"Please… don't disturb me."
A white snake tail flicked, gently pushing Ichikishimahime aside. Orochimaru slowly rose to his feet, his eyes scanning the stalactites hanging above the cave ceiling.
"Let's see if this works… Time to confirm my theory."
He formed the hand seals with deliberate precision, and Sage Chakra began to flow outward, infusing life into the inanimate surroundings. This time, unlike before when only a single stalactite had stirred briefly, vast portions of the cavern responded. The rocky ceiling trembled as stalactites writhed, twisting into snakes that lunged toward Ichikishimahime with open jaws. Even the cave floor seemed alive, writhing and twisting into countless serpentine forms, each ready to strike.
"You… you did it?" Ichikishimahime's voice trembled, her eyes wide with disbelief as she dodged the attacking stone snakes.
"I have succeeded," Orochimaru replied, releasing his control over the Inorganic Reincarnation, "but mastery is still far from perfect."
He cast a glance at her, a faint smile curling his lips. "Thank you for assisting me in my training."
Ichikishimahime's eyes blazed. "Don't think your gratitude cancels out the trouble you've caused!"
Her accusation made Orochimaru tilt his head slightly, a calm, almost teasing tone in his voice. "Frankly… the trap you set was as childish as your appearance."
"Oh…" Ichikishimahime's fists clenched in fury, and her jaw tightened.
At that moment, Tagorihime appeared, her expression amused as she observed the exchange. "Oh my, you two really get along, don't you?" she teased.
Ichikishimahime shot her a glare. "Which part of this looks like 'getting along' to you?"
Tagorihime's grin widened. "Dinner's ready! Do you want to eat? Tagitsuhime and I made it, you know. And… perhaps we added a few ingredients that might surprise you~"
"I'll eat what I brought," Orochimaru said, walking toward a nearby stone platform where his spare clothes lay. His current attire—a rather revealing top—barely contained the serpentine tail protruding from his back. From within his garments, he retrieved a sealed scroll and broke its seals.
Buzz—!
A small mountain of assorted snacks appeared, covering the platform. The two Snake Princesses stared at the pile, mouths agape, eyes wide with astonishment.
"Soldier pills," Orochimaru explained, "capable of replenishing large amounts of Chakra. The flavors vary, so choose wisely."
Rummaging through the pile, he picked up a small pack labeled 'Akimichi Clan Special! Strange Flavored Soldier Pills!' and waved it at Ichikishimahime and Tagorihime.
"Soldier pills? Aren't those… emergency supplements that are hard to swallow?" Ichikishimahime asked, more curious than concerned, her gaze fixed on the mountain of snacks.
"You love snacks, don't you?" Orochimaru commented dryly, noting her enthusiasm.
Tagorihime chuckled softly. "I never pictured Orochimaru like this… indulging in snacks like a child."
"These are not ordinary soldier pills," he continued, tossing one toward Ichikishimahime. "I developed a new formula—more effective, more palatable. Given your fondness for Chakra, I thought you might enjoy them."
Ichikishimahime hesitated only briefly before popping a pill into her mouth. She paused, letting the flavor register, then her eyes widened in surprise. "This… is delicious!" She could feel the Chakra coursing through her body almost immediately.
Tagorihime, curious, grabbed one as well—but her expression immediately soured. "I see… the flavors really are different."
Orochimaru fought to maintain a neutral expression, though a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Tagorihime, dinner's ready," called Tagitsuhime as she entered the cave, only to freeze in surprise at the sight of the snack mountain. Ichikishimahime stood next to her, holding a strange-flavored soldier pill in her hand, her mouth still agape.
"Would you like some?" Orochimaru asked, gesturing toward the pile. "I can't finish all of this myself."
Despite his casual tone, Orochimaru only sampled the snacks sparingly, taking a pair of apple-flavored pills and popping them into his mouth. Meanwhile, the three Snake Princesses eagerly explored the assortment, selecting the ones that piqued their interest. Orochimaru retreated slightly to continue his Sage Art: Inorganic Reincarnation training, undisturbed.
Suddenly, a loud crash reverberated through the cave, accompanied by an angry roar. Orochimaru froze mid-seal, his gaze snapping to the source.
