The moment the words left its mouth, Garaga felt a flicker of impulsiveness—followed, almost immediately, by a trace of regret.
It was, after all, a great snake that had lived for a thousand years, one that possessed formidable senjutsu chakra. When had it ever lowered itself before a mere human, speaking so humbly, so deferentially?
And yet, the situation had been urgent. That human had shown no interest whatsoever in its proposal of cooperation—had even been on the verge of leaving without a second thought.
Just as he had claimed, he truly seemed to have wandered here by accident, without any ulterior motive.
Fortunately… Garaga was clever.
Feigning submission, it had taken a more circuitous approach, securing the summoning contract first. Once that bond was established, everything else could follow.
Next, it would simply reveal its true power—its overwhelming strength—and this human would inevitably be awed, convinced beyond doubt. Then, wholeheartedly, he would assist in carrying out its long-awaited revenge.
Ahahahaha…!
…At least, that had been the plan.
Reality, however, unfolded somewhat differently.
"Now that the summoning contract has been formed," Shimizu said calmly, "this is only the beginning. There are a few rules we need to establish."
"…Go ahead," Garaga replied, forcing itself into a cooperative tone. "I'm listening."
"If you refuse to follow my commands, I will terminate the contract. If you lose your temper and act recklessly, I will also terminate the contract."
He paused briefly before continuing, his voice steady but unmistakably firm.
"And once the contract is dissolved… I believe you understand what that means for matters concerning Tobi and Sasori."
"…What else?" Garaga asked, its voice tight.
Hadn't he said three rules? What was the last one?
"I haven't thought of it yet," Shimizu replied casually. "I'll let you know when I do."
"…Oh. Alright."
Endure… just endure. It's all for the future. Once my revenge is complete…
"By the way," Shimizu added suddenly, "what's the deal with your reverse scale?"
Garaga fell silent.
"Can't say?" Shimizu's curiosity only deepened. Orochimaru had claimed that removing Garaga's reverse scale would be enough to subdue it.
Was it really that simple?
For a fleeting moment, his fingers itched with the temptation to test it himself.
And yet, he had already secured the contract without ever touching that scale—so what did that make of the claim?
"If you don't want to talk about it, then don't."
"…Thank you."
"No need to thank me," Shimizu replied lightly, though his next words were far more candid. "It's not something worth arguing over."
I'll endure… I'll endure…
"Because the contract between us isn't built on trivial matters," he continued. "What matters are the promises I've made to you."
And that was the truth.
In exchange for the summoning contract, Shimizu had offered Garaga something far more significant—its heart's deepest desire.
He had promised that he would find Tobi and Sasori, capture them, and deliver them to Garaga for judgment.
If he failed, Garaga would be free to dissolve the contract at will and choose its own path.
In other words, the snake retained complete freedom—its choice, its future, entirely its own.
Such frankness. Such sincerity.
And beyond that, this human possessed the strength to challenge Tobi—then surely Sasori would not be beyond his reach either.
Where else could one find such a person?
If it remained in Ryūchi Cave, would another opportunity like this ever come again?
Garaga came to a quiet conclusion.
It had profited greatly from this arrangement.
After all, it was a snake that knew how to be content.
"…I understand," it said softly.
…
…
…
"In less than a day, and you've already returned. I must say, Uzuki-kun, that was quicker than expected."
Ichikishima-hime floated gracefully in the air, one hand supporting her chin as she clicked her tongue in mild astonishment.
"To think, Shimizu—you actually managed to subdue Garaga."
What…?
What did this Ichikishima just say? Subdue me?
"Who could possibly subdue me? Who would even dare?!"
"Ichikishima, you—" Garaga began, its voice rising with ferocity as its massive body coiled, menace gathering like a storm.
"Garaga," Shimizu said quietly, a single word of warning.
"…Yes."
The transformation was immediate. The towering snake, moments ago brimming with hostility, fell into docile silence, as meek as a lamb.
Ichikishima-hime stared as though she had just witnessed something utterly impossible. She lifted a trembling finger, pointing at the great snake.
"That… that really is Garaga?!"
