kakuzu's ninjutsu bombardment. With effortless grace, he would appear behind Uchiha Shinji and mercilessly smack him with the back of his blade.

When Uchiha Shinji tried countering with genjutsu, he found himself inexplicably caught in the old man’s genjutsu before he even realized it.

In desperation, Uchiha Shinji resorted to his trump card—a composite sword-style ninjutsu he had yet to name. This technique had been conceptualized during the battle to suppress the Nine-Tails and combined four elemental attributes:

- *Fire Release: Heart Flame Blade*

- *Water Release: Water Fang Blade*

- *Wind Release: Vacuum Blade*

- And a new technique, acquired after his duel with Killer Bee: *Lightning Release: Sonic Thunder Blade*

This Lightning Release technique, Sonic Thunder Blade, was an A-rank chakra-infused sword art from the Hidden Cloud Village. It was as powerful as Sasuke's Chidori Blade and could envelop weapons with lightning chakra, enhancing their sharpness and penetration through high-frequency vibrations.

The composite technique’s power was staggering—it could slice through obstacles at a molecular level, forcing even Uchiha Setsuna to avoid a direct confrontation.

However, it was futile. Against an opponent like Uchiha Setsuna, whose abilities were at the pinnacle of conventional ninja combat, Uchiha Shinji couldn’t even graze him without unleashing a massive area-of-effect attack.

Uchiha Setsuna's mastery of Uchiha swordsmanship, coupled with the Sharingan's unparalleled insight, gave him an almost otherworldly ability to anticipate every move.

No matter the angle of attack or method employed, Uchiha Shinji’s moves were always predicted and countered. It felt like the old man could foresee his every action:

- Parry after parry, countering every move.

- Striking first despite acting second.

It was a pure, devastating display of technical superiority.

And if ninjutsu failed to land, it only drained chakra—a burden rather than an advantage. Despite Uchiha Shinji’s impressive techniques, the outcome was the same: crushing defeat.

Thankfully, Uchiha training left deep impressions on the body and mind through relentless combat.

As long as he could fight, even in defeat, Uchiha Shinji could still gain something!

*Ding!*

*[In Uchiha Setsuna’s designated training mode, you bravely faced the challenge. You have received a random reward for your efforts: a significant increase in practical experience with Uchiha swordsmanship.]*

*[Your Uchiha Style: Solar Halo Dance skill has advanced to Proficient (11/300).]*

Gazing at the message on his panel, Uchiha Shinji felt momentarily dazed.

In the next instant...

The scars inflicted on his body by the old man’s strikes burned faintly.

The beatings he endured transformed into an overwhelming stream of knowledge, a form of near-instinctive muscle memory, engraved into the very muscles where the scars were left.

From the angle of sword strikes to the posture of drawing his blade, and even the insights from Uchiha Setsuna’s Sharingan—perceiving, predicting, and countering his clumsy movements—these ineffable forms of understanding coursed through his heart and etched themselves into his instincts.

In an instant, he overcame countless hurdles that would typically require tedious practice and refinement, progressing from comprehension to analysis, mastery, and finally proficient application.

The exhilarating speed of his progress brought Uchiha Shinji immense satisfaction, causing him to let out an uncontrollable chuckle.

On the training ground, Uchiha Setsuna, having just finished a water bottle, glanced at the grinning fool at his feet. Unable to restrain himself, he kicked Shinji on the backside.

“What are you laughing at, idiot?”

“Break time’s over. Get up and train!”

“Got it!”

Uchiha Shinji scrambled to his feet. Thanks to his exceptional recovery abilities, he quickly restored his energy to peak condition.

Before long, another round of merciless training commenced, and he continued to progress bit by bit through pain and joy.

---

*Night fell, and the stars and moon illuminated the sky.*

After completing two exhausting training regimens, Uchiha Shinji left the training ground and headed toward the private wooden cabin the clan had prepared for him.

But even now, he couldn’t rest.

