Crackle!!
A bolt of lightning illuminated the sky, causing Manda to writhe in agony, yet it remained trapped within the confines of the Torii Gate summoned by Naruto.
To Sasuke, it resembled a powerful form of electrotherapy.
He smirked, contemplating how a colossal serpent like that could be as feeble as a tiny loach before Naruto.
"Are you convinced?" Naruto inquired, applying pressure to Wanshe's head once more.
"No... Aw... Hisss!!"
Manda remains steadfast, never yielding in the face of force.
He's a mighty snake! How could it be convinced?!
Within Ryūchi Cave, he exists above countless snakes, so Manda can't display any cowardice before this small devil!
It must endure the pain.
"Well, I must say, I appreciate your resilience. Not bad,"
"Go on!"
Naruto nodded appreciatively and gestured to the clones.
"Alright!"
Zizzi!
For a brief moment, Naruto could even catch a whiff of the enticing aroma of grilled meat.
"Aw!!"
The pain inflicted on Manda was so intense that he nearly lost consciousness. Suddenly, with a loud bang, he transformed into white smoke and vanished, returning to Ryūchi Cave.
Naruto regarded it as a regrettable outcome.
*****
Ryūchi Cave.
"Aw!"
Upon Manda's return, it continued to scream in agony and writhed incessantly. However, the more it rolled, the more excruciating its pain became. Its massive body collided with the walls of the cave, causing them to tremble uncontrollably.
This sight both frightened and intrigued the remaining snakes.
Observing Manda's pitiful state, the other snakes also wondered if it had engaged in battle or if it had been defeated by a recently contracted ninja.
"Manda! What on earth are you doing? Can you please be quiet!"
At that moment, a graceful woman descended slowly from the air and began berating Manda.
"Hime sama..."
Witnessing the arrival of Tagorihime, Manda, though in pain, managed to compose himself and catch his breath.
"Have you... been defeated by someone? You smell delicious..."
Tagorihime frowned as she observed Manda's wretched condition. Her attention then turned to the aroma of barbecue emanating from Manda's body, causing her to salivate.
"Ahem, what happened?"
Noticing Manda's displeased eyes, Tagorihime put away her greed and asked curiously.
After all, Manda is one of the rare giant snakes in Ryūchi Cave, and Tagorihime couldn't swallow it privately.
"It's alright... I simply assisted someone in a battle. I sustained minor injuries, but with some rest, I'll be fine," Manda reassured.
Manda had to refrain from mentioning that it was defeated by a child. After all, facing such a situation, Ryūchi Cave's abundant natural energy would aid in its swift recovery.
Giant snakes like Manda, or the colossal toads in Miaomu Mountain, possess an innate connection to nature. They have been bathed in natural energy since their youth, harboring potent fairy Chakra within their bodies. Otherwise, they wouldn't have attained such immense size and remarkable resilience.
"Hahaha, weren't you just thrashed by the guy who just signed the contract just now? Manda~~"
"Garaga!" Manda clenched its teeth and glared at the individual who spoke. If it wasn't that it was injured at the moment, it would have planned to engage in combat, even if it was beyond its capabilities.
"Garaga, why did you come out?" Tagorihime asked curiously.
This individual has been leading a solitary life, residing deep within the cave and seldom venturing outside.
"I came to investigate what happened. The commotion earlier was quite significant," Garaga, clad in red, cast a glance at Manda before departing at a leisurely pace.
Garaga initially presumed that someone had trespassed into Ryūchi Cave, but to her surprise, the disturbance was caused by Manda.
"Humph!" Manda grumbled discontentedly.
"Garaga just said that you were beaten up? Was it that newcomer?"
Tagorihime asked Manda.
"I think he might be Orochimaru's disciple. Also, I wasn't beaten...I was attacked..."
Manda quibbled.
"Was Orochimaru's disciple so powerful? He beat you like this?"
Tagorihime was very surprised.
"I told you, I was attacked!"
Just then, the sensation of being summoned resurfaced, indicating that someone was summoning again.
"That bastard!!" Manda realized that it was the handiwork of that youngster once again.
All the snakes turned their attention to Tagorihime, anticipating her response. As the one who signed the summoning contract was summoning, she had to take action when the summoner was calling.
While Manda may have been defeated, the larger snakes who were familiar with Manda's nature considered it to be a typical outcome for it.
"Newcomer? I'm curious to see who possesses such power," Tagorihime suddenly declared.
"Huh? Tagorihime, are you planning to go in person?!" Manda exclaimed in surprise, while the other snakes were equally astonished.
After all, Tagorihime, Garaga, and Ichikishimahime were formidable allies of the White Snake Sage and rarely ventured beyond Ryūchi Cave, let alone were summoned away.
Thus, in the eyes of the snakes, this was an entirely unprecedented event.
