Orochimaru stepped forward without hesitation, and Manda's heart sank.
If the White Snake Sage had wanted to intervene, she would have spoken up long ago. Nothing in Ryuchi Cave could be hidden from her.
Manda realized he had lost his composure—resorting to empty threats and desperate pleas. But there was nothing else he could do. His once-proud strength was meaningless in the face of Orochimaru's schemes. He hadn't even had a chance to resist.
No... even if he had fought back, he wouldn't have stood a chance.
Manda struggled to raise his head, peering past Orochimaru toward the dark silhouette in the distance. For the longest time, he had been able to act arrogant and defiant toward Orochimaru—not because of his own strength, but because of Orochimaru's fear of the White Snake Sage.
But now... Orochimaru had somehow gained her tacit approval.
And without her protection, what power did Manda really have?
He lifted his head again but felt a bitter sense of defeat rising in his chest. A long-forgotten sensation crept over him—fear. Fear of Orochimaru. Fear of an unknown experiment. It was a fear he hadn't felt since long before he became the King of Snakes.
Looking down at the man standing before him, Manda closed his mouth and said nothing.
The gray python's body wasn't much different from his own. If even that creature couldn't survive the experiment... then he doubted he would fare any better.
If he died today...
Begging wouldn't help. It would just be pathetic.
Besides, he knew such things meant nothing to Orochimaru.
"Tsk tsk... I'm honestly surprised by your composure," Orochimaru said, running a hand over Manda's cold, rough scales. "I expected you to thrash and beg again. After all, snakes don't understand things like dignity or honor. But now it seems you've learned something new—something beyond trickery and deceit."
Manda's voice rasped, "Don't mock me, Orochimaru."
"Mock? Oh, you misunderstand. I'm praising you."
Orochimaru smiled thinly as several shadow clones arrived, carrying experimental equipment. Calmly, they began sealing everything back into scrolls.
The act was so casual, it didn't seem like they were preparing for the same experiment at all.
Manda frowned, confused. "What... are you doing?"
"Can't you tell? I'm packing up the equipment," Orochimaru replied, licking his lips. "In your current condition, you wouldn't survive the transplant. If I went ahead with the operation now, you'd end up just like that poor python."
"You're my summoning beast. I wouldn't risk your life without certainty."
He grinned. "This experiment was meant to strengthen you, after all."
Manda stared, stunned, as a shadow clone injected an antidote into his body. Gradually, sensation returned—his body, once paralyzed, was his again.
Relief flooded through him.
Happiness came so suddenly, it felt surreal.
The sudden shift—from the brink of death to complete safety—left Manda dazed.
Still trying to process it, he stared blankly at Orochimaru and asked, "Then why did you say all that earlier? And why did you inject me with the anesthetic?"
If Orochimaru never intended to perform the operation from the start, what was the point of drugging the boar? Was it all just a joke?
What a waste of a good meal.
"It was a lesson," Orochimaru replied, still smiling, though his voice was cold. "You've been far too arrogant lately."
The bluntness of his words left no doubt—it was a prank.
Normally, Manda would have exploded with rage, lunging at Orochimaru without a second thought to teach him a lesson. But now... he didn't.
Not just out of fear—but out of understanding.
In the natural order of things, it's laughable for the weak to be angry at the strong.
Predators dominate for a reason.
Orochimaru's cruel joke shattered some long-held illusion Manda had been clinging to.
"Heh... but don't get too comfortable," Orochimaru added, eyes narrowing. "You're not escaping the surgery. Sooner or later, it will happen."
Manda's eyes flickered. He stayed quiet for a moment, then lowered his head and asked,
"Will the surgery be safe? Will it really make me stronger?"
"There's always risk," Orochimaru said, smiling. "But yes, it will enhance your strength."
He sighed regretfully. "Too bad you don't know Sage Arts. If you did, not only could we proceed now, but the risks would be minimal."
A sly smirk tugged at his lips. "So... any chance you could learn Sage Mode? I've heard there's a red snake here in Ryuchi Cave—goes by the name Kagari. She knows Sage Arts."
"Kagari?" Manda's expression faltered.
Fear flashed through his eyes, though he tried to hide his unease.
No, he didn't know Sage Arts. And he never would. He'd clawed his way to the top of Ryuchi Cave on sheer durability alone.
But if Orochimaru went after Kagari instead...
That thought chilled him.
The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed. This operation wasn't just about making him stronger—he knew that. He was chosen because his survival chances were high. But if Kagari's were higher?
There'd be no question who Orochimaru would pick.
Manda lowered his head and looked at Orochimaru. "I can't learn Sage Arts anytime soon. But my body's tougher than Kagari's..."
He began boasting about his past fights with Kagari, his victories in Ryuchi Cave.
Before, he would never have done this. In fact, he might've welcomed Orochimaru picking Kagari. But now, he wanted the operation. He never wanted to feel that helplessness again.
"I see..." Orochimaru said dismissively, cutting him off with a faint smile. "Well then, just wait until everything's ready."
He paused mid-sentence, suddenly sensing something. His head turned toward the entrance.
"Three Snake Princesses... why are you here?" he asked, his tone respectful. "Is this about that python? If I overstepped, what compensation does the White Snake Sage require?"
The three priestesses had arrived. Leading them was Tagorihime, who smiled and replied, "No compensation is needed. But the surgery—you must proceed with it on Manda. The sage is quite interested."
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Is that so? But Manda doesn't know Sage Arts. The procedure would be extremely risky."
He paused, then said slowly, "I heard Kagari, the red snake, can use Sage Arts. If we performed it on her instead, the odds of success would be far better."
At that, Manda glared at him. This bastard really does toss the old aside for the new.
But Tagorihime shook her head. "No. It must be done on Manda. The Sage herself named him."
____________________
Support me on patreon and read
1)Insect princess from Konoha
2)Second girls journey in Naruto
3)Orochimaru's Magic lamp
patreon.com/Silver757