Chapter Thirty: The Summoning Beast Turmoil
While the two giant snakes were locked in a fierce battle within the Forest of Death, several hundred meters away at Konoha's Training Ground No. 18, Ryūya was training alone in a separate practice area.
This was a remote training ground located in the western part of Konoha Village. Because it was close to the dangerous Forest of Death, low-ranking ninja rarely came here to train on ordinary days.
At the training field, Ryūya was currently practicing basic taijutsu, as well as kunai and shuriken throwing techniques.
Improvements in such fundamental skills required an enormous amount of time and repeated practice.
"Hm?"
After throwing three kunai in succession and accurately hitting the bullseye dozens of meters away, Ryūya suddenly stopped.
From afar, he sensed a familiar presence, and at the same time, the ground beneath his feet began to tremble slightly.
"This aura is… the green snake?"
Sensing this familiar fluctuation, Ryūya quickly recalled the green snake he had left unattended for over half a year.
As the unexpected byproduct of an experimental secret technique, he had not paid it any attention during this time.
First, the green snake's appetite was simply too large. Rather than spending his own money to feed it, he preferred to let it freeload in the Forest of Death.
This was the same approach he used for his existing two summoning beasts—one freeloaded off the village, while the other was left for Kyōko to raise.
As for Chamaru, Kyōko had already signed a contract with it, officially making it her summoning beast.
Second, in Ryūya's view, although the green snake grew quickly, it would still take some time before it reached a level where it could assist him in battle.
But now, judging from the aura he sensed from afar—and after carefully confirming it through perception—its growth rate seemed to have far exceeded his expectations.
A flash of joy appeared on Ryūya's face, but it was quickly replaced by hesitation.
From the commotion coming from the Forest of Death, it was clear that the green snake was fighting someone.
Such a disturbance would undoubtedly have already alerted the village.
If he rushed over now, or directly summoned it to his side, it would inevitably draw attention.
The exposure of the green snake would likely cause no small amount of trouble.
After a brief moment of hesitation, Ryūya bit his finger and directly used the summoning technique on the spot.
Bang!
White smoke rose, and a massive figure appeared in front of Ryūya.
Far away, in the Forest of Death—
The giant snake summoned by Orochimaru launched a powerful strike, but it hit nothing. The entire upper half of its body smashed heavily into the ground.
"Was that a summoning beast?"
Watching the giant snake vanish without a trace, Suigetsu froze in surprise.
"Over there."
However, Minato Namikaze and Orochimaru both turned their heads toward the direction of Training Ground No. 18 at the same time.
There, they once again sensed the aura of the green snake, and both figures vanished instantly.
At Training Ground No. 18, Ryūya was staring in amazement at the green snake, which occupied nearly half of the training field.
Its enormous body left him deeply shaken. Although there were still wounds on its body from the recent battle, they were nothing serious.
Whoosh—
Whoosh—
Two sharp sounds pierced the air as Minato Namikaze and Orochimaru appeared one after the other in the training ground.
"Lord Hokage, Lord Orochimaru."
Startled by their sudden appearance, Ryūya quickly stepped forward and bowed after recognizing them.
Behind him, the green snake flicked its tongue and stared warily at the two men.
"You're a student taught by Chūnin Ichikawa Shin, right?"
Minato had some impression of Ryūya, though it wasn't very clear.
"Yes, Lord Hokage. I was previously a genin of Team Thirty-One—Akichi Ryūya."
Ryūya nodded respectfully.
"Akichi Ryūya?"
Hearing this name, Minato's expression turned slightly strange.
He had just been reviewing this kid's information, and yet they met so soon!
Moreover, through this encounter, Minato recalled that Ryūya was the child who had once proposed joining the Sealing Corps to study fūinjutsu.
From Ryūya, Minato could already sense a chakra quantity not inferior to that of an average special jōnin.
On top of that, he possessed a powerful summoning ninja snake!
Minato was genuinely surprised by Ryūya's growth speed.
"You're a brat from the Akichi clan?"
At the side, Orochimaru's low voice rang out.
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru."
Ryūya felt a slight chill in his heart.
Orochimaru was nothing like Minato—this man was capable of doing anything.
Before possessing sufficient means to protect himself, Ryūya was naturally wary of him.
Seeing this, Orochimaru said nothing. He merely smiled faintly at Ryūya, then flashed away and disappeared from the spot.
"Not bad. The Akichi clan has produced a fine seedling. Your summoning beast is extremely powerful—it has already exceeded what the Forest of Death can withstand. In the future, don't release it there again."
After Orochimaru left, Minato patted Ryūya on the shoulder and nodded approvingly. He didn't ask much, said a few words, and then also vanished, leaving Ryūya alone to face the enormous summoning beast.
Not far from Training Ground No. 18, Shisui stood quietly atop a large tree.
"This is truly astonishing… to think he has such a powerful summoning beast."
Within his crimson eyes, the three-tomoe Sharingan watched the green snake from afar, shock evident in Shisui's gaze.
Over the past six months, through numerous perilous battles, he had never once seen Ryūya summon this ninja snake.
Could it be a summoning beast he had only recently subdued?
Back at the training ground, Ryūya's expression kept changing as he looked at the massive green snake.
He was utterly puzzled by its astonishing growth rate.
In just over eight months, it had grown from an ordinary green snake into a summoning beast nearly comparable to a jōnin. Such growth was simply unheard of—even with the effects of the Sealing Plague Method, it shouldn't have been possible.
Something unknown to him must have happened!
Still, overall, the green snake's rapid growth was a good thing for him.
This was not the place to investigate further. Ryūya immediately took out a summoning scroll, sealed the snake within it, and quickly left the training ground.
The Hokage's words had been very clear—the Forest of Death was no longer suitable for the green snake.
Judging by its growth rate and size, it was obvious that over the past half year, this creature had caused no small amount of havoc inside.
The fact that the Hokage did not pursue responsibility was already a stroke of luck. To push his luck further would be far too much.
After storing the green snake away, Ryūya lost all interest in continuing his training and headed straight toward the clan's secret chamber, planning to thoroughly investigate the cause of the green snake's mutation.
At the same time, recalling the strange expression Orochimaru had worn when he left, Ryūya's mood grew slightly heavy.
Deep underground in Konoha Village, Root Headquarters.
Whoosh!
"Lord Danzō, the massive disturbance in the Forest of Death was caused by a ninja snake summoning beast belonging to a genin from the village."
A Root ninja wearing a bird mask appeared in the hall, kneeling on one knee as he reported respectfully to Danzō above.
"A genin's summoning beast?"
Surprise crept into Danzō's voice.
"Yes, Lord Danzō.
Both the Hokage and Orochimaru were alerted. Orochimaru even summoned a giant snake to fight that ninja snake."
"And the outcome?"
"Before a winner could be decided, the ninja snake was summoned away by that genin.
Both the Hokage and Orochimaru met with him afterward. He is a genin from Team Thirty-One, named Akichi Ryūya."
"To think his summoning snake could match Orochimaru's giant snake…"
Danzō murmured softly, a cold gleam flashing through his eyes.