Chapter 139 : Riku’s Powerful, Instantly Suppresses Manda
Tsunade listened to Katsuyu’s introduction and immediately understood how powerful the serpent that was about to emerge truly was.
As the white smoke dissipated—
"ROAR—"
A thunderous roar, no weaker than that of a Tailed Beast, erupted from within the summoning smoke.
A massive red snake appeared beside Katsuyu.
Even Katsuyu trembled slightly from the sheer pressure it exuded.
Tsunade’s eyes widened at the sight of Shinya, stunned. "This pressure... it’s more terrifying than most Summoning Beasts I’ve ever seen."
The immense aura Shinya radiated weighed heavily on her.
At that moment, Riku stood calmly atop Shinya’s massive head.
Meanwhile, Manda, who had been grappling with Gamabunta, suddenly sensed the presence of another great serpent.
The moment One-Tail pulled Gamabunta away, Manda bolted toward Shinya.
"ROAR—!"
Manda bellowed.
Shinya opened his eyes, narrowed them at Manda, and replied in a low, contemptuous tone, "What are you yelling about?"
Even Orochimaru, standing atop Manda’s head, visibly flinched from Shinya’s overwhelming power.
"This giant serpent... Riku actually managed to subdue it. How did he do it?"
Riku, however, stood motionless atop Shinya, his expression composed and unshaken.
Shinya turned his attention toward the figure on his head. "Riku, why did you summon me?"
Riku smiled faintly. "To fight, of course. Today is a Sannin reunion—Manda’s already taking on two opponents. Thought I’d let you join the fun."
Shinya’s eyes shifted toward Manda. "Didn’t I tell you before not to provoke Riku?"
Manda growled in irritation at the condescending tone. "You tell me not to provoke him, and I should just obey? Don’t be ridiculous, Shinya. I’m not backing down this time."
Originally, Shinya had hoped a glare would be enough to avoid a pointless fight. But Manda, clearly, wasn’t interested in retreating.
Instead of growing angry, Shinya became calm. "Riku, looks like I have no choice."
Riku nodded silently.
Receiving his master’s approval, Shinya hissed, "Well then. Since this fool insists, I’ll have to teach him a lesson."
Without another word, Shinya launched forward.
Larger than Manda in both length and mass, and significantly faster, he reached his opponent in an instant. His massive body wrapped tightly around Manda before the latter had time to react.
"ROAR—!"
Manda thrashed and snarled, completely restrained by Shinya’s coils.
He tried to struggle free, but Shinya’s strength was overwhelming—there was simply no escape.
Finally, realizing there was no chance of victory, Manda vanished in a burst of smoke, returning to Ryūchi Cave.
He wouldn’t risk the shame of staying any longer.
Everyone watching was stunned.
Gamabunta and Katsuyu were both in disbelief. The Summoning Beast they had been struggling to hold off just moments ago—Manda—was utterly suppressed by Shinya in an instant, left without a shred of resistance.
And Shinya hadn’t even used his most dangerous ability: Petrification.
Not that he would. Despite everything, Manda wasn’t just another giant snake—he was one of Ryūchi Cave’s strongest.
Among the cave’s beasts, aside from the White Snake Sage, the Three Great Serpent Kings, and the Green Serpent, Manda ranked among the top.
Shinya wouldn’t go so far as to kill him.
Watching all of this unfold, Orochimaru and Kabuto immediately realized that bringing Tsunade back was no longer possible.
With a flash of chakra, they vanished using the Body Flicker Technique.
Riku stood on Shinya’s head, watching them go. He could’ve pursued, but chose not to. He didn’t care enough.
Shinya turned his head slightly. "Riku, anything else? If not, I’m heading back."
Riku gave a slight chuckle. "That’s all. Thanks for your help."
With a puff of smoke, Shinya vanished.
Gamabunta turned to Jiraiya, eyeing Riku. "Hey, who is that kid? He got that massive snake to obey him like a loyal pet."
Jiraiya scratched his chin, thinking. "Riku subdued Shinya through sheer strength. It happened right around the time I was getting Naruto ready to sign his contract with Mount Myōboku."
"At that time, Riku also signed a summoning contract—with Ryūchi Cave. He didn’t just sign it, though—he dominated Shinya with his power."
"His talent is incredible. I’d actually wanted him to sign with Mount Myōboku, but he made his move first."
"Don’t let his age fool you. He’s already mastered Sage Mode—and I don’t mean the beginner stage. He’s perfected Ryūchi Cave’s Sage Mode. He can maintain it for extended periods."
Jiraiya sighed. "It’s a shame. I really wanted to take him under my wing."
Gamabunta snorted. "You? You’d just corrupt him. The kid’s better off without you."
Tsunade, still shaken by her first glimpse of Shinya, was quiet for a moment.
"That summon... it’s on the highest level of power. The size alone rivals that of a Tailed Beast."
"Of course, the strength isn’t quite there," she added after a moment. "A Summoning Beast, even one like Shinya, can’t truly match a Tailed Beast."
"But it can certainly hold its own in a fight."
Once Katsuyu had returned, Tsunade walked over to Riku, studying him with fresh eyes.
"Jiraiya used to brag about you, but I never believed him," she said, crossing her arms. "Now I see it for myself. Your strength is absurd. No wonder Hiruzen wanted you to be the Sixth Hokage."
"You already have the ability. It’s just your age that’s holding you back."
Riku smiled weakly. "Don’t start with the Hokage talk again. I’m like Master Jiraiya—I’ve got no interest in becoming Hokage. Tell Naruto, he’s more into that kind of thing."
It was a sentiment Riku had grown tired of hearing. It seemed like every ninja who witnessed his power immediately decided he was Hokage material.
And sure, they weren’t wrong.
By ability and reputation alone, Riku had what it took.
But that didn’t mean he wanted it.
It wasn’t about fear of politics—once he became Hokage, who would dare oppose him?
He simply found the whole thing boring.
Not troublesome—boring.
Being Hokage meant staying in the village, tied down by responsibilities, robbed of freedom.
Jiraiya strolled over and grinned. "I told you he was something else. You didn’t believe me. But remember how quickly he picked up medical ninjutsu from you? His learning curve is insane."
Tsunade nodded. "I thought he was just a prodigy in medical ninjutsu. I didn’t realize his skills in ninjutsu and taijutsu were just as terrifying."
She glanced at him with a hint of irritation. "But that illusion you cast on me earlier—way over the line."
Riku looked a little embarrassed.
That genjutsu had been filled with nightmarish imagery, constructed so vividly that one wrong move could have shattered her psyche.
It was too real. The kind of illusion that could trap someone’s mind forever.
Jiraiya didn’t know exactly what Riku had done, but he knew this much—it had to be devastating.
Kakashi understood best. Riku had mastered multiple Forbidden Techniques, some of which he’d created himself.
And many of them... were dangerous, disturbing, and utterly unique
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