Chapter 43 — The Ah San Snake Dance
"Wuu… wuu wuu… wuu wuu…"
At this moment, Kinoshita Hikaru had to admit—when it came to snake charming, Ah San was truly the professional. Every time he played the tune, Manda couldn't help but start dancing.
Ah San Snake Dance… damn impressive!
Dodging while speaking, he said, "Manda, stop for a moment. Let's talk this out. No need for all this fighting—it's not good."
Flames of fury surged in Manda's eyes. It wanted nothing more than to swallow Hikaru whole.
Talk?
What was there to talk about?
All it wanted was to eat him.
Its body suddenly halted, then rose upright. In the next instant, its head shot forward like lightning.
This strike mobilized every muscle in its body, surpassing the speed of sound. The sonic barrier shattered, and the air exploded violently.
"Boom!"
The ground split open, forming a massive crater as dust billowed everywhere. Hikaru vanished without a trace.
Manda scanned its surroundings, searching for him.
"Tap!"
Hikaru landed steadily atop Manda's head and said, "You're really strong. How about becoming my summoning beast? Then we'll be partners."
Since they were already fighting, he figured he might as well try to persuade it.
War was about to break out in the ninja world. Having a powerful summoning beast would be a huge advantage.
"Rumble—!"
The word "partner" triggered Manda, reminding it of past betrayals. It completely lost control.
"I, Manda, don't need partners—especially not human partners… because… I will never trust you despicable humans again!"
It twisted its massive body violently, trying to fling Hikaru off and devour him in one bite.
But Hikaru extended his legs, wrapping them tightly around Manda's neck. No matter how violently it struggled, it couldn't shake him off.
"Don't say that. If you have conditions, just tell me. I'll treat you to roasted meat and even dance with you again, alright?"
Manda's body stiffened, then trembled violently.
As the most powerful snake, was it really only worth a few meals of roasted meat?
It suddenly sped forward and slammed into a rock wall, intending to crush Hikaru completely.
"Brat, to think you'd insult me with a few pieces of meat—die!"
Just before impact, Hikaru leapt up, leaving Manda's head.
"Boom!"
The rock wall shattered, debris flying everywhere as a thick cloud of dust obscured Manda's figure.
"I'll dance with you again!" Hikaru added, continuing to blow the Ah San Snake Dance.
Like a monk trying to redeem a demon, he attempted to move this violent snake with "love."
Manda's eyes turned blood-red. This was the angriest it had been in centuries. Yet this time, it stopped attacking.
"You think a little roasted meat is enough to buy Lord Manda? What are you thinking?"
"Then what would it take for you to become my summoning beast?"
"Simple. Defeat me… or prove to me that you will never betray me. Then I'll agree." Manda sneered coldly.
Hikaru thought it over.
The first option could be ruled out immediately. Manda's scales were practically impenetrable—if he could defeat it, he would've already done so instead of wasting time talking.
The second option was even harder.
How do you prove you won't betray someone?
It was like a girlfriend asking, "Do you love me?"
You say yes.
She asks you to prove it.
At that moment—
The lighting dimmed.
Hikaru's face was obscured in shadow.
He lowered his head, his voice low yet firm. Then he looked straight at Manda, his gaze unwavering like stone.
"I can't prove it. But I will never betray my companions. Even if it costs me my life."
"Heh… heh heh… hah… hahaha! You humans are truly ridiculous. When you can't do something, you always come up with excuses…" Manda roared toward the sky. "Do you think I'm that easy to fool?!"
Having experienced betrayal, Manda no longer believed in words or vows. It only believed in results.
If you claim you won't betray it—then prove it.
Step by step, Hikaru walked toward Manda, looking up at it.
"Because you've been hurt, you choose to doubt—that's understandable… But if you stay trapped in the past, how will you ever embrace the future?"
"Time never stops flowing. The splendor of the world fades and falls away…"
"But I—Kinoshita Hikaru—am a man who will become Hokage! My life is for protecting my companions. Through life and death, never abandoning, never forsaking… that is my ninja way!"
"Never give up on yourself. We only live once—just once. Seize your time, grasp your life. Seek your own moments of brilliance and emotion. Create your own story. Celebrate every joy. That is what life is."
His voice grew louder and louder, echoing across the entire land.
Manda scoffed.
"In the end, it's just a kid declaring his resolve. Not convincing at all."
"You idiot, stuck in the past…"
Hikaru's face darkened. His fist clenched tightly as he suddenly threw a punch—slamming it hard into Manda's jaw.
"Bang!"
The scene suddenly shifted.
A shallow layer of water lay beneath his feet, and the surroundings were dim and obscure.
"Where is this?"
"This is my mental space."
Only then did Hikaru realize that Manda was now standing behind him.
"A mental world? Looks pretty clean—no monsters or demons."
"Here, you cannot lie. Any falsehood will be sensed by me and exposed."
"In that case, see for yourself. Between partners, there should be honesty."
Hikaru's eyes were clear as he walked forward, extending his fist to meet Manda's.
At that moment, Manda closed its eyes, sensing Hikaru's memories—especially the moments he shared with others, and the scenes where he risked his life to protect his companions.
Hikaru remained completely calm. With the system concealing things, he didn't believe a mere snake could see through everything. Besides, he had nothing to hide.
He, too, felt Manda's memories.
This kind of connection only revealed the most important memories. What he saw was Manda forming a summoning contract with a human a hundred years ago—and being betrayed.
After a while—
Both opened their eyes at the same time.
"Manda, let's roam the ninja world together," Hikaru invited once more.
There was no reply.
Instead, he was expelled from the mental space.
"If you need something, call me. From now on, I've got your back," Manda said.
Hikaru grinned brightly. "Then let's make our names known across the ninja world."
"Hmph."
Manda snorted arrogantly. After seeing Hikaru protect his companions at all costs, it had already acknowledged this human boy.
Moreover, Hikaru had opened his memories completely to it—unlike itself, which had only shown the moment of betrayal.
A human and a snake formed a summoning contract.
Hikaru also learned the Reverse Summoning Technique from Manda.
After sharing another hearty meal, Hikaru bid him farewell.
"See you, Manda. Once I have money, I'll treat you to a real feast."
"Hmph. Go."
"Reverse Summoning Technique."
...
Elsewhere—
At the moment Manda and Hikaru formed their contract, the White Snake Sage sensed it.
Its face filled with shock.
This human boy hadn't been eaten—instead, he had formed a contract with Manda.
What an absurd turn of events.
"Didn't Manda distrust humans? How could it sign a contract with one?"
Using senjutsu, it transmitted its voice across great distance.
"Manda, why did you form a contract with a human?"
"Mind your own business, old hag." Manda retorted bluntly, dismissing the White Snake Sage in just a few words.
Once the presence of senjutsu chakra disappeared, Manda slowly lowered itself to the ground and rested.