Book One: The Rise of the Blue-Haired Devil.

      It was only after a week that I was able to stand on my own two feet. During that time I thought about a lot of things, because there wasn't much to do. What can I say? The snakes did me a big favour by keeping me alive. My broken arm had healed, although to be honest, I doubted very much that I would be able to use it afterwards. I never got to talk to Morgana. Apparently, until I could use the chakra, our telepathic link wouldn't work. What was there to talk about when I couldn't even get into my subconscious. The snakes have been very good to me, though apart from Delta, I've barely interacted with any of them. By the way, Delta visited me several times a day. A very kind and sweet creature, though a snake. I guess it's the prejudice in me that plays out when I see snakes. Always seemed like they were some kind of evil or something. Delta brightened my days, because otherwise, I could have easily become depressed, left alone with my thoughts, which were far from positive. My delay could have had serious consequences for my clan and the future alliance of the Water Country clans. Byakuren would certainly keep them from instantly splitting, but his powers might not be enough to permanently curb the ambitions of these ninjas. And he himself is not without such a problem, though he carefully hides it. But I have no choice, I am too young to become the leader of an entire village while uniting several villages into a single entity.       Even though I have proven my strength, I believe that it is better to let a person with more experience stand at the helm than a young and inexperienced one. Yes, I'll probably learn quickly what to do and how to do it right, but I already intuitively understand what will lead to the formation of ninja villages. It's unlikely that everyone will want to live in a peaceful union forever. Most people are greedy by nature, and even if there are adequate and sane rulers at the helm, it is even worse, because they will think only about their subjects, and they, in turn, will always lack something. Some lack fresh water, some lack fertile land, and some just lack space. All of these things create problems that encourage people to go to war. Don't think anything of it, I am against war, however now there will be chaos going on that I have no control over. All I can do is prepare for it better than anyone else. It will help me keep myself and my loved ones safe. In fact, I was well aware of the huge strategic advantage my country has. We're not on the mainland, which gives us the opportunity for better defence due to the fact that the enemy will have to come to us by ship, and on the other hand, we have problems with wood and metals. You can't build a lot of houses, and you can't build a lot of cold weapons. Who will start the war first? It's a complicated question, but judging by the land crisis problem, it will be either the Lightning Country or the Wind Country. Lightning country has freshwater rivers, but almost no fertile land. For the record, we also have a shortage of this asset, but we can deal with it through fishing. The Wind Country is even worse, it has almost nothing at all, except glass and precious metals, which although other countries need them, but not in such large quantities that we can buy these resources by the tonnes from the Wind Country. In fact, the Wind Country is a vast desert, in which a real miracle can meet an oasis. It's hard for me to judge how the ninja clans survive there, as there is almost no drinking water on the surface. Perhaps they have some underground springs. But water is one thing, where do they get their food from? In general, I think that if the clans there can unite, the war will be favourable to them first of all.       I realised from a long and tedious conversation with the heads of the Water ninja that there are territories in the world that do not belong to big countries. The Daimae of the countries thus tried to make a barrier between each other at one time, so that neither side could strike quickly and unexpectedly. It's understandable that the Great Countries used to fight amongst themselves as well. Perhaps there was no such concept as ninja back then, so the wars were of the nature of battles with cold weapons. I've gone off the deep end... What do I want out of this war? If it were up to me, I would simply wait for the decline of aggression from the other powers. Once their combat power drops, then destroying them would be a very simple matter. It's easiest to rule one large country than to put up with the ambitions of others. Many shinobi will die? Yes. Is it cruel? Yes. But the number of those deaths, compared to the entire population of the planet, is a grain of sand in a vast desert. Peace is much better than war, and in time, the ninja population will return to normal, although they will only be needed to catch bandits and mercenaries. Yeah, I'm pretty sure the underground world here is far better developed than the civilised ninja world. What makes me think that? It's very simple. I've been sold into slavery... And the heads of the great countries are encouraging it. That's a huge wake-up call. Before I can even dig into this, I've stumbled onto the slavery shit. We're gonna have to deal with that, but that's for later. Right now, I need to think about how to convince the clan leaders not to get involved in a war that seems to favour them. What else did I do while I was alone? Studying my new skin. Interesting, it has a very high durability. I couldn't even hurt myself with a kunai. I feel like a turtle now, though