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The Great White Snake Sage could perceive everything that happened within the Ryūchi Cave, including the conflict between Midorima and Garaga.
However, the process of Midorima subduing Garaga wasn't brief—though it didn't exceed twelve hours, the Sage certainly wouldn't have monitored the pair's every move for such an extended period.
After all, she wasn't so idle as to spend hours fixated on a single event.
The Ryūchi Cave was vast.
When Midorima informed her that Garaga had formed a contract with him, the Great White Snake Sage showed mild surprise before accepting the news naturally. She asked, puzzled, "Since you were able to defeat Garaga, it indicates your own strength is already quite remarkable. Why pursue the power of Sage Techniques? Is being the absolute best truly necessary?"
"Great Sage, I must disagree. Though you reside here, removed from worldly affairs, you've surely witnessed no small number of powerful individuals. Are you familiar with Hashirama Senju?" Midorima countered.
"I am," the Sage, now in her serpent form, nodded.
Although Hashirama Senju hadn't learned his Sage Techniques at the Ryūchi Cave, many who came here seeking such power mentioned his name. Therefore, she knew a little—or perhaps a bit more—about his history.
"With his extraordinary innate talent, placing him in a league of his own within the shinobi world, didn't he also master Sage Techniques?" Midorima pressed.
"He was the leader of Konohagakure. He had to ensure the safety of his entire village."
"I also need to ensure my own safety," Midorima said.
"Your strength is not lacking."
"But there are many who could still kill me," Midorima shook his head.
The Great Sage didn't respond further. Instead, she took a long drag from her pipe and slowly exhaled a smoke ring.
"So, you wish to learn the method of mastering Sage chakra?"
"Yes," Midorima nodded. "Both of us do."
"However, not everyone can master it. I must see whether your physical bodies can withstand natural energy. If you cannot endure, I will consume you," the Great White Snake Sage stated.
"Huh?" Jūgo hadn't expected the Sage to say that.
The Great Sage glanced at Jūgo and continued, "You may still withdraw now. Simply reaching my presence already marks you as formidable. But not every physique can withstand natural energy. The last person to wisely withdraw was probably Orochimaru, wasn't it?"
"Orochimaru?" Midorima was taken aback.
This guy really has a high rate of appearance, he just everywhere.
"Indeed. That fellow concluded his body couldn't withstand natural energy and chose to give up on his own. You must know of him, I assume?" the Great Sage asked.
Midorima nodded.
The Great Sage had likely overheard his conversation with Garaga.
"How is he faring now?"
"He died, along with Manda," Midorima replied.
"..." The Great Sage took a deep drag from her pipe, then exhaled smoke through her nostrils. "Someone managed to kill him?"
"When a person dies, there are only two possibilities: either they were too weak, or their enemy was too strong. As for whether we can withstand natural energy… him," Midorima pointed at Jūgo, "you can be completely at ease. The very reason he came to the Ryūchi Cave is because he has too much natural energy within him and cannot control it. As for me… I should be fine too."
"Come here," the Great Sage said to Midorima.
Midorima quickly stepped before her.
Suddenly, the Great White Snake Sage reared up.
Compared to a massive serpent like Garaga, she wasn't exceptionally tall, but at that moment, a terrifying pressure emanated continuously from her form.
Under this pressure, Midorima found he couldn't even move his body.
In the next instant, the Great Sage lunged at Midorima, her fangs sinking into his neck as she injected a vast amount of energy into his body.
Instantly, Midorima felt his body lose control. He stumbled back two steps and collapsed to the ground.
The injected energy rampaged through his body, threatening to tear it apart at any moment. Every muscle trembled violently with each surge of the invasive force.
Midorima gritted his teeth, clutching his arms so tightly his fingers nearly dug into his own flesh.
The moment the Great Sage began infusing natural energy, the Cell Laboratory sprang into action, attempting to convert the foreign energy.
However, without understanding how to utilize "natural energy," the laboratory held no advantage in converting it. Instead, it interfered with his control over the energy and, more seriously, could hinder his very ability to learn Sage Techniques.
The transmission of Sage Techniques at Mount Myōboku relied on a contract, and when Naruto learned them, Shima hadn't injected him with any peculiar fluids.
Yet, the Great White Snake Sage had directly infused natural energy into Midorima.
It seemed the methods employed by the three sacred lands were not identical.
If the Cell Laboratory converted this energy, potentially making him unable to receive the natural energy, he might just lose his mind entirely.
On one hand, he had to resist the natural energy's assault on his body. On the other, he had to restrain the Cell Laboratory, preventing it from being too "enthusiastic."
Under the influence of both factors, the impact of this force on Midorima far exceeded that experienced by other shinobi.
Jūgo stood beside him, sweating profusely with anxiety but utterly helpless.
The Great White Snake Sage held her pipe, her gaze fixed on Midorima.
She was also quite curious to see if he could endure.
Based on past experience, he should be fine, right?
Honestly, the thought of having to consume Midorima struck her as a genuine pity.
Midorima struggled to maintain control. Gradually, the sudden influx of natural energy began to settle, as if completely vanishing from within him. Yet, he felt as though he'd just fought a major battle, his clothes drenched in sweat.
"I thought you might not hold on," the Great Sage remarked, watching as Midorima sat cross-legged before her, a faint smile touching the corners of her mouth.
"I managed… but after enduring it, I suddenly remembered something," Midorima said, panting heavily before forcing a weak smile.
"Hmm?"
"After practicing the Ryūchi Cave's Sage Techniques, does one also start to take on serpentine features?" Midorima asked.
"That… depends on your own luck. Haven't those who learned Sage Techniques at Mount Myōboku not all turned into toads?"
"Not all" and "all not" were merely a reversal of words, but their meanings were completely different.
It seemed the balance between natural energy, physical energy, and spiritual energy was crucial during the learning process. He would have to be even more careful.
Midorima had no desire to end up looking like Sage Kabuto.
"Tagorihime, Ichikishimahime, and Tagitsuhime! The three of you shall be responsible for instructing them in controlling natural energy," the Great White Snake Sage called out to the three senior members standing below the dais.
The three bowed in acknowledgment.
After expressing his thanks, Midorima was about to turn and leave with Jūgo when the Great Sage called out to him once more.
"What is it?" Midorima asked, puzzled.
"Under no circumstances seek instruction in Sage Techniques from Garaga," the Great Sage warned.
"Why?"
"Fighting? He's capable. But teaching you… does that seem reliable to you?" the Great Sage retorted.
An image of Garaga flashed through Midorima's mind. He immediately dismissed the idea and nodded very seriously.