Naruto: Unlocking Kaido Template

"Crunch~"

The sound of muscles tensing echoed through the cave. Although Zixu attempted to dodge, Orochimaru's fangs still grazed his neck, leaving a shallow scratch. With a sinister smile playing on his lips, Orochimaru retracted his unnaturally long neck.

"Only obedient test subjects are worthy test subjects, huh?"

Based on past combat experience, Orochimaru was certain that even though he had failed to land a full bite, his speed ensured that the minor wound would still allow him to inject his cursed seal. However, as he carefully observed Zixu, he noticed something… unusual.

Zixu's face contorted in pain as he clutched his neck with both hands. His brows furrowed, and his body trembled slightly, as if he had truly been afflicted by the curse seal.

Orochimaru narrowed his golden eyes. "Hah… stop pretending." His voice was laced with amusement. "Anyone injected with my cursed seal would have a visible marking spreading across their skin… yet I don't even smell blood."

A cold gleam flashed in his eyes. His intuition was rarely wrong, and it was telling him that Zixu was far from ordinary.

"A mere Genin…? That's a joke."

If the old relics like Sarutobi Hiruzen had known about Zixu's monstrous physique, they would never have let him remain in a regular shinobi team. Instead, they would have dragged him into Anbu or Root for immediate training.

"So… you're hiding your strength?"

A knowing smirk curled Orochimaru's lips.

"It seems you have your own reasons for staying in Konoha. Hahaha, how interesting… With a body like yours, I'm growing more and more tempted to make you my next 'vessel'…"

His golden slitted eyes gleamed with hunger. Though his current body still had time before it expired, finding a suitable container in advance was never a bad idea. Perhaps, with a body like Zixu's, he wouldn't even need to continue practicing Sage Mode.

His mind wandered for a brief moment. Ryūchi Cave's (Dragon Earth Cave) Senjutsu had always been a struggle for him. The illusion trial required to master Sage Mode had proven impossible due to his fragile mental state—a consequence of years spent using forbidden jutsu to transfer bodies. If he could acquire a physically gifted vessel, his need for Sage Mode would disappear entirely.

Just as Orochimaru's gaze burned with increasing interest, Zixu slowly straightened his posture. His previous look of agony? Gone.

He casually stretched his limbs as if nothing had happened.

Despite not being able to read minds, Zixu could feel the greed radiating from Orochimaru's stare. A chill ran down his spine.

"This creepy bastard is way too interested in my body…!"

His anus clenched instinctively.

He locked eyes with Orochimaru and immediately confirmed one thing—

This guy is definitely eyeing me up like a piece of premium-grade meat!

But no matter how uncomfortable he felt, Zixu knew one thing for sure—he had no immediate way out. Right now, escaping Orochimaru's grasp would be nearly impossible. His only choice was to play along and wait for the right moment.

Just as the tension between them reached its peak—

BOOM!

A terrifying surge of energy exploded through the cave.

A violent shockwave blasted through the air, sending both Zixu and Orochimaru staggering backward. The sheer pressure made Zixu instinctively tense his muscles, while Orochimaru's once-relaxed expression darkened into a rare look of solemnity.

"What the hell was that?!"

After regaining his balance, Zixu turned his gaze toward the source of the oppressive presence. But to his surprise, there was nothing there.

Nothing except an ancient stone door looming in the distance.

Then, a voice echoed through the cavern.

"Outsider… if you've come to Ryūchi Cave for Sage training, then take the test. If you wish to fight, do it elsewhere. All this noise is tiresome…"

The lazy yet ancient voice reverberated through the cave, sending a chill down Zixu's spine. But despite his unease, his sharp mind immediately honed in on a single phrase—

"Sage training…?"

An opportunity.

A perfect way to shake off Orochimaru.

Without hesitation, he seized the moment.

"I want to take the test!" Zixu blurted out, stepping forward. "I've always dreamed of learning Senjutsu since I was a child…!"

—Total bullshit.

But it didn't matter. Survival came first.

Even though Zixu had never even heard of Ryūchi Cave's Sage training before today, he played the role perfectly. Anything was better than staying under the gaze of this snake-obsessed freak who kept calling him a test subject and a container.

For a moment, the ancient presence remained silent, as if contemplating. Then, without further words, the energy withdrew, as if acknowledging his request.

Zixu exhaled, mentally sighing in relief.

But just as he thought he had successfully distanced himself from Orochimaru, a familiar voice rang out beside him.

"I'll take the test as well."

"…The hell?"

Zixu turned to see Orochimaru smiling—a twisted, unsettling smile that sent a shiver down his spine.

Of course, Orochimaru wouldn't refuse.

Ryūchi Cave was one of the Three Great Sage Regions. His entire purpose for coming here was to master Senjutsu (Sage Techniques). Zixu had only been a pleasant surprise along the way. If he could acquire Sage Mode and obtain Zixu's body, it would be a double victory.

The snake's golden pupils gleamed with amusement as he whispered:

"Fufu… Now, this is truly exciting."

After Orochimaru responded, the ancient voice gradually faded away, and the massive stone door before them slowly creaked open. Another voice followed, its tone indifferent yet absolute, stating a simple rule—

Fighting among participants was forbidden during the test. Violators would be disqualified.

It was a straightforward introduction to Ryūchi Cave's (Dragon Earth Cave) trial—pass, and you gain the right to learn Senjutsu (Sage Techniques). Fail, and you become food. Life or death. No second chances.

