Becoming Brothers
Uchiha Kō first activated Sage Mode, otherwise the damage that Sage Art could cause to the human body would be enormous. Then, following the insights of the White Snake Sage, he began to circulate Senjutsu Chakra.
"Immortal Hakugeki no Jutsu!" He opened his mouth slightly, then spat out a small golden dragon. Holding the Dragon Pearl in his hand, he reached the designated position and began to tremble. Then the Dragon Pearl fell to the ground without any reaction.
Uchiha Kō frowned. This shouldn't be happening. Then he walked up to the Dragon Pearl, gently squeezed it, and it immediately emitted a dazzling white light and exploded.
The Golden Scale Armor on Uchiha Kō's body emitted a dazzling golden light, suppressing the white light of the Dragon Pearl. The explosion's damage didn't even have time to reach Uchiha Kō before being deflected by the Golden Scale Armor.
"Phew, that was close. Thanks to you, Golden Scale Armor." As soon as Uchiha Kō finished speaking, the Golden Scale Armor emitted a golden light, as if in response to Uchiha Kō.
Uchiha Kō Ichiraku, patted it, and then touched its Reverse Scale. The Golden Scale Armor not only didn't object, but was actually quite happy.
But if it were someone else, the Golden Scale Armor would probably fly into a rage and send that person flying! Do you even understand what it means for a dragon to have its Reverse Scale?
Uchiha Kō pondered that when the White Snake Sage used this technique, it didn't require physical propulsion! He recalled the White Snake Sage's Hakugeki no Jutsu.
Analyzing frame by frame, he finally discovered something: the White Snake Sage's three dragons were moving at high speeds, rubbing against the air and colliding with each other, which is why they unleashed such powerful force.
His Hakugeki no Jutsu only has one golden dragon, so it can only explode, tremble, and emit white light when the Dragon Pearl touches the enemy.
Ultimately, it was still due to a lack of proficiency. So, Uchiha Kō continued to practice diligently, increasing the amount of Senjutsu Chakra remaining in his meridians while maintaining the correct proportion of Senjutsu Chakra.
Finally, by evening, he had succeeded in completing one-third of it.
"Sage Art: Hakugeki no Jutsu!" Uchiha Kō roared, then opened his mouth and a golden dragon, about the same size as the White Snake Sage's, flew out and rushed into the forest. After reaching the designated location, Uchiha Kō threw a Shuriken.
The Shuriken collided with the Dragon Pearl with a loud bang! This startled the resting White Snake Sage and several other snakes, who all rushed towards the scene.
The White Snake Sage took the lead, saying, "Uchiha Kō, are you alright? Cultivating Senjutsu requires a gradual approach; don't be too fixated on it."
Then she saw the damage caused by Uchiha Kō's Hakugeki no Jutsu and fell silent. "Uchiha Kō, you... you've mastered the Hakugeki no Jutsu of a dragon, haven't you?"
She shivered as she learned a third of the immortal technique in just one day. Manda and the other five snakes also looked at Uchiha Kō.
Uchiha Kō chuckled, "It seems so." Upon hearing this, the Seven Snakes fell silent (including the White Snake Sage).
The White Snake Sage looked at Uchiha Kō with a complicated expression. She was happy that Uchiha Kō was excellent, and she was also gratified that Uchiha Kō was diligent. Uchiha Kō both excellent and diligent, so she really couldn't find any fault with him.
Finally, the White Snake Sage left with the words, "Take care of yourself and balance work and rest," before departing to go back to sleep. This little guy is truly extraordinary; even the White Snake Sage couldn't help but marvel at how many storms he'd weathered.
The other six snakes looked at each other and then left, but they were very excited. Mount Myoboku had produced Jiraiya his half-baked Sage Mode had made Mount Myoboku famous.
If Uchiha Kō were to emerge from seclusion, wouldn't the status of Ryuchi Ryūchi Cave rise dramatically?
