96 Chapter 96
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The catering to others' preferences, Kyomu was a professional.
He indeed possessed that strength, just like now.
Manda was covered in wounds, his enormous snake head crushed under Kyomu's foot, making it difficult for them to move.
Kyomu infused his Yoei with chakra crazily, its weight reaching a level enough to firmly suppress the Manda.
"Apologies!" Kyomu tapped Manda's head with Yoei.
"Humans, I will devour you! Chew you into pieces and eat you!"
Smack.
Kyomu kicked the Manda. "Your strength doesn't match your arrogance. Apologize and admit your mistake!"
"Ahh!!!"
Manda struggled wildly, his huge snake tail thrashing, but the snake head remained unmoved, even showing signs of sinking further.
Ichikishimahime stood by, a look of satisfaction flashing across her face, her raised lips never smoothing out.
Meanwhile, deep within forest, a gigantic green snake with diamond-shaped scales blinked its snake eyes as it spat out snake signals, its eyes gleaming with excitement.
A human capable of suppressing Manda was a sight he hadn't seen in a long time.
As for the first one, naturally, it was Orochimaru, but his performance wasn't as remarkable as Kyomu's.
Moreover, the green snake didn't like Orochimaru and held grudges against Manda. Since Orochimaru chose Manda, the green snake naturally wouldn't rush to join.
Quietly swimming, the green snake approached, intending to taunt the Manda and get to know Aragami Kyomu.
But at the moment he saw Ichikishimahime, the green snake immediately bowed. "Lady Ichikishimahime."
"It's the Green Snake." Ichikishimahime tilted her head. "Are you interested in that kid over there?"
"Just came to see the Manda." The Green Snake spat out signals towards the Manda, a mocking look in its eyes. "Manda, you pride yourself as the king of this forest, yet you're being suppressed so miserably?"
"Green Snake! Ichikishimahime!" The Manda seemed insane. "Just you wait, I'll..."
"Croak!" Aragami Kyomu ruthlessly kicked the Manda, simultaneously increasing the weight of Yoei.
Boom.
The ground collapsed, the Manda's head pressed firmly into the ground, instantly silencing them; it was impossible for them to even open their mouths.
Empowered by passive skills, Kyomu dealt with the Manda effortlessly, and the Manda cooperated quite well, keeping Kyomu constantly in battle mode.
Ichikishimahime felt it was about time to stop. She stepped forward and slapped the Manda.
Despite Ichikishimahime's small stature, standing in front of the Manda's head made her look like a toothpick compared to them. But with one slap, the Manda's mouth twisted, even shifting a distance to the left.
The force of this slap astonished Kyomu.
"Manda, you're quite a promising newcomer, but being suppressed by a human like this truly a disgraces."
Ichikishimahime sneered. "So, work hard to train and grow, don't keep thinking you'll one day become the fourth elder of the Dragon Den; you're not qualified yet."
Smack.
Another slap hit the Manda, straightening their mouth.
Exhaling deeply, most of the resentment from the Manda's repeated provocations dissipated, and Ichikishimahime finally had a reason to discipline them.
The Dragon Den followed the law of the jungle, where the strong preyed on the weak. After the Manda became invincible in the forest, he naturally sought to advance further.
Perhaps feeling that Ichikishimahime was young and not as powerful as the other two elders, Manda specifically targeted her for challenges.
Naturally, he faced inevitable defeat, but Ichikishimahime couldn't swallow this insult: Manda was looking down on her!
But during these challenges, Ichikishimahime couldn't refuse. Even if she won the fight, she couldn't seek revenge afterward, allowing this resentment to deepen.
Fortunately, Kyomu was quite cooperative.
"Kyomu, come down." Ichikishimahime's voice was light.
"Yes, Lady Ichikishimahime!" Kyomu complied, giving her plenty of face.
Ichikishimahime felt pleased, immediately issuing a punishment to the Manda. "Manda, since you've brought shame upon the Dragon Den, you'll be sent to the Wanshi Forest for penance. Do you have any objections?"
The Manda glared fiercely, wanting to resist. But with Ichikishimahime's strength, if they dared to object, she would undoubtedly kill them without hesitation.
"No objections, I accept the punishment." Manda reluctantly agreed, body covered in wounds, leaving the forest and entering the barren and harsh environment of the Wanshi Forest.
Clapping her hands, Ichikishimahime smiled, finding Kyomu a bit more agreeable.
"Green Snake, follow him. If there's anything he can't handle, you can call me."