The Uchiha clan’s training aimed to supplement his foundational ninja skills comprehensively. His next task, however, was part of a training plan devised through discussions between Orochimaru and the Uchiha clan.

It was training to master the Curse Mark, or more precisely, to achieve the perfect Sage Mode.

To this day, Uchiha Shinji’s development of the “Heavenly Curse Mark” remained rudimentary, limited to drawing natural energy and combining it to produce basic Sage Chakra.

The Curse Mark itself was a pathway to Sage Mode.

Although the Heaven Curse Mark could drive one to madness or cause physical mutation, its essence was a form of Sage Mode.

Through Orochimaru’s genius vision, this method was even considered safer and more reliable than the Sage Mode training of Ryūchi Cave itself.

After all, the method taught by the White Snake Sage and Orochimaru were nearly identical—biting into the trainee to inject natural energy and then... waiting.

The second-stage Curse Mark form could already be called an imperfect Sage Mode. In theory, this form endowed Uchiha Shinji with enhanced strength, serpentine eyes, flexibility, explosive power, and extreme speed—more than sufficient for use.

But Orochimaru wasn’t satisfied.

What he demanded of Uchiha Shinji was complete mastery over this power!

To achieve this, a special drug was required—*the Awakening Pill.*

By consuming this drug, enduring the agony of “death,” and repeatedly confronting the hidden power within the Heaven Curse Mark, one could suppress the insanity it induced and master its capabilities.

Fugaku had already entrusted this drug to him before Shinji left the village. However, during the fierce battle with Killer Bee, Shinji’s clothes were shredded, and the pill was lost.

Now, he relied on a hastily prepared “Awakening Elixir” sent by the clan’s apothecaries.

At this moment, Uchiha Shinji plunged into a steaming medicinal bath emitting a pungent scent.

Sitting cross-legged with only his head above the water’s surface, he closed his eyes, calmed his mind, and silently released the Evil Sealing Jutsu tied around his neck.

He felt the pattern of the Heaven Curse Mark crawling across his body, spreading until his entire form was covered in pale, serpentine scales, transforming into his second-stage Curse Mark form.

However, just as he attempted to draw out the deeper power of the Curse Mark and suppress its chaotic influence, an ancient, deep, and ominous voice suddenly echoed in his ears:

“Mortal!”

“Listen closely! Your methods are flawed!”

“If you wish to achieve the true form of a Ryūchi Cave Sage, you must embrace it, not reject it. You should accept this honor, not act against it with rebellious defiance!”

Hearing this voice, Uchiha Shinji’s eyes snapped open.

But before he could react, the world spun violently.

With a puff of smoke, Uchiha Shinji vanished from the wooden cabin in Hell Valley.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 228: The Debate of Sage Techniques and the Key to Boundaries*

When his vision gradually cleared again, Uchiha Shinji felt as if he had fallen into a realm of darkness. s

From an indiscernible location came the rhythmic sound of a wooden fish being struck. Through the thick darkness, he could faintly discern a massive and towering mural of a Buddha statue.

The Buddha had three heads and six arms, each hand holding a sacred implement. Its fierce, vajra-like expression glared down as if to awe all before it. Beneath its feet coiled the head of a menacing dragon, its jaws wide open, biting down on a massive stone scroll.

Three large characters were inscribed on the scroll:

*Dragon Earth Cavern*

In the dimness, it seemed as though a colossal being slithered through the shadows, its movements creating a faint rustling sound.

A metallic screech, like steel grinding against rock, reverberated from all directions.

At that instant, Uchiha Shinji felt a shiver run down his spine. His innate battle instincts screamed a warning of imminent, extreme danger—

a sensation as though some terrifying entity beyond human comprehension had set its sights on him.

Abruptly, a hoarse, low, and ancient voice echoed out:

"Boy—"

"Since you’ve encountered a Sage, why do you not bow?"

This voice carried an intangible power that rippled through the air, brushing against Uchiha Shinji's face.

