Manda couldn't help but roar at Yoruha, "Kid, are you here to destroy Ryūchi Cave? Don't get too cocky. I'm not easy to bully, and even if I can't kill you, I won't let you have it easy."
Initially dismissive of Manda, Yoruha turned his gaze back to the giant snake.
After locking eyes with Yoruha, Manda instinctively took a step back. The fear Yoruha had instilled in it before was still fresh in its memory.
"What do you want?" Manda asked, staring at Yoruha with a wary expression. In truth, it was extremely anxious. Standing next to Yoruha, Sasuke looked puzzled, not understanding why Manda was so afraid of Yoruha.
He had seen Gamabunta before, and as one of the three great summoning beasts, surely this giant snake's power wouldn't be inferior to Gamabunta's.
Yet, it was so terrified of Yoruha, which was baffling. Sasuke didn't know the kind of intimidation Yoruha exerted over Manda.
After a long pause, Yoruha finally spoke, "We really got to know each other through conflict, didn't we? No need to look at me so warily. I'm here to sign a summoning contract with Ryūchi Cave. Perhaps we'll be comrades in the future."
Hearing this, Manda retorted angrily, "You're lying. You already have a tailed beast as your summoning creature. Do you think I'm stupid?" The others didn't react much, but Sasuke was stunned.
Looking at Yoruha in shock, he asked, "Yoruha, your summoning creature is a tailed beast?" Yoruha had previously explained the concept of tailed beasts to Sasuke. Similarly, Sasuke had faced off against the One-Tail.
Even Gamabunta was crushed by the One-Tail, having no power to resist and was easily defeated.
Yoruha didn't answer Sasuke's question directly, instead responding to Manda with a calm, "Who said you can only have one summoning creature?" Manda remained wary, not believing Yoruha's claim of wanting to sign a contract with Ryūchi Cave.
However, intimidated by Yoruha's power, it didn't dare to say anything more. It feared that if it upset Yoruha, he might destroy Ryūchi Cave. Though Manda was arrogant, it knew when to back down in the face of someone who could kill it.
At this moment, it stayed cautious but refrained from any actions that might provoke Yoruha. After their conversation ended, Yoruha turned to look at the White Snake Sage.
With a slight smile, Yoruha said, "You must be the sage of Ryūchi Cave. I am Yoruha, and I've come with my companion Uchiha Sasuke to request a summoning contract with you."
After speaking, Yoruha bowed slightly, showing a humble demeanor. Although Sasuke didn't understand why Yoruha was being so deferential, he followed suit and bowed slightly as well.
After all, if even Yoruha could bow, why shouldn't he? The White Snake Sage watched the scene quietly, internally quite shaken.
Even without Manda's reminder, it knew how Yoruha had passed the three trials. Yoruha's strength was undoubtedly higher than what Manda had described. Since Yoruha was showing respect, it naturally wouldn't disrespect him in return.
So, it reverted to its true form. The White Snake Sage was a giant white python, its entire body connected to the altar behind it.
"Yoruha, Manda has told me some things about you. I have a question, and I hope you can answer it."
The White Snake Sage nodded, "Please, go ahead." It was quite satisfied, sensing the vast energy within Yoruha, a power even greater than its own. Yet, Yoruha remained so polite. Such trial seekers were rare.
The White Snake Sage asked, "Manda mentioned you already have a tailed beast as a summoning creature. Why have you come to Ryuchi Cave?" "I don't think the beasts here can offer you much help."
Yoruha glanced at Sasuke beside him and said, "Actually, I've come mainly to help my companion here. I hope he can sign a summoning contract with Ryuchi Cave."
"Of course, I'd be delighted to sign a contract with Ryuchi Cave myself." The White Snake Sage nodded, "I see, you're here for this ninja beside you." "Please, Sage, allow it."
"His strength is already sufficient to summon the great snakes of Ryuchi Cave." As Yoruha spoke, he pushed Sasuke forward. Though Sasuke didn't know what Yoruha intended, he stepped up nonetheless.
"Please, Sage, allow it. I won't disappoint you," Sasuke said respectfully. Yoruha smiled slightly, "You can test him."
The White Snake Sage looked at Sasuke and asked, "Is this child from the Uchiha clan?" Sasuke replied, "I am Uchiha Sasuke." "Uchiha Sasuke, I've heard the Uchiha clan was wiped out. I didn't expect there to be a survivor."
Sasuke's expression darkened, and he said nothing more. The White Snake Sage, seeing Sasuke's reaction, didn't pay it much mind. It wasn't particularly concerned about who Sasuke was, even if he was from the Uchiha clan.
It was only because Yoruha brought him, and Yoruha seemed to value him, that it gave him a serious look.
Meanwhile, the Three Goddesses and Manda had been watching Yoruha intently from the start. Their true focus was on Yoruha, though he was playing the role of a supporting character here.
Standing beside Sasuke, Yoruha observed his performance, occasionally nodding in satisfaction or falling silent. It was as if he were watching a valued subordinate showcase themselves in front of outsiders.
In truth, Yoruha hoped Sasuke would sign a summoning contract with Ryuchi Cave.
That way, Sasuke wouldn't cause him trouble in the future. With the support of Ryuchi Cave, Sasuke's strength would increase significantly.
After asking Sasuke a few questions, the White Snake Sage turned to Yoruha and said, "Yoruha, to gain the recognition of the great snakes of Ryuchi Cave, one must defeat them. You might not have a problem, but this young man might find it challenging."
Yoruha smiled slightly, "I know he's still lacking now, but you should know he's from the Uchiha clan. His potential is immense. In a few years, he'll become incredibly powerful."
"You can't just look at the present. I guarantee that in less than three years, he'll have Kage-level strength." Sasuke, seeing Yoruha arguing on his behalf, felt deeply moved.
But he knew his current strength was insufficient, something he could sense in front of Manda. He couldn't defeat Manda yet. Sasuke could only clench his fists, silently resolving to work harder and not let Yoruha down.
The White Snake Sage looked at Sasuke, then at Yoruha, and smiled, "Very well, when he returns, let him try summoning to see if he can call forth a great snake."
In truth, the White Snake Sage wasn't very optimistic about Sasuke, but with Yoruha's assurance, it was willing to give it a try. After all, even if Sasuke didn't reach Kage-level, having Yoruha's support was beneficial.
With Yoruha's backing, the safety of Ryuchi Cave was more assured.