Chapter 423: An Explosive Performance for Everyone

Chapter 423: An Explosive Performance for Everyone

Compared to the tacky green spandex, Kakashi's gift was refreshingly normal.

Mochi, yellow bean powder, and white sugar formed the soft and chewy tricolor dumplings, a cake covered in a thick layer of sugary frosting that emitted a sweet aroma, and a stack of beautifully crafted wagashi that were too pretty to eat.

"Remembering that you like sweets, I brought some along."

Kakashi pulled the still dazed Might Guy to his feet and, with no change in expression, grabbed a cushion and sat down in the sweet scent.

Bringing gifts for Lu Ke was a tricky business. Money was no issue, and he was already the best ninja craftsman around. Even the erotic novels he liked were mostly written by Lu Ke himself.

After much deliberation, he chose sweets as a gift, something that would hardly go wrong. If Lu Ke didn't eat them, the kids at home surely would.

"Thank you, I really like them."

Although the generous benefactor couldn't offer anything valuable anymore, the sentiment was still deeply appreciated.

Lu Ke glanced at the drooling Naruto, who was already staring with stars in his eyes, and handed him a skewer of tricolor dumplings. He smiled when he saw Naruto nibbling on them like a hamster.

Today, the number of visitors was quite high. After Might Guy and Kakashi, a series of footsteps echoed from the entrance.

"Sensei Jiraiya, it's been a long time. How have you been? Oh, Kakashi and Might Guy are here too..."

A tall, middle-aged man with long white hair down to his waist, a forehead protector with the character "Oil" on it, and red marks under his eyes, stepped into the room with a cheerful voice. He carried two large barrels of sake and smiled warmly at Lu Ke after glancing at the surprised Kakashi and Might Guy.

Jiraiya, one of the Three Great Shinobi, was a mysterious informant who had broken the fourth wall to provide countless men with familiar and intriguing information.

He had once visited Konoha Village because of Lu Ke's "Young Jiraiya Chronicles", and the two had hit it off immediately, becoming close friends and discussing various literary topics.

With Lu Ke's help, Jiraiya wrote works that surpassed "Make-Out Tactics" and elevated his writing to an 18+ level. He had always held Lu Ke in high regard, and they had exchanged letters frequently over the past two years.

Behind Jiraiya was a bruised and swollen Naruto.

"Lord Jiraiya, we came to congratulate Lu Ke on becoming the Head of the Ninja Tools Department."

Kakashi explained with proper etiquette.

Lu Ke nodded and smiled, then asked, "I'm fine, how about Naruto?"

"Oh, this little brat asked me to help him train so he can pass the graduation exam at the Ninja Academy next week..."

Jiraiya placed the sake on the table, scratching his head. "He's just a kid, though he has a good foundation, he still has a gap compared to a real genin. To improve, he has to take a beating."

Lu Ke nodded, "I see. How did you two meet?"

"Um... well..."

Jiraiya's face turned awkward, and he stuttered, unable to explain clearly.

Naruto, looking quite pitiful, spoke bluntly with a hint of pride, "I was looking for inspiration for the Sexy Jutsu and met the lecherous sage outside the bathhouse!"

Jiraiya: "..."

Thud!

"Ouch!"

As Naruto yelped in pain, Kakashi and Might Guy pretended to be deaf and mute, acting as if they hadn't heard anything.

Lu Ke smiled but said nothing, understanding the situation.

Although Jiraiya had seen it all, even married men sometimes sought some mental comfort, and after so many years, peeping had become an unbreakable habit.

However, children still needed to be educated.

"Naruto, come here."

Lu Ke beckoned, and Naruto, with a grin, ran over, only to be gently but firmly pushed back by a soft yet unresistable force.

"Don't go peeping in the bathhouse anymore, got it?"

Lu Ke whispered, and four new entries appeared in his mental encyclopedia: Naruto (Asura), Nine-Tails, Minato Namikaze (Spirit), and Kushina Uzumaki (Spirit).

