Tōshirō replied: "I guess you could say there are still some things that aren't quite perfect."
Orochimaru asked: "Besides the body temperature drop, are there any other abnormalities?"
"There don't seem to be any other effects, it's just a shame..."
"A shame about what?"
"Nothing."
Tōshirō deflected the question.
If Tsunade were to be revived in the future, it would be difficult to hug her in this form.
Seeing that he wasn't willing to talk more, Orochimaru tactfully didn't press the matter.
"Do you need me to help you research your body?"
Seizing the opportunity, Orochimaru wanted to thoroughly study Tōshirō's body structure.
"That's not necessary. Give me some time, and in due time, I'll be able to return to a normal human body."
Tōshirō politely declined. It just felt weird to hand over his body to Orochimaru for research.
With such an interesting subject right in front of him, a hint of regret flashed in Orochimaru's eyes, and he still said with some reluctance: "If you feel any discomfort, you can come find me."
Tōshirō didn't give a definitive refusal, leaving a possibility for the other party: "I will..."
After this short interlude, Orochimaru got down to business: "The opportunity has come. Are you going to act?"
Tōshirō answered without hesitation: "Of course."
After a brief exchange, Tōshirō had a preliminary grasp of the intelligence and immediately stated that he would set up an ambush at the agreed-upon location beforehand.
"Then I'll wait for your message."
With that, Orochimaru transformed into a puff of white smoke and went back where he came from.
Since Orochimaru had already left, Tōshirō didn't delay either. Before leaving, he said goodbye to the White Snake Sage.
The White Snake Sage smoked her pipe, showing no expression, as if she didn't care whether he left or not.
Tōshirō didn't leave immediately and asked if she had any ninja tools to hide the cold aura from his body.
Ryūchi Cave had existed for thousands of years, so it had probably collected a lot of rare and precious treasures.
It wouldn't hurt to ask.
The White Snake Sage put down her pipe, opened her eyelids, and her golden eyes seemed to be asking, "And the reason?"
Tōshirō gave her what she wanted: "I can provide people as sacrifices."
The snakes in Ryūchi Cave liked to eat people on a whim, so he guessed they had this hobby.
The White Snake Sage remained silent.
Tōshirō continued: "Don't get me wrong. I just think there are too many scumbags in this world. In a way, isn't this also a form of recycling waste?"
"Do you take this place for a garbage dump?"
Tōshirō said teasingly: "You really love to joke."
The White Snake Sage let out a sigh and agreed to the request. She had Tagorihime bring a gray cloak and handed it to him: "This cloak can conceal the cold aura from your body."
Tōshirō thanked her, took the cloak, and put it on immediately. The effect was instantaneous.
With nothing left to do, Tōshirō prepared to leave.
Just then, the White Snake Sage seemed to suddenly remember something: "Oh, right. There's something I need you to do for me. With your strength, it should be very easy."
Tōshirō didn't speak or interrupt, waiting for her to finish: "Deep within the lair of Ryūchi Cave's most ferocious snakes is a one-eyed, crimson-red great snake. It has a single reverse scale. I need you to retrieve it for me."
Is she talking about Shinya?
Hearing this description, Tōshirō's mind recalled information about this snake. Its venom could turn people to stone, and its strength was even greater than Manda's.
"And then, make him your summoning animal. That will be your official contract with Ryūchi Cave."
Tōshirō was startled. After pondering for a moment, he somewhat understood the White Snake Sage's intentions.
Shinya hated humans to the bone because he had been betrayed by them, and he lived in hatred every day. The White Snake Sage was using Tōshirō to help him snap out of it.
To subdue him without harming him, Tōshirō, who possessed the Sharingan, was undoubtedly the best candidate.
"I understand."
"Do you need Tagorihime to guide you?"
"No need. I have this."
Tōshirō's eyes turned blood-red, and three tomoe appeared around his pupils.
"Hmph, what a convenient ability."
"Then I'll be on my way."
After receiving the mission, Tōshirō immediately set off, leaving the temple and heading into the living area of the other great snakes. The trees here were dense, and a large number of creatures lived there, some of which were quite huge.
Even Orochimaru, who lived here, was often in danger of being defeated by these creatures.
For example, Sasuke's Aoda is strong, right? In the setting, he's comparable to the second generation of Manda. Yet, he almost got defeated by these creatures. If he hadn't been lucky enough to run into Sasuke passing by, he would have been done for.
