Naruto: Hatake's No Misfortune

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Muzan suspected Orochimaru might be bluffing but wasn't confident enough to challenge him outright. Orochimaru had earned his reputation as a slippery snake for a reason—even the Shinigami couldn't claim him due to his unique abilities.

Despite his usual confidence, there was an undercurrent of unease in Orochimaru's voice as he spoke:

"The Fūma Clan can be yours. In exchange, I'll need a few of their younger members to follow me. My current body is reaching its limit."

The request, delivered in front of everyone, drew no suspicion from the gathered crowd, save for Muzan. Orochimaru's true intent—the ability to reincarnate by seizing another's body—remained hidden.

Even the leader of the Fūma Clan regarded Orochimaru with cautious hope, willing to offer promising members to secure their clan's survival. While Muzan could elevate their power, his ambition threatened to consume them entirely.

"Orochimaru-Sensei, your cunning never ceases to amaze," Muzan said smoothly. "But remember, first come, first served. If you take something from me, I expect equal compensation."

Muzan was more concerned about maintaining his dignity than acquiring the Fūma Clan. The ninja world was vast; another declining clan could easily be found. However, Orochimaru's sudden appearance had disrupted his carefully laid plans.

"And what is it you desire?" Orochimaru asked, his golden eyes narrowing. He knew Muzan would demand something significant.

"Take me to Ryūchi Cave. I want to master the art of Senjutsu."

Orochimaru's brow furrowed in suspicion, but the promise of acquiring new bodies outweighed his reservations. Muzan was his student, after all. Though dangerous, Ryūchi Cave was a challenge Orochimaru had long wanted Muzan to face.

"Very well. But be warned—Ryūchi Cave is no Mount Myōboku. If you're unprepared, you'll be little more than prey for the snakes."

"Worry not," Muzan replied, his confidence unshaken. "I won't die."

Orochimaru's envy was barely concealed as he observed Muzan's unshakable demeanor. The young man's monstrous healing ability ensured survival in situations others could never endure. But even with that advantage, Ryūchi Cave was perilous.

As the two entered the legendary training ground, Muzan felt the overwhelming pressure of natural energy. The area was teeming with massive snakes, many of them Orochimaru's own summonings.

"Ryūchi Cave is divided into two sections," Orochimaru explained, his tone a mix of caution and pride. "The outer region is home to countless venomous snakes. Deeper in lies the palace of the White Snake Sage."

Venomous creatures slithered between the rocks, but they recoiled in terror as Muzan's oppressive aura washed over them. Were it not for his respect for the Sage's domain, Muzan might have slaughtered them all.

After what felt like an eternity, the mist around them thickened. Suddenly, Orochimaru vanished into the haze.

"An illusion?" Muzan muttered, his sharp gaze scanning the shifting scenery. His vision adjusted, and in the distance, he spotted a grand palace.

Or so it seemed. His blood-red eyes discerned two realities. One showed a magnificent castle, its doors open to reveal feasts, treasures, and alluring figures beckoning him.

"Come closer," a melodic voice cooed. "Everything you've ever wanted awaits you—power, wealth, immortality. All yours, if you just take a step forward."

In the other reality, the truth was laid bare—a monstrous snake-woman crouched in the shadows, her jaws wide enough to swallow him whole.

From the sidelines, Orochimaru watched Shiraen's illusion with mild amusement. He knew Muzan wouldn't fall for such a basic trick. His student was destined to wreak havoc on the Land of Fire, far beyond the imagination of Ryūchi Cave's guardians.

As the snake-woman lunged, Muzan moved like a flash, gripping her throat with crushing force. The overlapping illusions shattered, revealing Shiraen's twisted form writhing in his grasp.

"Damn you!" she hissed, her pride wounded. "How are you resisting my power?"

Muzan's glowing red eyes burned with malice as he tightened his grip. "Your tricks are beneath me."

"Orochimaru, you coward! Help me!" she cried, panic evident in her voice.

"I'd rather not," Orochimaru replied, his smirk as venomous as any serpent. "But, Muzan, do remember—she serves the White Snake Sage. Killing her might complicate your training."

With a scoff, Muzan released her, hurling her to the ground with enough force to shatter several stone pillars.

Shiraen staggered to her feet, her face a mask of fury. "You'll regret that," she spat, venom dripping from her words.

"If I were you," Orochimaru said lazily, "I'd abandon any thought of revenge. You're outmatched."

Her rage simmered, but she refrained from attacking again. Instead, she smirked darkly. "Let's see if the others can handle him."

As the trio ventured deeper into Ryūchi Cave, the oppressive mist began to clear. Hidden eyes watched from the shadows, their greed palpable as they assessed Muzan's strength.

They arrived at a cavernous chamber, its entrance foreboding. Orochimaru paused briefly, a flicker of concern crossing his face.

"This is the second trial," he said. "Shiraen may excel at illusions, but the creature within relies on raw power."

Shiraen's licked her lips, her predatory gaze following Muzan. "I hope he gets eaten," she muttered, a savage grin spreading across her face.

"He won't," Orochimaru said, his voice firm. He believed in Muzan's potential. Such a force of nature couldn't possibly fall to the likes of Ryūchi Cave's guardians.

As Muzan disappeared into the cavern's depths, Shiraen sneered. "Let's see how long that confidence lasts."

