Chapter 9: Echidna, Mother Scorpion

My hand brushes against the wall as I walk by the underground flowing water that continues to grow in size as I follow it. The only sounds I've heard are the accident crunching of sand by my own feet and the gurgling of the water running over the rocky ground.

It's been about half an hour since I've come here and my vision has slowly started to improve. There isn't anything interesting in the cave but I've made a few observations, although there is water down here there is no moss or vegetation of any kind.

No signs of life seem to be present in this isolated area nor is there any signs of chakra or any other supernatural energy. Honestly, I feel as if I'm purposefully being watched, maybe this is a test of some sorts?

I'm certain that this isn't any of the three sage regions so this must be a place I have no knowledge of. I don't know the nature of animals with human like intelligence in this world.

From what I can remember most summonings are not aggressive towards humans besides snakes. Almost all summons in Naruto had a good relationship with their summoner and they didn't seem to be particularly hostile to other people besides their summoner.

If my chosen summon is an aggressive species like snakes then I may only be able to get out of here by passing a test. The most likely situation is that my summon is waiting to see what I do before personally appearing.

Now the question is, should I speak out loud to the summon before I do something or should I stall for time until it shows itself?

"I find your lack of confidence disturbing. Do not be so indecisive little one, inaction leads to stagnation. Stagnation leads to weakness. Weakness leads to death."

A deep womanly voice erupts from every angle, seemingly coming out of every part of the massive cave. I can even feel a small tremble in the ground as she speaks.

"Do not be afraid of taking action when facing the unknown. Only lower level life forms let fear sink in their minds and control their thoughts."

The ground now truly shakes as loose rock formations hanging from the ceiling begin to fall all around me.

"Chakra is the combination of the body and the spirit. In order to truly become the master of your destiny you must gain control over your mind and body."

A giant spike of rock falls from the ceiling as it heads straight down towards my head. I look up and I can see dozens of rocks falling at an increasing rate.

With one hand I make a single hand seal.

Snake.

I open my mouth and take a deep breath. A tremendous amount of air builds up inside of me as my stomach swells up with chakra.

"Wind Release: Sickle Weasel."

The clean sound of cutting resonates throughout the cave as the hundreds of falling rocks dissolve into sand by the incredibly sharp blades of wind released from my mouth.

The remaining aftermath is swept away with the wind as I look back down to a suspicious rock that looks like the giant leg of a summon.

"That's quite a pathetic display of earth release for someone speaking such demeaning words."

A sharp burst of laughter following my sentence makes the cave stop shaking altogether.

"I never thought I'd see the day someone dared to try and oppose me. Tell me little one, what is your name?"

I smile and open my hand towards the very same leg that suddenly began to emit a very strong chakra signature.

"My name is Yasushi Konda, may I know your name?"

Another bout of laughter made it more apparent that she was right in front of me. Her giant leg moved forward and touched my hand as I stared at her body.

"My name is Echidna, also called Mother Scorpion. Don't stare for too long otherwise you might lose yourself in my eyes."

Out of the shadows of the cave comes out a beautiful woman, she has dark red hair and soulless pitch black eyes that have a strange red heart shape in them as her pupils.

Her body is almost completely nude with only a metal green and gold bra barely holding in her large breasts. Nothing else covers her her top half as she leans down to me with a seductive grin.

She sways down her body as if she was a belly dancer from my old world, elegant and overly tantalizing. Despite her attractiveness all of my attention is on the most interesting part of her, her lower half.

Although her top half is perhaps the most beautiful thing I've ever seen its the bottom half that's really incredible. The entire bottom half of her is the bottom of a scorpion, with eight large legs and a single giant tail with a sharp stinger at the end.

Her exoskeleton is colored a dark red just like her hair, its gloss seems to shine against the dull colors of the dark cave. Radiant blood red chakra can be seen through the exterior, swirling with powerful force and vitality.

Chakra really is absolutely amazing, what a fascinating creature. I never thought that something like this could ever possibly exist.

"You know..."

Echidna grabs me by the chin and forces me to look up at her.

"You must keep your emotions under control. Although you have excellent control over your facial expressions your spirit exposes your sinister thoughts."

"I've met quite the number of humans in my time, yet none can match you in your apathetic demeanor. You remind me of myself, selfish, power hungry, and most of all, cowardly and analytical."

Noticing my intentional silence Echidna continues on with a light smile.

"I want to offer you something that I'm sure will benefit you. All you have to do is sign a summoning contract with me in exchange for it."

Echidna waves her hand and a blood colored scroll appears right in front of me. She grabs it and puts in my hand, brushing her lips against my ear she whispers.

"I can see the greed and expectancy in your eyes, take this and learn from it, the next time you come see me I want you to have mastered this to it's first stage. Don't disappoint me little one, I'd like to see a monster like yourself reach your fullest potential."