Uchiha Kō nodded, heeding the White Snake Sage's words and preparing to rest. He asked Manda, "Manda, do I have a room?"
Manda nodded. "Of course. I made you a house this afternoon. I hope you won't mind."
Uchiha Kō smiled and said, "I'm thanking you so much." So Uchiha Kō followed Manda to the Small Wooden Cabin. To Uchiha Kō's surprise, although the Small Wooden Cabin was simple, it was small but had everything he needed.
After thanking Manda, he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the bed. He was so tired today. I didn't care whether there was a blanket or not, or the hard bed board, and I fell asleep right away.
Manda shook its head. It had contacted Orochimaru that afternoon using the Summoning Jutsu, telling him that Uchiha Kō was practicing Senjutsu in Ryūchi Cave and asking if he had any blankets.
Orochimaru used the Reverse Summoning Technique to summon a bunch of things: clothes, blankets, a washbasin, and...
Manda took out the blanket, covered Uchiha Kō with his tail, and then stood guard outside the door.
All of this was witnessed by the White Snake Sage. With a smile on her face, she taught Manda the basics of immortal techniques. Manda was stunned for a moment, then kowtowed three times to the Ryūchi Cave.
The White Snake Sage shook his head with a smile in the Ryūchi Cave, then collapsed and fell asleep.
The next day
Uchiha Kō opened his eyes, stretched, and felt utterly exhausted. Although Senjutsu Chakra was extracted from nature, the physical and mental strain couldn't offset it!
He was about to get up when he suddenly noticed a blanket on top of him. He was momentarily stunned. Was it Manda?
His eyes flashed, and a smile appeared on his lips. Well, looking at it this way, the snake Manda is actually quite good. Uchiha Kō got up, folded the blanket, and placed it by the bed.
As soon as he stepped outside, he heard Manda's voice, "Uchiha Kō, good morning! What would you like to eat today? I hunted quite a lot yesterday afternoon—venison, beef, mutton, pork..."
Looking at the various kinds of meat laid out in front of him Uchiha Kō couldn't help but swallow hard.
"Can we finish all this meat?" Uchiha Kō asked, his eyes shining.
Manda said gently, "You eat first. If you can't finish it, give it to me. There definitely won't be any left."
Uchiha Kō hugged Manda. "You're so kind, Manda! It's just a pity there's no seasoning, but in Ryūchi Cave, I'm already very satisfied to eat like this."
Manda seemed to have guessed that Uchiha Kō would say that, and with a flick of its tail, it handed over salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and wasabi.
Uchiha Kō looked at Manda again. This old guy seems to be somewhat sensible. Maybe I should make him my personal summoning beast from now on.
He had completely forgotten that Orochimaru and Manda also had a contract. "Such a good summoning beast, don't you want it?"
"I asked Orochimaru to send these over to you via reverse summoning. I considered that given the prosperity of your Konoha, you might not be used to the food here, so..." Manda smiled slightly.
Uchiha Kō reached out to stop him, saying, "Stop talking, Manda, stop saying anything, let's become sworn brothers!"
Manda was taken aback. It was somewhat inclined to agree, but for some reason, it shook its head and refused.
"Why?!" Uchiha Kō asked.
Manda sighed, "If people knew you were brothers with a summoned beast, wouldn't you be laughed at? I still have to think of you."
Unexpectedly, Uchiha Kō slammed his hand on the stone table, instantly turning the stone into dust. He then said to Manda with a serious expression, "Anyone who dares to laugh at me, I'll kill him!" He activated his Mangekyō Sharingan, and the powerful pressure made Manda somewhat afraid.
Uchiha Owl noticed this and composed himself, smiling, "Sorry, I startled you, Brother Manda. Don't overthink it. Our Konoha Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and his summoning beast, Enma, are also brothers. Who would dare to gossip?"
"Besides, what business is it of anyone else if we become sworn brothers? Old Wan, just tell me if you want to be brothers with me or not!" Uchiha Kō responded domineeringly.