Just as she was about to leave, Ichikishimahime seemed to remember something. "But this time, I'll go with you first. Don't forget the tribute you promised."
She needed to make sure Kyomu didn't deceive her.
Seeing Kyomu nod, Ichikishimahime floated away, probably going to report to the White Snake Sage.
"Young Master Kyomu." The Green Snake wasn't as arrogant as the Manda, perhaps because of Ichikishimahime, or perhaps because he had high hopes for Kyomu.
Either way, his attitude was quite comforting. "If you need anything, just call me. You don't need to offer any extra sacrifices."
"Then I'll trouble you in the future, Green Snake." Kyomu nodded with a smile, and the Green Snake immediately lowered his head.
Understanding, Kyomu reached out and touched his smooth diamond-shaped scales, remembering the Green Snake's characteristics, and establishing a connection between them.
Afterward, the Green Snake twisted its massive body into the forest, intending to seize the position of king here during the time the Manda was away, to improve its strength.
As for when the Manda returned, they could always have another fight. Under such a tit-for-tat situation, it was hard to say who would win or lose.
Seeing the Green Snake leave, Kyomu turned and arrived outside the White Snake Sage's cave, quietly waiting for Ichikishimahime.
Not making Kyomu wait long, Ichikishimahime soon floated out of the White Snake Sage's cave. Without much exchange, she grabbed Kyomu's shoulder with her small hand and together they turned into a puff of smoke, disappearing from the spot.
---
Orochimaru's tent.
Looking at
Ichikishimahime floating in front of him, Orochimaru's eyes flickered with memories, a hint of fear in the depths of his eyes.
"Little Snake, we meet again." Ichikishimahime greeted Orochimaru warmly, but Orochimaru subconsciously took a step back.
"Haha, don't be so nervous, I've already tasted your flesh." Ichikishimahime laughed happily. "Once is enough, you can rest assured."
After saying that, she ignored Orochimaru and floated back to Kyomu's side. "Let's go, Kyomu, it's time to present your offering."
Offering?
Just grilled toad legs, yet you speak with such grandeur, even bewildering Orochimaru. Kyomu smiled apologetically at Orochimaru, then left with Ichikishimahime.
After a while, Orochimaru finally came to his senses, unable to help but gnash his teeth in frustration.
"Kyomu-kun, how did you manage to...," Orochimaru couldn't comprehend, he really couldn't, "How could you possibly make a contract with her? How did you do it!"
With a mixture of feelings, Orochimaru felt envious of Kyomu for the first time. If only he could have contracted with Ichikishimahime back then, he wouldn't have suffered so much.
But then, Orochimaru realized something was amiss. Immediately biting his finger, he slapped his hand onto the ground.
"Indeed, Manda rejected the summoning."
A bitter smile tugged at Orochimaru's lips. "Kyomu-kun, I did intend to test you more thoroughly, but not to turn your surprises into shocks."
Standing up, Orochimaru was full of helplessness. He guessed that for a long time to come, he wouldn't be able to commune with Manda.
Who could he reason with about this?
He had suffered for no reason...
But soon, Orochimaru adjusted his mindset. He was already certain that Kyomu was the 'wind' he had been waiting for.
"Kyomu-kun, let me see what surprises the future you will bring to me!
I'm really looking forward to it..."
---
By the riverbank, Kyomu handed Ichikishimahime a string of grilled toad legs.
This is the tenth one already.
Ichikishimahime's eyes lit up as she eagerly accepted them, opening her mouth wide with a grin, instantly devouring one.
"Kyomu, hurry up and grill some more. Give me fifty more... No, a hundred more!" Ichikishimahime exclaimed with her mouth full, "This isn't even enough to fill a gap between my teeth!"
At the same time, she didn't forget to give Kyomu a little incentive. "Satisfy me, and I'll consider letting you summon me more often."
As if I have a choice! Kyomu thought to himself, rolling his eyes inwardly. With your appetite, if you come by more often, I won't have to do anything else but grill toads for you.
However, Kyomu didn't voice his thoughts. Instead, he took advantage of Ichikishimahime's good mood and inquired about the Dragon Ground Cave Sage Technique.
"Lady Ichikishimahime, I'm willing to do that, but I'd like to ask...," Kyomu began.
"The trial you'll face as an adult?" Ichikishimahime anticipated Kyomu's question and continued, "I can tell you. After you come of age, you'll undergo tests of character, willpower, and physique in the Dragon Ground Cave. If you pass, you'll keep your life. But if you fail..."
