"Go back?"
Night Maple froze. Did they mean going back with Uzumaki Mito and Kushina to the Uzumaki clan residence?
He'd moved out at ten and lived alone by the river outside the village.
Because Kushina was too rough with him, Night Maple got beaten a lot. As they grew up, with boys and girls keeping their distance, he simply ran away from home.
He never thought there'd be a day he'd return.
Uzumaki Mito looked at Night Maple with grandmotherly warmth. "Yes. From now on, don't live out there by yourself."
Night Maple waved a hand. "Uh, my lady, that's not necessary. I'm used to being free on my own."
Kushina had been delighted, but when she heard Night Maple refuse, a pang of disappointment hit her.
Had she hit Night Maple too much in the past…?
Biwako Sarutobi said, "Night Maple, having you move back is for your own good."
"And you'd be company for Kushina if you're home."
Kushina's face flushed red; she sneaked a glance at Night Maple.
Sarutobi Hiruzen added, "Yes. You've awakened the Senju clan's kekkei genkai—living outside really isn't safe."
Uzumaki Mito nodded. "Night Maple, it puts this old woman ill at ease when you live out there. Indulge an old lady and move back, won't you?"
"You honor me, my lady." Night Maple thought a moment. "I'll move back—but give me one night to pack."
"Need help, Night Maple?" Kushina asked softly.
"No. See you tomorrow, Kushina."
Night Maple smiled.
Sarutobi Hiruzen coughed. "Night Maple, Kushina—come to my office tomorrow at 10 a.m."
"Understood, Lord Hokage!"
Night Maple agreed and turned to leave.
Kushina watched him go, reluctant. Beside her, Uzumaki Mito smiled kindly—she could read the girl's heart.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed. The village wasn't peaceful lately.
Who'd have thought the Raikage and the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki would cross the border just to rescue sleeper agents—too bold.
Sakumo and Minato both came back injured; fortunately, only the Cloud sleepers were lost—not their lives.
That was why they didn't want Night Maple living out there alone.
And it wasn't just other villages—there were undercurrents within Konoha too.
If no one inside had aided the Cloud sleepers, Kushina wouldn't have been snatched so easily.
...
Back at his one-story riverside cabin, Night Maple lay down.
He'd gained far too much today.
The Hashirama Senju character card, the Flying Thunder God Technique, and Impure World Reincarnation.
And Kushina.
"From today, the plot's already changed. With my help, that girl might really become the first female Hokage."
And there was still one Supreme Starter Pack unopened!
[Ding, open the Supreme Starter Pack?]
[Yes!]
[Ding, congratulations—S-rank Summoning Inheritance: Ryūchi Cave!]
Ryūchi Cave—one of the Three Great Sage Regions, equal in renown to Mount Myōboku and the Shikkotsu Forest. It's home to countless serpents; among the higher ranks, great snakes are adept with senjutsu. The White Snake Sage resides upon a throne deep within the cave.
Details: explore personally.
Night Maple gazed at the scroll that had appeared in his hand, deep in thought.
It was the inheritance scroll of Ryūchi Cave. Unfurl it to enter the cave and receive the legacies of serpents great and small.
Orochimaru's summons—the giant serpent, the Three-Headed Snake, and Manda—are among its high elders.
Sasuke's summon, the blue serpent Aoda, is a member of one of its clans.
"How interesting… I wonder who's stronger—the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju, or the White Snake Sage? Either way, tonight, fate clearly links me to Ryūchi Cave."
Night Maple looked out the window. Coiled along the sill were strand upon strand of small white snakes, tongues flicking, eyes glinting.
At the same time, he sensed hundreds—thousands—of tiny white snakes around the house, swarming inside in a dense tide.
A chill, murderous malice blanketed the cabin.
Orochimaru.
Night Maple moved a finger; countless roots erupted from the floor, instantly strangling all the little white snakes.
"Not bad. Not bad."
A voice cold as ice spoke.
Night Maple looked outside. Orochimaru stood by the riverbank, eyeing him with interest.
A feral, dangerous gaze—and that spine-chilling serpentine smile.
It was Night Maple's first time seeing Orochimaru.
"Ah."
Night Maple's sigh brushed Orochimaru's ear, and to his surprise it pricked a faint sense of danger.
"Hm?"
"Bringer-of-Darkness Technique!"
This genjutsu creates utter darkness, sealing the target's vision; in that void, only the caster can see.
It's an illusion that robs the world of light, shrouding it in silk-black night. Even the strong are forced to expose their position.
This boy is truly fascinating!
He even knows the Senju's Bringer-of-Darkness Technique?!
He's practically a copy of the First!
A dangerous light flared in Orochimaru's eyes. This body is full of secrets. I must take him back—for experiments!
A living subject is more valuable than the First's corpse!
Just then, Night Maple's voice murmured in Orochimaru's ear: "You've damaged a lot of my house. You'll be paying for that."
Before the words had finished, a shriek of air split the space behind his head.
An acute stab of danger flashed through Orochimaru's mind!
"Body Locking Technique!"
Though the Body Locking Technique is a D-rank ninjutsu even genin can use, in Orochimaru's hands it could restrain even the White Fang of Konoha!
However—with a thunderous crack, Orochimaru was kicked apart by Night Maple.
Night Maple was bound, but his power was too great, his speed too high—the momentum carried through.
Blood spattered!
A small white snake shattered into countless pieces and hit the floor.
"Substitution Technique!"
Night Maple's pupils narrowed; a razor-edged killing intent flared.
"So it really is Orochimaru."
Orochimaru reappeared ten meters away, a bloody line across his face—he hadn't completely evaded and was still wounded.
Had he been 0.1 seconds slower, his head might have been smashed.