Upon hearing this, Orochimaru's fervent interest in Zixu visibly cooled. Though he was confident he could escape even if he failed the test, there was always a risk. If he acted recklessly now, he might lose a perfect vessel—a body too valuable to waste.

For now, he decided to play along.

With a twisted smirk, he leaned slightly towards Zixu and whispered:

"Heh… Let me tell you something, kid. Danzo and Sarutobi Hiruzen aren't as united as you think. Since you're hiding your strength, there must be a reason for it… and I find that very interesting."

A chilling gleam flickered in his golden eyes.

"Perhaps you'll be useful in my plan… Live well, Zixu."

As he spoke, he stuck out his unnaturally long tongue, savoring Zixu's tense reaction, before striding into the now-opened doorway.

Zixu, his brows furrowed, had no choice but to follow. After all, there was no other exit. The only way forward was through this trial of life and death.

---

A Hidden World Beneath the Cave

The moment Zixu stepped through the stone gate, his eyes widened in disbelief.

This… is a completely different world.

The previous cave was filled with cold stalactites, damp air, and dripping water, but here—bright lights illuminated towering buildings, grand palaces, and bustling streets. A constant stream of people moved about, engaging in trade, conversation, and laughter. The contrast was so stark that it felt like stepping from the depths of a mountain into a flourishing cityscape.

Despite being deep underground, the place was not shrouded in darkness. Countless lanterns adorned the streets, glowing with an otherworldly light, painting the scene with a festive warmth. The atmosphere mirrored a grand temple fair during the Lantern Festival, with people singing, dancing, and celebrating.

Surprisingly, no one paid any attention to Zixu and Orochimaru's arrival. The revelry continued uninterrupted, as if the two newcomers were invisible to the residents.

"Hey! Would you like some ramen? Freshly made, and the aroma is irresistible!"

A ramen vendor called out enthusiastically, waving toward Zixu from his stall.

At that moment, a deep hunger gnawed at Zixu's stomach. The fragrance drifting through the air was unbelievable—so rich and enticing that it seemed to penetrate the soul, whispering an eerie temptation:

"Even if I die, just one bite would be worth it."

Zixu immediately shook his head, dismissing the thought.

There's no way I'm eating anything here.

This was clearly part of the trial. Unknown food in an unfamiliar place? Suspicious as hell. He wasn't stupid enough to fall for it.

But the more he thought about it, the stranger everything seemed.

His sharp gaze swept across the surroundings.

"Something isn't right… How does this enclosed space sustain so many people? Where do the food and water come from? And why aren't they running out of oxygen?"

A cold shiver ran down his spine. This place defied all logic.

He instinctively turned to check on Orochimaru—only to realize that the man had vanished.

"…The hell?"

Zixu's brows furrowed in confusion.

Did he blend into the crowd? Or… were we separated upon entering?

Either way, standing still wouldn't get him anywhere.

His sharp eyes scanned the area, and in the far distance, he spotted a second stone gate. Its design mirrored the entrance, making it the most likely exit.

With his destination set, Zixu wasted no time.

Ignoring the cheerful crowd, he walked in a straight line toward the stone door—taking the shortest possible route.

Surprisingly… no one stopped him.

The dancers didn't suddenly attack him, nor did they stab him in the back with eerie laughter. He simply reached the exit, untouched.

It was… too easy.

His instincts screamed that something was wrong, but he wasn't about to hesitate now.

To be cautious, he created a clone to push the stone door open first. When the clone safely passed through, he finally stepped forward himself.

"That's it? That's the trial? What a joke—"

But the moment he stepped through the gate—

—his surroundings warped.

When his vision cleared, his expression twisted in shock.

He was back at the beginning.

The same laughter, the same streets, the same ramen stall.

"Hey! Would you like some ramen? Freshly made, and the aroma is irresistible!"

The ramen vendor greeted him with the same exact words as before.

A creeping sense of déjà vu crawled up Zixu's spine.

"The hell…?"

It was as if time had reset itself.

---

Breaking the Illusion?

The lively chatter of the streets, the sizzling of meat on open flames, the clinking of bowls as people devoured their meals—all of it assaulted Zixu's senses.

For a brief moment, his hunger surged again, his body yearning for food.

But his mind was still sharp.

No. This is part of the test.

Something was fundamentally wrong with this place.

"An illusion?"

To confirm his theory, Zixu reached out and grabbed the sleeve of a dancing man nearby.

His fingers met real fabric.

The man—a middle-aged merchant—flushed slightly, smiling bashfully as he gently pulled his sleeve away.

"…What the hell?"

Zixu quickly withdrew his hand.

His heart pounded as a new, terrifying realization dawned upon him.

They're not just illusions.

They reacted. They felt real. They weren't just projections—they were sentient.

The joyous atmosphere remained unbroken, yet beneath the surface, something sinister lurked.

Zixu ran several experiments to test the rules of this strange cycle.

Every time he passed through the stone door, he was reset to the beginning.

His physical stamina didn't recover between cycles.

Objects he removed from this world remained gone in the next loop.

Everything was connected.

His intuition screamed that he was missing a crucial piece of the puzzle.

Just as he was racking his brain, the ramen vendor's voice echoed again—

"Hey! Would you like some ramen? Freshly made, and the aroma is irresistible!"

This time… Zixu heard something different.

A faint, almost painful tone hidden beneath the words.

His sharp gaze locked onto the vendor's seemingly ordinary smile.

A silent conversation passed between them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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