Chapter 345: Reverse scales? Why remove them? Are you talking about these eyes?
Ryūchi Cave.
It seemed Lord Shinza was afraid the White Snake Sage would do something unexpected, as he also followed along when Fujiwara Tetsuya, Fujiwara Aiko, and the other four, accompanied by the Three Snake Princesses, arrived at the White Snake Sage's residence, a temple in the deepest part of Ryūchi Cave.
However, unlike the Three Snake Princesses, the moment Lord Shinza saw the White Snake Sage… he merely tossed his head proudly.
"Fujiwara Tetsuya?"
"That's right, it's me! Greetings, White Snake Sage."
Looking at the White Snake Sage, who had transformed into human form and was puffing on an old pipe, Fujiwara Tetsuya was quite respectful.
Unlike Shinya, Manda… or even the new generation of Toads at Mount Myōboku.
No one could accurately gauge the true combat power of beings like the White Snake Sage and the Great Toad Sage.
However, in Fujiwara Tetsuya's opinion, these Old fellows… possessed at least Kage-level strength, or even Half-Six Paths power.
"I sense the aura of the Great Slug Sage on you, so it seems you have already signed a contract with Shikkotsu Forest."
"Then, besides saving those human brats, do you have any other objectives for coming to Ryūchi Cave this time?"
Puffing smoke rings made from specially formulated tobacco and medicinal herbs, the White Snake Sage's tone showed no significant fluctuation.
However, a cold glint flashed in the eyes of the Three Snake Princesses when they heard that Fujiwara Tetsuya had become a contractor of Shikkotsu Forest.
Snakes, Toads, Slugs!
The Three Great Sage Locations mutually restrained each other… strictly speaking, the relationship between the three parties was not even friendly.
"Heh~ As expected of the White Snake Sage, you truly see through everything."
"My intention, with your abilities, you must have already guessed…"
"Although I have already become a contractor of Shikkotsu Forest, I also wish to sign a contract with Ryūchi Cave… to make Shinya my companion."
"Hmph~ You arrogant brat, who wants to be your companion?"
"The proud Lord Shinza is used to going his own way… he will never be anyone's companion."
Hearing Fujiwara Tetsuya's reply, Shinya's voice became even more tsundere.
"Companion? Aiko… didn't Big Brother Tetsuya tell us before that he had already signed a contract with Shinya and become companions?"
"Is Big Brother Tetsuya lying to us?"
"Cough~ Mako, speak softer, don't let Big Brother Tetsuya hear you."
"I guess… this is probably what Sister Ryoui calls a man's pride…"
...There weren't many people and snakes in the temple to begin with, and in such a confined space, any tiny sound would be amplified infinitely.
Listening to the whispers of Fujiwara Aiko, Uesugi Mako, and the others, Fujiwara Tetsuya couldn't help but cough lightly, a hint of embarrassment appearing on his face.
In the Ninja World, there's no law against boasting, is there?
"I understand… However, about Shinya… you heard him just now."
"I agree to your request in principle and will allow you to sign a contract with Ryūchi Cave, but… whether you can make Shinya your partner still depends on your own ability…"
"How can the Great White Snake Sage so easily agree to this brat becoming a contractor of my Ryūchi Cave?"
"This brat hasn't even passed the test of my Ryūchi Cave? Isn't that a bit too hasty?"
Upon hearing that the White Snake Sage intended to let Fujiwara Tetsuya become a contractor of Ryūchi Cave without undergoing an assessment, Kishida Kokushin姬, Ichikishimahime, and Tagitsuhime's expressions immediately fell.
This was something that had never happened in the thousand years of Ryūchi Cave's existence.
"Kishida Kokushin姬, Ichikishimahime, Tagitsuhime… are you opposing my decision?"
Noticing the playful look in Fujiwara Tetsuya's eyes, the White Snake Sage's face clearly showed some discomfort… as he whispered, his expression gradually turned cold.
"No… we don't mean that! Since it is the Great White Snake Sage's decision, we are willing to obey…"
Seeing the Three Snake Princesses scared into kneeling, the White Snake Sage's expression finally improved, and he turned to look at Fujiwara Tetsuya again.
"If you want Shinya to become your reliable partner, you must find a way to remove the inverse scale from his body."
"Otherwise, with Shinya's proud, arrogant, and tyrannical personality, the past events will sooner or later repeat themselves…"
"White Snake Sage… you talk too much."
Hearing the White Snake Sage mention past events, Shinya's aura changed, and terrifying Chakra continuously vibrated, clearly on the verge of rage.
"Cough~ Shinya, calm down."
"White Snake Sage, I have no intention of taking Shinya's inverse scale. In my opinion… whether it's pride, arrogance… or even the tyranny you speak of, that is the true Shinya I have encountered and recognized."
"The companion I form a bond with… is the current Shinya, not a Shinya whose nature has been suppressed."
"Aren't you curious about what happened in the past?"
"Aren't you curious why Shinya became the way he is now?"
Looking at Fujiwara Tetsuya's sincere face, the White Snake Sage and the Three Snake Princesses… were momentarily unable to comprehend Fujiwara Tetsuya's thoughts.
A docile summoned beast versus a summoned beast that could betray you at any moment, like Orochimaru's partner Manda… it seemed the former was clearly more reliable, right?
"Not curious…"
"Those things, when Shinya truly recognizes me in the future, he will naturally tell me."
"Moreover, past events have long been lost in the river of time. No matter how much you dwell on them… no matter how much you reminisce, they have already become bubbles of time, completely meaningless."
Thinking about the records of Shinya's past in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Fujiwara Tetsuya smiled solemnly.
Was Shinya entirely to blame for that incident?
Perhaps partly, but not entirely.
"Is that so!"
"Then Shinya, how do you view this matter? Do you want to take this brat as a new partner?"
Noticing the change in Shinya's aura, the White Snake Sage already had the answer in his heart.
"Hmph~ Who wants to be partners with this arrogant brat."
"However, hmph~ Brat, if you encounter trouble in the future, you can summon Lord Shinza… provided Lord Shinza is in a good mood."
"Such a bother, Lord Shinza is going back to sleep."
Under the gaze of everyone… and all the snakes, Shinya left Ryūchi Cave with a tsundere expression.
"It seems Shinya has agreed."
Seeing his PUA succeed, Fujiwara Tetsuya secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
With Shinya's simple nature, once he made up his mind… he would never go back on it.
Equating Shinya with that idiot Manda was a huge mistake.
"Since this matter is settled, then… I have a question that I need your help to answer."
Whispering, the White Snake Sage's gaze passed over Fujiwara Tetsuya and landed on Fujiwara Aiko and the others.
"Aiko, Mako… you five go out and wait for me first. Once I finish speaking with the White Snake Sage, I'll take you back."
"Kishida Kokushin姬, Ichikishimahime, Tagitsuhime, you three also withdraw with these brats."
With the departure of the Three Snake Princesses and Fujiwara Aiko and the others, only Fujiwara Tetsuya and the White Snake Sage remained in the vast temple.
Rustle~~~
Amidst several fragmented sounds, the White Snake Sage's aura shifted, instantly returning to his true form as a giant white snake.
"Brat, in a dream fragment of mine, I once saw a pair of scarlet eyes… If I'm not mistaken, that should be the power inherited from Indra's bloodline…"
"Oh! White Snake Sage, are you referring to… these eyes?"
Under the White Snake Sage's surprised gaze, Fujiwara Tetsuya's eyes gradually transformed from scarlet Three Tomoe into a pair of Mangekyo radiating an eerie light.
The invisible pressure emanating from those eyes made even the White Snake Sage feel a chill down his spine.