Affected by it, his eyes suddenly widened. Red veins surged in the whites of his eyes, and vein-like patterns appeared near his temples, as if his Byakugan had been forcibly activated.

A unique natural energy infused his sight, silently granting him 360-degree infrared vision. His once dark and luminous pupils morphed instantly into snake-like Sharingan.

But that wasn’t all—the Sage's greeting had also endowed him with a new ability:

*Night Vision.*

In the blink of an eye, his world transformed.

It was as though a high-wattage searchlight had suddenly illuminated a pitch-black room, revealing every detail with absolute clarity.

Only then did he notice that beneath the massive gate inscribed with the words *Dragon Earth Cavern*,

a giant white-scaled serpent, with just one of its scales towering higher than his entire body, had coiled its enormous frame around him. The serpent lowered its head, its cold gaze fixed on him.

Its golden pupils gleamed with a chilling mix of bloodlust, cruelty, and greed.

“White Snake Sage?”

Uchiha Shinji froze for a moment before recognizing this figure: the founder of Dragon Earth Cavern, a being who had survived since the era of Kaguya, revered as the terrifying *White Snake Sage*.

After his intense battle with Elder Chiyo, Uchiha Shinji had received a gift from Tianshin Hime of Dragon Earth Cavern. And now, the mastermind behind Dragon Earth Cavern had personally appeared before him?

Moreover, it claimed that his method of mastering Dragon Earth Cavern's Sage Mode was incorrect. What did that mean?

At this moment, the White Snake Sage slightly nodded, its gaze still locked on Uchiha Shinji as it opened its massive jaws and spoke slowly:

“Mortal.”

“Do not continue down this erroneous path.”

“Your master, Orochimaru, was nothing more than a failure on this road—a madman unable to grasp the true power of a Sage. How could he possibly guide you toward the path of becoming a ‘true dragon’?”

Hearing this, Uchiha Shinji furrowed his brow slightly and hesitated before asking,

“The path to becoming a true dragon? What does that mean?”

Following the path Orochimaru had laid out for him, he was at least guaranteed to obtain a Sage Mode similar to Mitsuki's.

Though its form might seem somewhat unimpressive, it was still a power that even the Otsutsuki clan feared.

And yet, the White Snake Sage claimed that this path was wrong?

What then constituted the correct path?

The White Snake Sage chuckled coldly and spoke indifferently:

“Before answering that, allow me to ask you—”

“What do you think is the essence of the Sage Mode that you humans pursue?”

Uchiha Shinji pondered briefly before responding:

"Roughly speaking, it's a powerful state that absorbs natural energy, transforming the potency of one's ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu into something extraordinary?"

"Hmph!"

"Powerful?"

Hearing this response, the White Snake Sage seemed to sneer with disdain. It let out a mocking chuckle and asked:

"Then tell me, what do you think constitutes true power?"

"Or rather, what do you believe is the ultimate limit of a ninja’s strength on this earth?"

Sensing that the elder in front of him—perhaps better described as an old lady—didn't intend to kill him but instead seemed eager to engage in a debate, Uchiha Shinji felt slightly relieved. He rubbed his chin, thought for a moment, and asked:

"The limit of a ninja's power… would it be the level of the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju, who redefined the ninja world and created the system of one nation, one village?"

After all, in the original lore, those who surpassed Hashirama were essentially no longer considered mere ninjas—they were deities.

However, upon hearing this answer, the White Snake Sage shook its massive snake head and declared firmly:

"Wrong!"

"The limit of a ninja is not Hashirama Senju."

It paused, its tone turning wistful:

"It is your ancestor—the one who perished at the hands of the First Hokage…"

"Uchiha Madara!"

Hearing this conclusion, Uchiha Shinji raised an eyebrow slightly. He didn't interrupt, though; debates about power levels often ended with both sides clinging to their own reasoning.

What he truly wanted to know was why the White Snake Sage had summoned him to Ryuchi Cave using the reverse summoning technique. What was its purpose?

