After dealing with the lingering spirit of Kōza Kubisaki, Orochimaru swiftly entered the watchtower, and there he laid eyes on the enormous summoning scroll, confirming his suspicions.
"It's indeed you, Shiromari!"
Orochimaru advanced towards the scroll, but Shiromari was quick to sense Orochimaru's intentions. Countless tentacles lashed out towards him, while the flesh walls that surrounded the scroll threatened to engulf it. Those who had infiltrated the castle were now entangled and ensnared by the relentless tentacles.
"Trying to trap me!"
Ignoring the tentacles that coiled around him, Orochimaru summoned a long snake from his sleeve. The serpent stretched several meters, sinking its fangs into the scroll.
"Devour!"
Orochimaru grinned triumphantly, swallowing the scroll whole and swiftly making his move.
However, the tentacles had completely ensnared Orochimaru, dragging him into the fleshy walls beneath the ground.
"Too slow!"
Orochimaru's grin turned sinister as he suddenly stretched his mouth wide, his lips splitting all the way to his ears. Countless white snakes erupted from his mouth, slithering away in a frenzy.
A furious roar echoed as Shiromari sensed the impending danger. Simultaneously, a torrent of corrosive acid burst forth from its body, flooding the area and consuming everything in its path.
"Screams of despair" resounded within the castle's chamber. The samurai inside had no means to effectively counter such an assault. Meanwhile, the tentacles and walls constricted, rendering swords useless.
"This acid is monstrous, and its corrosiveness surpasses even aqua regia. Truly a creation of this world, where chakra defies all logic."
Several snakes merged, forming Orochimaru once more. He watched as his future summoning beast struggled, knowing that its time was limited.
"They never learn!"
The samurai who had trespassed into the castle cried out in despair. Despite their efforts, the leading samurai's attacks barely scratched the tentacles. Shiromari's regenerative abilities were astonishing; it overwhelmed them, hurling them into the acid pool.
"Unbelievable!"
Orochimaru observed from a distance as the samurai vanished, bones and all, leaving a satisfied smile on his face.
"Yes, two more research subjects for me after this."
Shiromari's acidic properties were secondary. Its true strength lay in its extraordinary resilience and the ability to merge with the castle's structure.
"Whoa—"
A massive wave of acid surged forth, prompting Orochimaru to slip through the wall.
"This beast is Lord Kubisaki's summoning beast. Is it truly this formidable?"
The sole remaining subordinate, the samurai Masamune, survived using a few ninjutsu techniques he mastered . Yet, he found himself lost in the labyrinthine castle. His lightning-charged sword slashed through walls, but they were swiftly regenerated. His despair grew as he found himself increasingly trapped.
"Perish, you monster!"
Masamune exerted all his strength, and it's brown blood splattered. However, instead of piercing the fleshy walls, he struck a colossal tentacle that thrashed towards him.
"Boom!"
Masamune was struck heavily, but the wall revealed a crack, providing a glimpse of the outside world.
"Cough, cough!"
Masamune crashed onto the ground, coughing up blood but still clinging to life. He glimpsed the abyss below, narrowly escaping a deadly fall.
Struggling to rise, Masamune found himself shrouded by a monstrous shadow, an aura of death and destruction oozing from it.
"Impossible...!"
Masamune raised his gaze with great effort, only to meet the cold stare of a mountainous horror before him.
While the castle was already in shambles, some walls remained standing, serving as a pedestal. A fearsome head emerged through the mist—its scarlet eyes glaring from sunken sockets. Its body was armored in delicate scales, powerful limbs, and claws resembling machetes. Its tail coiled and poised to strike, every aspect of its appearance spoke of a deadly chameleon. But it was no docile beast. This was a beast driven by carnage.
"Damn, I—"
Masamune's heart raced as his eyes narrowed. In an instant, he brandished his sword, but a long tongue shot forward with lightning speed, swallowing him whole.
"What—"
Masamune's scream was abruptly silenced as he vanished down the monstrous maw.
"Crunch!"
Shiromari crunched its meal, then wiped blood from its maw—a routine affair for such a predator.
"Lowly traitor, death was too kind for you."
Shiromari's gravelly voice echoed, its gaze falling upon an unfamiliar presence within its body—the one who had taken its summoning scroll.
Left alone, Orochimaru had secretly consumed the scroll. But now, he found himself expelled, cast away like a refugee, crashing into a pool of acidic liquid.
"Cough... you cursed beast..."
Orochimaru was in dire straits. His intention was to escape at his own volition, but Shiromari's potent defenses thwarted his efforts. It seemed the beast feared his powerful ninjutsu, sealing him off from its interior.
Struggling to stand, Orochimaru rose from the pit, covered in the suspicious liquid—a thoroughly unpleasant sensation.
Shiromari's unblinking gaze remained fixed upon him, signalling an imminent attack.
"Heh—"
A serpentine tongue struck like a whip, aiming for Orochimaru's mouth.
"Crack!"
Shiromari bit down, but Orochimaru's grin belied his precarious position. He had anticipated this move, reinforcing his skin and imbuing the discarded skin with an added component—a strategy meant to enhance the body's sturdiness. Not every ninja could boast such resilience.
"Devious!"
Shiromari roared, its mighty tongue grazing Orochimaru. Swiftly evading, Orochimaru danced out of harm's way.
"Enter the castle, and those who challenge Master Kubisaki will meet their demise!"
Shiromari charged, its fury like a runaway freight train.
Even Orochimaru's agility could barely contend with such a colossal beast. In desperation, he bit his finger, pressing it to the ground.
"Summoning Double Rashomon!"
Massive gates materialized, barely withstanding Shiromari's onslaught. The first gate shattered under the pressure, debris flying, before the second gate came into play, halting the beast's charge.
"Remarkable speed and impact!"
Orochimaru marvelled at his own accomplishment, the growth of his chakra enabling him to manifest two gates. But the elusive third gate remained beyond his reach for now.
Shiromari seemed temporarily incapacitated, yet Orochimaru remained wary.
"Here it comes!"
Countless tentacles wriggled past the second gate, lunging towards Orochimaru like carnivorous vines.
"Fire Style: Majestic Fire Annihilation!"
Facing such a large-scale biological threat, Fire Style proved most effective. Orochimaru breathed fire with fervour, scorching the tentacles, turning them to ash. The smoke dissipated, leaving charred remnants in its wake.
"Master Kōza Kubisaki has met his end, and his summoning scroll now belongs to me. Join me as my summoning beast, and you'll serve me well."
Orochimaru brandished the summoning scroll, enticing Shiromari.
With his ninjutsu proving futile against the resilient beast, Orochimaru seized the opportunity to propose an alliance.
Shiromari paused, considering Orochimaru's offer, its expression inscrutable.
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