Chapter 85
Ryūchi Cave's Teachings
Zixu's studies in Ryūchi Cave progressed smoothly. With Sarutobi's extensive knowledge of ninjutsu as a foundation, understanding other Sage Arts wasn't too difficult for him. He simply meditated for days, absorbing knowledge.
During this period, he didn't forget his promise to release his draconic energy to the goddesses, but constantly doing so was too much of a hassle. Instead, Zixu shed a few dragon scales from his beast form and tossed them their way, ensuring they wouldn't disturb him while he was immersed in his studies.
"Sage Arts require mastery. Powerful ones aren't something you can just execute on a whim..." Zixu deeply understood the potency of these techniques. Even with his formidable physique, the backlash from a failed Sage Art could forcefully transform him into a snake—a stark reminder that controlling senjutsu chakra was no simple feat.
Like Kekkai Genkai or any advanced ninjutsu, Sage Arts depended on the strength of the user. The more powerful the practitioner, the greater the technique's potential. Conversely, if a mistake occurred during execution, the repercussions could be devastating. Mastery took time—there was no shortcut to perfection.
Currently, Zixu was focusing on the Sage Art: Mugen Seimei no Jutsu (Inorganic Reincarnation).
This ability granted life to inorganic matter, allowing the user to control it. It was the very technique Zixu had accidentally used on Ichikishima-hime before.
At first glance, it didn't seem particularly impressive—but that was a grave misconception. Ichikishima-hime's hair had remained unaffected that day not because the technique was weak, but because hair itself is organic. However, the inorganic salts within her hair had been manipulated, proving that even the smallest detail could be exploited.
Inorganic matter was everywhere. Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide—if these gases were given life, an enemy could be silently obliterated. The Shinden-shu (Divine Snake Clan) had never explored such applications before. This was the power of science.
"Come on... change already! Just change!" Zixu coiled around a stone, infusing it with senjutsu chakra day and night, but the experiment remained unsuccessful.
His earlier success might have been due to Ichikishima-hime's naturally rich Sage Chakra and the abundant senjutsu energy around her, creating a perfect condition for an accidental breakthrough.