Damp, sticky, and downright stinky.
The feeling of being stuck inside a snake's mouth that had never been brushed was the furthest thing from comfortable.
But Hyuga Ritsu endured it. Sitting cross-legged inside the snake's mouth, he activated his Byakugan. His gaze pierced through the giant snake's bones and flesh and the thick earth above, monitoring the rapidly changing scenery on the surface.
Yes,
He was deep underground, riding a giant snake he had summoned from Ryūchi Cave—one skilled at burrowing and moving stealthily—as it sped along Route Seven between the camp and the Mount Kinglight defense line.
If you asked when he had gotten involved with Orochimaru,
the answer was half a month ago.
When Hyuga Ritsu had returned to the Frontline Camp to recuperate, he had consulted with Teacher Hiruko. With Hiruko's help, he had secretly contacted Orochimaru and proposed a deal. He had paid a hefty price for the chance to sign a Summoning Contract with Ryūchi Cave.
The fact that Aburame Ryoma had become deputy commander of the Eastern Front, along with the battle at the Shigushan Mountain defense line, had made Hyuga Ritsu acutely aware that he had most likely become a thorn in the side of certain people—someone they wanted to eliminate.
So, to quickly increase his strength, expand his options, and deal with the assassination attempts that might come at any time,
Hyuga Ritsu had set his sights on Summoning Technique.
Summoning Technique was one of the best ways to greatly increase one's combat strength in a short time. Especially when one signed a contract with a powerful summon, calling it into battle could make a tremendous difference.
The Konoha Sannin were renowned not only because they were powerful in their own right, but also because each had signed a Summoning Contract with