"Buzz…"
Several aircraft sped up and soared into the sky from the open training ground, circling above the vast martial arts arena.
Watching them, Ōnoki wore a proud expression. "That kid didn't lie to me after all. This 'flying chicken' is faster than I am."
However, the pilots in the cockpits didn't look so pleased. In fact, their faces were strained.
Why?
Because their chakra was draining at an alarming rate.
Back on the ground, still eager to test the aircraft's capabilities, Ōnoki barked out another order: "Fly over the ruins of Jinlun Mountain and return. I want to see just how fast these things can go!"
No sooner had the words left his mouth than the wings of one aircraft began to tremble violently.
In the next moment, the ink-constructed plane vanished, dissolving into a rain of black droplets falling from the sky. The pilot plummeted toward the ground.
Ōnoki instantly flew up and caught the falling pilot mid-air.
Before he could catch his breath, the same malfunction struck the other four planes in succession.
Several minutes later...
Ōnoki, panting heavily, landed with the five unconscious pilots in tow.
"This Morkel brat… he pulled a fast one on me again! He must have tampered with them!"
"131313…"
His rage surged, and he began to cough from the exertion.
Beside him, Huangtu remained calm, analyzing the situation. "That's unlikely. As unreliable as Morkel can be, he knows when not to cross the line—especially with matters this serious."
"Then how do you explain what just happened?!" Ōnoki snapped.
Huangtu didn't answer immediately but walked over to the pilots. "What happened when you were flying?" he asked.
One pilot responded, still weak, "Controlling that iron bird consumed massive amounts of chakra. I could barely hold out for five minutes even when exhausting all my chakra reserves."
Another chimed in, "The moment we took off, I could feel my chakra draining like a waterfall…"
Huangtu nodded and motioned for the pilots to go rest.
Nearby, Kurotsuchi had been watching the commotion. She stepped forward, confused. "But… when Morkel flew one of them, it wasn't like that. He took us all the way around the Rain Country in that plane, and he didn't seem tired at all. He only struggled when summoning the war god Susanoo."
She paused, remembering. "Even during my own test flight, I didn't have this problem."
Ōnoki's eyes narrowed as a memory resurfaced.
"That time, Morkel flew the aircraft himself and powered all 24 of the ink constructs with his own chakra..."
"That kid's chakra pool is enormous. No ordinary ninja could match it."
"No matter what, we need to get answers from him. Otherwise, this 'flying chicken' idea is worthless!"
---
Meanwhile, in Konoha Village—
Morkel returned home, greeted Naruto briefly, and then headed toward the outskirts of the village.
In a clearing just outside Konoha, he stood tall, forming hand seals with a serious expression.
"Summoning Technique!"
---
Inside Ryūchi Cave—
Manganese snakes were feasting on the remains of an unfortunate ninja.
"These fools think they can just stroll into Ryūchi Cave and learn senjutsu? They deserve to be eaten," one of them sneered.
Nearby stood three white-clad women—each wearing goddess-like crowns, their expressions bored and elegant.
"In the last century, fewer than five people have passed the test," said one. "Only two managed to learn senjutsu from the White Snake Immortal."
"The ninja world is truly in decline."
Another added mockingly, "More people learn senjutsu from Mount Myōboku than from us."
"Don't compare us to those stinky, pustule-covered toads," the first goddess scoffed.
They chatted idly for a moment, until one snake sighed. "It's been so long since I had a real meal, not since Orochimaru's death."
At that, another goddess muttered bitterly, "At least you got to leave the cave sometimes. We've been trapped here our whole lives."
"We screen ninja for the White Snake Immortal and never get to explore the outside world. I heard there's a strong, handsome new ninja out there."
"He must be delicious."
Wanshe looked proud. "I know who you're talking about. I even—"
Suddenly, he stopped mid-sentence.
A goddess frowned. "Wanshe, stop being so dramatic."
Another noticed the snakes had vanished. "Wait… where did everyone go?!"
---
Back in the clearing near Konoha—
Wanshe appeared, summoned into the world once more. He still looked smug.
"I became his summon beast," he muttered. "That boy's impressive."
"But, he's just a little stronger than me…"
Suddenly, Wanshe's face turned pale. "Morkel?!!"
That little disaster hasn't summoned me in hundreds of years!
Morkel gave him a half-smile. "Go on. What were you saying?"