Although the encyclopedia didn't directly boost his or Lu Ke's strength, it provided some useful information in the current world.

"Got it, Lu Ke-nii."

Naruto, though scolded, had a twisted look of satisfaction, as if being disciplined was a thrilling experience.

Lu Ke used a medical ninjutsu on Naruto, and the green light healed his injuries, leaving him as good as new.

The boy marveled at the magical experience, his eyes filled with admiration, and later, he and Qian Chuan Guang went to the room to enjoy the sweets, occasionally exclaiming in delight.

As the children moved away, the adults' drinking session began.

It was a celebration of Lu Ke becoming the Head of the Ninja Tools Department, so the atmosphere should be lively. Although drinking could lead to trouble, no one could deny its ability to relax the mind and body.

Jiraiya enthusiastically poured sake for everyone. The quality was excellent, rich and strong, and it was easy to get drunk.

After a few drinks, everyone's faces turned red, and the alcohol numbed their nerves, making them more relaxed and talkative.

Stories of the Land of Steel, funny anecdotes from missions, the "never give up" spirit, and some humorous jokes created a surprisingly good atmosphere.

Lu Ke watched his three flushed friends with interest, silently implanting a suggestion in their minds to "not use chakra to break down alcohol."

Unaware, they continued to drink enthusiastically, and soon they were all drunk, slurring their words and revealing their inner thoughts.

Might Guy, with blurry eyes, buried his head in his arms, his voice pitiful.

"If I had been in the village two years ago... I could have defeated that invader... and restored Konoha's glory... If I could do it again..."

"Sob... I'll end up alone... Why am I an acorn? I don't even ask to be an eagle, just let me be a sparrow!"

"I heard intense training can shrink you."

Lu Ke, propping his head up, teased the drunkard with a smile.

"Really? But my youth... my youth! If I don't train for more than twelve hours a day, what's the point of living?"

That was a bit extreme.

"Sensei Jiraiya... I'm so sad..."

Jiraiya's body swayed, and the middle-aged man's face was a mix of tears and laughter as he pounded the table.

"Every time the deadline approaches, I feel so down... My mind is a mess, and I feel like I've written every position, but I have to keep squeezing... I have nothing left!"

Too true, brother, too true!

Lu Ke almost applauded Jiraiya.

"Those women... they only want my looks, they don't truly love me... Orochimaru, you bastard, why did you betray the village... I will catch you..."

Lu Ke: "..."

Damn, what a thick skin!

Kakashi seemed a bit dazed, his eyes unfocused. He slowly looked at Lu Ke, grabbed his arm, and spoke in a low, alcohol-laden voice.

"Lu Ke, I... I will protect you, even if it costs my life."

Lu Ke awkwardly pulled his arm away, though he was touched, Kakashi wasn't Kakashi, and this was too gay.

Beware of Konoha's southern gate!

"You should live well, travel to many places, meet many people, eat many delicious foods, experience many wonderful things, and leave peacefully, never to be touched by war..."

Kakashi's unfocused eyes filled with longing, and he soon lost strength, collapsing on the table. He closed his eyes, his words filled with unspoken sorrow.

"Obito Uchiha... Rin... Sensei Minato... Senior Kushina... Don't die... Don't die..."

Lu Ke: "..."

Just like Naruto could turn a conversation heavy, Kakashi seemed to have the ability to turn a light-hearted script into a tragedy.

Maybe I should give you an extra ability like "Don't Die."

Lu Ke sighed, snapped his fingers, and a gentle breeze blew in from the window, dispelling the alcohol fumes. Doors appeared beneath Kakashi, Might Guy, and Jiraiya.

The doors opened, and the three drunkards fell through them.

...

Ryuchi Cave

One of the three great holy places ruled by the White Snake Sage, the cave was filled with winding tunnels and massive chambers, the walls glowing with mysterious light and strange liquids.