"If the opponent is strong enough, perhaps they can pass White Snake Sage's trial. Otherwise, he'll simply become our meal. A ninja capable of defeating Manda should taste delicious," Tagorihime said with a smile before disappearing with a resounding bang.
The rest of the snakes hissed silently. If they remembered correctly, Manda said the same thing just now.
"What are you doing? Do you think even Tagorihime Sama would be attacked?! …Dammit... it hurts!" Manda roared, causing the other snakes to lower their heads in fear. Manda then departed silently, seeking a secluded spot to recover and regain its strength.
The Forest of Death.
"Why hasn't the snake responded for such a long time? Did I go too far earlier? Or is it that once Manda returned, no other snakes were permitted to come?" Naruto pondered, stroking his chin with a hint of suspicion.
Just as he was about to proceed with the summoning, a sleek snake suddenly arrived with a resounding bang.
"Huh... with this size, why does it resemble a human?" Naruto wondered, puzzled by the snake's humanoid appearance.
"Are you Orochimaru's disciple? The newcomer who just defeated Manda?"
A pleasant voice came over, Naruto looked carefully and found that the person who came this time was a woman.
"You're one of the three beside the White Snake Sage..." Naruto exclaimed, taken aback by the realization.
Tagorihime nodded with a sense of fulfillment, albeit surprised that this child was familiar with her.
"Who are you though?" Naruto questioned innocently.
"...Kid, are you joking?" Tagorihime's expression instantly turned icy, her tone carrying a hint of displeasure.
"No, I just don't remember your names,"
Naruto knew that there were three people, but he didn't remember too much.
"I am Tagorihime!"
"Hello, hello~ Now that you're here, can you take me to Ryūchi Cave?" Naruto greeted cheerfully, seeking assistance from Tagorihime.
"Then let's see first if you have the strength! Sage Art: Inorganic Reincarnation!"
Tagorihime declared as she levitated in the air. With her hands clasped together, the entire ground seemed to come alive, transforming into spikes and thrusting toward Naruto.
Reacting swiftly, Naruto leaped high into the air, bringing his hands together.
"Sage Art: Ice Escape: Ice Age!"
Naruto extended his hands towards the ground, and in an instant, icicles emitting a frigid aura rushed towards the spikes. The entire ground was rapidly engulfed in ice, freezing it completely.
"Naruto!"
Sasuke also jumped high to avoid the attack. But as he was about to fall, he called out to Naruto.
"You go back first, I'll call you later!"
Naruto came to Sasuke's side, activated the Flying Thunder God technique, and sent Sasuke back to his home.
"Damn it! They are too strong!" Sasuke was both envious and unwilling.
"Are you using... the Sage Art of the Shikkotsu Forest?"
Tagorihime noticed Naruto's state at this time and immediately recognized which holy land inheritance it was.
"That's right,"
"Since you are a descendant of the Shikkotsu Forest, why do you want to go to Ryūchi Cave?"
Tagorihime asked puzzledly.
"Because I'm curious about the ninjutsu of Ryūchi Cave, so I want to learn about them,"
Naruto answered truthfully.
"Little devil, you can't eat too much if you can't even digest it~"
Tagorihime said and disappeared while utilizing the ability inherited from the Ryūchi Cave lineage—invisibility.
The White Snake Sage, Tagorihime, Ichikijimahime, and Garaga possess a formidable invisibility ability, rendering their chakra undetectable.
However, this proved futile against Naruto.
With his ability to sense all things, Naruto not only detected chakra but also perceived Tagorihime's presence. He sensed her circling behind him, seemingly preparing to strike and bite.
Moreover, Tagorihime's originally extremely beautiful face became extremely ferocious at this time, with sharp teeth protruding from her mouth, and sticking out her green tongue, she approached Naruto's neck.
"Little devil, be my food!"
Tagorihime is looking forward to the taste of Naruto who has the Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Art.
After all, it is normal for the three holy places to compete with each other and eat the descendants of other holy places.
Just when Tagorihime thought she was about to win, she saw Naruto turn around instantly and look at her with a smile.
"Could it be that he found me... huh!"
Before Tagorihime could react, Naruto grabbed her neck and she was released from the invisible state.
"You...how did you find me?!"
"I have my way. But what about you? Do you want to sign a Summoning contract with me?"
Naruto asked with a smile.
"What!? You expect me to sign a contract with you? Are you joking? I am not that kind of snake!" Tagorihime exclaimed angrily.
She never anticipated encountering a human who would dare to address her in such a manner, let alone propose a contract. After all, she was the companion of the White Snake Sage! How dare he!
"You refuse? Well, I knew that it wouldn't be so simple," Naruto replied calmly.