From then on, Aoda was completely loyal to Sasuke, willing to act as a servant.
Snakes are very territorial. Upon seeing Tōshirō, an outsider, they flicked their tongues and hissed, giving a warning signal.
If it weren't for the terrifying aura Tōshirō was emitting, these snakes would have immediately bared their fangs and lunged forward to bite him.
Ignoring the signals released by these small snakes, Tōshirō didn't slow down. He walked even faster, arrogantly imposing his will on the snakes. Wherever he went, a layer of frost condensed on the ground.
As long as these snakes weren't blind, they should know that the person in front of them was not someone to be trifled with.
Tōshirō continued walking. These small snakes on the ground had too small a brain and couldn't speak in human tongue. His goal was to find a great snake that could speak and ask it to guide him.
As he was walking, someone handed him a pillow just as he was about to fall asleep. A fierce fight was heard ahead. Such a commotion meant that two large creatures were fighting.
He looked up and saw two figures entangled. A purple-and-black great snake was grappling with a large lizard that was no smaller than itself.
The purple-and-black great snake moved in an S-shape, dodging the lizard's palm strike. It counterattacked by quickly coiling around the lizard's body, restraining it. It opened its mouth, revealing huge fangs, and bit down on the neck.
The lizard, which was just full of vigor, instantly lost its ability to resist under the combined effects of the venom and brute force.
Having successfully hunted its prey, the purple-and-black great snake was about to have a feast. Suddenly, as if sensing something, it turned its head to look. It saw a young man with white hair and blue-green eyes walking slowly towards him.
"A human?"
The purple-and-black great snake showed a surprised look.
How rare. A human would be in this place.
It didn't think too much about it. Since food was being delivered to its doorstep, it didn't mind if it was a small piece. After all, a mosquito's leg is still meat.
It wasn't bad to have a little dessert before the main meal.
Facing this bloodthirsty great snake, Tōshirō's gaze was calm. Judging from its appearance, he guessed: "If I'm not mistaken, you must be Manda."
The great snake named Manda was stunned for a moment: "You know this great lord?"
Tōshirō said faintly: "I've heard about you from Orochimaru."
"Oh~ you know that guy."
Tōshirō hummed in response, and also gave a general explanation for why he was there.
Manda, who had a bad temper, said irritably: "Who cares about that guy?"
Tōshirō let out a breath.
Manda should know where Shinya lives; he just didn't want to bother with him.
Soon, his guess was confirmed. He heard Manda say next: "And don't think that just because you know Orochimaru, we're familiar. You just interrupted my meal, and that puts me in a very bad mood."
Hearing this tone, Tōshirō couldn't be bothered to waste any more words with him. He closed his eyes, let out a breath, and muttered: "I guess there's no other way..."
With that, he leaped. A giant blue shadow appeared behind him, solidifying and lifting Tōshirō in its palm.
Ever since he learned how to pilot a Gundam, Tōshirō would use it whenever he could, as if it were an addiction.
Seeing the giant blue shadow in front of him, Manda was startled for a moment. Then, he noticed Tōshirō's special eyes and was taken aback.
Sharingan?
No, Mangekyō Sharingan!?
Tōshirō, standing in the palm of the Soul Flame, said faintly: "If I win, you'll tell me."
Facing this arrogant blue giant in front of him, Manda's gaze became focused, and he showed a look of deep wariness.
After a while, he clicked his tongue unwillingly: "I know, I know..."
Manda was arrogant, but he was by no means stupid.
If he won, that would be fine, but if he lost, he would be completely humiliated.
He didn't want to be mercilessly pressed and rubbed against the ground by that giant hand in front of him.
With so many pairs of eyes watching, if he lost so miserably, how would he establish his authority and get by in this area in the future?
Tōshirō tilted his head, his face full of confusion.
Manda explained: "Don't misunderstand. I'm doing this for the White Snake Sage's sake."
Tōshirō gave him some face: "That's good then."
He deactivated the Soul Flame and landed on the ground.
"Let's go. I'll take you."
Manda voluntarily led the way, not because he was enthusiastic, but because he loved to see a spectacle.
Someone wanted to take his reverse scale. Shinya's attitude was predictable. It would be strange if he didn't immediately go berserk.
(End of Chapter)
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