Chapter 35 - The tests of the Ryuchi Cave

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Orochimaru turned to the White Snake Immortal, his expression smug and satisfied, while the latter shifted nervously, looking like a cat trapped in a room full of rocking chairs.

“See for yourself,” Orochimaru gestured grandly toward Mi Blade and Kakashi, who sat eyeing the extravagant feast before them like cautious rabbits sniffing for traps.

“They’re still just kids! They don’t have many desires yet. Fine wine? They can’t even drink! Beautiful women? They admire from a distance, like tourists staring at a mountain from the safety of a village.”

The White Snake Immortal nodded slowly, his eyes twitching as he tried to absorb Orochimaru’s rapid insights.

“And the food? They seem to be managing that temptation rather well…”

Leaning closer as if about to spill the juiciest secret, Orochimaru smirked.

“Ah, well, they arrived here stuffed like dumplings after that feast in Konoha. They’re simply too polite to decline another banquet!” He chuckled, clearly reveling in his pupils’ unintended advantage.

The White Snake Immortal blinked, the realization dawning on him like the sun after a particularly long, cloudy day.

“I suppose the next test will need to be more... challenging. Perhaps a breath-holding contest underwater? Certainly less appetizing than a buffet.”

He paused, a spark of mischief lighting up his ancient eyes.

“Or maybe a ‘no eating while standing on one leg’ challenge. That should truly separate the ninja wheat from the civilian chaff!” He nodded, satisfied with his newfound brilliance.

Orochimaru couldn’t help but laugh, a deep, villainous chuckle that echoed through the cave.

“At this rate, we’ll have two well-fed ninjas who can balance sushi in one hand while striking a yoga pose. Next thing you know, they’ll be producing fitness videos titled ‘Ninja Diet Secrets.’”

The White Snake Immortal sighed, resigning himself to the failure of the first test.

“It’s time to move them on. Tell Tenshin Shinki to let them proceed to the second level. And for the love of snakes, no more food.”

Tenshin Shinki, her excitement as bright as the sun at noon, practically skipped over to Mi Blade and Kakashi, beaming with pride.

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“Congratulations! You’ve passed the first test!”

Mi Blade and Kakashi exchanged baffled glances, their faces communicating the same confused thought: What just happened? It was as if they had been awarded a prize for simply breathing.

Kakashi crossed his arms, a bemused smirk tugging at his lips.

“This test feels like a joke. What’s next? A seminar on ‘Ninja Etiquette’? Maybe ‘How to Bow Gracefully While Being Eaten by a Giant Snake’?”

Mi Blade struggled to contain his laughter. “Or maybe a scavenger hunt where the prize is... the exit.”

They both shook their heads in disbelief, bracing themselves for the next absurd challenge awaiting them in the depths of Ryuchi Cave.

---

As Mi Blade and Kakashi stepped into the next chamber of Ryuchi Cave, the air felt heavier, thick with ancient chakra that seemed to hum just beneath the surface.

The dim light cast eerie shadows along the walls, making the cave feel alive, constantly shifting and watching their every move.

Tenshin Shinki, their ever-smiling guide, stopped just before a massive stone archway that seemed to lead into a darker abyss. Her grin was the only thing visible in the gloom.

"You two have passed the first test with... well, let’s call it grace," she said, a hint of amusement in her voice.

"But this next one is where most fail. Welcome to the Shifting Maze."

Mi Blade raised an eyebrow, his usual playful demeanor flickering with a bit of unease.

"A maze, huh? Let me guess, we have to find our way out before being swallowed by giant snakes?"

Tenshin shook her head, her smile widening.

"Not quite. The maze walls and paths will constantly change. There’s no set route, no map, no pattern. You’ll need to use your instincts and think on your feet." She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in.

"Oh, and the exit? It appears only to those who are willing to embrace the uncertainty."

Kakashi let out a soft sigh, already dreading the headache that this maze was going to cause.

"So, it's basically a game of ‘don’t trust anything you see’? Great."

As Mi Blade and Kakashi crossed the threshold into the maze, the atmosphere shifted dramatically, as if the very air around them was alive with malice.

The stone archway sealed shut behind them with a deep, echoing rumble, plunging them into near-total darkness. The only light came from faint glowing veins of chakra pulsing through the walls, casting a dim, eerie glow across the winding passage ahead.

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The silence was deafening, broken only by the occasional groaning of the maze as it twisted and reshaped itself, shifting like a living creature.

The path ahead seemed straightforward at first—just a narrow corridor carved into the rock—but it didn’t take long for the maze to show its true nature.

As they ventured deeper, the floor began to ripple beneath their feet, and the walls undulated like the belly of a massive beast, warping and twisting unpredictably.

“Alright! This is my kind of game!” Mi Blade exclaimed, his voice bouncing off the shifting walls. Ever the optimist, he stepped forward confidently, cracking his knuckles as if he was about to start a match.

