章節 77: Chapter 77 : Treasures
Shiromari gazed calmly as Orochimaru signed the scroll. Just as Orochimaru was about to speak, Shiromari interjected, "Come with me."
A swift, long tongue shot out and curled around Orochimaru, lifting him onto its back. Orochimaru held onto a raised scale, steadying himself.
Surveying the ruins of the Castle, Shiromari fell into silence for a long moment before exhaling an acidic mist. A series of sizzling sounds echoed as stone, wood, and metal disintegrated into debris under the corrosive mist.
With a sweep of its long tail, Shiromari buried the wreckage beneath a mound of earth, forever erasing the trace of the former castle.
Yet, Shiromari remained. It would become Orochimaru's summoning beast, renowned throughout the ninja world just like the legendary Sannin's summoning beasts, and a formidable presence that struck fear into hearts.
Having severed ties with its previous owner, Shiromari ventured into the forest. Its lithe, powerful legs exhibited remarkable flexibility, and its long tail maintained balance. Shiromari was surprisingly nimble despite its size.
"Nearby, I have a den, where I've stored many artifacts of Kōza Kubisaki, as well as the possessions of those I've slain. Yet, the most valuable treasures reside within me," Shiromari explained.
"Are you taking me to his treasures? That's fantastic!" Orochimaru's eyes gleamed.
Legend has it that fortune favours the bold, and every venture into treasure promises excitement. Besides, Orochimaru's rapid growth had outpaced the original storyline, but due to his focus on scientific research, he lagged behind in age and status. Hence, substantial funds were needed.
"By the way, chameleon, my name is Orochimaru, and I shall be your new master from now on. Remember it well."
"Orochimaru..." Shiromari's crimson eyes darted thoughtfully. "You indeed exude a serpentine aura. There's an uncanny power about you, akin to a formidable ninja beast!"
"Haha, quite perceptive, aren't you?" Orochimaru chuckled, a bit sheepish. Indeed, the white-scaled snake's bloodline might resonate with certain high-level ninja beasts, and Orochimaru's methods were undoubtedly unorthodox.
"Speaking of names, what's yours?" Orochimaru inquired.
"Call me Shiromari," Shiromari responded after a moment's contemplation.
"Shiromari?!" Orochimaru expressed a knowing expression. It was indeed a summoning beast from the Naruto Movie.
"Shiromari, you shall henceforth be my partner, and your name shall resound across the entire ninja world one day!"
Orochimaru's enthusiasm was palpable. It might sound unbelievable, but a powerful ninja beast was now under his command.
Shiromari led them to a valley—remote and desolate, lush with trees that obscured the surroundings. The location was conveniently close to Konoha, making it an ideal base.
Orochimaru dismounted Shiromari's back, and with a sweep of its tail, Shiromari revealed a deep cavern beneath a boulder.
Shiromari leaped into the abyss, and Orochimaru followed without hesitation.
The entrance was narrow, but the cavern widened as they descended, illuminated by shafts of light filtering in from various openings in the mountain.
The exterior foliage concealed these openings adeptly, ensuring their secrecy.
"Wow! There's so much here!"
Orochimaru marvelled at the cavern's contents. Armors of lacquered design, samurai swords, ninja kunai, and shurikens were heaped alongside large-scale war machinery like heavy crossbows and siege rams.
Many of these items could be refurbished and made useful again, untouched by age. Presumably, these were Kōza Kubisaki's strategic resources from the time he founded the country.
In addition to weaponry, various miscellaneous objects littered the cavern, including opulent carriages, attire, and furnishings. Orochimaru couldn't fathom how Shiromari had amassed such a collection.
Among the treasures lay significant amounts of gold and silver—authentic, precious metals. While their patterns and specifications may vary from the norm, they held genuine value, easily convertible.
Banknotes had yet to find their footing, especially in smaller nations like the Land of Neck. Many of these notes had devolved into worthless paper, a loss lamented by Orochimaru.
Among these riches, fine porcelain jars gleamed with vibrant enamel, boasting exquisite craftsmanship that bore the hallmark of a master artisan. There were also intricate jade pieces, calligraphy and paintings, and precious tea sets. Some containers bore no insignias of the Land of Neck, implying they had been "acquired" from intercepted caravans. Those caravans' occupants had likely met a gruesome fate at Shiromari's hands.
Orochimaru's expression grew more peculiar. Shiromari had a penchant for devouring all, including humans. In the original tale, this entity masqueraded as a ghost, feasting on unsuspecting victims for decades.
Oddly reminiscent of the summoning beast Manda, Orochimaru wondered if he'd have to supply hundreds of "offerings" each time he summoned Shiromari, an impossible task.
Yet, Orochimaru continued to inspect Shiromari's hoard, the latter observing his every move with keen interest.
"Unbelievable! So many precious gems! I thought they were crystals!"
Orochimaru's excitement dimmed as he discovered the gleaming containers were crafted rather than crystalline, perhaps contraband from pilfered caravans.
"But this beast seems to adore collecting these shiny items more than actual dragons!"
Gazing at the towering heap of treasures, Orochimaru relished the moment. Accumulated, these items could be worth billions of taels.
In today's era, this sum was equivalent to a fortune. While prosperity was scarce, Orochimaru's success eclipsed the norm, partly thanks to technological advancement.
Nonetheless, the wealth was insufficient for establishing a kingdom, especially when compared to Kōza Kubisaki's former might.
Indeed, a primitive culture persisted in this remote land.
"These are all my treasures. As my new master, you may claim one-third of them," Shiromari announced.
Orochimaru was momentarily taken aback, yet recognized the gesture's generosity given Shiromari's ownership.
"Thank you for your generosity!" Orochimaru acknowledged, leaving behind less valuable objects like glass.
Eventually, wealth paled in comparison to strength. Orochimaru prioritized several chakra-infused swords and countless ninja scrolls—resources he wouldn't lack in the future.
To Shiromari, these objects were mere trinkets, serving as "trophies" or rewards following conquests. Its penchant for human consumption stemmed from considering such individuals as enemies or "prey."
"I possess Kōza Kubisaki's most crucial possessions here—his ninjutsu and tokens. I entrust them to you."
Shiromari extricated a black parcel from its maw, presenting it to Orochimaru.
"Inside, you'll find Kōza Kubisaki's ninjutsu and emblem."
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票