"No wonder the old White Snake met such an end. It turns out it was you!"
"Kyūbi!"
This was Shindaga's first remark upon seeing Kyūbi perched on the armrest of Orochimaru's sage seat.
As a great serpent that had existed since the era of the Sage of Six Paths, Shindaga ranked second only to the former Great Sage of the Mount Myōboku in both strength and age.
For a thousand years of life in the White Cave, Shindaga rarely ventured out of its dwelling, except for that one time when the White Snake Sage attempted to seize its power.
Therefore, after Shindaga spoke, everyone present, except for Orochimaru, wore an expression of surprise.
"Shindaga, you actually recognize Lord Orochimaru's senior summoning beast?"
Manda, who had been preparing to make a move against Shindaga, was completely thrown off by its words. After a long pause, it managed to utter this single sentence.
Shindaga cast a disdainful glance at Manda, who was acting arrogantly under the protection of its master, and fixed its single eye on the confused Kyūbi, its voice filled with emotion.
"Senior summoning beast?"
"I never imagined that someone as powerful as you would one day become a human's summoning beast."
Kyūbi studied Shindaga intently for a long time.
Crimson scales, a body even larger than Manda's after its evolution. Its right eye was closed, and around the eye socket were white scales the same color as Orochimaru's snake form.
The sage energy surging within its body surpassed the chakra reserves of any Tailed Beast with fewer than four tails.
A serpent of such power resided in the White Cave? And it recognized this old fox?
Kyūbi pondered for a long time, unable to recall ever meeting Shindaga.
Yet, Shindaga's familiar expression suggested it wasn't speaking idly.
"I... know you?"
Shindaga blinked, then seemed to realize something.
A thousand years had passed!
"It's no wonder..."
Shindaga sighed, its single eye carrying a hint of complexity.
"A thousand years ago, I was just an insignificant little snake."
"I couldn't even defeat some weak monsters, which is probably why I was abandoned by the one who followed Ashura!"
Orochimaru did not seem to mind Shindaga ignoring him and conversing with Kyūbi.
"So, Tenzo's betrayal is the reason you haven't written your name in the summoning scroll for a thousand years?"
Shindaga's single eye narrowed, and it suddenly turned its head towards Orochimaru.
Kyūbi also blinked, suddenly recalling something.
"Tenzo?"
"When that old man was selecting an heir for the ninja sect in the form of an assessment, that little follower behind Ashura?"
"Hmm..."
"Now that you mention it, I do remember!"
Kyūbi, with an expression of sudden realization, offered Shindaga a friendly smile. Though its fox-like face hardly made any smile look good.
"I remember that human named Tenzo had a small red snake by his side. So it was you!"
"Tsk tsk!"
"I didn't expect you to grow so much!"
Frankly speaking, in terms of age, Kyūbi might not have lived as long as Shindaga. However, Shindaga clearly had no intention of arguing with Kyūbi at this moment. Its gaze was fixed on Orochimaru, and it spoke in a deep voice:
"Orochimaru..."
"The new Great Sage of the White Cave, I know you!"
"Oh? And so?"
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, patted Kyūbi's back twice, and stared intently at Shindaga.
"You defeated the White Snake Sage and now command the White Cave. I have no objections!"
"However..."
Feeling uncomfortable under Orochimaru's burning gaze, Shindaga let out an inaudible snort and subtly turned its head away.
"Since you know the reason I don't accept the jurisdiction of the White Cave's summoning contract, you should understand that no matter who is in charge of the White Cave, my attitude will not change!"
"I will not accept becoming a human's summoning beast again, so..."
Orochimaru chuckled softly and slowly shook his head.
"Heh!"
"The White Snake Sage might have kept you in the White Cave temporarily out of a desire for your power. Even if you disrupted the order of the White Cave, she would have turned a blind eye, given that you offered her a chance to become a dragon..."
"But I am different..."
"Shindaga, being too stubborn might cost you your life!"
As soon as Orochimaru finished speaking, Manda, beneath him, hissed and opened its maw wide, preparing to pounce.
The three Hime-sama were not to be outdone and instantly appeared in front of Orochimaru, their expressions chilling as they glared at Shindaga.
"Defy the Great Sage, and you die!"
Shindaga's muscles tensed immediately.
It understood that not only was Orochimaru capable of counteracting the White Snake Sage, but even if it were just these three Hime-sama and the greatly transformed Manda working together, it would be no match for them.
Sensing danger, Shindaga instinctively glanced at Kyūbi.
"Shindaga, I don't know what that human you contracted with did to you back then..."
"But I can guarantee that Orochimaru is unlike any human you've met."
"If you don't believe me, then take a good look at the changes that have befallen this little fellow, Manda."
Shindaga's gaze sharpened, and for the first time, it scrutinized Manda with great care.
"Its strength..."
Seeing its opportunity to speak, Manda immediately lifted its head with a smug expression, looking down at Shindaga's single eye.
"Old geezer, didn't see that coming, did you?"
"Even though you've lived a long life, this Great Manda is blessed with a good master. Your thousand years of effort have been easily surpassed by me with Lord Orochimaru's casual bestowal, closing the gap between us!"
"For the sake of being fellow members of the White Cave, this Great Manda will vouch for you. As long as you serve Lord Orochimaru diligently, rewards like mine are easily obtainable!"
"Master is merciful. The opportunity to become stronger is laid before you, so don't be ungrateful!"
After Manda's shameless outburst, the three Hime-sama standing beside it collectively rolled their eyes.
What is dogging someone else's steps?
What is a petty person becoming arrogant?
Look at Manda, it practically had these two phrases etched onto its face.
Orochimaru, however, was extremely satisfied with Manda's performance. This was exactly the effect he wanted.
His threat, Kyūbi's assist, and Manda's successful ascent as an example—Orochimaru believed that even the inherently ferocious Shindaga would understand the situation.
If it still refused, there was nothing he could do.
He could either kill it and, once Nagato mastered the Rinnegan to a certain extent, send it to become a summoning beast for the Animal Path. Or he could defeat it and forcibly plant his contract into Shindaga's soul.
A slightly stronger summoning beast was nothing. With his command over the White Cave, Orochimaru could even mass-produce snakes of this caliber in the future.
"So, what is your decision?"
"Will you shed your逆鳞 (inverse scale) and truly become a part of the White Cave, or..."
"Die here?"
Orochimaru slowly rose, and his vast sage chakra instantly filled the entire temple.
Manda roared, and immense power began to accumulate within its body. The three Hime-sama instantly disappeared, scattering around Shindaga.
As soon as Shindaga uttered a refusal, they would swarm it and give this ungrateful fellow a lesson it would never forget.
The situation was unfavorable. Even though Shindaga had lived for a thousand years and its strength had reached a level unreachable by ordinary ninjas and summoning beasts, facing the threats of the powerful beings of the White Cave, it had no choice but to lower its proud head.
"I... I am willing to join the White Cave..."