"Go back?"
Ryoma froze for a moment. Shouldn't he be heading back to the Uzumaki clan's residence with Uzumaki Mito and Kushina?
He hadn't lived there in years. At the age of ten, he'd moved out to a small cabin by the river outside the village.
The main reason? Kushina's infamous temper. After being beaten up by her one too many times, and with the thought that men and women shouldn't be living too closely together as they grew older, Ryoma had simply run away from home.
Never did he expect there would come a day when he'd be asked to return.
Uzumaki Mito looked at him kindly and said, "Yes. From now on, you won't be living alone outside the village."
Ryoma waved his hand dismissively. "Eh, no need for that, old lady. I'm used to the freedom of living on my own."
Kushina had been cheerful a moment ago, but hearing Ryoma refuse brought an unexpected pang of loss.
…Had she really been too rough with him in the past?
Sarutobi Biwako stepped in.
"Ryoma, moving back is for your own good. Moreover, you'll have Kushina as company."
Kushina's face turned red as she stole a quick glance at him.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, also spoke. "Yes, now that you've awakened the Senju clan's Kekkei Genkai, it's not safe to live outside the village."
Uzumaki Mito nodded in agreement. "Ryoma, it puts my mind at ease knowing you'll be closer. Won't you grant this old woman's request?"
Ryoma sighed under their combined pressure. "Alright, alright, you're being serious about this. I'll move back… but give me one night to pack my things."
"Do you need help?" Kushina asked softly.
"No need. I'll see you tomorrow, Kushina." Ryoma smiled.
Hiruzen cleared his throat. "Ryoma, Kushina — come to my office at 10 a.m. tomorrow."
"Got it, Hokage-sama!"
Ryoma agreed, turned, and left.
Kushina watched him go with a reluctant expression. Beside her, Mito smiled knowingly — she could see exactly what was on the young girl's mind.
Hiruzen's own smile faded. The village hadn't been peaceful lately.
The Raikage and the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki had both gone undercover to retrieve Yunyin operatives — far too bold a move. Sakumo and Minato had been injured on the mission, and though they'd returned alive, several Cloud agents had escaped.
That was why letting Ryoma live alone outside the village was no longer an option.
It wasn't just threats from other villages; there were dangerous undercurrents within Konoha itself.
If Yunyin hadn't received inside help, Kushina wouldn't have been kidnapped so easily.
Back at his small wooden cabin by the river, Ryoma lay down and let out a long breath.
Today's gains had been incredible:
The Hashirama Senju Character Card
The Flying Thunder God Technique
The Impure World Reincarnation
…and Kushina.
"With my help," Ryoma murmured, "this girl might really become the first female Hokage."
And he still had the Supreme Gift Pack to open.
[Ding! Do you want to open the Supreme Gift Pack?]
[Yes!]
[Ding! Congratulations, host — you have obtained the S-rank Summoning Inheritance: Ryūchi Cave!]
Ryūchi Cave — one of the Three Great Sage Regions alongside Mount Myōboku and Shikkotsu Forest — was home to countless snakes. The White Snake Sage ruled from deep within the cave, and its higher-ranked serpents were masters of senjutsu.
Ryoma studied the scroll that had appeared in his hand. Opening it would grant him entry to Ryūchi Cave, where the heritage of its many serpents — from small snakes to titanic pythons — awaited him.
The snakes of Ryūchi Cave included the ones summoned by Orochimaru: Manda, the Three-Headed Snake, and others of fearsome power. Even Sasuke's small green summon was part of the same lineage.
"Interesting… I wonder who's stronger — the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju, or the White Snake Sage? Either way, tonight seems destined to involve Ryūchi Cave."
His gaze shifted toward the window. Outside, small white snakes began slithering into view, flicking their tongues, eyes glinting with malice.
He could feel it — hundreds more were already pouring into the cabin from all directions.
That cold, oppressive chakra… Orochimaru.
With a small motion, roots erupted from the floorboards, wrapping around the serpents in an instant, suspending them in the air.
"Good… good…" Ryoma muttered with a dangerous glint in his eyes.
A chilling voice cut through the night.
Ryoma turned toward the window. By the riverbank stood Orochimaru, his eyes glinting with dangerous curiosity.
That wild, predatory gaze… and that slow, serpentine smile.
This was Ryoma's first time seeing Orochimaru in person.
"Hey."
The single word was almost casual, yet Orochimaru's pupils narrowed. For the briefest moment, the boy before him actually made him feel a twinge of danger.
"Hm?"
"Genjutsu: Bringer-of-Darkness!"
In an instant, the world around Orochimaru was swallowed by pitch-black shadows. This genjutsu erased all light from the target's vision, plunging them into complete darkness where only the caster could see.
Even the strongest shinobi would be forced to reveal themselves in such an environment.
Orochimaru's lips curved upward. "Fascinating… The Senju clan's Bringer-of-Darkness Technique? And executed so precisely… just like the original."
His eyes glinted with obsession. This boy is overflowing with secrets. I must take him alive for my experiments. A living subject is far more valuable than the Shodaime's corpse.
Ryoma's voice echoed from somewhere in the darkness. "You've wrecked my house. You'd better compensate me."
Before the words had even faded, a sharp whistle of air sliced toward Orochimaru from behind.
His instincts screamed danger.
"Shadow Paralysis Technique!"
Though only a D-rank jutsu — one even genin could learn — in Orochimaru's hands it could immobilize even the likes of Konoha's White Fang.
But the next instant — BOOM!
Ryoma's kick connected, shattering the floorboards beneath them. Even bound, his overwhelming strength and momentum were too much to contain.
Blood sprayed. A small white snake writhed, then split into countless pieces as it fell to the ground.
"Substitution Jutsu," Ryoma muttered, his eyes narrowing, killing intent radiating from him.
"It really is you, Orochimaru."
The sannin emerged ten meters away, a thin line of blood running down his cheek. Even with his reflexes, he hadn't completely avoided the blow.
If I'd been 0.1 seconds slower… Orochimaru's gaze darkened. He would have taken my head.