"This must be the Great Snake Nest," he murmured to himself. It was said to house the largest and most dangerous serpents in Ryuchi Cave.
Ichikishimahime, still nibbling on her apple-flavored soldier pill, floated lazily toward him. "Are you really in a hurry to leave Ryuchi Cave? Why go to the Great Snake Nest instead?"
"Summoning monsters increases my general combat potential," Orochimaru replied, unconcerned about the risk. "Though it doesn't directly increase my strength, having powerful summoned beasts is invaluable in battle."
"Dangerous, you know," Ichikishimahime warned, though she moved ahead to guide him nonetheless.
Orochimaru merely noted her words. He had long since understood the true nature of the Three Snake Princesses, especially the smallest, seemingly foolish Ichikishimahime. Beneath their playful facades, mischief and cunning lurked.
"Such concern! Truly, I worry about you. Rather than being eaten by a giant snake… why not let me do it instead?" she teased, her pink tongue flicking teasingly at her lips.
"Care to test that?" she challenged. "I want to see the real difference between a true Sage and myself."
With a subtle surge of Sage Chakra, Orochimaru's body shimmered as he activated Ryuchi Cave's Sage Mode. Unlike Mount Myōboku's, this version of Sage Mode allowed him to absorb Natural Energy while moving, continuously refining the Sage Chakra. He could maintain this enhanced state indefinitely, and still revert to his normal appearance at will.
Though his signature movements were slightly more grotesque in this form, the sensory and physical enhancements were substantial. Even without the aid of summoned Sages, Orochimaru could absorb and refine Natural Energy at an impressive rate.
Before departing the cave, he needed to develop a Yin Seal capable of storing Sage Chakra; otherwise, future entries into Sage Mode would require fresh energy absorption and refinement each time. While this form amplified his combat abilities, it also enhanced his senses and reflexes to the extreme.
"Don't expect me to fight you. There's no benefit in it," Ichikishimahime called, indicating the distant entrance to the Great Snake Nest. Her figure vanished into the cave, leaving him to proceed alone.
Orochimaru crouched, placing a hand on the ground. The heightened senses from Sage Mode allowed him to perceive the entire Nest at once. He could feel the distribution of enormous Chakra reserves—and even detect a familiar presence: Manda.
Though Manda's power rivaled that of Gamabunta and Katsuyu combined, he was not the summon Orochimaru sought. He required a creature both strong and obedient, not one with a taste for human flesh. After all, Orochimaru had no interest in feeding live humans to a summon in his experiments.
As he navigated the Nest, numerous trails revealed the passage of massive snakes. Suddenly, a massive serpent lunged at him, opening its jaws to strike. Orochimaru barely flinched, observing the creature with calm calculation. A glance in its enormous yellow eyes was all it took—the snake recoiled and slithered away.
"Hmph," he muttered. He intended to use this snake to test Inorganic Reincarnation—but it had fled. No matter. He continued, seeking a more suitable summon.
Lightning flashed, and with a single punch, he sent a deep blue serpent's head flying into the air before slamming it into the cave floor. Coils of animated rock wrapped around it, restraining the serpent in a tight embrace from all sides.
"Still, I remain stronger," Orochimaru observed. The snake struggled futilely against the animated bindings. "Tell me—how many powerful serpents are in this Nest? Where are they? Answer, and I'll release you."
The restrained snake paused, then, as if understanding his words, indicated the direction toward the other powerful serpents.
"Very well. Lead the way." Orochimaru leapt onto the snake's head.
Another blue serpent fell unconscious with a flick of its tongue.
"Next!" he commanded.
One after another, Inorganic Reincarnation's animated bindings restrained massive serpents, each submitting passively, heads lowered in surrender.
Yet Orochimaru remained unsatisfied with their strength. A summon must be more than obedient—it must provide substantial combat assistance.
The last restrained serpent looked up at him, perplexed. You struck me, but not to kill. Then why?
"I only struck you to test your potential," Orochimaru replied, tossing a rebirth pill into its mouth.
The Nest, though dangerous, would soon yield a creature suitable for his purposes. Orochimaru's methodical approach, blending Sage Mode, Inorganic Reincarnation, and careful selection, ensured that when the right summon appeared, it would serve him perfectly—an obedient, powerful ally ready for battle.
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