Under his gaze, the White Snake Sage leisurely stretched its tail and began recounting a tale from long ago:

"The one who mastered the strongest Kekkei Genkai, controlled the most powerful tailed beast, and reached the pinnacle of taijutsu, ninjutsu, and genjutsu. The one who embodied the ultimate limit of a ninja—the unmatched Asura of the ninja world."

"Yet in the end, even he fell to Hashirama Senju."

"Tell me, if you were to fully master the Sage Mode of Ryuchi Cave, do you think you could defeat Uchiha Madara?"

Uchiha Shinji's eyebrow twitched instantly.

Me, defeat Uchiha Madara? What kind of joke is this?

Even if you gave me a complete Sage Mode and threw in a tailed beast for good measure, I'd still be no match for even the elderly Madara. At best, I'd be like a mosquito biting an elephant!

Seeing the look of disbelief on Uchiha Shinji's face, the White Snake Sage sneered and nodded.

"It seems that, having faced the Nine-Tails yourself, you understand this."

"That immense power, yet even the mighty Nine-Tails could only grovel at that man's feet."

"And the complete Sage Mode of Ryuchi Cave isn't much stronger than the final form of the cursed seal granted by Orochimaru. It would struggle to hold its own against the Nine-Tails, let alone anything beyond."

"Such is the limit of ordinary sage techniques."

At this point, the White Snake Sage paused. It fixed its gaze on Uchiha Shinji's unique serpent-like Sharingan, locking eyes with him and continuing with a hint of revelation:

"However, beyond that Sage Mode lies an even more powerful form."

"The key to Hashirama Senju’s victory over Uchiha Madara was sage energy!"

"A sage art that didn’t originate from the three great sacred lands. A sage art that transcends ordinary Sage Modes. The so-called Sage Art of Life’s Origin!"

"This is a domain only attainable when Yang Release reaches its utmost extreme—a realm that represents the Yang aspect of this world—"

"The Great Sun Sage Art!"

The White Snake Sage let out a cold laugh, its voice filled with eerie mystery.

"Uchiha Shinji…"

"You've already glimpsed a fraction of that power!"

"So why don’t you take a moment and think back carefully?"

Hearing the White Snake Sage’s words, Uchiha Shinji froze. Instinctively, his mind drifted back to the time he shattered the cat’s-eye stone in Ryuchi Cave and witnessed that magnificent sight.

The entire cave, once shrouded in darkness, was illuminated into a celestial wonderland by countless glowing green specks.

The innumerable emerald-green lights floated in the air, connecting and weaving an intricate network of green threads that stretched as far as the eye could see, illuminating the entire cave.

It was an unimaginably vast and terrifying concentration of natural energy!

At that moment, the White Snake Sage leaned in closer, its massive snake body creating an icy draft as it spoke directly into Uchiha Shinji’s ear, its blood-red mouth curling into a grin of fervor:

"That’s right!"

"That is the true power of a Sage!"

"The Yin aspect of this world—a creation born from the absurd fantasies of great beings at the end of their lives—represents the ultimate limit of Yin Release!"

"The key to opening the gate to ascension—the key to becoming a dragon!"

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 229: The Immortal’s Teachings, Stealing the Dragon’s Might!*

Hearing the White Snake Sage reveal such shocking news, Uchiha Shinji couldn’t help but freeze for a moment.

The implication of these words seemed to differ significantly from what was described in the original story.

It seemed the White Snake Sage was trying to tell him—

*Senjutsu (Sage Techniques) also have levels!*

The Senjutsu mastered by Hashirama Senju, from its perspective, was undoubtedly the highest grade.

Below that were the animal-based Senjutsu of the Three Great Sacred Grounds: Ryūchi Cave, Shikkotsu Forest, and Mount Myōboku.

Even lower was the Cursed Seal Senjutsu, replicated by Orochimaru through scientific research.

