Chapter 102: Yamata

There are many kinds of summon beasts in the ninja world, but the ones capable of speech are generally of a higher rank. Normally, a talking summoning beast wouldn't be anything too surprising for a ninja. After all, Sarutobi Hiruzen's Monkey King, Enma, could both speak and express emotions.

However, a snake known for being cold-blooded and expressionless showing emotions while speaking? That was certainly something unusual.

The Root ninjas watching were visibly unsettled. It simply felt "off".

The snake, coiled around Orochimaru's waist, continued speaking, its voice surprisingly childlike. "Thank you, master. It's all because of your help that I've become so much faster!"

Orochimaru smiled at the flattery. "Indeed, your speed has improved significantly," he said, casually stroking the snake's head.

This snake, now named Yamata, Inspired by Yamata no Orochi, the legendary eight-headed serpent in Japanese mythology, was no ordinary snake. Originally, it had been just a regular python. But after using three doses of Orochimaru's evolutionary fluid, it had shed its skin three times, each time becoming darker, smaller, and more powerful. What was once a thick flower python, the size of an adult's leg, had now evolved into something more dangerous, with its body as thick as Orochimaru's arm and its scales black as night.

The Root ninja who had been bitten by Yamata, was starting to panic. His body was completely immobilized, and the bite was on a major artery. The black color of the snake, combined with the bite's location, sent his mind spiraling into thoughts of venom and impending death.

His teammates, witnessing this, couldn't help but voice their concern.

"What's happening to Rio?"

"That snake it looks deadly. Shouldn't you heal him?"

Even Danzo, usually composed, furrowed his brow. He had told his subordinates to control their attacks, but it seemed Orochimaru's snake had gone straight for a kill shot. "Orochimaru, wasn't that a bit much? Biting an artery directly?" Danzo questioned.

Orochimaru waved it off with a smirk. "Relax, Yamata's bite only paralyzes the body. He's not in any real danger."

"Paralysis?" One of the other Root ninjas raised an eyebrow in disbelief.

"That can't be right! Look at the snake's color it's pitch black. That's a sign of poison!"

Rio, who had been holding onto his neck in terror, realized there were no signs of poisoning. No blackened skin, no frothing at the mouth just complete immobility.

Danzo, who had been watching closely, knew Orochimaru wasn't one to lie or exaggerate. If Orochimaru said the snake's bite only caused paralysis, it was likely true.

Orochimaru shrugged, clearly not bothered by the skepticism. "Well, if you don't want to believe me, why don't you come find out for yourselves?" he said, gesturing toward Yamata. "But be careful. If Yamata gets you, you'll end up like Rio."

As he spoke, Orochimaru kicked Rio lightly in the stomach, sending him flying across the room. Rio landed with a heavy thud, powerless to break his fall.

The rest of the Root ninjas exchanged glances, now even more wary. It wasn't just Orochimaru they had to contend with, but also the snake, which was small enough to slither around unnoticed and quick enough to strike without warning.

The battle continued, but within three minutes, all five Root ninjas found themselves bitten by Yamata. Each one experienced the same paralyzing effect, their bodies betraying them as they collapsed to the ground, unable to move.

One of the ninjas, struggling to speak through the paralysis, managed to whisper, "This… this isn't poison. It's like… a Body Binding Technique?"

A realization dawned on the group. The snake wasn't using venom, but something far more insidious a jutsu similar to the Body Binding Technique, a skill typically used by elite ANBU or those skilled in Genjutsu. But this was coming from a snake.

Orochimaru looked down at Yamata, who had slithered back onto his shoulder. "Indeed. Yamata has evolved to develop a form of spiritual power. When it bites, it injects spiritual energy that immobilizes the target, much like a Genjutsu."

The Root ninjas were stunned.

A snake capable of performing something akin to a Body Binding Technique? This was no ordinary summoning beast.

Danzo, observing from the sidelines, now understood just how deep Orochimaru's research had gone. Orochimaru wasn't just experimenting with ninja techniques he was pushing the boundaries of nature itself, evolving creatures into something far beyond their original form.

"Why not make it more aggressive? You could have developed a neurotoxin or something more lethal," one of the Root ninjas asked, trying to mask his disbelief.

Orochimaru smirked. "Because a living enemy is more useful than a dead one. Capturing an opponent alive opens more possibilities."

This had always been Orochimaru's philosophy. Dead subjects had limited utility. The living, on the other hand, could be experimented on, interrogated, and used in future research. Immobilizing them without killing them was far more valuable.

Orochimaru surveyed the five fallen Root operatives with a bored expression. "I had hoped one of you would show me something interesting, but it seems I overestimated you. Common ninjutsu, basic elemental techniques… nothing noteworthy at all."

His tone dripped with disappointment.

"None of these can be used for cloning," Orochimaru thought to himself. If he was going to clone someone, he needed them to be exceptional in more ways than just basic ninjutsu proficiency.

Letting out a small sigh, Orochimaru called Yamata back to his side and gave a slight nod to Danzo. "I suppose I'll leave it at this for now."

Danzo didn't seem bothered by the fact that his five Root ninjas were lying paralyzed on the floor. He nodded, signaling for other Root members to take care of their fallen comrades.

Before leaving the training room, Orochimaru's eyes briefly flickered toward Nono Yakushi, who stood silently off to the side, observing everything with wide eyes.