A dark bargain with Ryūchi Cave

In the blink of an eye, Toji arrived at the entrance to the legendary Ryūchi Cave.

Summoning Jutsu, especially Reverse Summoning Jutsu, was simply too overpowered. It transported him across an immense distance in an instant without leaving so much as a scratch on his body. The experience was wonderfully comfortable, far beyond anything the Heavenly Transfer Technique could offer.

Manda flicked his forked tongue impatiently. "We're here. Now get off my head."

With Uchiha Chiri present earlier, he had been obliged to show Toji some respect.

Now that Chiri was gone, his attitude was even worse than it was toward Orochimaru.

No sooner had he spoken than Toji lightly tapped his foot.

An irresistible force pressed down from above, driving Manda's proud head hard into the ground.

Toji crouched on his head and said leisurely, "My child was there earlier, so I let your attitude slide."

"You still dare talk to me like that? Just how much nerve have you got?"

The strong were meant to bully the weak.

Toji had figured it out: Ryūchi Cave ran on survival of the fittest. Only by beating Manda into submission could he make the snake easier to handle later.

Manda lay on the ground, dizzy and terrified.

He was far from weak. Constant exposure to abundant natural energy had given him not only an enormous body, but strength, defenses, and regenerative abilities far beyond ordinary ninja beasts. He was stronger than an elite jōnin.

Being subdued by Mangekyō Sharingan genjutsu earlier could at least be explained as bloodline suppression. But now a single stomp had flattened him effortlessly, making him truly feel how terrifying Toji was.

This man—

Might be able to kill him in an instant.

Manda no longer dared mouth off. He lay quietly on the ground, playing dead.