At this thought, Uchiha Shinji instinctively raised his head and, looking at the enormous serpent before him, asked in surprise:

"Are you saying the First Hokage’s Senjutsu wasn’t inherited from Shikkotsu Forest?"

"Shikkotsu Forest?"

The White Snake Sage scoffed disdainfully.

"That slug doesn’t have such capability!"

Hearing this reply, Uchiha Shinji was suddenly enlightened.

In the original story, it was only mentioned that the Three Great Sacred Grounds possessed complete Senjutsu inheritances. This made him unconsciously assume that Hashirama Senju’s Senjutsu originated from Shikkotsu Forest, which was on par with Ryūchi Cave and Mount Myōboku.

Although Hashirama Senju’s Senjutsu always seemed somewhat overpowered, and the original story didn’t explicitly confirm its origin as Shikkotsu Forest, there had been no other explanation. The connection was made out of convenience.

Now, however, the White Snake Sage’s words clearly denied this assumption!

So where did Hashirama Senju’s Senjutsu come from?

Upon closer thought, there were indeed inconsistencies in Hashirama’s Senjutsu.

For instance, *Sage Art: Gate of the Great God*—when Naruto extracted Nine-Tails chakra to unlock the seal, the Gate descended from the sky. At that moment, Nine-Tails roared in shock:

"That’s the Sage of Six Paths’..."

Although the statement was incomplete, it at least confirmed that the Gate of the Great God was a Six Paths-level technique, uniquely effective at suppressing Tailed Beasts—even the Ten-Tails.

Additionally, during the Fourth Great Ninja War, when Tsunade and Sakura summoned a fraction of Katsuyu (the Slug Sage) to create a healing zone, if Hashirama truly inherited Shikkotsu Forest’s techniques, given his personality and enormous chakra reserves, he would undoubtedly have summoned at least half of Katsuyu for a much more powerful healing effect.

Yet, from beginning to end, Hashirama had no interaction with Katsuyu.

Moreover, even with Tsunade’s Yin Seal, Strength of a Hundred Technique, Creation Rebirth, and Katsuyu buffs stacked, her healing abilities still paled in comparison to Hashirama’s natural recovery.

This strongly suggested that Hashirama’s Senjutsu might have stemmed from being Asura’s reincarnation. However, this reincarnation seemed to have had a "bug," granting Asura, who usually needed collective strength to match Indra’s reincarnations, the "genius script" of Indra himself.

As a result, Hashirama pushed the Six Paths Sage Body inheritance to its peak, awakening Senjutsu and Wood Release powers autonomously, overwhelming the ninja world.

Thus, Uchiha Shinji frowned deeply.

So, Hashirama Senju had actually *developed his own Senjutsu*?

Moreover, his mastery of Senjutsu even touched upon the "Dragon Transformation" state that the White Snake Sage was striving for!

At this realization, Uchiha Shinji took a deep breath and raised his head, gazing at the White Snake Sage in astonishment.

"Then, White Snake Sage, the true Senjutsu you speak of—what exactly is it?"

Now able to see in the dark, Uchiha Shinji keenly noticed that the cat’s eye stone necklace, ever-present on the White Snake Sage in the original story, was missing. Coupled with previous experiences, it wasn’t hard to deduce that the life-saving natural energy he had received earlier came from this "granny" in her moment of peril. Hence, he used an honorific this time.

The White Snake Sage slightly shifted her massive body, narrowed her golden serpent eyes, and slowly revealed a secret Uchiha Shinji had never heard before:

"Before the era of ninjas, there was a war among gods."

"In that great war, the divine dragon, worshipped and revered by the people of two great nations, was ambushed and killed by the Rabbit Goddess while in a weakened slumber."

"Thus, the mythological era came to an end, and the era of ninjas began with the Toad Maru’s revenge plan."

"I established Ryūchi Cave here to trace the remnants of the past and achieve transcendence."

