Chapter 918

"You shouldn't be here." Though her human form was just one of many transformations the white snake could assume, it was her favorite and the one she'd perfected most—yet now she regretted her usual diligence, for the cold-blooded creature's palms were sweating with tension.

Since Kaguya arrived at the Dragon's Cave, those who tried to approach—whether mindless little snakes or already intelligent giant serpents—knew one thing, and that was why they had survived until now.

Even if they were skilled hunters in the night, they too became targets of even stronger predators.

Avoiding harm and seeking benefit was perfectly embodied in snakes; thus, as Kaguya's aura rose steadily with each step she took, more and more snakes in the Dragon's Cave began to follow her from afar, countless vertical pupils watching as she entered the white snake immortal's cave.

"How should I act? Does it require my reporting to anyone? Or does little Jade think what Hagoromo gave you is the best?"

Just as the white snake was about to step forward and speak, Kaguya raised one arm—her empty palm now held a naginata, appearing as if by magic.

Before Orochimaru could make out the naginata's shape, Kaguya stood face-to-face with the white snake immortal, the naginata locked in struggle against her smoke pipe; barely had Kaguya finished speaking when the white snake immortal's precious smoke pipe emitted a groan of unbearable strain.

What kind of person was Kaguya in the white snake's eyes?

If someone truly asked, the white snake immortal truly did not know how to answer.

"Sssss!"

"Sister, look here!" The young Ōtsutsuki Hagaromo crouched beside a clump of grass she'd pulled aside, calling out to Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo, who lay lazily on a nearby hill.

"If not for the Byakugan spotting this little one, we'd have missed it entirely." The two sisters observed curiously—it was a juvenile snake, its entire body a jade green that blended seamlessly with the surroundings.

Perhaps their aura was too harmonious, for it merely lifted its head, flicked its red, forked tongue toward them, then curled back into the grass like a coiled incense stick.

Ōtsutsuki Hagaromo pointed to one side of the snake's belly.

"It's injured, sister—let's take it back and treat it?" Though it sounded like she sought Hagoromo's approval, she had already gently lifted the snake into her hands.

"Come along, little one—given how badly you're hurt, only Mother might be able to heal you."

In response to her daughters' request, Kaguya said nothing, merely took the snake silently and let it rest on her palm—Hagaromo's use of the Byakugan was still too crude; she hadn't even noticed the snake was poisoned by toad venom.

Should she add more training exercises for her two daughters?

And what was the snake doing?

Originally, she'd planned to make that damned toad her meal, but the fool had sensed her ambush—resulting not only in the loss of her meal but also in her own injury. She'd finally found a lush patch of grass to rest and heal, only to be snatched up by strangers.

Because their aura felt comforting, she willingly lowered her guard and let them carry her away.

When she awoke again, her injuries had fully healed—the pain vanished without trace, and she lay comfortably curled on Kaguya's palm.

Though still a snake with barely awakened intellect, she sensed that both those who brought her here held deep respect for this woman, and vaguely understood this was a far greater protector.

"Sssss!" She flicked her tongue in a flattering gesture, obediently lying still, assuming a posture of submission.

Kaguya was quite pleased with the little snake—her daughters had never asked her for help over anything before, but now, because her simple act of healing this creature had drawn them closer to her.

In high spirits, Kaguya didn't mind; with a wave of her hand, she infused a sliver of divine power into the snake. When the snake curled once around her palm and fell asleep, she handed it to Hagaromo, whose face was filled with concern.

"I have granted little Jade a trace of divine power—let it accompany you from now on." She casually named the sleeping snake, and though delighted by her daughters' affection, Kaguya still maintained a stern expression.

No matter how much time passed, some strange emotion in her mind always prevented her from fully releasing her feelings, from letting her express love for her children as human mothers do.

Of course, even so, Hagoromo and Hagaromo were overjoyed, deeply grateful to Kaguya—this moment, the two seemed like children who'd just received the toy they'd long desired.

Yet one thing could not be overlooked: they were both deeply grateful that Kaguya had never named them "Little Jade" when she gave them their names.

What happened afterward was even more unexpected—the little snake slept continuously for several days.