"Politics really was filthy."
Orochimaru spoke with feeling, desperately wanting to change Konoha's decay. Seeing Uchiha Yū's resolute gaze, he sighed softly, heavily patted his shoulder twice, and said:
"Be careful. I don't want to hear news of your death next time. If you encounter an opponent you can't resist, then even if you have to abandon the mission, survive."
These words somewhat went against Orochimaru's heart, but he had already come to terms with it. No matter how strong a ninja was or how many missions they carried out, nothing was more important than life. If conditions allowed, he wanted to understand the secrets of the human body and elevate its fragile form.
However, he did not tell Uchiha Yū about this. In Orochimaru's eyes, Yū was an outstanding, qualified ninja, but also a traditional one—a failed product of the Will of Fire's education.
To ensure his disciple's safety, Orochimaru opened his mouth and spat out a summoning scroll in the same manner.
"I have a summoning contract with Ryūchi Cave. Only those who gain its recognition can sign their names on it. Let me make this clear beforehand: the poisonous snakes of Ryūchi Cave aren't easy to get along with. Don't let them eat you."
Merely signing a contract with the giant snakes of Ryūchi Cave was not the same as cultivating snake senjutsu, so there were not many harsh requirements.
After unfolding the scroll, Yū saw rows of names upon it. Orochimaru's was the last one.
Uchiha Yū cut open his palm and pressed it against the summoning scroll. Now, he could summon the giant snakes of Ryūchi Cave.
"Thank you, Teacher Orochimaru."
The summoning scroll's importance lay in giving him another means of survival on the battlefield.
After leaving the camp, the two arrived at an