"And true Senjutsu is this—"

"To transcend the self through the self, to embrace the self born of the heart, to reach the shadowed side of the world, and to claim the remains of the true dragon that fell in the war of gods!"

"Ultimately—"

"To unite Yin and Yang, and transform into a dragon!"

"Only then can one obtain god-like power!"

The White Snake Sage hissed softly, lowering her massive head to ask Uchiha Shinji in an eerie tone:

"Do you understand now?"

Hearing these cryptic words, Uchiha Shinji blinked in confusion, appearing a bit lost.

However, within his heart, a storm raged.

For someone who had read the original story, the White Snake Sage’s words practically laid the truth bare!

In the original story, why did the Toad Sage (Toad Maru) harbor such deep hatred for Kaguya Ōtsutsuki?

---

Subsequently, guiding Kaguya’s child, Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo, to betray his mother—perhaps the answer lies in what the White Snake Sage mentioned:

Before the era of the shinobi world, this world adhered to an entirely different supernatural system.

The arrival of the Ōtsutsuki clan destroyed it.

What the White Snake Sage pursues is none other than the body of the divine dragon slain by Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.

It seeks to don the dragon's skin and devour its spirit, attempting to take its place!

As for the shinobi world, there is only one place that fits this description: the Land of Wind, barren and desolate, where not a single blade of grass grows. Within this wasteland lies the Dragon Vein, brimming with infinite chakra.

On closer thought, the desolation of that land may very well be the result of the "divine battle" the White Snake Sage described.

The so-called Dragon Vein is the remnants of the fallen dragon itself!

The soil is the dragon’s flesh, the stones its bones, and the plants its scales.

Do not be angry—distinguish yin from yang!

If the White Snake Sage's words are true, the ultimate mastery of yang release and the pinnacle of Sage Body power allowed Hashirama Senju to awaken a unique Sage Mode surpassing that of ordinary sages. This proves it may have encountered a similar entity.

And that entity might very well be the mythical fallen dragon!

Thus, the Dragon Vein corresponds to the dragon’s physical remains.

The Dragon Cave, with its dense, eerie green light and seemingly infinite natural energy, could correspond to the ultimate yin release—the lingering will of that fallen dragon!

Moreover, considering the White Snake Sage's claim that “the unity of yin and yang allows one to usurp the dragon,” its intentions become clear!

At this thought, Uchiha Shinji couldn’t help but feel a chill down his spine.

A sage powerful enough to battle Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, with a body imbued with yang release rivaling Hashirama Senju, could achieve unimaginable power by uniting yin and yang.

This might indeed be an alternative path to reaching the so-called "Six Paths" level!

For Uchiha Shinji, facing a story in disarray and seeking breakthroughs through battle, this was at least a goal worth striving for.

However, this path involves ancient beings who have survived since antiquity—formidable bosses. Coupled with the fact that the three snake princesses previously attempted to devour him, Uchiha Shinji could not afford to be careless.

With his current strength, entering this fray felt somewhat premature.

As he pondered, the White Snake Sage observed Uchiha Shinji’s dazed expression. A sly, greedy gleam flickered in its eyes.

It coiled its body, tightening the ground where Uchiha Shinji stood. The smooth white scales wrapped around him, pressing with a force that felt like ten oxen were ramming their horns into his body. The suffocating pressure sent chills down his spine.

The massive serpent's face took on a surprisingly human-like softness. Its tone became gentle, even kind.

“You may not understand now, and that’s perfectly fine.”

“All you need to know is this—”

“Do not suppress the dark thoughts that arise in the depths of your heart, for they are the core of your true self!”

“And do not fear losing yourself because of them, for they will lay the foundation for your transformation into a dragon!”

“To use one form to reach another—”

“This is the essence of the Dragon Cave’s Sage Art that I shall impart to you.”

The White Snake Sage lifted its tail, suddenly pressing it against Uchiha Shinji’s forehead. Accompanied by the flicker of its forked tongue, the tail radiated a brilliant white light.