At the deepest point of Ryuchi Cave, an ancient and colossal snake coiled on the altar, its terrifying aura making the air stagnant. Three figures floated before the snake, dressed in pure white robes and transparent ribbons, their faces bearing snake-like features.

The White Snake Sage, along with the Frog Hermit Sage, the Mystic Island Sage, and the Turbulent Sage, were the most revered elders of Ryuchi Cave.

Before them, Orochimaru stood quietly, his face calm and indifferent.

Frog Hermit Sage: "Orochimaru, are you sure you want to attempt the Sage Art again?"

Mystic Island Sage: "You know the rules of Ryuchi Cave. If you succeed, it's fine, but the consequences of failure are severe."

Turbulent Sage: "Those who fail to withstand the transformation will be devoured by the snakes."

"Isn't that exactly what you want? Those who fail the Sage Art are rare delicacies for you, aren't they?"

Orochimaru's lips curved into a faint smile. "Cold-blooded and ruthless is the nature of snakes. You wouldn't make an exception for me, would you?"

"Of course not!"

The human-like sages, with their hypocritical appearances, exchanged glances, their long tongues flicking out, and their eyes gleaming with greed.

Orochimaru had failed once before, surviving by a stroke of luck, which clearly indicated he lacked the aptitude for the Sage Art. Attempting it again would leave no room for such luck.

The White Snake Sage slowly moved, its massive eyes fixed on Orochimaru. With its vast wisdom and keen senses, it detected a strange change in Orochimaru.

Not in his body, but in his mind. The emptiness in his eyes was deep and dark, unreadable even to the Sage.

"You seem to have had some extraordinary experience, Orochimaru. Are you confident you will succeed?"

Orochimaru's smile remained. "Indeed, I have found what I have been seeking and have been reborn."

"Why not tell us before we begin?"

The White Snake Sage opened its snake-like mouth, its sharp fangs gleaming.

Compared to the Wet Bone Forest and the Mountain of Tranquility, the Sage Art of Ryuchi Cave was more dangerous, more brutal, and more direct. The Sage would inject natural energy directly through its fangs, and if one could endure it, they would master the Sage Art. Failure meant death.

Orochimaru did not refuse but smiled. "Of course, I will tell you, but are you sure you want to know?"

The massive body of the White Snake Sage paused, and for some reason, a long-dormant warning signal went off, making it shiver uncontrollably.

It closed its mouth and, moving with lightning speed, bit into Orochimaru's neck, a pure and powerful natural energy surging into his body.

Orochimaru's body began to tremble involuntarily as the pure energy rapidly eroded his chakra and began to transform his body.

The conditions for mastering the Sage Art were extremely strict. Even the young Orochimaru had failed, and after multiple body changes and accumulated soul corruption, he had no chance of success.

The White Snake Sage stared at Orochimaru, noticing the signs of failure and feeling a twinge of doubt.

Was the earlier warning just an illusion?

Excitement gleamed in the eyes of the three sages. The transformation of a shadow-level ninja by natural energy was a rare and delicious treat in their long lives.

Orochimaru raised his hand, watching snake scales grow on his skin, but showed no panic, examining the changes with interest.

"Before I came here, I hired a capable ninja to go to a place called Takigakure and borrow something."

He took out a test tube and drank the clear liquid inside.

Orochimaru's already substantial chakra expanded tenfold, quickly suppressing the eroding natural energy.

As if provoked by the massive chakra, the abundant natural energy in Ryuchi Cave rushed into Orochimaru's body.

The two forces clashed, using Orochimaru's body as a battlefield. The owner seemed indifferent, even hindering the fusion of the two energies.

Cracks appeared on Orochimaru's body as the wild natural energy and chakra threatened to burst out but were forcefully contained.

Boom!

At the most intense moment of the clash, Orochimaru smiled and exploded in a shower of blood.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end