"It seems your mission was quite eventful, Kiyosuke - kun." In the laboratory, Orochimaru laughed as he listened to Kiyosuke talk about the mission. Generally, C - rank missions didn't encounter so many incidents.
"Who knows? By the way, Lord Orochimaru, why did the Kirigakure people attack us?" Kiyosuke asked curiously.
Orochimaru didn't avoid answering him. "The Kirigakure people wanted the village's intelligence, and you happened to be there. They're preparing for war."
"But, didn't the war just end?" The Second Shinobi World War ended from 38 to 39 in Konoha's calendar. Logically, they should be recuperating. Was Kirigakure preparing for war so soon?
Hearing this, Orochimaru smiled and said, "That's why they're preparing. In the Second Shinobi World War, Konoha was the victor. Plus, the Fire Country and the Water Country are relatively close. So they want to gather intelligence. Kiyosuke - kun, the open - ended war has indeed ended, but the battles between the villages have just shifted to the shadows."
All along, there have been countless open and secret struggles among the Five Great Ninja Villages. Konoha was the victor in the first two Shinobi World Wars, which, of course, caused dissatisfaction among many. It also demonstrated Konoha's strength. After the suicide of Konoha's White Fang and the departure of Princess Tsunade from the village, Konoha has shown signs of decline and is now at its weakest.
Especially with only Orochimaru of the Legendary Sannin left to guard the village.
"Watch and see, Kiyosuke - kun. The Third Shinobi World War will start within five years. During this period, build up your strength well." Orochimaru put down the test - tube in his hand and said, "I have a jutsu here that can enhance your combat power. Do you want to give it a try?"
Could it be the Cursed Seal?
No way. He didn't want Lord Orochimaru to implant a seal on him!
He asked with an unchanged expression, "What is it, Lord Orochimaru?"
"The Summoning Jutsu!"
Hearing this, Kiyosuke was delighted and said, "I'll learn it!"
Ordinary summoned beasts like Kakashi's ninja dogs and Guy's ninja turtles can only play a scouting or assisting role in battle. However, powerful summoned beasts can dominate the battlefield. For example, Jiraiya's toads and Orochimaru's snakes.
The summoned beasts they call forth are extremely powerful and can cause terrifying destruction on the battlefield.
Especially Orochimaru's snakes come from Ryūchi Cave, one of the three great summoning 圣地（sacred places）. The big snakes there are even more terrifying in combat.
"Follow me."
Following Orochimaru, they came outside the courtyard. Orochimaru bit his finger, formed hand - seals, and slapped the ground. Black tadpole - like characters spread out from his hand in a spider - web pattern.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Bang!
A huge cloud of smoke suddenly filled the courtyard. A giant snake appeared in the courtyard. Its body was earth - yellow, as thick as a water tank. Coiling its body, it stared coldly at the two in front of it.
Orochimaru grabbed Kiyosuke's arm and warned, "Don't be afraid."
The next second, the giant snake opened its mouth wide and swallowed the two of them in one gulp, not even giving them a chance to react.
Bang!
The giant snake disappeared from the courtyard.
...
Ryūchi Cave
This is a summoning sacred place as famous as Mount Myōboku and Shikkotsu Forest. The complex caves and warm environment here are very suitable for the survival of snakes. A large number of snakes multiply here. Coupled with the rich natural energy, some powerful snakes have gained intelligence and great power.
The White Snake Sage here is a terrifying existence on the same level as the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku and the Slug Sage of Shikkotsu Forest.
There are two ways to reach Ryūchi Cave. One is to sign a summoning contract and then reach here through the Reverse Summoning Jutsu. The other is to find this place.
Orochimaru found this place, completed the trial, and thus signed a contract with Ryūchi Cave.
The giant snake appeared in the mist - filled forest and spat the two of them out.
Then it wriggled its body and disappeared into the darkness.
"It's so dirty." Kiyosuke's whole body was covered in sticky mucus. He wondered how Orochimaru could stand it. Flames burned on his body, evaporating the mucus, but there was still a strange smell.
"You have to learn to get used to it."
Looking around at the mist - filled surroundings, Kiyosuke asked, "Lord Orochimaru, what is this place?"
"If you want to obtain a summoned beast, you must sign a contract with it. And this is the place where you can get a summoned beast, Ryūchi Cave. There are many snakes here that are even bigger and more ferocious than the one just now. If you want to summon them, you must have a contract. Otherwise, you can sign a contract by completing the trial."
Kiyosuke understood and asked, "So how do I pass the trial?"
"That depends on you." Orochimaru gave a sinister smile. "I'll wait for you here. If you keep going forward, you can enter Ryūchi Cave. But whether you can pass the trial depends on you."
"What if I don't pass?"
"Be eaten by the snakes inside." Orochimaru said this without a hint of emotion.
Hearing this, Kiyosuke swallowed hard. "You're kidding me. There's a life - threatening danger?"
"I also had a narrow escape here. But the greater the risk, the greater the reward. It's up to you whether you're willing. If you're not, I can take you back, and you can figure out the summoned - beast thing on your own."
"Wait! I'll go!" Kiyosuke steeled himself and said, "I'll go. When I come back, Orochimaru, you have to teach me the hand - seals of the Summoning Jutsu. And don't you run away!"
"I'll wait for you for one day!" Orochimaru sat down on the spot.
"Okay, I'm going." Summoned beasts were necessary, and he also wanted to master Sage Mode. Ryūchi Cave was full of dangers and far less safe than Mount Myōboku. He had thought about going to Jiraiya to see if he could become his disciple. But he hadn't seen that guy in the village. Staying by Orochimaru's side was dangerous, but he could get the Summoning Jutsu, right?
If he didn't go, he might be excluded and become an experimental subject.
So, he had to bite the bullet and go.
Watching the small figure stepping into the mist, a beautiful woman in a miko costume appeared beside Orochimaru. "Is this your disciple, Orochimaru?"
"Not yet. If he comes out alive, then he will be. If not, it just means he doesn't have that fate." Orochimaru said softly.
This was his test for Kiyosuke. Failing the trial in Ryūchi Cave could cost one's life. Without that fate, Kiyosuke would have no chance of survival and would only become food for the snakes.
If he came back alive, then Orochimaru would accept him as a disciple.
"Hehe, don't underestimate the trial of Ryūchi Cave. I'm already looking forward to consuming this kid's chakra." The beautiful face of the miko suddenly turned pale, her mouth split open, revealing fangs and a snake's tongue. Black eyeshadow spread to her nostrils.
"Let's wait and see."