Who Told You to Summon the White Snake Sage While Learning Summoning Jutsu?

"Troublesome teacher, what did you want with me?"

His eyes darted about, a trace of impatience flashing through his lively gaze before being replaced by indifference and calm.

"Don't say that. As a teacher, one must devote even more effort to an outstanding disciple, allowing a crawling snake to transform into a dragon. Hehehe."

His pale purple tongue brushed across his lips, making his hard features even more repulsive.

"Enough small talk. During my training outside the village this time, I found a very interesting place. Would you like to put your name on this?"

Several names signed in blood came into view on the Purple-White Scroll. The most recent one made Huayue's mouth twitch.

"Mitarashi Anko... A summoning scroll? Where does it lead?"

"Wouldn't you find out by trying it yourself? When Anko used Summoning Jutsu for the first time, she summoned a Summoning Beast nearly half the size of the Hokage Office Building."

"As a member of the Uchiha Clan, what sort of being will you summon? I'm truly looking forward to it."

With a cold snort, both figures vanished instantly. When they reappeared, they were already hovering above the Third Training Ground.

"As expected, your Body Flicker is as excellent as ever. Want to try it?"

Orochimaru smiled coldly, anticipation hidden within his serpentine vertical pupils, as though he were considering what kind of Summoning Beast his beloved disciple would call forth.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

Bang! As the White Mist dispersed, his black and white eyes quietly transformed into those intricate, exquisite Mangekyō. The Black Nine-Tails, bound within him and unable to sense the outside world, furrowed its brow slightly.

Kid, you've summoned someone incredible. That person's aura is very troublesome—by age alone, she's far older than I am.

Whether in that world or this one, she's equally hard to deal with. You're in trouble. Had I known, I wouldn't have converted This Lord's chakra into yours just now.

Good luck, brat...

The Black Nine-Tails hurriedly hid itself, deeply wary of the figure within the White Mist. No matter how Huayue tried to communicate with it, he received no response.

"What kind of being could it be? This feeling... Could it be..."

His pupils shrank to pinpoints as Orochimaru stared at the figure in the smoke in disbelief. A long-forgotten chill inexplicably crawled up his spine.

"Honestly, it's you again, little snake. Didn't I warn you before that your physique isn't suited for cultivating Sage Mode?"

The twitching at Orochimaru's mouth intensified. His usually hard expression nearly broke as he turned to cast Uchiha Huayue a deep look.

I only told you to summon a Summoning Beast to assist you in battle. Who told you to summon the White Snake Sage of Ryūchi Cave—and without permission, at that?

"My deepest apologies, White Snake Sage. I was not the one who initiated this Summoning Jutsu. It was my most prized disciple, Uchiha Huayue."

Orochimaru retreated two steps, his eyes plainly saying: deal with the trouble you caused yourself. I'm powerless to help.

"Not you, but your disciple? Chakra even greater and more ominous than that of you little snake... This power—are you from the Uchiha Clan?"

As the White Mist faded, an elderly woman with a kind expression and a long white robe stood there, her smiling eyes fixed on the figure in a Black Cloak, who had somehow put on a Three-Eyed Demon Fox Mask.

"So it's you? That power from before, even more ominous than the little snake's—what are you hiding? The power contained within you, the power dwelling in your eyes... both make me sense a hint of danger."

"I see. What an interesting child. In that case, you should take the challenge as well. Pass my trial, and you will obtain power that even your teacher has never gained."

Bang! Bang! Bang!

As the White Mist dispersed, Huayue and the White Snake Sage vanished without a trace. Orochimaru remained where he was, silent for a long time, the composure he had barely maintained already replaced by shock.

"I never expected the White Snake Sage to answer a Summoning Jutsu. I had thought the one summoned into the present world would be Manda..."

"The White Snake Sage has lived almost as long as the Ninja World itself—at least a thousand years. She is not someone easily pleased."

"Good luck, my beloved disciple. It's a pity my physique isn't suited for Sage Mode. Otherwise, I wouldn't have gone to such lengths, following those faint traces in search of a path toward sagehood."

Orochimaru gradually walked away. Deep down, he had already regarded Uchiha Huayue as a dead man. Whether one pleased the White Snake Sage or not, she was an exceedingly troublesome existence.

What a pity. Konoha's youngest jōnin was probably about to become food for snakes. Truly regrettable.

Within Ryūchi Cave, one of the Three Great Training Holy Lands of the Ninja World and a legendary place of inheritance, a guest forcibly invited by its master stood in the mist, looking around.

"So this is Ryūchi Cave? I have no interest in Sage Mode if it means growing scales all over my body. Did that troublesome old woman drag me here anyway?"

Choosing a direction at random, Huayue surveyed his surroundings. The mist shrouding the area grew denser and denser, and visibility was instantly limited to a few meters.

"Is that the one who came seeking power?"

"Yes, the interesting little brat the Sage spoke of. Shall we put him through the trial?"

"I'll go first. That child smells so delicious. He must taste wonderful, hehehehe..."

Female voices with differing tones yet equally alluring inflections drifted through the thick fog. One graceful female figure after another vanished from where they stood.

At the same time, flickering firelight appeared within the eerie fog, revealing a vast and resplendent courtyard before him.

"Welcome, guest. Have you also come to Ryūchi Cave seeking the power of a sage?"

Huayue tilted his head slightly. The figure in his sight had delicate features, green hair so dark it was nearly black, and pale skin as though she had never seen sunlight.

"No. That old woman insisted on bringing me here. The power of a sage is of no use to me for the moment."

The words left the Green-Haired Woman at a loss for how to respond. However, the faintly bulging veins on her forehead revealed her mood.

He actually called the White Snake Sage an old woman. What an ill-mannered brat. I'll make sure he dies in agony later.

"In that case, please rest for a while in my humble home. You will soon meet the White Snake Sage, and she can send you out of Ryūchi Cave."

"Why not rest a moment and take this opportunity to fill your stomach?"

Beneath the Green-Haired Woman's radiant smile, Uchiha Huayue returned her smile.

"I refuse!"