Chapter 56: Manda

Chapter 56: Manda

"Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!"

Orochimaru swiftly performed hand seals, creating a large swamp-like mud pit in the lab. The enormous summoned snake, almost reaching the ceiling, finally came to a halt.

As the smoke cleared, Toneri finally saw what he had summoned.

It was a massive triangular-headed snake with four protruding spikes resembling dragon horns on either side of its head. Its pale purple body was encircled by deep purple stripes.

On the flat patch of tough scales on its head sat Toneri, sprawled motionless.

One reason was exhaustion—he had expended too much chakra. The other was sheer fear.

This snake was enormous, far beyond anything he'd ever seen, in either this life or his previous one.

Its gaping maw exuded a suffocating stench, and its aura was nothing short of terrifying.

On top of that, Toneri could sense a strong, unfamiliar chakra emanating from the snake, an oppressive energy that weighed heavily on him.

Fortunately, thanks to Orochimaru's Swamp of the Underworld, the snake's attention wasn't focused on him—for now.

"Orochimaru!!!"

A thunderous roar erupted from the snake's massive jaws, releasing a wave of foul-smelling air. Clearly, it was furious about being ambushed by Orochimaru's mud pit.

Orochimaru, unfazed, retorted coldly, "Manda, it wasn't me who summoned you—it was that little brat sitting on your head."

Manda.

Hearing the name, Toneri's body went limp, and he slumped back onto the snake's head.

All he had done was pour all his chakra into the summoning jutsu. Did it really warrant this outcome?

Orochimaru had said Toneri's chakra was comparable to that of a Chūnin, impressive for his age but not extraordinary. Based on that, summoning something of this magnitude should have been impossible.

Yet, here he was—facing Manda, a snake so powerful that weaker Jōnin wouldn't stand a chance against it.

Manda wasn't just a snake; it was a beast with immense chakra reserves, one capable of aiding even someone as formidable as Orochimaru. Its presence on the battlefield could intimidate enemies and turn the tide of a fight.

Plus, it's super cool!

But for Toneri, this wasn't a time to admire its grandeur.

Even though his tiny body was insignificant compared to Manda's massive frame, he could feel the snake's attention shift toward him.

Gulp.

"Little brat, you're the one who summoned me? The one who just signed a contract with Ryūchi Cave?" Manda's cold voice hissed.

"I don't care who you are—if you summon me, you'd better have 200 sacrifices ready. If not, I'll eat you!"

Toneri looked to Orochimaru for help, his eyes pleading.

But this time, even Orochimaru seemed at a loss. Summoning Manda always required offerings, even for him.

And who would've thought that Toneri, a complete novice in summoning, could manage to call forth such a beast?

The three of them—Manda, Toneri, and Orochimaru—stared at each other, waiting for someone to make the next move.

Just as Manda seemed ready to make Toneri its snack...

Thrum.

Sensing a rival predator's chakra, a pale blue aura began to emanate from Toneri's body. It thickened and darkened, taking on a reddish-black hue.

This wasn't the Two-Tails mode—it was a full-blown Tailed Beast Cloak.

The dense chakra formed a protective shell around Toneri, like armor.

He realized this was the Two-Tails reacting instinctively to danger. But what surprised him even more was that the energy from Manda's chakra felt oddly familiar.

"...Hmph. Fine. Judging by your pathetic appearance, you're clearly a penniless brat. Shorty, next time you summon me without sacrifices, I'll swallow you whole! I'll let it slide this time, but you owe me. Poor little runt!"

Even Manda sneered at him.

"Poor?! You're poor! Your whole family is poor!" Toneri screamed internally, though outwardly he nodded meekly.

Outwardly: respectful and submissive.

Inwardly: raging and defiant.

"Thank you, Lord Manda, safe travels!" Toneri said, bowing respectfully.

"Hmph."

With a loud pop, Manda vanished in a cloud of smoke.

As the massive serpent disappeared, the Two-Tails' chakra receded from Toneri's body. He landed lightly on the ground, narrowly avoiding Orochimaru's mud pit.

Phew.

Orochimaru dispelled the swamp just in time, preventing the lab from turning into a complete disaster zone.

Toneri stumbled forward, his legs still shaky from the encounter, and began tidying up the lab.

All the while, he kept stealing glances at Orochimaru, his eyes wide with anticipation.

"Come on, praise me! I did good, right?"

This time, Orochimaru didn't ignore him.

Instead, he extended his hand, from which several small brown snakes slithered out and coiled around Toneri, binding him tightly.

Orochimaru then disappeared from view, only to reappear behind Toneri.

Leaning in close, he whispered in his usual magnetic tone, "Toneri-kun, it seems you have quite the talent for summoning. To bring forth Manda on your first attempt... It's clear your chakra reserves are immense.

"But to summon something of Manda's caliber with your chakra? That should have been impossible. You're unique, aren't you?

"You're making me... very curious. I'm starting to think I should study you more closely."

Toneri froze, his body stiffening. Goosebumps rose all over as he felt Orochimaru's damp breath against his ear.

"Sensei... let's not keep talking about research, okay? I'm too fragile for that."

While Toneri felt fear, he also knew Orochimaru's limits. Despite his reputation, Orochimaru had yet to use humans as experiments, especially those within Konoha.

So far, Orochimaru's focus was strictly on animals.

But still, being around him felt like dancing on the edge of a knife.

---

"Clean up the lab," Orochimaru said, releasing Toneri from the snakes and leaving the room without another word.

"Phew... got it, Sensei!"

Exhaling deeply, Toneri formed a hand seal.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Cleaning up such a mess? Perfect for shadow clones.

---

As Orochimaru walked down the corridor, a faint, emotionless smile played on his lips.

He licked his lips, his tone dripping with intrigue.

"White Snake Sage, Manda, Ryūchi Cave, Tailed Beasts, Sage Techniques... Hmph. Quite the elaborate game you're playing."

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