Chapter 60: This Is an Era That Demands Connections

Faced with Neji's relentless, storm-like assault and his ever-unpredictable techniques, Orochimaru truly began to feel the urge to retreat.

Only now did he realize that all the investigations he had carried out in Konoha about Neji, both in the open and in the shadows, had been a complete waste.

He knew nothing about Neji. Not really. Especially now this boy had somehow mastered even the jutsu he himself had created. And the worst part was, Orochimaru had no idea how.

How was he supposed to fight that?

Watching someone else use your own signature techniques against you… was unbearable.

"Tsunade? Hah." Neji scoffed at Orochimaru's warning. "Take a good look for yourself."

"Hm?" Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, a deeper sense of unease swelling in his chest. He turned toward Kabuto.

Kabuto was using Tsunade's hemophobia to his full advantage, continuously injuring himself mid-battle. It had pushed Tsunade into a corner. She could only dodge, barely hanging on, unable to mount a counterattack.

"Hmph. I didn't take you for the type to bluff, Neji," Orochimaru said, curling his lips into a half-smile. But he eyed Neji with suspicion.

No matter how it looked, Tsunade was clearly at a disadvantage. But Neji's calm, almost detached demeanor didn't feel like a bluff.

What was he planning?

Orochimaru frowned and subtly put more distance between them.

Naturally, Neji noticed the movement. He just sneered in response.

Suddenly, he bit his thumb and slammed his palm into the ground. In an instant, black markings etched themselves across the earth in intricate patterns, radiating outward with an eerie aura.

Seeing this, Orochimaru's pupils contracted. The sense of foreboding intensified. He immediately turned and bolted toward Kabuto.

"Kabuto! Now!"

Hearing Orochimaru's command, Kabuto instantly understood and leapt back, disengaging from Tsunade as both he and Orochimaru retreated together.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

Neji shouted. A plume of white smoke exploded outward, and in its center, a massive figure emerged, so large it seemed to blot out the sky.

Gasps echoed across the battlefield.

"This… how is this possible?!" Orochimaru was stunned.

"Slug…" Tsunade was even more shocked. She had never heard of anyone else forming a contract with the Great Slug of Shikkotsu Forest.

Especially not… a man.

"Lady Tsunade? Hm? You weren't the one who summoned me?" The giant slug turned and looked toward Tsunade with a puzzled expression.

"I…" Tsunade opened her mouth, but no words came. She had no idea what was going on either.

"How fascinating," Orochimaru said with a twisted grin. "Neji, you just keep surprising me. A male summoner from Shikkotsu Forest? That's unheard of."

His eyes gleamed with a dangerous light, and Neji's skin crawled at the sight of it.

What a freak, Neji thought. The sooner I wring him dry and get rid of him, the better.

Still, Orochimaru had just revealed something important. It was possible Neji was the first male in a thousand years to sign a contract with the creatures of Shikkotsu Forest.

Hadn't Hashirama Senju been a contractor?

Neji frowned slightly. Many signs pointed to a connection between Hashirama and Shikkotsu Forest. From his Sage Mode markings to his healing techniques, the similarities were striking.

But on second thought… Hashirama had never used a summoning beast. Maybe there really hadn't been a male summoner from Shikkotsu Forest before.

"Were you the one who summoned me?" the slug asked, looking at Neji.

"Yes. I need you to help heal Tsunade," Neji replied.

"Understood."

The slug spotted the blood on Tsunade and immediately understood the situation. Without hesitation, it split off a smaller clone and slid toward her.

"Lady Tsunade, don't worry. I will heal you shortly."

"Summoning Jutsu!"

Kabuto had also finished his hand signs. Using Orochimaru's blood as a medium, he slammed his hand into the ground.

Boom!

Another puff of smoke burst outward. From it emerged a massive serpent, deep purple in color with black stripes coiling around its body.

"Manda!"

The great snake, upon arrival, tossed its head from side to side in irritation. Then it hissed, annoyed.

"Orochimaru, why the hell did you summon me again?! How many times do I have to tell you not to bother me unless it's absolutely necessary?!"

Its voice was shrill and ear-piercing. Every word was accompanied by a repulsive, nauseating stench that assaulted the senses.

The snake's arrogance was unmatched. Its tone held not the slightest respect for Orochimaru, only disdain.

"Tch." Orochimaru spat to the side and glanced down at Manda, his eyes glinting with cold fury.

He was already in a foul mood facing an opponent he least wanted to deal with, and both arms crippled. Now even his summoned beast was mouthing off to him in front of everyone.

But he had no choice.

Manda was strong. With his hands unusable, summoning the beast was a gamble. If he angered Manda now, he might not survive the consequences.

It was all too clear Orochimaru and Manda had a purely transactional relationship. There was no trust, no camaraderie. If anything, it was closer to a mercenary arrangement.

Neji furrowed his brow. That relationship was… unstable.

Snakes were cunning creatures, and Manda was no exception. If it realized Orochimaru had lost the use of his arms, it might actually turn on him.

In fact, among the legendary summons, Manda was something of an outlier.

Sure, Gamabunta liked to act like a big shot, but he still respected Jiraiya, and the two had a bond though Jiraiya was clearly the dominant one.

Slug Lady was polite and kind, always addressing Tsunade with utmost courtesy. She was the kind of summon a kunoichi might dream of having.

But Manda?

Neji couldn't help but think Orochimaru was pitiful. Every time he summoned Manda, he had to pay a price.

Though Manda wasn't stronger than Orochimaru, it had the protection of the White Snake Sage. Orochimaru, obsessed with the White Snake Sage's power, had no choice but to keep Manda satisfied.

Neji couldn't help but sigh.

"In this world, no matter where you go, it all comes down to connections."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly across the battlefield, reaching every person and beast present.

All eyes turned to Orochimaru and Manda.

Orochimaru's face darkened. Coldly, he said, "Quit your whining. When this is over, I'll offer you one hundred live humans as tribute."

"Hmph." Manda nodded, satisfied with the offer. At least Orochimaru knew how to negotiate. The great snake flicked its tongue and locked eyes on Slug Lady.

"Orochimaru, you're sick!" Tsunade shouted, her voice trembling with anger. "Who uses a summoning beast to eat people?! Just what kind of monster have you become?!"

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