“I bet there’s a trick! Maybe stepping on a certain stone, or saying the magic word... ‘Open Sesame?’”

With a theatrical flourish, Mi Blade tapped a random stone in the wall, grinning as if he expected the entire maze to suddenly reveal its secrets. But nothing happened.

The stone remained solid, and the path ahead stayed twisted and dark. His grin faltered, and he sighed dramatically, rolling his eyes.

“Okay, no magic words. Good to know.”

Kakashi, who had been silent up until now, scanned their surroundings, his eyes narrowing as he analyzed the constantly shifting environment.

The faint glow of the walls highlighted his furrowed brow, revealing the calculations going on behind his calm, masked exterior. “This isn’t a puzzle we can brute-force,” he muttered.

“The maze is reacting to us, adapting to our every move. We’re not going to solve this with tricks.”

They moved cautiously down the narrow corridor, but each step seemed to trigger another shift in the maze. One moment, the path stretched out before them, seemingly straightforward.

The next, it twisted violently, spiraling into a dead end. The walls groaned and shifted, as if the cave itself was watching, testing their every decision. Mi Blade’s frustration grew with every step, while Kakashi remained silent, his mind working to understand the maze’s patterns—or lack thereof.

The further they went, the more erratic the maze’s changes became. At one point, the floor opened up beneath them, revealing a deep chasm.

Mi Blade barely leaped back in time, his heart racing as the edge of the abyss crumbled away. The chasm sealed itself moments later, the floor reforming as if it had never existed.

“This place is playing games with us,” Mi Blade growled, his usual optimism fading as the maze continued to shift.

“Every time we think we’ve figured it out, it changes again.”

Kakashi remained calm, though his eyes darted around, searching for something—anything—that might offer a clue. The maze wasn’t just random; it was reacting to them, shaping itself around their every movement. But there was no logic to it, no discernible pattern.

After several more twists and turns led them in circles, Kakashi suddenly stopped, his expression thoughtful.

“Maybe we’re looking at this the wrong way,” he said, his voice calm but firm.

Mi Blade, panting slightly from the exertion of trying to outmaneuver the maze, turned to him.

“What do you mean? The walls are literally moving! How can we think our way out of that?”

Kakashi’s gaze remained steady as he spoke.

“What if the maze isn’t something we’re supposed to outsmart or control? What if it’s testing our ability to let go of control?”

Mi Blade blinked, caught off guard by the suggestion.

“Let go of control? We’re ninjas! We’re supposed to control the situation, not let it control us!”

Kakashi shook his head slightly, his voice taking on a contemplative tone.

“Maybe that’s the point. The more we try to fight the maze, the more it fights back. Every time we push against it, it shifts more aggressively. But if we stop fighting... if we adapt, maybe it’ll show us the way.”

Mi Blade’s brow furrowed as he thought it over.

“So, you’re saying we just... go with the flow? Let the maze do its thing and follow along?”

Kakashi nodded. “Exactly. We’re thinking too much like shinobi. But this isn’t a battle we can win by force or strategy. It’s about adaptability. We have to trust the process.”

Taking a deep breath, Mi Blade relaxed his posture, the tension draining from his muscles. He shot Kakashi a sideways glance.

“Alright. I’ll try it your way. But if this maze decides to drop us into a pit of snakes, I’m blaming you.”

They both slowed their pace, their movements becoming more fluid, less reactive. Instead of trying to predict or outmaneuver the shifting walls, they began to move with them, adjusting their steps in sync with the changes.

When the path ahead shifted abruptly, they didn’t resist; they simply turned, allowing the new route to guide them.

As they moved deeper into the maze, the walls began to shift more smoothly, almost as if they were being pulled along a gentle current.

The erratic, aggressive movements of the maze lessened, and the paths straightened. It was as if the cave itself was acknowledging their willingness to adapt.

Mi Blade, usually the talkative one, remained silent as they walked, his senses attuned to the subtle changes around them. The walls no longer felt hostile; instead, they seemed to guide them forward, offering new routes as old ones closed off.

After what felt like hours, the maze finally began to open up. The oppressive darkness gave way to a soft, glowing light in the distance, casting long shadows across the stone floor. Mi Blade’s eyes widened as they approached the light. The walls around them shifted gently, parting like curtains to reveal a vast chamber.

In the center of the chamber, coiled atop a massive stone pedestal, was a giant snake, its scales gleaming in the soft light. The creature’s eyes glowed with an ancient, knowing intelligence, watching them with an intensity that made the hair on the back of Mi Blade’s neck stand up.

Ichikishimahime herself—the guardian of this level—had been waiting for them.

“Well done,” she hissed, her voice a low, melodic vibration that echoed through the chamber. “You have proven your adaptability, your willingness to embrace the uncertainty of Ryuchi Cave. This is the quality needed to bond with a psychic beast.”

