"Heh heh, Anko, I promised Kiyoshi-kun to take him to learn Sage Jutsu."

Orochimaru's golden vertical pupils looked at Kiyoshi.

Kiyoshi… is indeed an interesting wind.

This wind has unknowingly grown strong and powerful, no longer like the breeze that would dissipate when someone blew on it.

A breeze starts at the end of the green grass, and waves form between the ripples.

Orochimaru was very curious about where the limit of this wind was.

Can he really bear the price of Senjutsu?

Even he, who prides himself on being the most talented among the Sannin, couldn't master Sage Mode, but rather a simple-minded guy like Jiraiya mastered it.

And Kiyoshi happens to be on the same path as him…

"Senjutsu?"

Anko was stunned when she heard this.

What is that?

"You need to practice more, Anko."

Kiyoshi was taller than Anko, and he could touch her head with a casual lift of his hand.

"Hey, do you know that you won't grow taller if someone touches your head?!"

Anko quickly covered her little head with her little hands.

Kiyoshi was so tall, always giving her a sense of pressure.

So she planted a wish in her heart, which was to grow taller than Kiyoshi.

That way, she could touch Kiyoshi's head at will, watching Kiyoshi's angry and helpless appearance.

"You still believe this?"

Kiyoshi took out a skewer of dango for Anko.

Anko is considered tall among the female ninjas.

"Hmph, I'll forgive you this time."

Anko's eyes lit up, and she took the dango. Suddenly, Kiyoshi looked much more pleasing to her.

"Does Orochimaru-sama want some?" Kiyoshi took out a few more skewers.

In addition to the dango, he also brought apples. When visiting Orochimaru, it's natural to bring some souvenirs.

The official book also records Orochimaru's preferences, liking apples and eggs, and disliking cold food.

"You're thoughtful, Kiyoshi-kun."

Orochimaru's eyes flickered slightly.

Kiyoshi knows his preferences?

Coincidence or an investigation?

Does he also have an unusual talent for this aspect?

Orochimaru took Kiyoshi's apple, and without showing any signs, his evaluation of Kiyoshi rose to another level.

The two agreed to set off tomorrow morning. He will take Kiyoshi to Ryūchi Cave to learn Senjutsu.

"Orochimaru-sama, can't I go?"

After Kiyoshi left, Anko held the wooden stick after eating the dango in her hand.

She licked the residue left on it, and now it was clean, with a moist light on the wooden stick.

"You don't have Kiyoshi-kun's talent." Orochimaru's voice was hoarse.

Although it was a blow to his disciple, that was the fact.

Compared to those civilians, Anko's talent is considered good. She also has certain strengths, otherwise she would not have become his disciple.

It's just a pity that compared to the real genius Kiyoshi, she seemed ordinary.

"Kiyoshi, that guy…"

Anko lowered her head dejectedly.

Doesn't that mean she will never have the day to stand on top of Kiyoshi?

"If you want to go, I can take you to see the world this time." Orochimaru said.

As long as you don't try to contact the power of the Sage and those snakes, then Ryūchi Cave is not much different from other places.

"Okay." Anko nodded heavily.

She looked forward to this trip.

"Hmph, Kiyoshi, I, Anko, am not so easily abandoned!"

Anko made up her mind. Since Kiyoshi is pursuing some kind of Sage Jutsu, then she will practice the Cursed Seal that Orochimaru is about to give her.

There are no useless techniques in the ninja world, only useless ninjas.

…

Early the next morning.

Kiyoshi went out and followed Orochimaru and Anko on the road to Ryūchi Cave.

The permission and reason was handled by Orochimaru, and Kiyoshi just followed.

Ryūchi Cave is said to be a secret realm located at the end of the world, between illusion and reality, and only sincere people can find it.

Of course, this is a myth. The real journey is actually just a few days.

Kiyoshi guessed that this was a different dimension, just like Kaguya's "Amenominaka", Obito's "Kamui", and Madara's "Limbo: Border Jail".

In the ninja world, dimensions are not uncommon, and many techniques can create different dimensions.

The sun rose and the moon set, and several more rotations passed.

The group had already arrived in the Land of Grass.

Kiyoshi remembered the route to Ryūchi Cave.

In Boruto, when Boruto was about to enter Ryūchi Cave, he passed through a mist, reaching Ryūchi Cave.

That is likely a shuttle from the ninja world to another dimeny, similar to how Naruto and the others teleported to the moon in Naruto: The Last Movie.

"We'll rest here tonight."

Orochimaru glanced at the sky. He had consumed a lot of physical strength, and Anko had also reached her limit.

On the other hand, Kiyoshi acted like nothing had happened. This strong body is really enviable.

Orochimaru licked the corner of his mouth, and his long tongue stretched out.

"Okay."

Kiyoshi glanced at Anko.

He and Orochimaru still had the energy to walk ahead. But they needed to take care of Anko, so they had been delayed throughout their journey.

Anko also knew that it was because of her, so she braced herself and set up tents for Orochimaru and Kiyoshi.

Crack…

Matches crackled as they burned, accompanied by occasional popping sounds.

A black pot was suspended above, and once the water boiled, Kiyoshi tossed in some dried rations.

The nights in the Land of Grass were cold, and some soup was needed to warm the body.

Kiyoshi didn't have much need for that. What he needed was Anko.

"Here you go."

Kiyoshi ladled a bowl of soup for Anko.

Anko looked at the bowl in her hands, flattered and surprised.

Has Kiyoshi's personality changed?

Why is he suddenly being so nice to her?

Kiyoshi didn't pay attention to what Anko was thinking, but ladled another bowl for Orochimaru, and finally one for himself.

Anko was an early test subject for the Cursed Seal. Such valuable material could provide Kiyoshi with a reference.

After learning Sage Mode, he might be able to combine it with the Cursed Seal.

Kiyoshi never stinted on his care for valuable materials.

Poor Anko didn't know that she had become a moving experimental material in Kiyoshi's eyes, and was still racking her brains to figure out what was going on with Kiyoshi.

A match weakly illuminated the surrounding area, preventing the viscous darkness from encroaching.

Orochimaru lowered his head and took a sip of the soup. Suddenly, he looked up at the darkness ahead.

Within the darkness, there seemed to be some movement.

"Hiss…"

A snake crawled out of Orochimaru's sleeve, slowly slithering on the ground.

Just as Orochimaru was about to warn the two to be vigilant, Kiyoshi stood up.

"Some ninjas are coming, I'll go scout." Kiyoshi said.

"Heh heh, very well." Orochimaru nodded.

This was within the borders of the Land of Grass. They probably just happened to encounter ninjas from the Land of Grass on a mission.

Arcs of electricity appeared beneath Kiyoshi's feet, instantly erupting with an azure glow, and the next moment, he disappeared.

The darkness slowly receded under the illumination of the lightning, and after Kiyoshi left, it flowed again, enveloping the area.

Tonight was a moonless night.

"Orochimaru-sensei, is Kiyoshi… really alright?" Anko said worriedly.

Although she always bickered with Kiyoshi, they were still companions.

"It's alright. Rather, the darkness is more conducive to Kiyoshi's actions."

Orochimaru pulled over some more weeds and twigs, adding new firewood.

The orange flames burned in the night, warmly radiating light and heat.

Anko's small face was also illuminated with a warm yellow glow, her eyes looking worriedly at the darkness in the distance.