"If you keep spouting nonsense, do you believe I won't swallow you whole?!" Garaga snapped, its enormous, grotesque head lowering as its tongue flickered in the air, danger thickening once more.
"Garaga. That's the second time."
"…Understood. There won't be a third."
Ichikishima-hime stood there, utterly dumbfounded.
Not far away, Orochimaru observed everything in silence. He knew well that Ichikishima-hime was one of the three great figures of Ryūchi Cave, a being who possessed immensely powerful senjutsu chakra—so formidable that even Manda would not dare act recklessly in her presence.
And yet this one-eyed, crimson snake called Garaga had spoken to her with such unrestrained arrogance… and even more astonishing, she had not flown into a rage in response.
This could only mean one thing.
This snake, too, possessed strength of a terrifying magnitude.
Orochimaru's curiosity deepened. Just how had Shimizu managed to bring such a creature to heel?
"Garaga… your reverse scale?" Ichikishima-hime's gaze sharpened as she noticed something that shook her even further.
The scale was still there.
And yet… it had already been subdued.
"How? Your reverse scale hasn't been removed… then how is this possible?"
"What, are you thinking of taking it?" Garaga hissed, its tone instantly turning hostile again.
"No… that's not it. It's just—if the scale is still intact, then how could—"
"I'll sign a summoning contract with whoever I please. What business is that of yours?!" Garaga's tongue flicked again, the air growing tense with barely restrained violence.
"Garaga is actually a very reasonable snake," Shimizu said calmly, stepping in before the situation could escalate. "I think labeling it as extremely ill-tempered is a misjudgment."
"Exactly, exactly…" Garaga quickly chimed in.
Ichikishima-hime could only stand there, stunned into silence.
After a long moment, she finally rubbed her forehead and let out a weary sigh. "Well… I suppose this works out. Grandmother won't have to worry about Garaga anymore."
With such a destructive presence removed—a wild snake no one could restrain—it was, for Ryūchi Cave as a whole, nothing short of a blessing.
Orochimaru stepped forward then, his curiosity still unsatisfied. "Shimizu-kun, did you not encounter Manda? To reach Garaga, one would have to pass through his territory."
"Ah… I did see him," Shimizu replied, scratching his cheek. "We just… exchanged greetings from a distance."
In truth, he had done little more than glance from afar.
"Hah! That brat Manda didn't even dare come near when he saw me!" Garaga sneered, baring its fangs in disdain.
So that was how it was.
Orochimaru nodded inwardly. Manda's strength, it seemed, was insufficient to contend with Garaga.
"Then how exactly did you subdue it?" he pressed.
"Subdue?" Shimizu looked faintly puzzled. "Garaga and I are partners. Friends, even."
He offered the snake an easy way out—an olive branch of dignity.
"Y-yes! That's right!" Garaga immediately seized upon it. "A strategic partnership! I mean—Shimizu and I are excellent friends!"
"Garaga is very strong," Shimizu added. "Its power is something I respect."
"Well, of course! My strength is hardly comparable to the likes of Manda!" Garaga puffed up with pride.
Ichikishima-hime, perhaps sensing that Shimizu had inadvertently resolved one of Ryūchi Cave's greatest headaches, seemed noticeably more amicable now—whether out of gratitude or a hint of wariness, it was difficult to tell.
"What do you intend to do next, Shimizu?" she asked.
"Garaga mentioned that there is a White Snake Sage in Ryūchi Cave," Shimizu said, his tone turning earnest. "She may be able to help me with my inability to learn senjutsu. If possible… I'd like to ask for an introduction, Princess."
"…Ah." Ichikishima-hime hesitated, a trace of embarrassment crossing her face. "Grandmother entered her slumber just before you arrived. I'm afraid she won't awaken anytime soon…"
"She's asleep?" Garaga muttered, sounding faintly disappointed. "What a shame."
"If you'd like, I could reverse-summon you here when she wakes?" Ichikishima-hime offered tentatively.
Shimizu let out a quiet sigh. Perhaps senjutsu truly was not something meant for him.
"In that case… we'll have to leave it for another time."