"Now that you're aware, release me!" Tagorihime seethed, her frustration growing. She exerted all her strength, but despite her efforts, she couldn't break free from Naruto's grasp.
[Detected Tagorihime (Ryūchi Cave), store it?]
Rat Treasure, always present at the opportune moment, chimed in.
"Can she be saved? What can I gain from her?" Naruto pondered, his curiosity piqued. He noticed that the toads, giant snakes, and even Katsuyu of the three holy places could be stored.
[Ryūchi Cave's complete Sage Art, and Tagorihime's various abilities, including levitation, invisibility, and transformation.]
...Although these abilities are impressive and enticing, they were not his primary objective...
"Release me!" Tagorihime persisted, continuing to shout.
"Hmm... the contract seal!"
Naruto suddenly pressed his palm on Tagorihime's chest, a black spell appeared and printed on Tagorihime's neck, and then Naruto let go of his hand.
"What have you done!?"
Tagorihime looked at the spell on her chest and asked in surprise.
"This is the contract seal, which means that you can't return to Ryūchi Cave by canceling the Summoning technique. Either sign a contract with me or stay here,"
"You're delusional!" Tagorihime retorted, quickly forming a seal in a state of disbelief, but her attempt proved unsuccessful.
"Take a look, I also have a separate space. If you refuse, I can confine you within it," Naruto stated.
"Tagorihime sama, you will be living a life devoid of natural energy~"
The mention of "separate space" made Tagorihime genuinely panic, sensing the potential consequences of Naruto's words.
Even though the White Snake Sage wouldn't leave her alone if she vanished, it was inconceivable for the White Snake Sage to abandon Ryūchi Cave and search for her.
Feelings simply did not exist within the confines of Ryūchi Cave.
On the contrary, if she were to meet her demise, it would be solely due to her inadequacy.
What should I do? What should I do?! Wait...
Tagorihime's thoughts raced as she contemplated her options.
If I agree to sign a contract with him first, then go back to Ryūchi Cave, and ask White Snake Sage for help, wouldn't that be all right?!"
Tagorihime thought of a way and then laughed.
"Okay, I will sign a contract. Take out the scroll,"
"You agreed so soon?"
Naruto looked at Tagorihime in surprise, but that's good, it saves trouble.
Naruto took out the scroll without hesitation, Tagorihime bit her finger and wrote her name under Naruto's name.
"Very well, you can go back,"
Naruto nodded approvingly and released the contract seal on Tagorihime. With the contract established, Naruto gained the ability to employ the Reverse Summoning technique to access Ryūchi Cave.
Tagorihime emitted a disdainful snort, confident that Naruto would have a different experience once they arrived at Ryūchi Cave.
"By the way, my companion will be performing a Summoning technique later. Ask Aoda to come here at that time," Naruto stated.
"What do you mean? You want that black-haired kid to form a contract with Aoda?" Tagorihime inquired with a furrowed brow.
Signing a contract with a powerful giant snake in Ryūchi Cave would be acceptable, as long as the strength is formidable. However, Tagorihime expressed her dislike for someone similar to the black-haired kid from earlier.
"Exactly. Just have Aoda come over, and we'll handle the rest,"
"It's your choice. If he ends up getting devoured, don't blame me," Tagorihime warned before abruptly vanishing.
Naruto then utilized the Flying Thunder God technique once again, bringing Sasuke to this location.
"Where's that snake? Did you accomplish what you needed to do?" Sasuke inquired suspiciously.
"I don't need to teach you the seal gesture of the Summoning technique, right?"
"Yes!"
"Let's begin then,"
Naruto nodded.
Without hesitation, Sasuke bit his finger and launched the Summoning technique.
Anyway, no matter what big snake is called out, with Naruto around, he doesn't have to worry.
Boom!
A large blue snake with light-green eyes who was larger than Manda appeared in front of Naruto and Sasuke.
"This..."
Sasuke swallowed, why is this one bigger than Manda?
"Aoda,"
"Naruto sama,"
"Tagorihime should have told you about everything just now,"
"Yes,"
Aoda is indeed the snake with the best personality, with a gentle tone. In contrast, Garaga has the most irritable personality and the strongest strength among them.
As for Manda, it belongs to the bottom. It's not as good as his Manda II.
"Very well, I'll rely on you then," Naruto nodded.
"Is that him?"
Aoda stared at Sasuke and asked.
"That's right. Although Sasuke's current strength is still very weak, his future growth will not let you down,"
"I see,"
Aoda didn't object; it had come here solely based on Tagorihime's words. Signing a contract with a human was not something out of the ordinary for the snake.
Sasuke also successfully obtained his first Summoning creature, which possessed far greater strength than him. To be honest, he felt a bit overwhelmed and even harbored doubts about summoning the green snake in the future.
"Then, let's head to Ryūchi Cave," Naruto suggested.
*****