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Orochimaru grinned wickedly and said, "I have a technique that can grant eternal life. Would you like to learn it?"
Sasuke thought about Orochimaru's technique of body reincarnation, which involved transferring his consciousness into a new body. The thought of it made him shudder—it was far too disgusting.
"No, no!" Sasuke quickly shook his head in refusal.
Orochimaru felt slightly embarrassed. This was a forbidden technique he had developed and offered to Sasuke for free, yet Sasuke wasn't interested in learning it.
"Well, then," Orochimaru continued, "I have another technique that can give you the power of a [Sage]."
Finally, something that caught Sasuke's interest.
"Is it the Sage Mode from Ryūchi Cave?" Sasuke asked, curious.
Orochimaru was momentarily taken aback. He hadn't mentioned it yet, but then again, Sasuke was an Uchiha—it wasn't surprising that he knew such information.
However, Orochimaru himself had not yet mastered Sage Mode, so how could he teach Sasuke? In truth, Orochimaru intended to use the power of the curse seal to alter Sasuke's body, making it easier for him to take over when the time came.
Orochimaru was about to suggest the curse seal but then reconsidered. Just because he couldn't master Sage Mode didn't mean Sasuke couldn't. Perhaps this boy could indeed learn the Sage Technique.
Orochimaru smiled and said, "Alright, I'll take you to Ryūchi Cave and teach you how to pass the [Ryūchi Cave Test]. But before that, you'll need to contract a summoning beast first!"
"The serpents of Ryūchi Cave are different from other summoning beasts. While other summoning beasts are contracted to only one master, the serpents of Ryūchi Cave, like the toads of Mount Myōboku, can be contracted by multiple people at once."
"The summoning technique of Ryūchi Cave is different from other summoning techniques. Instead of contracting with an individual summoning beast, you complete a contract with Ryūchi Cave itself. If you gain the approval of the serpents, you'll be able to summon them at will."
Orochimaru leaned closer and whispered to Sasuke, "There's a particularly powerful serpent called Manda. Although it lacks moral integrity, its strength is formidable. Wait a moment, and it will likely appear when you summon it."
"In theory, if you're strong enough, you could even summon the White Snake Sage."
As Orochimaru finished explaining, Neji's curse seal removal was complete. The nutrient solution was drained from the container, and Neji slowly opened his eyes. He felt slightly dizzy but also strangely liberated.
The shackles that had bound him for so long were gone!
Neji quickly activated his Byakugan, and the veins around his eyes bulged as he confirmed it—his vision had returned to a 360-degree field without any blind spots!
This could only mean one thing: the Caged Bird seal had been removed!
Neji put on his forehead protector to cover the seal and then, with some hesitation, said to Orochimaru, "Thank you…"
It was difficult for Neji to thank a rogue ninja, especially one as notorious as Orochimaru.
Orochimaru, his face expressionless, replied, "Don't thank me. If you're going to thank anyone, thank Sasuke. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have helped you remove the Caged Bird seal."
With that, Neji left.
Orochimaru turned to Sasuke, smiling slyly. "Sasuke-kun, would you like to keep this Caged Bird seal?"
Sasuke was puzzled. "Why would I want that? Are you planning to mark my Sharingan?"
"Not exactly," Orochimaru responded. "While the Caged Bird seal is a low-level curse, its effects are still potent. I can store these curse seals on your arms, allowing you to use the Caged Bird seal on others at any time. While it won't cause direct damage, it will impair their brain functions…"
"Consider it my first gift to you…"
After hearing this, Sasuke hesitated for a moment. He thought to himself, if Orochimaru wanted to take over my body, he wouldn't plant a seal that would reduce my talent.
After considering it, Sasuke said, "Alright."
Orochimaru then injected the black curse seal liquid, which had been extracted from Neji, directly into Sasuke's arm. Immediately, veins throbbed in Sasuke's arm, and he felt a wave of unbearable pain.
Just as Sasuke thought he couldn't endure it any longer, the pain abruptly stopped.
Sasuke examined his right arm. A tattoo of a black bird in flight had appeared on his forearm, though the bird's wings were broken.
Sasuke realized that by channeling his chakra into the tattoo, he could activate the Caged Bird seal, sealing his enemy's talents and destroying their brain functions.
This Caged Bird seal, though low-level, was incredibly insidious. In the entire ninja world, only Orochimaru could break it. Even the Hyuga clan wouldn't be able to remove this curse seal.
Orochimaru then asked Sasuke, "So, Sasuke-kun, when do you plan to go to Ryūchi Cave?"
Sasuke thought for a moment and replied, "Now."
Orochimaru nodded, leading Sasuke into the woods. He bit his finger and drew a symbol on the palm of his hand. "Summoning Technique!"
In the next moment, the giant serpent Manda appeared before Sasuke.
Sasuke looked at the enormous purple serpent and couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. Even though Manda was known for his arrogance, his sheer size and presence were intimidating.
Manda snorted, clearly irritated. "Orochimaru, what do you want this time?"
Orochimaru responded smoothly, "Manda, I've taken on a new disciple, and I want you to become his summoning beast."
Manda sneered arrogantly, "Hmph, you expect me to serve this kid?"
Just as Orochimaru was about to intervene, Sasuke stepped forward. "Let me handle this."
Sasuke glared at Manda, his voice cold and commanding. "Manda, you should consider it an honor that I've chosen you as my summoning beast. You're fortunate to be my first summoning contract while I'm still in the early stages of my power."
Manda ignored Sasuke, clearly unimpressed.
Sasuke chuckled darkly. "Heh, I shouldn't have wasted my breath on you."
In an instant, a purple chakra surrounded Sasuke, forming a massive skeleton around him. The skeleton grew veins and muscles before being covered by armor—Karasu Tengu's armor.
Half-body Susanoo had appeared.
Without a word, Susanoo formed a massive bow, and chakra gathered into a powerful arrow, ready to be unleashed.
Manda's eyes widened in shock. "You… you can summon Susanoo?!"
Manda's scales bristled in fear. If that arrow was released, he would either be killed or seriously injured!
There was no need for such a risk.
"Wait! Wait! Let's talk this over! Let's talk this over! I'll become your summoning beast! It's no problem at all!"
Under Sasuke's overwhelming force, Manda reluctantly signed a summoning contract with him.
Just as Sasuke was preparing to head to Ryūchi Cave, Obito suddenly appeared beside him.
"Akatsuki has come to Konoha!"