You Can Call Me White Snake Fairy

Land of Fire, Sunagakure's base of operations.

Taking advantage of the night, Kabuto Yakushi slipped into Orochimaru's room. In the flickering candlelight, Orochimaru sat on a wooden chair, head propped up by his hand, wearing a conical hat and a veil, as if he had been waiting for his arrival.

"Good evening, Lord Orochimaru."

Kabuto knelt on one knee, feeling deeply curious—they were only half a day's journey from Konoha, so what was Lord Orochimaru's purpose in summoning him?

"Do you have any intelligence regarding Uchiha Shinmoku?"

Orochimaru asked directly.

"Hmm..."

For a split second, Kabuto suspected that Orochimaru had developed senility. He had already answered this question the last time they met, and since he had been told that the target's priority remained unchanged after the second round of exams, he had put the collection of information on Shinmoku on hold.

This man was fine in every other regard, but he had a habit of trying to guess his thoughts. Orochimaru swept a glance at him and said:

"Yesterday, I had a meeting with Shinmoku."

"Is that so... Wait! Yesterday?" Kabuto's mind stalled. "Then wouldn't he... How did he find out?"

"I don't know."

"Does Konoha know?"

"That is a question I should be asking you."

Kabuto lowered his head, sifting through the intelligence of the recent period in his mind. After a long while, he spoke.

"My assessment is that Konoha is unaware, but I cannot judge Shinmoku's personality or his motives, nor can I assess the risks."

It matched his own assessment. The corners of Orochimaru's eyes curved upward. He hides it well, he thought, he almost made me think another figure like Shisui Uchiha had appeared.

"The mission continues," Orochimaru issued his order. "But you are to increase the manpower."

"Should I call upon... those two?"

"Go."

"Yes!"

Ryūchi Cave.

Shinmoku held a scroll half his height, feeling a bit bewildered.

Was the White Snake Sage a bit too casual about handing out scrolls?

He had only passed a few trials that were as simple as child's play, and he had become a representative of Ryūchi Cave? Or to put it in terms with a bit more prestige... a walker of the ninja world?

Heaven knows, he only wanted to get an autograph and obtain the status of a contractor... but being a successor meant taking on responsibilities!

Yet, he couldn't refuse to sign.

Unrolling the scroll, Shinmoku bit his finger and drew his name in the first box.

"And then?" He looked toward the White Snake Sage.

"You can summon directly, but aside from a few children who are curious about what the outside world looks like, no one will pay you any mind. I suggest you first sign a contract with a snake that catches your fancy... though, success is not guaranteed."

The White Snake Sage saw that Shinmoku understood nothing and explained in great detail.

"Understood."

Shinmoku looked again at the loli who had lived for hundreds of years; he had just learned her name was Ichikishimahime.

"I don't need to, you know. I can sense the summons. If you are sincere, I will naturally appear."

Oh, so she is one of the children the White Snake Sage mentioned.

Shinmoku grumbled to himself. When he came back to his senses, the four people before him had vanished, leaving him alone to face the gloomy, intricate tunnels.

A gust of wind blew through, sending a chill straight to his scalp, followed immediately by the sound of "hissing" from all directions. Before long, he was surrounded by a swarm of snakes.

Round heads, square heads, triangular heads—countless long, slithering snakes coiled together. Shinmoku's arms felt like snakes too, his skin prickling with scales.

The slightly stronger ones had their own lairs, so those appearing here were likely "free-range." But knowing that didn't make the discomfort in his heart any easier to dispel.

"Lightning Release: Spider Web!"

Shinmoku formed hand seals, and a web of lightning spread outward with him at the center.

"Cat Rush."

He extended the seal, and dozens of cat-shaped electric arcs arched over the spider web.

This ninjutsu had decent power; it was more than enough to clear out small fry, making it perfectly suited for this situation.

In the blink of an eye, the smell of roasted meat filled the air. Most of the snakes fainted—or perhaps they were cooked—a few fled, and only a sparse few persisted.

Shinmoku ended the technique and signed contracts with them.

He still needed a few that could hold their own in a fight, so Shinmoku began to wander aimlessly.

There were many snakes that had their own territory. Some looked like they weren't to be trifled with, and others gave off a scent of danger from afar. Half a day passed, and Shinmoku had only managed to subdue three.

One was not large in size, but it possessed a powerful swallowing ability that could be used for defense.

The second one was about five meters long and as thick as a water bucket, covered in iron-gray scales that were incredibly hard and could be used for defense.

The last one was massive, coiling throughout the entire cave, yet it possessed a gentle temperament and disliked fighting, though it was certainly capable of putting on a show.

That should be about enough.

Hmm... which way was the exit?

He had been too focused on the thrill of the battle and forgotten to leave a trail.

Uchiha Shinmoku stood at attention, turned left, left, left, and left again, completing a full circle before turning around once more.

Hmm, the scenery here looked more familiar.

He wasn't panicked; at worst, he could just find a local to lead the way, and he would eventually get out.

As he walked, white mist suddenly began to rise from beneath his feet, much like dry ice, and the temperature dropped accordingly.

Had he accidentally wandered into the territory of some big shot?

He couldn't sense anything.

Uchiha Shinmoku activated his Sharingan and entered a state of high alert.

After walking cautiously for ten minutes, the mist beneath his feet had still not dissipated, and it seemed he had returned to the exact same spot.

Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique.

Uchiha Shinmoku spat a fireball at a stalactite hanging nearby, and the stone pillar shattered with a roar.

It was real, yet it was fake, but it wasn't a genjutsu...

Uchiha Shinmoku thought of Yakumo Kurama; it was similar, yet different.

Was it manifestation? The ability of the White Snake Sage and those three elders.

"Hmph~"

An ethereal, light laugh echoed in his ears, reverberating through the cave chamber, making it impossible to pinpoint the source.

It could speak human language.

"Hello." Uchiha Shinmoku looked around and greeted the air.

"Who are you?"

"Uchiha Shinmoku."

"Did you kill that Orochimaru?"

Was that the conclusion reached because he was carrying the scroll?

Uchiha Shinmoku realized the truth and answered honestly, "No, I passed the trial, and the White Snake Sage gave me a new scroll... want to sign it?"

"Heh~" The voice seemed amused to the point of anger. "What you should be doing right now is begging me to spare you."

"I can leave whenever I want," Uchiha Shinmoku shrugged, "but you will rarely have an opportunity like this again."

The moment he finished speaking, azure vertical pupils suddenly appeared right before his eyes, the distance between them less than ten centimeters.

Invisibility?

Uchiha Shinmoku's throat bobbed involuntarily as he leaned back slightly, taking in her full appearance.

She looked very much like the White Snake Sage, only a size smaller.

A direct descendant?

"The Sharingan, is it? Interesting... hold out your hand."

Her voice carried an unquestionable command, and Uchiha Shinmoku extended his hand.

A snake's kiss touched his palm and pulled away in an instant.

"You may go. Don't call for me unless it's something important."

Just like that... the contract was successful?

"What is your name?"

"You may call me White Snake Fairy."

As she spoke, her figure slowly faded, and the white mist gradually receded.