Naruto: Multiverse Character Templates

Orochimaru could not help nodding.

Although he believed Natsuki could pass the trial of the three great snake priestesses, the speed still exceeded his expectations.

"Follow me."

Tagorihime suppressed the surprise in her heart and spoke.

She turned and walked deeper inside.

"Passing our trial is only the beginning."

Tagitsuhime glanced at Natsuki and said, "If you fail to learn Sage Mode, we will still eat you."

After saying that, she and Ichikishimahime followed Tagorihime.

"The three great snake priestesses are like this. They do not care about us contractors at all."

Orochimaru lowered his voice and said, "But as long as we contractors follow Ryūchi Cave's rules, they do not dare eat us."

Natsuki nodded.

The two of them followed the three great snake priestesses deeper into Ryūchi Cave.

After walking for an unknown length of time, they finally reached the end of the passage.

Once they left the passage, their field of vision instantly opened up.

They had arrived in an enormous underground hall.

Natsuki looked around and found that it was a temple.

At the center of the temple was a stone seat.

At this moment, a white-scaled snake with hair was coiled on it, holding a pipe in its mouth.

After seeing them, the white-scaled snake slithered down and transformed into an old woman.

The old woman wore a green cat's-eye stone and had a red luminous pearl embedded on her head. She looked kind and benevolent.

"White Snake Sage."

Tagorihime stepped forward, bowed slightly, and said, "The new contractor, Natsuki, has passed our trial."

Tagitsuhime and Ichikishimahime also became extremely respectful, losing their earlier frivolous attitude.

"Not bad."

The White Snake Sage's gaze fell on Natsuki as she said, "In the thousand years of Ryūchi Cave, you are the fastest shinobi to pass the trial."

Natsuki paused slightly, somewhat surprised.

But after thinking about it carefully, it was normal.

Those who could become contractors of the three great summoning sage regions were all geniuses among geniuses.

However, there were differences even among geniuses.

And very few geniuses would be like Natsuki, only coming to take the trial of the three great snake priestesses after already reaching Kage level.

Natsuki was not a genius, but he had a cheat. His abilities happened to counter genjutsu and snake venom.

In the end, the three great snake priestesses' trials combined could not stop him for even a minute.

"Perhaps you have the talent to learn Sage Mode."

The White Snake Sage continued, "You may choose one snake priestess. She will teach you the training method for Sage Mode from now on."

Natsuki looked at the three great snake priestesses.

Tagitsuhime smiled at him.

Ichikishimahime appeared very lively.

Only Tagorihime remained calm.

"Ichikishimahime."

Natsuki randomly chose one.

When Ichikishimahime heard this, her face immediately filled with a smile, and she waved at him.

Tagitsuhime looked regretful.

"I hope you succeed in your training."

The White Snake Sage took a puff from her pipe and said, "Ryūchi Cave has not had a contractor who mastered Sage Mode in a very long time."

"Natsuki."

Ichikishimahime asked, "When do you plan to learn Sage Mode?"

"Now."

Natsuki thought for a moment and said.

He wanted to know whether, after unlocking Sage Mode from the Jiraiya Template, he had also inherited Jiraiya's talent for learning Sage Mode.

If he had not inherited it, then he could only forcefully modify Mount Myōboku's Sage Mode.

If he had inherited it, then there would be no need for such trouble. He could learn Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode as well.

In any case, the original story had never said one could not learn two kinds of Sage Mode.

"Come to my residence to learn."

After greeting the White Snake Sage, Ichikishimahime turned and walked outside.

Natsuki and Orochimaru followed behind her and soon arrived at her residence.

Perhaps because the three great snake priestesses had taken human form, their residences were also human-style dwellings.

The other snakes were different. They all lived in caves, no different from ordinary snakes.

"Orochimaru, are you not leaving?"

Ichikishimahime stopped and asked with a smile, "Are you afraid I will eat your student?"

"I want to confirm whether he has the talent to learn Sage Mode."

Orochimaru said without changing his expression.

"Then we will begin now."

Ichikishimahime snorted softly.

Just as Orochimaru had said earlier, as long as contractors followed the rules, the three great snake priestesses could do nothing to them.

