Chapter 98 : Scarlet Serpent
Despite the massive creature that had suddenly appeared before him, Riku remained perfectly calm.
Anko, on the other hand, was completely stunned. "How... how can this be?!"
Having once signed a Summoning Contract with Ryūchi Cave, Anko immediately recognized what was happening.
She had gone to Ryūchi Cave before—alongside Orochimaru.
And so, she knew exactly who the crimson serpent looming before them was.
Hissss~
"Who dares disturb my sleep?"
A massive crimson snake, tens of meters long, coiled before Riku and Anko, its eyes gleaming with menace.
Just then, Jiraiya arrived on the scene with Naruto. When he caught sight of the enormous snake, his face froze in shock. "Did you... summon this thing?"
Riku gave a simple nod. "Yeah. Why?"
Jiraiya couldn’t believe it. For a first Summoning, calling forth a creature on par with Manda was beyond extraordinary.
But the aura this snake gave off was unmistakable—it was not a beast easily tamed.
"Kid, this snake seems dangerous. Are you sure you can control it? Not even Orochimaru could handle that one."
Riku’s lips curled into a faint smile as he faced the snake exuding killing intent.
Anko, pale with dread, whispered urgently, "Riku, this is bad. That giant snake... it’s named Shinya . Back at Ryūchi Cave, its temper was even worse than Manda’s. When Orochimaru encountered it, Shinya didn’t show him an ounce of respect—didn’t even acknowledge the Snake Sage."
"Now that it’s been summoned, it’ll be hard to send it back."
But Riku only smiled. "Sister Anko, I went to all the trouble to summon it. Why would I send it back?"
Anko gaped at him. "Are you crazy?! Do you even understand what kind of snake this is? It’s not suitable to be a Summoning beast!"
Riku didn’t respond. Truthfully, he didn’t know much about Shinya . He was more familiar with Manda and the Green Snake.
But considering how much chakra he had poured into this Summoning, he figured Shinya power had to be at least on par with Manda.
Jiraiya could sense it too— Shinya chakra was overwhelming, likely even greater than Manda’s. But its temperament was several times more volatile.
From the moment it appeared, it seemed ready to lash out at the one who summoned it.
Anko stood frozen, visibly frightened. The memory of nearly being eaten by this serpent when Orochimaru took her to Ryūchi Cave still haunted her.
Jiraiya, meanwhile, knew nothing of Shinya beyond the stories. No one had summoned it in ages, not since its contract with its last master had been dissolved.
But judging by Anko’s fear and the sheer weight of its chakra, this serpent was clearly on a level equal to—or even beyond—Manda.
Jiraiya started forming hand signs, preparing to summon a toad just in case things escalated.
"You summoned a snake like this on your first try?" Jiraiya said, half in awe, half in concern. "Naruto wasn’t exaggerating—your strength is the real deal. But this snake’s temper is no joke. I’m not confident I can rein it in if things go south."
But Riku remained completely composed. "Don’t worry. I’ll handle it myself. I will make this snake submit."
Jiraiya raised a brow. His instincts screamed that this serpent was more dangerous than Manda, and here was Riku speaking to it like it was a house pet.
Still, what could he do? The Summon had already appeared.
As Jiraiya readied himself, Shinya turned to face Riku, its vertical pupils narrowing as it hissed.
"Hey, big snake. What’s your name?" Riku asked.
The serpent sneered. "So it was you who dared summon me, human?"
"Yes," Riku answered calmly. "You’re my Summoning beast now. You don’t have to accept that right away—but I’ll fight until you do."
Jiraiya flinched slightly, wanting to clamp his hand over Riku’s mouth before he could provoke the snake further.
This thing radiated even more pressure than Manda.
But strangely, Shinya didn’t strike immediately. Instead, it growled, "Summoning me at your age? I’ll admit your chakra isn’t weak... but I hate humans more than anything. And you summoned me?"
"You’ll regret this."
Riku didn’t care about the snake’s hatred for humans. "So you’re not satisfied?" he said, his tone as calm as ever.
Naruto, standing off to the side, could tell Riku was about to make a move. His fists clenched in worry. This snake looked cool, sure, but could Riku really tame something so dangerous?
But to Shinya , Riku’s fearlessness was... intriguing. Most humans screamed or begged when it appeared. In the end, it either turned them to stone or devoured them whole.
But this one...
Without breaking eye contact, Riku reached back and gently pulled Anko behind him.
"From now on, you’ll know who your master is," Riku said softly.
The words hit a nerve. Shinya suddenly remembered its former master—and the rage came flooding back. With a roar, it lunged toward Riku, maw open wide, ready to swallow him whole.
Jiraiya immediately began forming seals, ready to summon Gamabunta in defense.
But Riku had already acted.
Just as the fangs were about to close around him, Riku’s fist gleamed with wind-charged chakra.
BOOM—
With a thunderous crash, Riku’s punch struck Shinya directly in the face, hurling the massive serpent dozens of meters away.
Everyone—Jiraiya, Anko, Naruto—stood frozen.
Jiraiya, eyes wide, muttered, "That punch... that wasn’t just Jonin-level. No average Jonin could possibly hit that hard..."
Riku lowered his fist and turned to glance back at the others. "Sister Anko, Naruto—back away from the battlefield. I can’t fight properly if I’m worried about you two."
Snapping out of her daze, Anko nodded quickly. "Be careful."
"I’ll be watching," Naruto added, eyes still wide.
"I’ll handle this snake. Don’t worry," Riku said.
With a flash of lightning, his body vanished.
He reappeared beside Shinya in an instant, fists already flying.
In under a minute, the serpent’s massive body was being pummeled from all angles.
Shinya tried everything—snapping jaws, swipes of its tail, clouds of venom—but Riku moved too fast, and each blow from him hurt more than the last.
The serpent had never been overpowered like this.
Worse, it couldn’t even touch him.
The pain racking its body was real.
And in its mind, one thought kept repeating:
This boy’s strength... it surpasses even that of my previous master.
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