Chapter 55: The Ceiling Disaster
Once again experiencing the dizziness of transportation, Toneri and Orochimaru found themselves back in the Konoha lab.
As they returned, Orochimaru's shadow clone dispersed.
"Sensei, can I summon a contract beast now?" Toneri asked.
Honestly, after signing the contract, he didn't feel anything special. Except for the slight pain in his finger, everything seemed normal.
"Go ahead and try. Let's see how well you can control your chakra," Orochimaru's voice remained as smooth as ever, like a slow-acting poison that subtly lowered one's defenses.
Toneri glanced at his finger.
He was eager to see what kind of serpent he could summon. After all, this was one of the sacred beasts from Ryūchi Cave, one of the three great sanctuaries!
Though serpents were the coldest and hardest to control among the three summoning factions—serpents, toads, and slugs—he figured as long as he didn't accidentally summon a particularly rebellious one, like Manda, who didn't even respect Orochimaru, he'd be fine.
For example, Sasuke's Aoda, though massive and powerful, was incredibly obedient and an ideal battle companion.
"Should I try it here?" Toneri hesitated.
What if he couldn't control it and accidentally summoned a massive serpent?
Orochimaru's disdainful glance pierced through him, making Toneri grit his teeth.
"Sensei, are you looking down on me?" Toneri couldn't help but ask.
Even if you are, do you have to make it so obvious?
Orochimaru's expression remained calm, his disdain unhidden. "Of course not."
Toneri: "..."
Could you at least pretend better? This expression doesn't fool anyone!
"You've only been in contact with chakra for about a month. While your chakra reserves are almost at the level of a Chūnin, much of it is due to the Two-Tails, not your own refinement. This is why your chakra control is weak—it's inevitable."
"Your chakra quantity is both your strength and your weakness," Orochimaru continued, his indifferent gaze cutting through Toneri's pride.
"The only fortunate thing is that the Two-Tails' influence on your body is most pronounced the first time. While it will still increase your chakra reserves over time, you shouldn't experience another dramatic surge. You can now focus on improving your chakra control gradually."
"When your body enters its growth phase, your chakra will increase rapidly again. But until then, you must push your control skills to the limit—that will be the most beneficial for your future growth."
Toneri felt a bit moved. Despite Orochimaru's ever-present disdainful expression, he gave a detailed analysis of Toneri's current chakra condition, even forecasting his future state.
What a teacher.
Naruto's insane chakra reserves were partly due to the Nine-Tails but mostly thanks to the Uzumaki clan's powerful physique.
Toneri's chakra quantity, however, stemmed mainly from the Two-Tails, which didn't have nearly as much chakra as the Nine-Tails.
He even suspected that when the Sage of Six Paths distributed the tailed beasts' chakra, he might have been drinking instead of paying attention:
One share for the One-Tail, one for the Nine-Tails.
Two shares for the Two-Tails, one for the Nine-Tails...
By the time he got to the Eight-Tails: "Huh? Still this much left? Fine, give the Nine-Tails the rest."
---
"So, with your current chakra and control level, there's no need to worry about damaging the lab. By the way, how old are you now, Toneri?" Orochimaru suddenly asked.
Despite his small stature, which stemmed from years of malnutrition, Toneri should be older than he appeared.
"Eleven!" Toneri declared confidently, his big eyes blinking innocently.
Orochimaru: "..."
For the first time, his expression shifted. The disdain vanished, replaced by something new.
As Toneri felt triumphant, Orochimaru quietly donned white gloves, his signature sinister smirk returning.
"Sensei... what are you planning to do?" Toneri asked, his voice shaky.
"Oh, nothing much," Orochimaru replied, his tongue flicking in excitement. "I've just never seen an eleven-year-old this... compact. I feel compelled to study you."
Toneri: "..."
Fine. You're the boss—I can't win this.
"Sensei, I'll summon now. Watch closely, and if I summon something extraordinary, you'll be ready to step in." Toneri tried to act serious, pretending not to notice Orochimaru's ominous movements.
---
Orochimaru's teasing faded, replaced by genuine curiosity.
Toneri formed the necessary hand seals: Boar → Dog → Bird → Monkey → Ram.
He bit his finger, letting his chakra flow into the summoning circle.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
As the circle activated, intricate black lines resembling tadpoles appeared.
White smoke billowed out. Toneri felt his hand touch something smooth and cold.
His first summon was a success!
But when the smoke cleared, what lay before him was...
A black snake no thicker than his pinky.
Toneri was speechless.
This wasn't the grand entrance he envisioned.
"Hmm... Toneri-kun, you certainly didn't disappoint," Orochimaru remarked, his amusement barely concealed.
The tiny snake disappeared in a puff of smoke as Toneri quickly dismissed it. He had to redeem himself.
He gathered more chakra this time, determined to make a grander impression.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
The circle grew larger, his chakra output more intense.
With a loud pop, Toneri felt himself rising.
Higher and higher, the floor shrinking beneath him.
Orochimaru remained where he was, gazing up at Toneri, who now towered close to the ceiling.
"Damn it, am I about to break the ceiling?"
A booming, unfamiliar voice echoed:
"Who summoned me? If there aren't 200 sacrifices, I'll eat you!"
Orochimaru: "..."
His hands flew through a sequence of seals, his expression unchanging. If he didn't act quickly, the ceiling would definitely collapse.
"Earth Style: Swamp of the Underworld!"
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