Contracting a Summoning Beast

Orochimaru said with a sinister smile, "I have a technique that can grant you eternal, undying life. Do you want to learn it?"

Sasuke thought of Orochimaru's Living Corpse Reincarnation. Slimy... too disgusting.

Sasuke shook his head. "No, no!"

Orochimaru was somewhat stumped. This was a forbidden technique he had created himself, and he was giving it to Sasuke for free, yet Sasuke actually did not want to learn it!?

Orochimaru said to Sasuke, "I have another technique that can give you power on par with a [Sage]."

At last, it was here.

Sasuke asked Orochimaru, "Is it the Sage Mode of Ryuchi Cave?"

Orochimaru froze. I haven't even said it yet. But on second thought, Sasuke was a member of the Uchiha clan, so it was normal for him to know such intelligence.

But Orochimaru himself had not even mastered Sage Mode. How could he teach Sasuke?

What Orochimaru had actually wanted was to use the power of the Curse Mark to alter Sasuke's body, making it easier for him to seize Sasuke's body later.

Orochimaru was just about to mention the [Curse Mark].

But then Orochimaru reconsidered.

Just because he could not do something did not mean Sasuke could not. Perhaps this boy really could master senjutsu!

Orochimaru smiled. "Very well. I'll take you to Ryuchi Cave and tell you how to pass the [Trial of Ryuchi Cave], but before that, you need to contract a summoning beast!"

"The great snakes of Ryuchi Cave differ from ordinary summoning beasts. Ordinary summoning beasts can only contract with one master, but the snakes of Ryuchi Cave, as well as the toads of Mount Myoboku, can be contracted by several people at once."

"That is because Ryuchi Cave's Summoning Technique differs from other Summoning Techniques. Other Summoning Techniques form a contract with an individual summoning beast, while Ryuchi Cave's Summoning Technique forms a contract with Ryuchi Cave itself. As long as you gain the snakes' recognition, you can summon them!"

Orochimaru whispered to Sasuke, "There's one snake with no principles called Manda. Though it has no principles, it's quite powerful. If I sweet-talk it a little, it'll probably let you summon it."

"In principle, as long as you're strong enough, you could even summon the White Snake Sage."

After Orochimaru finished explaining Ryuchi Cave, which interested Sasuke the most, Neji's Curse Mark extraction was also complete.

The nutrient fluid was drained away, and Neji slowly opened his eyes.

He felt somewhat dizzy, yet his entire body also felt light.

He felt that the shackles on his body had vanished!

In the next moment, Neji hurriedly activated his Byakugan. Veins bulged around his eyes, and to his delight, Neji discovered—

His vision had returned to its full 360-degree range without blind spots!

That meant his Caged Bird had been removed!

Neji put on his forehead protector to cover his forehead, then awkwardly said to Orochimaru, "Thank you..."

Having Neji thank a rogue ninja put him in an extremely difficult position.

Orochimaru replied expressionlessly, "Don't thank me. If you want to thank someone, thank Sasuke. If it weren't for Sasuke, I wouldn't have helped you remove the Caged Bird."

After saying that, Neji left.

Orochimaru chuckled at Sasuke. "Hehehe, Sasuke-kun, do you want this Caged Bird?"

Sasuke was somewhat puzzled. "How would I want it? Do you intend to place a mark on my Sharingan too?"

Orochimaru said, "Not at all. Though Caged Bird is a low-level Curse Mark, its power and effects are not weak.

"I'll store these Curse Marks in your arm. That way, you can use Caged Bird on others anytime, anywhere. Though it cannot directly cause harm, it can damage their brain nerves..."

"Consider this... my first gift to you."

After Orochimaru finished speaking, Sasuke hesitated for a moment.

If Orochimaru wanted to seize my body, he probably wouldn't place a Curse Mark on me that weakens one's talent.

Sasuke thought for a moment, then said, "Fine."

Orochimaru immediately injected the black Curse Mark liquid extracted from Neji's body directly into Sasuke's arm.

At once, veins bulged along Sasuke's arm, and he felt indescribable pain!

Just as Sasuke was about to lose consciousness from the pain—

The pain abruptly stopped.

Sasuke looked at his right hand. On his right forearm was a tattoo of a black bird spreading its wings in flight, but the black bird's wings were broken.

Sasuke only needed to activate the black bird tattoo with chakra.

Then, he could use Caged Bird on his enemies, permanently sealing their talent and damaging their brain nerves.

To put it simply, in the entire ninja world, Orochimaru was the only one who could undo the Caged Bird Curse Mark. Even the Hyuga clan likely could not undo this Curse Mark.

Though the Caged Bird Curse Mark was low-level, it was extremely insidious.

Orochimaru asked Sasuke, "Hehehe, Sasuke-kun, when do you want to go to Ryuchi Cave?"

Sasuke hesitated before saying, "Now!"

Orochimaru nodded, then led Sasuke into the forest. He bit his finger and drew a symbol on his palm. "Summoning Technique!"

In the next moment, the colossal Manda appeared before Sasuke!

Sasuke looked at the enormous purple snake before him, unable to suppress his excitement.

Though Manda might be weak for its level, its massive form still carried considerable intimidation when it appeared before Sasuke.

Manda grunted twice, seemingly having just woken up. "Orochimaru, what did you summon me for this time?"

Orochimaru said, "Hehehe, Manda, I've taken in a disciple, and I want you to become his summoning beast!"

Manda arrogantly raised its nostrils. "Hmph, you want me to become this brat's summoning beast? Impossible. I don't see anything about this brat that makes him worthy of contracting me!"

Orochimaru was just about to start sweet-talking it.

But Sasuke said, "Let me handle this!"

Sasuke then looked at Manda and said, "Manda, it is your honor that I have chosen you to become my summoning beast! You are qualified to become my first summoning beast while I am still weak!"

Manda simply ignored Sasuke.

Sasuke laughed in anger. "Heh, just as I thought. I shouldn't have wasted so much breath on trash like you!"

In the next moment, purple chakra appeared around Sasuke and formed a massive skeleton.

Chakra veins and muscles manifested over the skeleton, followed by black Tengu armor.

A half-body Susanoo appeared. Without another word, Sasuke's half-body Susanoo formed a massive bow from chakra.

Sasuke drew the bow and nocked an arrow. Incomparably powerful chakra gathered into an arrow, ready to fire!

Manda: "???"

You can pilot a Gundam too?

You should've said so earlier! This is all a damn misunderstanding!

Seeing Susanoo draw its bow and nock its arrow, every scale on Manda's body stood on end!

If that arrow flew—

Even if it did not die, it would be crippled!

There was no need for this!

Manda immediately said, "Wait! Wait! Let's talk this out! Let's talk this out! Isn't it just becoming your summoning beast? That's easy, easy!"

At last, under Sasuke's tyranny, Manda and Sasuke signed a summoning contract.

Sasuke had originally planned to make a trip to Ryuchi Cave, but Obito suddenly appeared beside him.

"Akatsuki has come to Konoha!"