Its golden serpent eyes narrowed as it spoke with an eerie sense of purpose:

“Sage Art: Transfer of the Distant Shadow!”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 230: A Difficult Time, A Distant Shadow

On the other side,

At Hell Valley, the Uchiha Clan’s encampment.

The Uchiha clan, who had been stationed here for a long time, had already constructed town-style buildings on this slightly flat slope in the dense forest.

These were traditional Japanese-style homes, combining workspace and living quarters.

At this moment,

The wind blowing from the Land of Frost Iron carried a hint of chill unbefitting the spring season.

By the fireplace, where flames danced fervently,

An old man and a middle-aged man sat silently facing each other, holding cups of hot tea. They gazed at the clouds gathered in the distant night sky, their faces heavy with thought.

The younger man, Uchiha Hikaru, broke the silence after a long pause. He retrieved a letter from his robes and handed it to the elder.

“This is news from Grandma Cat,” he said.

“Iwagakure suffered defeat at the Green Reef Battlefield and launched a surprise attack on the Land of Water. Their strategy to strike at Kirigakure’s rear has completely fallen apart.

“They’ve drastically reduced their procurement of ninja tools and shifted to large-scale purchases of transport equipment for moving supplies.

“This war… it’s over.”

Uchiha Setsuna took the letter, skimmed through it, and let out a sigh.

“Just as I predicted,” he said.

“The Third Great Ninja War… it has finally come to this.”

He paused, furrowed his brow slightly, then looked up and asked, “And what about the village?”

The flickering firelight cast shifting shadows on Uchiha Hikaru’s stern face.

“As we anticipated,” he replied.

“The battlefield in the Land of Rain is about to expand, affecting seven surrounding nations, both large and small. The Sannin, Konoha’s main combat forces, and the new generation of ninjas will likely be dispatched to fight in the Land of Rain, Grass, and Taki.

“A number of smaller clans and many Konoha civilian ninjas will be sent to the Land of Fields to counter the attacks from Kumogakure.

“As for us and the Hyūga Clan, we’ll be heading to the eastern coastline of the Land of Fire to respond to the impending offensive from Kirigakure.

“Our window of opportunity is down to just two months.”

Hearing this, Uchiha Setsuna tightened his grip on his teacup. He stared at the rippling water’s surface in silence for a while before murmuring, almost to himself:

“Only two months left...”

After a long pause,

He wearily waved his hand, glanced through the firelight at Uchiha Hikaru, hesitated, and then asked:

“Hikaru, what do you think of Uchiha Shinji? Do you think he has a chance of mastering this sword technique?”

“Uchiha Shinji, huh…”

Uchiha Hikaru was momentarily taken aback. He frowned slightly and then replied:

“With his natural talent, it should be impossible for him to master this kind of sword technique.

“The Uchiha-style swordsmanship has evolved far beyond its time. Through generations of refinement, the difficulty of learning this technique has reached an exceptionally high level.

“However…” Hikaru’s expression turned a bit strange. He scoffed lightly and shook his head.

“For some reason, this brat has learned a mishmash of random sword styles—be it Wild Flow, Hot Spring Flow, Samurai Flow from the Land of Iron, Cloud Flow, Water Mist Flow, or even the Hōzuki Clan’s Hōzuki Flow, which normal people can’t possibly master. He’s already grasped the basics of all of them.

“And the essence of Uchiha swordsmanship lies in how our ancestors used the Sharingan to replicate the swordsmanship, taijutsu, and ninja techniques of all major schools across the ninja world.

“Taking the best and discarding the rest.

“This is a swordsmanship tailored specifically for the Sharingan, allowing it to achieve preemptive strikes with what seems like ‘future sight.’

“He’s not walking the same path as us. He’s walking the path of our Uchiha forebears.

“Even if he can’t reach our level in the short term,

“As time passes and he faces more enemies, gaining more combat experience, perhaps…”

“He could reach the ‘ultimate realm’ of this swordsmanship, like Uchiha Madara did during Konoha’s founding era—

“Mastery of All Styles!”

