Chapter 101 : Shinya Became Riku’s Summoning Beast
Riku nodded, then turned to Shinya and said calmly, "Let’s get started."
Shinya gave a silent nod, then vanished in a puff of smoke, returning to Ryūchi Cave. Moments later, he activated the Reverse Summoning Technique, summoning Riku to Ryūchi Cave.
Watching Riku disappear before her eyes, Anko smiled faintly. "I have to master Sage Mode, no matter what."
Jiraiya, meanwhile, was still in shock. The battle he had just witnessed told him everything—Riku was far stronger than Naruto had described.
He wasn’t at the Jōnin level. No... he was Kage-level.
Jiraiya let out a slow breath. "It seems like Konoha may really have a ninja who could rival the Fourth Hokage. Maybe even surpass him..."
Right now, in addition to mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique, Riku had demonstrated a level of destructive ninjutsu that exceeded even the Fourth Hokage’s. And it wasn’t just powerful—it was precise.
Jiraiya thought to himself: If Riku truly masters the Senjutsu of Ryūchi Cave, then even the Fourth Hokage’s legacy may be eclipsed.
He turned to Anko and said, "If he really learns Sage Mode, there won’t be anyone in Konoha who can match him."
Anko didn’t reply. Her thoughts were preoccupied with one thing—she had to make sure no one discovered the full extent of Riku’s power.
Even though Jiraiya had witnessed it all just now, she still didn’t want him to fully understand what Riku was capable of.
Naruto, however, was silently reflecting on everything that had just happened. The gap between him and Riku had grown wider—so wide, it felt insurmountable.
They were no longer even in the same league.
That sense of pressure—of powerlessness—crushed down on him like a weight.
Even if he couldn’t catch up to Riku, he couldn’t allow himself to fall so far behind that he couldn’t even see his back anymore.
Naruto turned to Jiraiya, his expression solemn. "Pervy Sage... please teach me. I want to train—seriously."
Jiraiya looked into Naruto’s determined eyes. Clearly, Riku had shaken him to his core.
But that wasn’t a bad thing.
He had already intended to train Naruto—he had simply been waiting for the right moment to push him.
Now was the time.
With a smile, Jiraiya said, "Then show me what you’ve got. Let’s see if you’re ready."
Anko, watching the two of them, had no intention of sticking around. "Lord Jiraiya, Naruto... I’ll be heading out first."
Without waiting for a reply, she disappeared in a flash, using the Body Flicker Technique.
Back in Ryūchi Cave, Riku followed Shinya deep into the ancient domain until they arrived at the presence of the Great White Snake Sage.
The moment Shinya appeared with a human, the massive serpents of Ryūchi Cave froze in place.
Even Manda and the Green Snake stared in disbelief.
"Shinya," Manda said, narrowing his eyes. "Didn’t expect you to leave your lair."
Shinya was infamous for his violent temperament. Aside from Manda and Green Snake, none of the other serpents dared approach him. He had lived in isolation for years, never emerging—until today.
And now, he not only emerged but brought a human with him.
It was unthinkable.
Ignoring their comments, Shinya led Riku directly to the White Snake Sage. "Old thing, this is my summoner. Arrange for him to begin Sage training."
Shinya’s tone was arrogant and dismissive, as always—but the words stunned everyone.
Shinya had signed a contract with a human?
Manda slithered up beside Riku, circling him slowly. He scrutinized the boy from head to toe but saw nothing extraordinary.
"Shinya, you’ve lost your damn mind. Didn’t you always say you didn’t trust humans? And now you’ve signed a contract again?"
Shinya shot him a glance. "None of your business."
Manda’s eyes narrowed. "What was that?"
Shinya responded with a low hiss, and suddenly, natural energy surged through his entire body.
Sage Chakra exploded outward, rippling like a storm—and it immediately suppressed Manda’s own Sage Chakra.
"If you don’t want to turn to stone, shut up."
Manda wasn’t particularly afraid of Shinya, but he had no desire to fight him either. It would only end badly.
Shinya turned back to the White Snake Sage. "Old one, hurry up and set things up. Riku has a contract with Ryūchi Cave now."
The White Snake Sage didn’t seem offended by Shinya’s disrespect. Lazily puffing on her pipe, she glanced at Riku. "Interesting... you’re strong to have tamed Shinya. I honestly thought he’d never sign with a human again."
She exhaled a stream of smoke, then added, "But if you’re planning to learn Sage Mode, I hope you’re prepared to fail."
Riku nodded. "I know the risks. But anything worth having comes with danger. The greater the risk, the greater the reward."
The White Snake Sage smirked. "Well said. You’re a little more intriguing than the others."
"Sanseki, take this one to begin training."
Normally, a human would have to pass several deadly trials to be granted audience with the White Snake Sage. But since Riku had come with Shinya, none of the usual procedures applied.
Sanseki slithered forward, eyeing Riku with visible curiosity. After all, subduing Shinya was no small feat. None of them could guess how strong this human really was.
As Sanseki prepared to lead the way, Shinya moved to follow.
But the White Snake Sage interjected, "Shinya, stay here."
Shinya ignored her completely.
Riku turned back and said, "Shinya, I’ll go alone. I want some peace and quiet. You’re too noisy."
Shinya glared at him, but didn’t argue—and stayed behind.
The other snakes watching the exchange were dumbfounded. Shinya... obeyed?
Even when Shinya had formed a summoning contract in the past, he had never listened to his summoner like this.
Manda slithered over, circling Shinya again.
"You’ve changed," he said. "You used to hate humans more than anyone. Why are you suddenly following this one around like a pet?"
Shinya gave him a cold stare. "Piss me off again and I’ll turn you to stone."
Manda shrugged it off. Their relationship had always been like this—volatile but oddly respectful. Only Manda and Green Snake ever dared get close to Shinya.
Green Snake, in fact, was even stronger than Manda—on par with the artificial White Snake clone Kabuto had created during the war.
But even Green Snake wouldn’t dare challenge Shinya directly.
After Manda slithered off, Shinya muttered, "Riku’s powerful. Stronger than your contractor, Orochimaru. He could kill me easily."
"But I didn’t choose him because of that. It’s because he’s... sincere."
That, more than anything, was what won Shinya over.
Manda burst out laughing. "Hah! You’re completely insane. You really think a human can be sincere? You’ve been hiding in this cave too long. You’ve forgotten how they treat us."
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