Ichikishimahime rested her chin on her hand, blinked her big eyes, and pointed at the barbecue grill. "I'll roast you and enjoy the taste thoroughly."
Kyomu couldn't help feeling somewhat speechless. That's how Dragon Ground Cave operates, completely different from the approachability of the toad's mountain.
"Thank you for telling me all this, Lady Ichikishimahime," Kyomu expressed his gratitude. "I'll strive to meet the standards and try to grill toad legs for you for many years."
"No!" Ichikishimahime shook her head. "We agreed on a hundred ways to eat them, and you've only provided one so far."
"I'll make sure Lady Ichikishimahime gets her fill."
Kyomu worked from noon until the sun was about to set, his hands sore from the labor, before Ichikishimahime finally satisfied her craving.
Standing up, she didn't bid Kyomu farewell, but in the blink of an eye, she turned into a cloud of smoke and returned to the Dragon Ground Cave.
Sighing, Kyomu stretched his arms, thinking he finally got rid of that thousand-year-old loli.
Although tired, Kyomu gained a lot.
Ichikishimahime was very powerful. Judging by what she said, she was also a creature who had lived for thousands of years, probably even stronger than the two sages, Fukasaku and Shima.
"I barely acquired another trump card," Kyomu yawned lazily. "And by establishing a good relationship with her, I'll have more confidence in practicing sage techniques."
Dragon Ground Cave is not like Myōboku Mountain; the toads there provide patient instruction, while these big snakes test you first, and if you fail, it's game over.
"And also Orochimaru..." Kyomu suddenly smiled. "It seems that he suffered a lot from Ichikishimahime and the others in the past, probably he was even 'split' up for consumption."
When Ichikishimahime and Orochimaru met, the information exchanged in those few sentences was significant, and Kyomu vaguely began to speculate.
"Was Orochimaru transformed into a White Snake or a half-human, half-snake creature at that time?" Kyomu pondered for a moment. "But whatever. If there's a chance in the future, I'll know the truth."
Brushing off the dirt on his buttocks, Kyomu returned to the Konoha camp.
Before Kyomu could even arrive, he saw Orochimaru waiting ahead.
"Lord Orochimaru, were you waiting for me?"
"Of course, Kyomu-kun." Orochimaru glanced behind Kyomu. "Did Lady Ichikishimahime leave?"
"Yes, she left."
Kyomu nodded, seeing a hint of relief in Orochimaru's eyes.
Because Orochimaru fears nothing, but there are times when you're afraid.
"Kyomu-kun, you've given me quite a shock!" Orochimaru couldn't help but exclaim, also asking the question he had been pondering for half a day. "Kyomu-kun, how did you convince Lady Ichikishimahime to let you commune with her?"
"I told her I would grill toad legs for her, and I also offered an additional 99 ways to eat toads," Kyomu replied truthfully. "Hmm, I also helped Lady Ichikishimahime teach Manda a lesson, and that's when she agreed."
Orochimaru's expression was one of confirmation, as he couldn't help feeling some resentment towards Kyomu.
Orochimaru knew well the conflict between Manda and Ichikishimahime, but he didn't have Kyomu's courage, and he knew Ichikishimahime was even more capricious than Manda.
She could eat you up in one gulp if she wanted to. Those whom she cared about or things she cared about were pitifully few.
"Kyomu-kun, you've given me a problem," Orochimaru said helplessly, spreading his hands. "What about my Manda since you've secured Lady Ichikishimahime as your summon?"
"How about the Green Snake?" Kyomu was willing to make the sacrifice. "Its temperament is good, and although its strength is slightly inferior to Manda, it's about to become the new king of the snake forest, catching up to Manda is just a matter of time."
Orochimaru's face lit up. "Kyomu-kun, are you willing to part with it?"
"Lord Orochimaru, don't say that. If you hadn't given me the summoning scroll of Dragon Ground Cave, I wouldn't have anything to do with it."
Regardless of Orochimaru's previous intentions, Kyomu acknowledged this favor. By giving the Green Snake to Orochimaru, he would repay the favor owed to Orochimaru.
With neither owing each other anything, Orochimaru naturally lost the excuse of kidnapping Kyomu in the future to repay the favor.
However, Orochimaru readily agreed without hesitation. If there's no chance this time, there will be another time, won't there?
He had plenty of things in his hands.
Such as various forbidden techniques recorded in the Book of Seals, and the little-known black materials about Danzo Shimura.
With these, Kyomu would eventually owe Orochimaru a favor.
(End of Chapter)