Uchiha Setsuna looked up in astonishment.

“I didn’t expect you to hold this brat in such high regard!”

Uchiha Hikaru smiled faintly and shook his head.

“After all, he’s someone you’ve taken a liking to, so I’ve paid extra attention to him.

“While his natural talent is mediocre, his fighting spirit—and those eyes of his—have an uncanny quality. And since he gains something from every battle, it’s no wonder you hold him in such high esteem.”

Uchiha Setsuna nodded slightly. He was the one who felt the most keenly the absurd speed of Uchiha Shinji’s improvement.

After all, when he left the village a month ago, he never imagined that in just one month, this brat would be able to go toe-to-toe with a jinchūriki.

“It seems he has a pair of eyes that see deeper than ours,” Uchiha Setsuna murmured after a pause.

“Perhaps he can go even farther.”

Hearing this, Uchiha Hikaru froze for a moment, then looked up in surprise. His expression turned serious as he gazed intently at Uchiha Setsuna and asked:

“So… you’ve already decided to go through with it?”

---

A resolute glint flashed in Uchiha Setsuna's eyes. Taking a deep breath, he spoke in a low, firm voice:

"The Third Great Ninja War will only grow more dangerous as it continues!"

"The village, the clan, the future—all of them face increasingly challenging and perilous situations in such an unstable environment."

"Moreover, it's plainly evident that if Konoha can no longer hold its ground, we will inevitably be sent to fight on the battlefield against Kirigakure. A single clan going up against an entire Great Nation's ninja village—"

"This state of affairs—"

Uchiha Setsuna bit down hard, his eyes suddenly flashing with a frenzied determination, like a lion driven into a corner.

"The Uchiha... need a second Uchiha Madara!"

---

Inside a wooden cabin near the cliffside:

Bang!

With a sudden puff of smoke, a completely bare young boy dove headfirst into a wooden tub filled with cold medicinal broth.

"Bleh! Pfft! Pfft!"

Uchiha Shinji emerged from the water, spitting out mouthfuls of liquid with a strange taste—salty, sweet, bitter, sour, and numbing, like the flavor of traditional herbal medicine from a past life.

At that moment,

A brilliant flash of light burst in his eyes!

An endless stream of knowledge and symbols flickered through his vision, forming a complex secret technique.

Back in Ryūchi Cave, the White Snake Sage had swayed its tail and used a combination of toxins and genjutsu to hypnotize him.

With his bewildered consciousness dragged into the mental realm, and over what felt like both an instant and an eternity, his spirit—incapable of coherent thought—memorized an incredibly intricate secret technique.

*Sage Art: Distant Shadow Transmission.*

Understanding the name and the unique effects of this Sage Art,

Uchiha Shinji’s eyes immediately lit up. He couldn’t help but activate his snake-like Sharingan, enabling a full 360-degree panoramic view.

His slit pupils narrowed, his eyes widened, and a wide grin spread across his face,

Looking like a child who had just found a precious treasure!

Only when the ominous sense of being watched and the accompanying danger faded away did Uchiha Shinji's expression change.

He quickly dropped his smile, furrowed his brows slightly, and leaped out of the wooden tub. Throwing on a short-sleeved kimono, he walked over to the desk in the cabin.

Picking up a brush, he flicked off the droplets of water on his body before placing its tip onto the surface of the desk, completely lowering his guard in the process.

In the next instant,

From Uchiha Shinji's perspective,

His hand holding the brush lifted on its own, as if beyond his control,

Moving in a mechanical and deliberate motion.

Line after line of script—resembling the Sanskrit-like characters of the Sage Art etched into his mind—began appearing on the desk.

Witnessing this, Uchiha Shinji's pupils constricted sharply!

His thoughts instinctively turned to the last words the White Snake Sage had left him:

"To reach another body through this one—what does it truly mean?"  

(End of Chapter)