Bam!
Smoke from the Summoning Technique rose up. Once it cleared, an enormous purple-ringed python with horn-like protrusions on its head appeared in Sandstorm Town.
This giant python was Orochimaru's most frequently used summoning beast—Manda!
With Manda here, Orochimaru had to be present.
Quite a few Suna-nin in Sandstorm Town recognized Manda. During the Second Shinobi World War, on the Rain Country battlefield, Manda had claimed no small number of Suna-nin lives.
"It's Konoha's Orochimaru's summoning beast! The Konoha Sannin are here!"
Being granted a title by the Demi-God of the Rain Country was an honor in itself. The Konoha Sannin's deterrent power was only slightly weaker than that of the Konoha White Fang.
After appearing, Manda's huge serpent eyes surveyed the surroundings before it viciously said to Orochimaru, standing atop its head, "Orochimaru, if you want me to fight, there had better be a hundred sacrifices afterward."
"Hehe, the sacrifices are already prepared—the Suna-nin ahead of us. Go eat them yourself."
Orochimaru spoke to Manda in his hoarse voice. Ordinarily, he could satisfy Manda with living sacrifices, but on the battlefield, he could only be forceful and have Manda eat the Suna-nin.
"Hmph, Orochimaru, you—"
"Wind Style: Wind Cutter Technique!"
Before Manda could finish speaking, a Suna-nin who had charged out from concealment struck it with a Wind Style ninjutsu. The powerful wind Chakra instantly tore a wound open on Manda's body.
Though such a wound was nothing to Manda's massive body, being injured by a tiny bug was enough to enrage it.
"Damn bug, I'll eat you!"
Manda opened its blood-filled maw and lunged straight at the Suna-nin who had hurt it. Manda was incredibly fast; the Suna-nin had no time to dodge before Manda bit down on him. Then it raised its head and swallowed the Suna-nin