"This is the Stone of Nature you wanted. There might be more deeper inside, so I'll have Shinga or Ichikishimahime deliver it to you later."
"Then I won't be polite. Once the Konoha Headbands are made, I'll also send them over to you."
"Prepare one for this old body too!"
The words of the White Snake Sage left Uchiha Yoichi a bit stunned. Initially very resistant, but his attitude changed so quickly after seeing his power, was it because of the strength Yoichi just displayed?
That was merely the first layer of Lightning Annihilation Mode. Is it really that impressive?
"Yes, I understand."
Uchiha Yoichi took the Natural Energy Crystal Stone, glanced at Ichikishimahime, and then began to walk outside.
Ichikishimahime stood up and said to the White Snake Sage, "I'll go help you gather some information..." And then she followed after him.
When she caught up with Uchiha Yoichi, Ichikishimahime clung to his back like a koala, her limbs wrapped tightly around him like a snake.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Only Ichikishimahime, who seemed harmlessly naive, could get away with this; anyone else clinging to his back would have been shocked by the Thunderous Liquid by now.
"Do you even need to ask? The last two times you left right after the deed was done, this time you're not escaping."
Ichikishimahime was furious when she remembered being tricked twice before; she helped but got nothing in return.
"I said I'd pay it back, and I always do what I say. When have I ever lied?"
Uchiha Yoichi reached back and pulled Ichikishimahime away, but the petite snake girl maintained her tight grip on his arm, afraid he would cancel the Summoning Jutsu and return to Konoha.
When they returned to Shinga's cave, Uchiha Yoichi suddenly asked, "Do you know anything about the White Snake Sage? Why can't she leave Ryuchi Cave? Is it the secret technique passed down by you guys or something?"
"I don't know. We never inquire about the White Snake Sage, and there are only four of us giant snakes in Ryuchi Cave that have trained to become a sage. The White Snake Sage is over three hundred years older than us."
Ichikishimahime shook her head and said, suggesting that maybe there were other giant snakes from the same era as the White Snake Sage, but they faded away without reaching sagehood.
Now, only the four of them can live long lives in Ryuchi Cave; under such circumstances, it's impossible to find out unless you ask her directly.
"I see...."
Uchiha Yoichi felt something was off about the White Snake Sage, but without intel, he couldn't pinpoint the issue.
Now, however, the White Snake Sage was showing goodwill; not only did she give him the Natural Energy Crystal Stone, but she also agreed to let Ryuchi Cave join Konoha, leaving nothing to criticize.
It was just that the swift change in attitude felt so abrupt to Uchiha Yoichi.
"Forget it, tell me what you need me to do, and after that, I'm heading back."
What Uchiha Yoichi wanted most now was to return and ask Tsunade if there were similar Natural Energy Crystal Stones in Shikkotsu Forest, and then start producing elixirs.
Fourth-Grade Elixirs had many varieties, and Yakujin himself had researched some of them.
"I want to eat a piece of your flesh..."
"Stop dreaming, I'm going back!"
"Wait~, wait~, even if flesh is out of the question, at least let me drink some blood!"
Ichikishimahime quickly held tightly to Uchiha Yoichi's arm. He was the most perfect human she'd ever seen; just being near him made her hunger stir.
After becoming a sage, eating or not eating made no difference to Ichikishimahime. Eating humans was a leftover habit from before, and she would have no issue even if she didn't eat humans for decades.
However, Uchiha Yoichi's presence sparked her primal urge. Just being near him made her want to devour him; it wasn't so evident initially, but over time, his 'scent' became stronger, tempting Ichikishimahime uncontrollably.
But since Uchiha Yoichi was strong from the start, Ichikishimahime didn't act at first, and later on, she couldn't, so she could only plead this way.
"You can have one cup."
"One cup is fine...hey, are you mocking me?"
Seeing the small cup Uchiha Yoichi presented, Ichikishimahime grew furious. The cup was like a small sake cup, barely enough for half a sip.
"As long as you don't use Chakra, feel free to drink if you can bite in with your teeth."
"Deal!"
Hearing this, Ichikishimahime's face lit up with joy. She immediately leaned towards Uchiha Yoichi's neck, baring her fangs and biting hard.
"Ouch~"
After a while, Ichikishimahime felt like she was biting into tough leather. Without using Chakra, she couldn't get through; after tugging and biting, her fangs were nearly worn out, and she still couldn't make a mark.
Occasionally, a clone would transmit refined Genetic Primordial Energy back to him, which Uchiha Yoichi would utilize to strengthen his body, making it difficult even for a machine gun to break through.
Once his body was fortified like a diamond, even a B-Class Wind Release Ninjutsu would only leave a faint white mark on him.
"Why is your body so hard...?"
"Give up, without using Chakra, it's impossible."
After saying this, Uchiha Yoichi concentrated Lightning Release Chakra, forming a three-inch Thunder Blade on his finger, and cut a small opening on his wrist.
Blood slowly dripped from the cut, just enough to fill the tiny sake cup before the wound automatically healed itself.
"Couldn't you give a bit more..."
Even though she complained, Ichikishimahime drank the wine glass in one gulp and then blissfully licked a couple of times before saying, "Delicious, those who have trained in Sage Mode can't compare to you. What makes you this tasty?"
"I'll tell you later. I've paid my dues, I'm going back."
With that, Uchiha Yoichi asked Shinga to cancel the Reverse Summoning Jutsu, sending him back and giving Ichikishimahime no chance to ask for more.
——————————————
Upon returning to Konoha, Uchiha Yoichi first discussed the matter with Hatake Sakumo. In the future, Ryuchi Cave would be the Konoha Ninja Village's Summoned Beast.
Once the White Snake Sage had crafted a new Summoning Scroll, he would bring it to Konoha.
Then he'd make a name for himself, and any ninjas who wanted a summoned beast could apply to the village. After signing the contract, they'd be able to summon the Ryuchi Cave Giant Snake. If the first summoning goes well, subsequent summonings will follow the first one.
Moreover, the summoned Ryuchi Cave Giant Snake would also wear Konoha Headbands, just like the ninja dogs of the Hatake Family and the Inuzuka Clan, as well as the Ape Demon of Sarutobi Hiruzen.
However, Sarutobi Hiruzen's Ape Demon could only be contracted by the Sarutobi Race's ninjas.
Hatake Sakumo nodded upon hearing this and then smiled, saying, "That's great news, Mr. Yoichi. I will arrange for many Konoha Headbands to be made, so I'll trouble you to deliver them later. Also, please help inform all the Konoha ninjas about this."
"Yes, understood...."
After Uchiha Yoichi left the Hokage Office, he recalled how all the tasks ended up being his responsibility again.
He then returned to the office, wrote it down on a document, and after stamping it, he said to Hyuga Satomi, "Satomi, pass this to Uchiha Masato of the Security Team, and have him handle it swiftly.
If you're interested, let me know, and I'll help you pick a satisfactory Summoned Giant Snake."
"Yes, Teacher Yoichi."
Hyuga Satomi replied and noticed Uchiha Yoichi was about to head out again, so she asked, "Teacher Yoichi, are you going out?"
"I'm going to Konoha Hospital; I might not be back in the afternoon. If there's anything urgent, find me at the Uchiha Clan Land."
Uchiha Yoichi said casually and then left the office.
After meeting with Tsunade, he wanted to try his hand in the Alchemy Room to get a feel. If only his clones could control Godzilla's power, he'd attempt alchemy with a dozen of them.