Manda's words drew contempt from Gamabunta. "What kind of talk is that? As if it's any different for us. The Mount Myōboku faction always helps our contracted shinobi for free when they're in danger."
"I heard you even demand sacrifices from some kid. How laughable." Gamabunta mocked.
"Stupid toad, every time your Lord Manda helps that brat defeat an enemy, I eat the enemy's flesh as a sacrifice. What's wrong with that?" Manda snorted.
From beginning to end, whenever Manda helped Orochimaru defeat enemies, the flesh he consumed as sacrifices came from the enemies, never his own allies.
Faced with recruitment from the three great sage regions, even someone as proud and powerful as Uchiha Ryun couldn't help but feel tempted.
However, aside from being Uchiha Ryun, he was also a descendant of the dragon from his past life on Earth. This title was something he had never forgotten.
The highest realm of Ryūchi Cave was called 'Dragon Transformation,' which had a faint connection to dragons. Because of this, Uchiha Ryun's gaze toward Manda grew somewhat intense.
The Slugs Sage's eyes flashed with understanding as she glanced at Manda. She sighed, then dispelled her clone and returned to Shikkotsu Forest.
"I choose Ryūchi Cave!" Uchiha Ryun declared with a smile.
Gamabunta gritted his teeth. "Fine. Forcing things won't make them sweet. You win this time, you damn snake!" With that, he reversed the summoning and returned to Mount Myōboku.
Manda, meanwhile, locked eyes with Uchiha Ryun. "Kid, I want to know why you rejected Mount Myōboku and Shikkotsu Forest. Compared to Mount Myōboku, our Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode training carries the risk of death. And compared to Shikkotsu Forest, ours is even more painful."
Uchiha Ryun's eyes gleamed. "Greater risks mean greater rewards. Hearing your words only confirms that Ryūchi Cave is the most suitable for me."
Manda chuckled. 'What a weird guy. But then again, weirdos are exactly his type.'
Thinking this, Manda handed him a scroll. "Write your name on this scroll. You will become the successor of Ryūchi Cave."
Uchiha Ryun took the scroll and noticed the last name signed was Orochimaru. He smiled, then wrote his own name, bit his finger, and pressed a bloody fingerprint next to it before handing it back to Manda.
Manda grinned widely and reverse-summoned the scroll back to the White Snake Sage.
Then, he gave Uchiha Ryun the summoning and reverse-summoning seals for Ryūchi Cave. "When you need my help, just activate the summoning seal. Lord Manda will come to your aid."
"Learning Sage techniques takes a long time. You have three days to inform your family and the Hokage. They will agree." Manda smirked before reverse-summoning himself away.
Uchiha Ryun exhaled. Though he didn't understand why the three great sage regions had taken an interest in him, he figured it must be a good thing.
-----
Ryūchi Cave
The White Snake Sage was admiring herself in the mirror when her attendant announced Manda had come to report.
Her eyes brightened. "Let him in!" She had given Manda a strict order: if he failed to bring Uchiha Ryun, he would be expelled from Ryūchi Cave.
Since he was here to report, it must mean he had succeeded. Excellent. Truly her most capable subordinate.
"Manda pays respects to the Sage." Manda lowered his proud head.
The White Snake Sage smiled. "Well? Did you succeed?" She slithered toward Manda.
Manda nodded. "Sage, this humble one has accomplished the task. Look." He then presented the signed summoning contract to the White Snake Sage.
She unrolled the scroll and saw Uchiha Ryun's signature. Bringing it close, she inhaled deeply, feeling her blood ignite.
Yes, this was the scent—blood nourished by Sage chakra, brimming with immense natural energy!
Originally, she had sensed something shifting in the shinobi world, something significant. Unable to resist, she had used a future-prediction technique at great cost.
Her method differed from the Great Toad Sage's. While the Great Toad Sage glimpsed the future through dreams, she paid a heavy price to see it directly. This time, the toll had nearly taken half her life, but it was worth it!
Because in the future, she had seen one person—Uchiha Ryun. A perfect Dragon Sage Mode, his body clad in golden dragon scales, two purple Sage markings wrapping around his jaw like a protective guard. No deformities, a flawless Sage Mode!
With a mere wave of his hand, he effortlessly bisected an Ōtsutsuki clansman. Another grasp, and the stubborn 'Karma' was utterly obliterated.
The sight had made her blood boil! 'This boy is destined for Ryūchi Cave. The other sage regions must not get to him first!'
After all, someone capable of mastering Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode could likely master the others as well. Because Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode was the most demanding!
While she had seen the future, the Great Toad Sage had also opened his eyes. Though he knew Uchiha Ryun would inherit Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode in the future, he couldn't resist gambling on it.
This time, the Great Toad Sage had remained awake for three full days, passionately explaining everything to Fukasaku and Shima, who were so fired up they sent Gamabunta to intercept.
Similarly, the Slugs Sage, another great sage, had the same idea as the Great Toad Sage—to intercept him. All three knew that no matter which Sage Mode Uchiha Ryun trained in, he would achieve that future.
But alas, they had failed. In the end, Uchiha Ryun had still chosen Ryūchi Cave.
After hearing Manda's detailed report, the White Snake Sage burst into laughter. "Those two old fools actually tried to steal Ryūchi Cave's successor? Hah! How laughable!"
Still, she couldn't help but feel a chill. If Manda had been even slightly late, the outcome might have been different. None of the three sages were inferior to the others.
After all, the future could change. If Uchiha Ryun had truly chosen Mount Myōboku or Shikkotsu Forest, she would have died of rage.
"Good job, Manda. You've done well. I'll remember this merit." Once our successor arrives and masters Sage Mode, I'll teach you some of Ryūchi Cave's secret techniques!" The White Snake Sage smiled.
Manda was overjoyed. He immediately prostrated himself, praising the White Snake Sage.
She nodded. "You may leave. Oh, and from now on, whenever Uchiha Ryun summons you, you must assist immediately. If you can't handle the enemy, return and call for reinforcements. If necessary, I will personally intervene!"
Her expression was solemn. Uchiha Ryun wasn't just Ryūchi Cave's successor—they were also his protectors. For him to grow into the figure she had seen in the future, he still had a long way to go.
Moreover, that clan had all sorts of bizarre abilities. Who knew if they would use underhanded methods to hinder his growth?
Manda nodded, engraving her words in his heart. The Sage's words held deep meaning. His duty was simply to obey.
"Go now. And remember, treat Uchiha Ryun well. Drop that arrogant attitude of yours!" The White Snake Sage added, just to be safe.
"Yes! By your command!" With that, Manda left the inner sanctum of Ryūchi Cave.
The White Snake Sage, meanwhile, chuckled to herself, already planning what pose to strike when Uchiha Ryun arrived in three days.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
📖 Like the story? Read 120 chapters ahead!
🔗 patreon.com/atomelectron
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━