Kiyosuke placed the contract scroll—thicker than his own arm—onto the ground and slowly unrolled it. After two unfamiliar nas appeared, the third was none other than Orochimaru.
Using his own blood, he wrote his na beneath the previous ones. Below that was his handprint. With that, once he signed the Blood Contract with the Ryūchi, he would be able to summon the giant serpents of the cave through the summoning technique.
The White Snake Sage spoke slowly, "Write your na with blood. Mix your chakra with it, then press your hand on the scroll. That will finalize your summoning contract with Ryūchi."
"Oh, got it."Without hesitation, Kiyosuke bit his finger and used the blood to write his full na. Channeling chakra into the blood, he sared it across his five fingers and pressed his hand firmly onto the scroll.
In the next mont, a wave of chakra surged from the scroll and wrapped around his left arm. Pain flared up instantly. When it subsided, black markings had appeared on his arm.
Just like that, Kiyosuke had signed his contract with Ryūchi.
The White Snake Sage nodded.
"All right, kid. That’s the Blood Contract between you and Ryūchi. Now then, are you really sure you want to delay training?"
"I am."
"If you die, the contract becos void."
"Could you at least wish a little good luck?"
"Hmph! Fine, then go pick a strong serpent to form a contract with."
"Huh? Didn’t I just sign the contract?" Kiyosuke asked, confused.
"You did," replied the White Snake Sage. "But that only gives you the ability to summon ordinary snakes from Ryūchi. If you want to summon one that possesses senjutsu chakra, you’ll need to ta it yourself."
"There’s a difference?"
"There is. Go find Tagitsuhi and the others. They’ll take you. Now off you go.
"With that, the Sage wrapped the scroll up with his tail and waved him away.
"See you, White Snake Sage," Kiyosuke said as he left.
The Sage watched his back and murmured,
"Fate is a tangled ss, hard to unravel. But if he doesn’t survive, none of it matters. Learning Ryūchi’s senjutsu isn’t that easy..."
...
Outside the chamber, Ichikishimahi was waiting for him.
"Co on, I’ll take you to find a serpent that uses senjutsu chakra."
"Where’s Tagitsuhi-san?"
"She said she doesn’t want to see you, so I’ll be your guide instead," Ichikishimahi said, floating in the air.
"Ryūchi’s senjutsu is incredible, you know. Are you really sure you don’t want to learn it? Even that guy Orochimaru couldn’t manage it."
"Orochimaru-sama couldn’t?" Kiyosuke asked in surprise.
She nodded without hiding anything.
"His body couldn’t handle the power. He didn’t die, but the White Snake Sage deed him unfit to learn it."
"That’s pretty tragic..."
With Orochimaru’s talent, it wasn’t that he couldn’t learn senjutsu—it was that his body simply couldn’t withstand the natural energy. Whatever had happened to his body... Kiyosuke could only offer silent condolences.
"By the way, Ichikishimahi-san, how exactly do I form a contract with one of these serpents?"
"It’s easy. I’ll help you find one, then you form the contract. Whether you can control it or not... that’s up to you."
She and the others could assist with the contract itself, but controlling the summon afterward was sothing he’d have to handle alone.
Most of Ryūchi’s serpents obeyed the Sage’s commands. But there were so—ferocious, powerful ones—that wouldn’t submit so easily. Just like Orochimaru’s Manda, who demanded a price every ti it was summoned.
Ichikishimahi led Kiyosuke into a cavern deep within Ryūchi. The caves were a twisting maze. Without a native serpent as guide, it would be all too easy to get lost, trespass into a serpent’s territory, and end up as dinner—especially if you lacked the strength to defend yourself.
Though honestly, with Kiyosuke’s build, he wouldn’t even make a decent snack.
There was no way he would have reached this place without Ichikishimahi.
"Let’s see... here should be good."
She brought him to the edge of a shadowy underground lake, her voice soft.
Kiyosuke glanced at the black, glassy water. "And now?"
Ichikishimahi clapped her hands.
Ripples spread across the lake’s surface. A mont later, a massive, jet-black serpent slowly rose from the depths.
Shhhhhh—
Water stread down its glistening scales. A pair of cold, golden, vertical pupils fixed their gaze on the two of them.
A woman’s voice, clear and chilling, echoed across the cavern.
"Lady Ichikishimahi... to what do I owe this visit?"
A female serpent?
Ichikishimahi pointed at Kiyosuke.
"This human has signed a Contract with Ryūchi. He needs a partner. Black Snake, you’re going to form a contract with him."
"A re human? He’s supposed to form a contract with ?"
Black Snake lowered her head. Kiyosuke noticed that she had two horns protruding from behind her skull—definitely not an ordinary summon.
"Don’t underestimate him, Black Snake. He’s no ordinary kid," Ichikishimahi said with a smile, though her tone left no room for argunt.
"I have a feeling he’ll pass the White Snake Sage’s test. Besides, this is an order from the Sage himself—you’re not allowed to disobey."
Black Snake’s eyes glinted. After a mont of silence, she said,
"Understood. If it is the command of both the White Snake Sage and Lady Ichikishimahi, I will comply."
Ichikishimahi turned to Kiyosuke.
"This is Black Snake. Her strength ranks among the top within Ryūchi. She’s not inferior to Manda, Orochimaru’s summon. If you can handle her, your future will be bright."
"I understand. I’m Asakawa Kiyosuke. Pleased to et you, Black Snake."
"I am Black Snake. Rember this—unless your opponent is truly powerful, do not summon ," she replied coolly.
"Understood."
A summon of her caliber was only needed for deadly battles. In most cases, the non-speaking snakes of Ryūchi would be more than enough.
"You may summon from now on," Black Snake said.
With her consent, Ichikishimahi had the two of them sign the contract.
Snakes of Black Snake or Manda’s level couldn’t be summoned without a direct contract. Ryūchi wasn’t like Mount Myōboku, where summons ca on command or availability.
Had it not been for Ichikishimahi and the White Snake Sage’s orders, Black Snake would never have agreed to this.
Still, to be able to sign a contract with Ryūchi was an incredibly fortunate thing.
The ordinary snakes were more than enough for most situations. Black Snake was a trump card to be saved for true ergencies.
She slowly sank back into the dark waters.
Ichikishimahi said,
"All right. You can head back now. Next ti you co, it’ll be to train in Sage Mode. I wonder if you’ll survive..."
"Who knows?"Kiyosuke shrugged as Ichikishimahi summoned a serpent to escort him out of Ryūchi.
...
Outside the cave, Orochimaru sat by the entrance. When he saw Kiyosuke return, he gave an approving nod.
"Did you start your Sage Mode training?"
"No. I don’t think I’m ready yet," Kiyosuke replied.
"Good judgnt. You’re still too weak. It’s not ti yet," Orochimaru said. "Let’s go."
"Yes, Orochimaru-sama."
Orochimaru patted his head. "From now on, you should call sensei."
"Yes, Orochimaru-sensei, no problem, Orochimaru-sensei!"
"..."Orochimaru.
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