the tingling sensation is still present when trying to pierce. I didn't use chakra in my punches, of course, but I was hitting with decent force. Delta even helped me out once, hitting me a couple of times with her tail. My skin took it well, but my back crunched a few times. I'd like to study my blood, I'm curious about it, and I'd like to ask Morgana to help me accumulate Sage chakra. Then I can constantly accumulate this sen chakra in my seal, which will allow me to be in Sage mode all the time. My eyes had already become accustomed to the semi-darkness of the cave. On the eighth day I felt no more pain.... I was still tired, but that was nothing compared to everything that had gone before. Delta, seeing my vigour, took me to the Sage at once. We walked for quite a long time, my eyes helping me to navigate in the dark, though not completely. On the way we met a great number of snakes, who squinted at me in a very unfriendly manner. No wonder. I am a stranger to them. I have yet to show my intentions towards them. But I must admit that few of these snakes looked at me with hostility. Mostly I could see the look of distrust and doubt on their faces. I think that if Delta hadn't accompanied me, a few snakes would have tried to bite me. They do a good job of showing their teeth.       We stopped several times along the way. A couple of times I was offered a snack, and other times I was introduced to the influential individuals of the place. Delta was very polite and respectful to everyone, though that was not surprising, for she was said to be the daughter of one of the strongest snakes in Riuchi Cave. She did not tell me her father's name, for it is customary for them to give their name only when they meet. Strange rules, but tolerable. I can't help it. I'll get used to it. Our final stop was a very large room. There were several arches that were ready to split open. Their construction did not make me feel safe or secure in this place at all. In the centre of it all was a throne on which sat what I understood to be the Sage. The Sage is an extremely large snake, an island stripe, many times the size of a human with its massive body wrapped in thick coils. Along these coils are yellow circular stripes. On its head, this snake had a turban with two pointed edges and a red sphere on top along with an orange headdress. This Sage had a long cigarette in its mouth and smoke was coming out of its mouth every now and then. Another distinctive feature of this serpent was a chain with a green sphere around its neck.       - Hello, Sage. - Delta spoke with respect in her voice. She even stopped hissing, which spoke of her excitement. She bowed her head in acknowledgement of the power. I too bowed to this great creature. I can hardly handle such a huge creature, and if this Sage has some kind of technique, then there's no chance at all. I don't think any of my techniques can penetrate his skin. I'm not even talking about punches.       - You...," the Sage said with mixed emotions, looking at me. I didn't even understand what he was saying, but I tensed involuntarily. His voice sounded strange.       - My name is Michiko Yuki. - I decided to introduce myself, because there was an awkward silence after the words of the White Snake, who for a minute has been drilling me with such a look that I wanted to escape from this cave.       - Interesting-sss... - the Sage stretched out with a kind of incomprehensible tone. He's so hard to understand... It's just horrible...       - What do you want for my salvation? - I asked, trying to keep my tone calm.       - What do you want for your existence? - The Sage asked me a question in return. It made me squirm. Did he realise that I was not of this world? What kind of strange questions are these? Ugh... A strange and powerful being. - I want you to sign a summoning contract with us and fully master our Hermit mode. - White Snake added after a while, apparently realising that I wouldn't answer her question. I shifted my gaze to Delta, who was in a state of complete shock at the Sage's words. My companion nervously wagged her tail. This was very strange behaviour for her.       - What's the conscription contract? - I asked a logical question, because I didn't know what it was.       - It's a contract that allows you to summon us at any time, as well as to appear in Ryuchi's cave. - The White Serpent explained in a calm voice.       - Sage, I don't understand, why him? - Delta suddenly asked. There was so much curiosity in her voice that I even took a step back.       - Because he is pure of heart. Even if by accident, he helped you. He doesn't crave power like everyone else, so he is worthy of possessing that power. - replied the Sage to the question asked. At the same moment, a scroll appeared in front of me and unfolded by itself. Contract with snakes... There are no more users, which is strange. It puzzled me once again.       - Don't be afraid, you are the first one worthy of our support. Write your name in blood and leave your fingerprints at the end. - As if reading my mind, the White Serpent explained. Signing contracts in blood was not new to me, so I did it quickly.       - Delta, take him to the cave of insight. - Sage said more affectionately as he watched me sign the treaty. My attendant only nodded. We were already at the exit of the hall when the Sage spoke again.       - Don't forget the stones of pain. - said the White Serpent, grinning predatorily. He threw some kind of sack next to Delta, who, quickly picking it up, also grinned back. Oh, I don't like this. I feel like I'm going to get in some kind of trouble....