"Training Sage Mode can be divided into three steps."

Ichikishimahime slowly said, "The first step is the simplest, but also the most important. That is sensing the existence of natural energy."

After saying that, she floated up and faced Natsuki.

"When you were poisoned by Tagitsuhime earlier, how did it feel?"

Ichikishimahime looked at him and asked.

"My body felt hot and numb."

Natsuki answered honestly.

"The three great summoning sage regions all have methods to help contractors sense natural energy. Ryūchi Cave's method is snake venom."

Ichikishimahime opened her mouth, revealing rows of teeth. The two fangs on the left and right were especially sharp.

She leaned closer and bit Natsuki on the neck.

But unlike Tagitsuhime, she instinctively took a sip of blood.

"Your blood contains unusual energy."

Ichikishimahime said.

Natsuki raised an eyebrow.

This was practically walking into a trap on her own.

His blood was not ordinary blood.

Natsuki glanced at the wound, which had already healed.

He had the super-speed regeneration from the Kibutsuji Muzan Template. A wound like this could not remain on his body for even one second.

Still, did the three great snake priestesses all enjoy biting people this much?

Thinking about it carefully, it was not just the three great snake priestesses.

In the original story, Orochimaru also liked biting people.

For example, he had bitten Uchiha Sasuke and placed the Cursed Seal of Heaven on him.

"Before the snake venom loses effect, we will begin the first step of training."

Ichikishimahime landed again and said, "Sit on the ground and sense natural energy according to the method I tell you."

Natsuki sat down on the ground and closed his eyes.

"Generally speaking, if you have the talent to learn Sage Mode, you should be able to sense natural energy within three days."

Ichikishimahime looked at him and said.

Natural energy was different from chakra. It was energy that existed naturally.

Natsuki felt it was somewhat like spiritual energy in cultivation novels.

Because it existed naturally, its quantity varied from place to place.

The three great summoning sage regions were undoubtedly places where natural energy was most abundant.

If someone could not sense natural energy here, then sensing it elsewhere would be even more impossible.

Natsuki began sensing according to Ichikishimahime's method.

Not long after, his mind stirred, and he sensed an unusual energy in the air.

Natsuki thought to himself that it was just as expected.

After unlocking Sage Mode from the Jiraiya Template, he had also inherited the corresponding talent for learning Sage Mode.

"I sensed natural energy."

Natsuki opened his eyes and said.

"What? So fast?"

Ichikishimahime froze, a surprised expression appearing on her face.

Orochimaru was also surprised.

He had fallen at this very first step. After training for three days, he had still failed to sense natural energy and ultimately had no choice but to give up.

But Natsuki had sensed it in less than a minute of entering meditation?

Just how strong was this student's talent?

"Describe it."

Ichikishimahime could not believe it, so she spoke again.

"Violent."

Natsuki answered.

Natural energy sounded peaceful, but in reality, it was the exact opposite.

It was an extremely violent energy. Without mixing it with chakra, even the Sage of Six Paths would not be able to learn Sage Mode.

"Truly."

For a moment, Ichikishimahime did not know what to say.

Orochimaru let out a breath.

Someone who had never sensed natural energy would naturally not know that it possessed a violent nature.

He had only learned that through Jiraiya.

But he had never told Natsuki.

"The second step of training Sage Mode is absorbing natural energy."

Ichikishimahime composed herself and said.

Natsuki thought of the steps Uzumaki Naruto had followed in the original story when training Sage Mode. There were also three steps.

The second step was likewise absorbing natural energy.

Mount Myōboku used toad oil to help Naruto sense and absorb natural energy.

After mastering the trick to absorption, toad oil was no longer needed.

The so-called trick was entering a state called stillness.

Natsuki felt this state sounded quite similar to Clear and Serene from the Sasaki Kojirō Template.

But Ryūchi Cave was not as gentle as Mount Myōboku.

"I will inject natural energy into your body, and you must absorb it."

Ichikishimahime paused, and a predatory light flashed in her eyes. "I must remind you that if you absorb too much, you will turn into a snake."

The outcome of turning into a snake went without saying. Naturally, she would eat him.

Natsuki could not help sighing. Among the three great summoning sage regions, Ryūchi Cave was indeed the most dangerous.

