The Shikkotsu Forest is currently unknown, but Ryūchi Cave is definitely the least restrictive of the Three Great Sage Regions.
Correspondingly, the Senjutsu training in Shikkotsu Forest should also be the most difficult among the Three Great Sage Regions.
Even a genius like Orochimaru failed to master the Senjutsu of Ryūchi Cave, although it's also possible that Orochimaru looked down on it. After all, Yakushi Kabuto, who later transplanted Orochimaru's cells, mastered the Senjutsu of Ryūchi Cave very well.
Kifū knew that he wasn't a genius in learning Chakra and Ninjutsu, and might not even have had average talent.
But things are different now.
He is no longer the Kifū he once was.
What is talent?
Talent refers to a combination of various elements, including body, will, learning ability, etc., within a person.
And what about the current Kifū?
His body has undergone earth-shattering changes due to the Uchiha clan's bloodline and the existence of the Shikotsumyaku. As for learning ability, he has the experience of the First Scientist, Senju Tobirama, and Sasori of the Red Sand's notes, as well as his research with Orochimaru during this time.
Mainly, it's due to Senju Tobirama's experience.
Senju Tobirama didn't know Senjutsu, but his brother did. Influenced by what he saw and heard, plus Senju Tobirama was a research fanatic, delving into both the Uchiha and Senju clans.
In addition, Kifū's Third Mizukage puppet possesses the Two-Tails' Chakra.
The Tailed Beasts' Chakra originates from the Ten-Tails, the Ten-Tails originates from the God Tree, and the God Tree's Chakra is Natural Energy. The so-called Two-Tails' Chakra is also Natural Energy; the only difference is that it may contain some long-accumulated hatred.
However, this has no impact on Kifū, who is preparing to learn Senjutsu. On the contrary, it makes him more aware of the existence of Natural Energy.
Therefore, Kifū believes that if he wants to learn Senjutsu now, it shouldn't be too difficult in theory.
And Senjutsu is undoubtedly one of the methods to quickly improve one's strength in a short period of time after learning it.
"Give me a reason to pass it on to you," the White Snake Sage's voice echoed in the vast cavern.
Reason?
Kifū pondered slightly.
"The toads of Mount Myōboku have already found successors in the ninja world, and more than one. They have already made a name for themselves in the ninja world before your Ryūchi Cave."
Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave are mortal enemies.
Upon hearing that Mount Myōboku's Senjutsu had already been taught, and to more than one person, the White Snake Sage readily agreed.
"Alright. But let me give you a reminder: Senjutsu is not so easy to cultivate. If any accidents or changes occur during the process, our Ryūchi Cave will not be responsible."
"Understood."
Subsequently, the White Snake Sage began to impart the Senjutsu of Ryūchi Cave.
As he listened, Kifū understood why Ryūchi Cave's Senjutsu seemed so difficult to cultivate compared to Mount Myōboku's.
It turned out that Ryūchi Cave didn't have Toad Oil to accelerate the perception of Natural Energy, nor did it have a staff to expel Natural Energy. It purely relied on the cultivator's ability and talent to learn it by force.
If you learned it, it was Ryūchi Cave's credit.
If you didn't learn it, it was because you didn't have enough talent.
No wonder Orochimaru didn't try it.
There was no need. What was the difference between this and gambling with your life?
But this problem wasn't too big for Kifū.
After all, the Two-Tails' Chakra was his innate advantage.
Moreover, the difference between Ryūchi Cave's Senjutsu training method and Mount Myōboku's Senjutsu training method also had its advantages.
For example, after successfully cultivating Mount Myōboku's Senjutsu, one might become too dependent on Toad Oil and find it difficult to independently control Senjutsu. If you learned Ryūchi Cave's Senjutsu, you learned it. You could freely absorb Natural Energy to activate Sage Mode.
...
...
A month later.
Kifū's appearance had undergone significant changes.
His skin had become whiter, and two sharp little horns had appeared on his head.
With the naked eye, one could see that Kifū's body had become more flexible than before.
Ryūchi Cave's Senjutsu: successfully cultivated!
After leaving a Flying Thunder God Technique mark, Kifū left Ryūchi Cave under the White Snake Sage's satisfied gaze.
But he didn't return directly to Konoha, because he had other goals.
That was Mount Myōboku and Shikkotsu Forest!
The Senjutsu of Ryūchi Cave alone, although it improved his strength, wouldn't greatly improve his current strength.
But if he mastered the Senjutsu of Mount Myōboku and Shikkotsu Forest as well, perhaps other changes would occur.
Because after successfully cultivating Ryūchi Cave's Senjutsu, Kifū discovered that Ryūchi Cave's Senjutsu didn't greatly increase the strength of Ninjutsu and the body like Mount Myōboku's Senjutsu in the original story.
Ryūchi Cave's Senjutsu provided a huge increase in Chakra quantity and body flexibility. Of course, it also brought some improvement in Ninjutsu, but it didn't seem as great as Mount Myōboku's.
This was also why Yakushi Kabuto, who successfully cultivated Ryūchi Cave's Senjutsu in the original story, could afford to use the Impure World Reincarnation Technique to simultaneously resurrect so many dead people, and why he could maintain Senjutsu for so long.
As for the flexibility of the body, that was even easier to understand.
Snakes excel at flexibility.
Originally, Kifū didn't intend to continue learning the Senjutsu of Mount Myōboku and Shikkotsu Forest.
But when he discovered that Ryūchi Cave's Senjutsu was different from Mount Myōboku's Senjutsu, he immediately had a bold idea.
Ryūchi Cave's increase in Chakra quantity and flexibility, Mount Myōboku's increase in Ninjutsu strength and body strength, plus the unique Senjutsu effect of Shikkotsu Forest—what would happen?
I don't know.
But it seems worth a try.
After making a decision, Kifū immediately headed to Mount Myōboku.
...