Orochimaru didn't respond. He simply watched, curious to see how far Muzan's ambitions would carry him.

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"Has it begun?"

Muzan stepped into the cavernous trial area, feeling his chakra steadily being siphoned away. It was subtle but persistent, designed to weaken any intruder over time. A small sneer tugged at his lips as he stared into the silent darkness of the cave.

He knew his chakra reserves were monstrous—often compared to a tailed beast's. Some even claimed it rivaled the Three-Tails. This overwhelming power had been his even before reaching adulthood, and now it had only grown.

The cave could drain his chakra all it wanted; it wouldn't make a difference.

"Another fool seeking power," Ichikishima-hime's voice echoed from the shadows, youthful yet dripping with malice. She emerged, taking the form of a petite girl with piercing eyes. Unlike Shiraen, her trial was straightforward—a test of sheer chakra reserves.

In Ryūchi Cave, only those with extraordinary chakra capacity could hope to master the Snake Sage Arts. Those who failed either turned to stone or became food for the serpents.

As Muzan walked past her without a glance, the disdain in his eyes sent a sharp pang through Ichikishima-hime's pride. It was the first time anyone had dared dismiss her so utterly.

"Stay smug," she thought, her lips curling into a sinister smile. "We'll see how calm you are when I devour you."

Her form shifted in an instant, shedding her human guise. A massive serpent with gleaming fangs lunged from the shadows, aiming for Muzan's neck.

But before she could strike, Muzan moved—faster than she could comprehend. His blood-red eyes glowed like twin flames as he caught her mid-lunge, his grip unyielding around her throat.

"When did he—?" Her thoughts froze, panic taking over as her body convulsed in his iron grasp.

"What I despise most," Muzan said coldly, his voice reverberating with malice, "are whispers from the shadows. If you have something to say, say it to my face."

The pressure on her neck intensified, and Ichikishima-hime's vision began to blur. Around her, the world twisted into a macabre nightmare. Blood rained from the sky, and the air reeked of death. Her confidence crumbled under the weight of his overwhelming presence.

"Monster!" she gasped, her voice hoarse. "Why does a creature like you seek the Snake Sage Arts?"

Muzan didn't answer. Dragging the limp, gasping serpent behind him, he advanced deeper into the cave, undeterred.

Ahead, a towering stone wall loomed. Its surface was dotted with numerous holes, radiating a faint energy. Muzan paused, examining it.

Ichikishima-hime coughed weakly from the ground, glaring up at him. "The next trial... requires chakra. Fill those holes, or you'll remain trapped forever."

Her voice trembled with barely restrained fury, though her body quaked in fear. Few ever passed this trial, and those who failed were consumed by the serpents lurking within the shadows.

"Should I fill them all and be done with it?" Muzan mused aloud, his tone mocking.

"Arrogant fool! You'll never—" Her words faltered as Muzan placed his hand on the wall.

With effortless precision, he released his chakra. The wall lit up, its numerous holes glowing brilliantly as they filled in rapid succession. The energy surged, and the wall began to shift, groaning as a new passage opened before him.

Ichikishima-hime stared in stunned silence, her earlier defiance dissolving into disbelief. Muzan's chakra reserves hadn't even diminished noticeably.

Orochimaru and Shiraen, who had been observing from a distance, noticed the shift immediately. Entering the chamber, they found Ichikishima-hime slumped against the ground, her eyes hollow with defeat.

Shiraen shivered slightly, remembering Muzan's earlier wrath. She knew that, without Orochimaru's intervention, she might have met the same fate—or worse.

"He truly is fit to lead the Twelve Kizuki," Orochimaru murmured, his voice tinged with admiration. "With chakra like that, even without his regenerative abilities, he's a force to be reckoned with."

While exceptions existed, ninja strength often correlated with chakra capacity, and Muzan's reserves were nearly bottomless.

Shiraen smirked at her sister's defeat. "Pathetic," she muttered. The serpents of Ryūchi Cave were far from united; their rivalry was as venomous as their fangs. Watching one of their own fail was an unexpected delight.

"You traitorous wretch!" Ichikishima-hime roared, her fury transforming her body into a grotesque half-snake, half-human form. She lashed out, her venomous tail snapping toward Shiraen.

Shiraen dodged gracefully, her smirk never faltering. "Calm yourself, sister. This is only the beginning. The next trial will be far more... entertaining."

Orochimaru, meanwhile, was deeply intrigued. The possibility of Muzan mastering the Snake Sage Arts excited him. No one had ever combined two distinct Sage Modes, and if Muzan succeeded, it would set a new precedent.

More importantly, it would make him an ideal subject for Orochimaru's experiments. The potential was limitless.

"If Muzan gains the Snake Sage Arts," Orochimaru thought, his lips curving into a smile, "no one will be able to stand against him—not even the Kage."

Even among the Sannin, few could hope to match Muzan's raw power. What set him apart was not just his strength but his ruthless cunning.

In many ways, Muzan had surpassed his master. Orochimaru had turned to Danzo and left Konoha for his experiments. But Muzan? Muzan had made preparations long before defecting. He had already manipulated Kirigakure during the Third Ninja War, saving and transforming Pakura into a demon, though few knew the truth behind his actions.

"What a terrifying child," Orochimaru mused, his golden eyes glinting with ambition. "I wonder if he'll bring salvation to this world—or drag it into further ruin."

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