"We will continue training tomorrow."

Orochimaru suddenly said.

Natsuki paused slightly, then agreed.

"I will use Reverse Summoning Technique to summon you tomorrow."

Ichikishimahime nodded and looked at Natsuki as she spoke.

After that, she sent Orochimaru and Natsuki out of Ryūchi Cave.

The scene changed, and they returned to their original location, Orochimaru's laboratory.

"Although I never learned Sage Mode, I learned quite a bit about it from Jiraiya."

Orochimaru explained why he had stopped Natsuki from continuing his training. "I will tell you what I know now so you can avoid turning into a snake as much as possible."

"Thank you, Sensei."

Natsuki immediately said.

Although he did not need it, Orochimaru truly treated him very well.

The next day.

Eight in the morning.

Natsuki sensed a summoning and then arrived at Ichikishimahime's residence.

"Natsuki, are you ready?"

Ichikishimahime smiled and said, "I am looking forward to your performance today."

Sensing natural energy was the most important step, but absorbing natural energy was the most dangerous.

Under normal circumstances, it was the second most dangerous step.

The most dangerous step was the third, combining natural energy, spiritual energy, and physical energy in a one-to-one-to-one ratio to form senjutsu chakra.

But according to Ryūchi Cave's method of training Sage Mode, the second step of absorbing natural energy became extremely dangerous.

Because it was not only the contractor absorbing natural energy. The three great snake priestesses would also inject natural energy into them.

If the three great snake priestesses had malicious intent, they could completely inject too much natural energy, making the contractor unable to absorb it and causing them to turn into a snake.

"I want to make a deal with you."

Natsuki spoke.

"Oh? What kind of deal?"

Ichikishimahime asked with interest.

"Yesterday, I saw that you were interested in my blood."

Natsuki bowed slightly and said, "I am willing to give you one-fifth of my blood. In exchange, I hope you will show restraint during this step."

Ichikishimahime froze, then laughed.

She had already understood Natsuki's thinking.

He was worried that she would interfere during this step and cause him to turn into a snake.

She had to admit, his concern was indeed reasonable.

"You are very smart."

Ichikishimahime said, "I accept your deal."

Natsuki's blood was indeed special.

She had tasted it yesterday. It was not just ordinary blood. His blood also contained a kind of energy.

Ichikishimahime suspected he came from a clan with a special body, such as the Senju clan or Uzumaki clan.

Adding the fact that he was Orochimaru's student, that possibility became even greater.

Natsuki tilted his head slightly.

Ichikishimahime stepped closer.

Without saying another word, she bit down.

Blood flowed into her mouth.

Natsuki expressionlessly activated the blood curse.

Ichikishimahime suddenly let out a soft sound of surprise.

She sensed that something was wrong.

Because her blood was boiling.

Ichikishimahime paused slightly and quickly retreated.

But it was already too late.

The first mouthful of blood she had swallowed was already condensed blood.

"What. what did you do to me?"

A rare panic appeared on Ichikishimahime's face.

Natsuki ignored her and opened her panel.

[Name: Ichikishimahime.]

[Race: Snake, Demon.]

[Ability One: Partial Demon Transformation, locked.]

[Effect: Become half-human and half-demon, increasing attack power, speed, and regeneration.]

[Unlock condition: Comprehend it on your own.]

[Ability Two: Full Demon Transformation, locked.]

[Effect: Completely transforms into a demon, further increasing attack power, speed, and regeneration, but also increasing consumption.]

[Unlock condition: Comprehend it on your own.]

[Ability Three: Blood Demon Art: Sash, locked.]

[Effect: Allows control over the white sash on the body.]

[Unlock condition: Comprehend it on your own.]

[Note: After Blood Demon Art: Sash is unlocked, you will also obtain this Blood Demon Art.]

Natsuki shook his head slightly.

Blood Demon Art: Sash could only be considered decent.

In Demon Slayer, it was the Blood Demon Art of Daki, one of the Upper Moons of the Twelve Kizuki.

Although she was an Upper Moon, she was rather special. She and her brother Gyūtarō were together considered an Upper Moon.

