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The air inside Ryūchi Cave was thick with silence, the kind that felt like it watched and waited.
On the outside, only a couple of minutes had passed since Naruto had sat down in the heart of the cave, under the vigilant gaze of the White Snake Sage and Orochimaru. But in that brief moment, within the depths of his inner space, Naruto had spoken with Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki—the Sage of Six Paths himself.
Now, as the subtle flicker of natural energy settled around him, Naruto opened his eyes slowly.
A sharp glint flickered in those blue orbs—no, they weren't just blue anymore. In that moment, they glowed like twin oceans under moonlight, infused with something older, deeper... serpent-like.
He grinned.
Orochimaru raised a brow, curious.
The White Snake Sage, resting lazily upon his coiled body atop the ceremonial stone, narrowed his eyes with interest.
He had seen many fail. Even more had died. But this boy… this boy had succeeded without a single scream, without a flinch.
The White Snake Sage slithered down from his perch, his voice a smooth rasp, "You've awakened… but your body hasn't changed much. Why is that?"
Naruto stood up slowly, his movement graceful, more than before, like a serpent gliding through water. He dusted his clothes casually, but the confidence in his aura had grown. He closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them again, his face bore the mark of transformation.
Two sharp lines curved beneath his eyes, resembling the slitted eyes of a serpent. His pupils had thinned into elegant, vertical slits. His skin seemed faintly luminous, radiant with nature's embrace.
The White Snake Sage's eyes widened, then a wide grin broke across his ancient face. "Ohhh… splendid! At long last, someone worthy of the legacy of Ryūchi Cave. You didn't just master the Sage Blood… you bonded with it."
Orochimaru chuckled softly, his pale fingers stroking his chin. "So elegant… and so fast. You never cease to surprise, Naruto-kun."
Naruto cracked his neck and looked around. "Well, it's about time. I was getting bored."
He turned to the Sage. "I've passed the three trials. I've awakened the blood. I've proven myself. Now, I'd like to take my leave. I have a lot to do."
The White Snake Sage narrowed his golden eyes. "Not yet."
Naruto blinked. "Huh?"
The snake sage slithered closer, his massive body circling around the ceremonial platform. "You've walked our path. That much is true. But you're not leaving without a bond."
Naruto raised a brow, a smirk tugging at his lips. "A bond, huh? You mean a summoning contract?"
"Precisely," The White Snake Sage hissed. "Our pact. One of my children will serve as your guide and companion. With this, you will always find your way back to the sacred cave… and in times of war, you won't fight alone."
Orochimaru's grin widened, sharp and snake-like. "It's how I entered into a contract with Manda long ago. Though… Manda wasn't particularly fond of orders."
Naruto's smirk deepened. "Yeah, no offense, but I'm not really into the whole 'angry psycho snake' vibe. I prefer a partner I can work with."
"Then I have just the one."
The White Snake Sage let out a long whistle, low, echoing, ancient.
The walls of the chamber trembled slightly. From the shadows of a far cavern, a rumbling hiss echoed. The earth seemed to hum. Then, slithering from the darkness, came a snake of colossal proportions.
He was as long as a mountain was tall. His scales were a deep obsidian, marked with crimson stripes that shimmered like flowing lava. His golden eyes glared with intelligence, not mindless fury.
The snake came to a stop, coiling itself like a coiled dragon. Its head lowered toward Naruto, observing him silently.
The air thickened.
Orochimaru watched with interest. Even he hadn't seen this snake before.
"This," The White Snake Sage declared, "is Kōzaru—the Red Vein Serpent. One of the oldest and strongest of my children. He has never signed a contract. He's too proud."
Kōzaru hissed, his voice deep and ancient, almost regal. "I have watched you fight. You are unlike the others. Your strength… your heart… your madness. All of it speaks of royalty."
Naruto crossed his arms. "Royalty? Nah. I'm just a guy who likes breaking the rules."
Kōzaru chuckled. The sound was like boulders grinding against each other. "And that's why I like you."
He slithered closer, his head now just inches from Naruto. "I don't want a master. I want a partner. Someone who'll give me a thrill. Someone I can respect."
Naruto smirked. "Sounds good to me. I don't do the whole master-slave thing either."
With a flash of movement, Naruto bit his thumb and let the blood drip. He pressed it onto the contract scroll that the White Snake Sage conjured with a snap of his tail.
Kōzaru did the same, slithering his enormous body forward and letting a single, clawed scale press into the scroll.
A burst of chakra surged, and the pact was made.
Naruto turned to Kōzaru, offering a sly grin. "Guess we're married now, huh?"
Kōzaru narrowed his eyes. "If you ever cheat on me with another summoning animal, I'll devour you whole."
Naruto laughed. "Feisty. I like you already."
Even Orochimaru couldn't help but laugh. "Ah, what a pair. Terrifying… and oddly compatible."
The White Snake Sage gave a final nod. "With this, your trial is complete. You carry the mark of our lineage now. You're one of us."
Naruto looked down at his hand. A symbol had burned itself into the back of it during the ritual—an ouroboros snake devouring its own tail.
He turned, walking beside Orochimaru toward the cave's exit.
As they stepped through the glowing tunnel that would lead them out of Ryūchi Cave, Naruto paused. He glanced over his shoulder. Kōzaru watched from the shadows, half-coiled.
"I'll call when I need you," Naruto said.
"I'll be waiting," The massive serpent replied.
Orochimaru chuckled as they resumed walking. "I must say, Naruto-kun… you even managed to charm one of the deadliest creatures on the planet."
Naruto smirked. "That's just part of my charm. You should know by now."
Orochimaru raised a brow. "Oh, I know..."
Naruto laughed out loud, flicking his fingers through his hair. "Hey, I don't like perverts who watch me having my fun. So, be careful!"
"I will keep that in mind," Orochimaru muttered dryly.
They stepped outside, emerging from the depths of the cave as light broke through the hanging vines at the cave's entrance.
The outside world felt fresh and quiet.
Naruto took a deep breath, feeling the difference. The natural energy inside him pulsed like a heartbeat.
"I feel different," He said, glancing at his hand again. "Not just stronger… clearer. Sharper."
Orochimaru watched him carefully. "You've truly changed. Not just in strength. In spirit."
Naruto looked ahead, eyes serious. "I need to. Because what's coming… isn't something the current world can handle."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. "And what is that?"
Naruto smiled mysteriously. "I will tell you in due time. Till then let's focus on dealing with Hiruzen Sarutobi first."
Naruto turned his back to Ryūchi Cave.
"Let's go," He said.
And with that, they disappeared into the trees—two shadows moving toward a world that had no idea what kind of storm was about to come.
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Spoilers for the next three chapters!
Chapter 156: The Serpent's Pact
Chapter 157: Flashpoint
Chapter 158: Uzumaki Priestess
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