Wanshe tried to play it cool. "Why'd you summon me all of a sudden?"
"I want to learn the senjutsu of Ryūchi Cave," Morkel stated plainly.
Wanshe blinked. "Haven't you already learned the toad-style senjutsu from Mount Myōboku?"
Morkel shrugged. "Who says I can't learn both?"
"There's no rule… but no one's ever done it before," Wanshe warned. "You might blow up and die!"
Morkel grinned. "Then you'd be free of me. Doesn't sound so bad, does it?"
Wanshe coughed. "Don't say that! Do I look like the type who'd wish you dead?"
Rather than relying on Wanshe's Reverse Summoning Technique like last time, Morkel placed a Flying Thunder God seal on Wanshe's scales.
He released the summoning technique and teleported straight to Ryūchi Cave.
---
Inside the cave, the three goddess-like women were still waiting.
"Where did you go just now, Wanshe?" one asked.
Wanshe waved them off. "Get ready. Someone's coming—and don't mess this up!"
The women blinked in confusion but started preparing.
Soon, Morkel appeared atop Wanshe's head.
Wanshe spoke nervously. "There's a rule… you must pass a test before you can learn our senjutsu. And I can't help you. Sorry."
"I understand," Morkel replied. "You can go."
As the snakes vanished, Morkel landed and looked around. The area was thick with mist and forest.
He hesitated at a fork in the path, then chose to walk forward.
Ten minutes later, the mist grew thicker. He activated his chakra sense.
"This fog… it's infused with senjutsu chakra."
Suddenly, a golden light pierced the fog ahead.
Morkel rushed toward it and found a massive door, crowned with a golden dragon. Beneath the dragon, a plaque read:
Ryūchi Cave
He pushed open the heavy door.
Inside, it was lavish—lanterns hung high, and tables overflowed with delicacies.
A white-robed woman descended lightly in front of him.
"Welcome to Ryūchi Cave. I am Tianxin Shenji. I'll be your guide."
She bowed slightly, offering him sashimi and juice. "Please, eat and rest before meeting the White Snake Immortal."
Morkel declined each offer flatly. "No food. No drink. No sleep."
Tianxin Shenji pouted, then tried her final move—loosening her clothes.
"If you feel lonely, I can—"
"Save it," Morkel cut her off, eyes closed in meditation. "You can't tempt me."
Infuriated, her demeanor shifted. Her eyes turned to vertical slits, and she hissed, "Then I'll just eat you!"
Boom!
Morkel's punch sent her flying through her magical palace, which instantly crumbled.
The mist returned. He stood alone once more.
"So that's Ryūchi Cave's test?" he muttered.
Suddenly, the scenery shifted again. Now, he stood in a rocky cave before a stone door filled with oddly-shaped holes. Thousands of stones lay scattered at his feet.
Another voice echoed.
"I am Princess Ichikishima. Fill every hole in the door with the stones. There's no time limit."
"But don't think this is easy. This mindless task will wear down your will. When you break… I'll eat you."
Morkel looked at the stones. He could finish it in minutes with Shadow Clones.
But being watched made him feel like a laborer.
He activated Sage Mode.
"Sage Art: Binding Vines!"
Wooden vines erupted from his arm, capturing Princess Ichikishima instantly.
"What are you doing?!"
Morkel grinned. "What do you think?"
"Ahh! Don't come closer!"
---
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office—
Tsunade read Iwagakure's report and slammed it down.
"Morkel! That brat! Selling planes like that?!"
Shizune defended him. "He probably had his reasons."
Tsunade exhaled. "Where is he now?"
"He left the village this morning. Someone said they saw him summon a giant snake."
Tsunade's expression darkened. "Don't tell me… he went to Ryūchi Cave?!"
---
Back in the cave—
Princess Ichikishima cried as she fitted gems into the door's holes.
"He's too much! I was supposed to test him!"
Morkel stood nearby, vines still in hand. "Hurry up. Or I'll tie you up again."
She finally completed the puzzle, and the stone door opened.
Freed, she snapped, "Don't get cocky! You'll suffer in the next test!"
But when Morkel raised his hand, she squealed and vanished.
Once again, the cave dissolved. Another goddess appeared.
"I am Ruijinji. I test the heart."
Before Morkel could respond, she vanished.
He sensed her behind him and threw a punch—
Bang!
Ruijinji screamed and was launched backward.
----