However, as one of the three great snake priestesses, Ichikishimahime herself was extremely powerful and could absolutely be considered an elite jonin.

Adding Ryūchi Cave's senjutsu and the Full Demon Transformation she would unlock in the future, she could even fight someone at Kage level.

"This is impossible!"

Ichikishimahime's expression changed drastically. "Why can't senjutsu undo your control?"

In that brief instant, she had already tried every method she had, but nothing worked.

"Come here."

Natsuki beckoned to her.

"I will not."

Before Ichikishimahime could finish, she walked uncontrollably to Natsuki.

"Do you still not understand your situation?"

Natsuki extended his hand while activating the blood curse.

Ichikishimahime's body trembled, and fear appeared on her face.

She felt death drawing near.

For her, someone who had lived nearly a thousand years, this was the first time.

"Master!"

Ichikishimahime quickly changed her words and said, "I am willing to obey any order you give!"

Natsuki chuckled softly, not surprised.

The longer one lived, the more one feared death.

Moreover, Ichikishimahime was not human, so she did not possess human morals or principles.

Natsuki withdrew his hand.

Ichikishimahime still looked shaken.

Being alive still felt better.

"You also do not need to think about going to the White Snake Sage."

Natsuki reminded her, "You are under my blood curse. Once you reveal anything about me, you will die."

Ichikishimahime nodded with a complicated expression.

She knew what Natsuki said was true.

After being transformed into a demon, she had automatically understood the effects of the blood curse.

While strengthening her, it had also completely placed her under Natsuki's control.

"Master, shall we begin training Sage Mode now?"

Ichikishimahime quickly returned to normal, revealing the same smile as before.

However, there was now a little more awe in her smile.

"I have a task for you."

Natsuki patted her head and said, "Tomorrow, have Tagitsuhime come teach me. Then catch her off guard and restrain her."

Ichikishimahime paused slightly and immediately understood.

Natsuki's goal was not just her alone, but all three great snake priestesses.

"No problem, Master."

Ichikishimahime smiled and said, "Tagitsuhime has been interested in you for a long time. She will definitely agree."

Her current thoughts were very simple.

She could not be the only one lowering her head to Natsuki. Tagitsuhime and Tagorihime had to join her.

Only then would she feel balanced.

Natsuki smiled.

He could guess Ichikishimahime's thoughts.

However, with the blood curse in place, he was not worried that she would warn Tagitsuhime.

Natsuki sat cross-legged.

Ichikishimahime stepped forward, bent down, and bit his neck.

She slowly injected natural energy into him.

A moment later, shock appeared on her small face.

Because Natsuki had absorbed natural energy very easily.

This was the benefit of achieving the result first, then recreating the process.

Time passed to the next day.

Natsuki was summoned to Ryūchi Cave again.

This time, the one who appeared in front of him was not just Ichikishimahime, but also Tagitsuhime in the form of a young woman.

"I heard you were dissatisfied with Ichikishimahime's teaching."

Tagitsuhime stepped forward and grabbed his wrist. "I can take over today."

At that moment, Ichikishimahime floated behind her and directly wrapped both arms around Tagitsuhime.

"Ichikishimahime, what are you doing?"

Tagitsuhime looked at her in confusion.

She did not even react immediately.

There was no helping it. The three great snake priestesses had spent nearly a thousand years together, so she did not believe from the bottom of her heart that Ichikishimahime would act against her.

Natsuki extended his hand, and a drop of blood flew toward her.

Tagitsuhime realized something was wrong and instinctively tried to struggle, but Ichikishimahime stopped her.

The blood entered her body.

Tagitsuhime's expression changed, but it was already too late.

Seeing this, Ichikishimahime released her.

Although Tagitsuhime did not understand what had happened, the moment she regained her freedom, she quickly flew into the air.

"Come down."

Natsuki spoke.

Tagitsuhime froze, and her body uncontrollably descended to the ground.

The next second, a large amount of information appeared in her mind.

She finally understood that she had fallen into a trap.

Tagitsuhime instinctively looked at Ichikishimahime.

"Sorry."

Ichikishimahime smiled and said, "For the past few centuries, we three great snake priestesses have faced everything together."

Tagitsuhime trembled with anger.

(To be continued.)