Mi Blade let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. “So... that’s it? We passed?”

Ichikishimahime’s gaze softened slightly, though her smile remained sharp.

“Yes, but remember, adaptability is not just a test to be passed. It is a way of survival. The world will change around you, and only those who can change with it will survive.”

Kakashi nodded thoughtfully. “Understood.”

As the glow of Ichikishimahime’s presence filled the chamber, Mi Blade and Kakashi exchanged relieved glances, their earlier frustrations dissolving in the wake of their success.

The weight of the maze's challenges lifted, leaving behind a sense of accomplishment that thrummed in the air like a newly forged blade.

“Who would have thought?” Mi Blade said, a grin breaking across his face.

“All we had to do was chill out and let the maze do its thing! Who knew adaptability was the key? I feel like I should start a self-help book called Going with the Flow: The Ninja’s Guide to Inner Peace!”

Kakashi smirked, his eyes crinkling slightly behind his mask.

“You’d probably make a fortune. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We still have one more test to face.” He glanced around the chamber, assessing their surroundings for any hint of what the next challenge might be.

The air felt charged with anticipation, and the looming presence of the giant snake made it clear that they were still very much in the realm of tests.

Ichikishimahime’s gaze shifted between them, her expression inscrutable yet approving. “Your journey is not over. The third test lies ahead"

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“The test has been passed down for centuries! If they are not impressed, I might have revised some or added some trials further to let them suffer for more.” the white snake fairy muttered.

She observed Mi Blade and Kakashi clearly debriefing themselves about the second test.

Mi Blade and Kakashi felt a sudden shift in the atmosphere as they past the third portal. The air thickened with an otherworldly energy, wrapping around them like a heavy blanket. A low, melodic hum filled the clearing, resonating with their very cores.

“What’s happening?” Mi Blade asked, glancing around, his heart racing. “Is this part of the test?”

Kakashi narrowed his eyes, his instincts on high alert. “Stay focused, Mi Blade. Whatever comes next, we need to face it together.”

Suddenly, the surroundings began to blur and swirl, colors bleeding into one another until they were engulfed in a kaleidoscope of light. The forest faded away, replaced by a surreal landscape that felt both familiar and foreign. Mi Blade stumbled slightly, adjusting to the shifting reality.

“Is this... Earth?” he muttered, trying to keep his balance. He was standing in wide window looking at a city far too familiar to him

He stood in the middle of a cozy living room, one that seemed pulled directly from his childhood memories. Sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating the warm, inviting space.

“Mom? Dad?” he whispered, feeling a mixture of hope and disbelief. The unmistakable figures of his parents materialized before him, their smiles genuine and inviting.

“Mi Blade!” his mother exclaimed, rushing forward with open arms. “We’ve missed you so much! You’ve grown into such a fine young man!”

“Yeah! Look at you!” his father chimed in, pride radiating from his voice. “You’re living your dreams, aren’t you?”

Mi Blade’s heart swelled as he stepped into their embrace. “I—I can’t believe it! How is this even possible?” He pulled back slightly, taking in their familiar faces, the comfort of home overwhelming him. “I thought I’d lost you forever!”

“Sometimes, the heart yearns for what it cannot have,” his mother replied gently, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “But we are always with you, in spirit.”

As for Kakashi, he found himself in a vastly different scenario. The light enveloped him and morphed again, pulling him into a lavish office adorned with symbols of power. The walls were lined with portraits of past Hokage, each one a testament to the village’s legacy. Sunlight filtered through large windows, casting a golden hue over the space.

“What is this place?” he wondered aloud, his senses tingling with recognition.

Just then, the door swung open, and a cheerful young genin bounded in, his energy infectious. “Kakashi-sensei! You’re finally here! Come on, we’ve got a village to lead!”

Kakashi’s brow furrowed. “Lead? What do you mean?”

The young genin grinned, pointing to the ornate Hokage hat perched on the desk. “You’re the Hokage now! It’s been a dream of yours since forever! Everyone respects you, and you have an amazing team!”

As the illusion unfolded around him, Kakashi felt a sense of pride swell within him, quickly followed by confusion. “But… I’m not Hokage. I’m still a ninja, just like always.”

“Oh, come on! Embrace it!” young genin urged, clapping him on the back.

“You’ve got everything you’ve ever wanted! A strong village, loyal friends, and even a harem of the strongest kunoichi in the village!” He winked mischievously, clearly enjoying the thought.

“Wait, what?” Kakashi blinked, processing the implications. His mind raced with thoughts of Sakura, Ino, and other prominent figures from the village. “This… can’t be real!”

As he pondered the reality of the situation, Kakashi suddenly felt the warmth of chakra pulsing around him. It was intoxicating and comforting, coaxing him to accept this version of reality. “You’ve earned this!” a voice whispered, echoing in his mind, urging him to succumb to the vision.