Claiming the Mountain as King

[Female Snakes: 32]

[Male Snakes: 136]

[Adult Giant Pythons: 1]

[Number That Have Gained Intelligence: 1]

[Leader: Mamba]

[Tribal Civilization: Lowest]

[Living Environment: Cave]

[Food: Stalactites, Bats, Flies, Their Own Kind]

[Evaluation: The living environment is extremely harsh. This is a tiny group in Dragon Cave, so weak it can practically be ignored. They hold no status in Snake Cave and have thus been driven to the very edge, barely clinging to life without even the chance to hunt outside. Their frail bodies—and even their entire tribe—are at risk of becoming feed.]

???

You can eat stalactites too?

That was really awkward. Though they gathered the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, there was ultimately too little to go around.

What a pitiful species.

Sigh.

After taking a quick count, Itachi had a headache. Was this some kind of Clash of Clans? Where was he supposed to upgrade the tech tree? Was there some guide he could use?

Why was there always a pile of troublesome crap?

So, he really did need to learn some management skills. After all, the world wasn't just about fighting and killing; it was about connections and social etiquette.

Otherwise, even if he joined the underworld, he'd only ever be some lowly thug.

Still, he could be considered the king of this mountain for now. All the lava caves nearby were his territory. He had to keep expanding and claim enough land to move a clan in here.

If that happened, their clan crest might even gain some fitting symbols.

After all, the Yamanaka Clan raised insects, while the Inuzuka Clan raised dogs as combat partners. Hmm, if it was just little snakes, that seemed a bit too unimpressive.

That wasn't necessarily impossible.

"Your little hill really is pretty shabby."

Itachi swallowed and spoke hesitantly. Especially after the massacre he'd just carried out—even if this rabble had no sense of brotherhood, those underlings were still assets.

Every one of them could be exploited.

Yet he'd chopped them up so casually.

Just thinking about it made his heart ache.

"Hehe, well, it's already hard enough just to stand firm amid the tides of the mundane world. Trying to rise above the rest is probably harder than climbing to heaven. But with a big shot like you helping us, none of that should be a problem."

Mamba chuckled awkwardly at the side. After signing the contract with Itachi, black patterns had appeared and shifted across his body. To some extent, he had received the Uchiha Clan's blessing as well.

For a moment, Itachi considered granting the power of the Sharingan to this ninja pet. After all, Mamba's loyalty was fairly decent.

As for the difficulty involved, he could just leave it to Orochimaru. That scientific maniac truly had no problem he couldn't solve.

"That's true enough. But with me helping you, your good days are over."

Itachi stood high above them, raised an arm, and declared his sovereignty.

The stupid snakes beside him could only stare blankly with what little brain capacity they had at this creature, so different in appearance from themselves, chattering away up there.

They didn't understand it anyway, but their boss was being so respectful. With their remaining intelligence, they naturally followed their leader in carrying out some strange ancient ritual.

Snake's Hymn.

And those blessed by the snakes could, to a certain extent, understand some of their language.

"When my lord arrives, the skies brighten. When my lord arrives, the caves are at peace!"

In a daze, Itachi seemed to understand Mamba shouting something beside him. His passionate voice had the snake swarm completely fired up.

Was this guy a political commissar or something? Or had he been running some pyramid scheme?

That was way too rousing.

Worthy of being his underling. The guy had some skill.

"Is that the new boss?"

"Don't know. Hiss... maybe he's the boss's boss."

"But why doesn't he look like us?"

"You're such an idiot. If he looked like us, could he still be our big boss?"

"That's true."

"Wonder what he'll bring us."

"I want food."

"I want a wife."

"I want somewhere comfortable."

"I just hope my illness can be cured. My poor old back..."

"Ura!"

"Can we stop eating rocks, dear? We really can't stomach this stuff."

"I don't want to either, but what can I do? The environment here is so terrible."

"Are you even a man?"

"But you're not really a woman either."

The snakes' voices gradually entered Itachi's ears.

That gave them all a jolt.

"Your territory is fairly large, but it still needs some repairs. When the time comes, I'll find you a few slave ninja who know Wood Release and Water Release."

Itachi pondered briefly before slowly laying out his plan. For these emaciated snakes, who could only force themselves into hibernation on a regular basis, he also needed to find them a hunting ground.

If so, he could directly use the primeval forest outside Konoha Village for transportation and summoning techniques.

At least with more food to nourish them, these weak snakes would have a better chance of surviving and reproducing.

"But, Boss, we aren't allowed to leave without permission. Dragon Cave has long had rules for snakes. Only great snakes with noble status may go outside. If snakes like us violate the taboo, then..."

Little White Snake spoke with some concern. After all, he still feared those powerful beings.

Snakes cared not only about bloodlines. Their size, abilities, and physical techniques were also matters of great importance.

"A man won't get rich without windfalls, and a horse won't grow fat without grazing wild grass."

Itachi smiled. So what if Yamata no Orochi came? As long as he obtained the legendary Sword of Totsuka or the power of Sage Art, the Uchiha Clan's strength would be enough to split Dragon Cave open with a single strike of Susanoo.

Besides, plenty of things in this world starved the timid and fed the bold.

Moreover, he needed these snakes to help him gather intelligence. If he relied on fighting alone, then...

"If that's the case, we'll listen to you, Boss."

After hesitating slightly, Little White Snake nodded frantically. He simply couldn't suppress his desire to go out and see the world.

Besides, this was a gamble. Otherwise, they would most likely become food for other snakes.

"Rumble!"

Suddenly, violent tremors ran through the ground, and many stalactites that had solidified over thousands of years fell straight to the floor.

Was there going to be an earthquake?

Itachi's pupils contracted slightly. A distant cave seemed to have collapsed, sending thick smoke billowing upward. He could vaguely sense danger approaching, while every snake nearby instantly faced the threat as though confronting a formidable enemy.

"They're here. This Lieta sure knows how to pick its timing."

Mamba bit his lip, his eyes filled with hatred. Ever since he'd been driven into exile in this godforsaken place, this neighbor had constantly harassed him. Several times, it had nearly gotten him killed.

He remembered this hatred as clearly as if it had happened yesterday.

"Interesting."

Itachi stood on high ground, the Sharingan in his eyes spinning as they analyzed the distance. He could vaguely sense a great deal of chakra constantly drawing closer.

It looked like a big catch had come to his doorstep.

As he spoke, his hands rapidly formed a seal.