"This..."
Jiraiya, who had just released Needle Jizo, looked at the scene before him and felt a bitter taste in his mouth.
All this time he'd trained so hard, thinking he'd finally have his moment to shine in this battle and impress these buddies with his strength.
But...
Compared to Kagura's insane performance, his earlier excitement about defeating enemies had completely vanished.
At that moment, Orochimaru's breath quickened.
Is this the power of the Uchiha?
Mysterious, dangerous, yet extraordinarily powerful.
Incredible!
Envy-inducing!
Desirable...
He craved it. Craved it badly!
Gradually, Orochimaru's gaze softened into one of longing. A faint, dangerous glint sparkled in his eyes.
Feeling that intense stare from behind, Kagura couldn't help but shiver.
Glancing secretly at Orochimaru, he silently became alert:
"This creep... wouldn't happen to be into guys, right?"
Compared to Orochimaru, after her initial surprise, Tsunade now appeared much calmer, though occasional flickers of subtle admiration and affection showed in her eyes when she looked at Kagura.
Hiruzen Sarutobi still kept his arms crossed over his chest. Regarding Kagura's mastery of genjutsu, he had already suspected it from the incident involving Watanabe Tsuyoshi.
As for Kagura's combat achievement, he wasn't particularly surprised.
After all, defeating Nagare Ninja whose strength was at most equivalent to Konoha's Genin wasn't anything worth being proud about.
That's exactly why he hadn't planned to intervene from beginning to end.
Actually, compared to Kagura, he was more satisfied with Jiraiya and Orochimaru's progress.
Fuchuan, the fat guy, once again pulled out his handkerchief and wiped away imaginary sweat from his forehead.
While Hiruzen Sarutobi could judge enemy strength accurately and remain calm,
For regular folks like him, that battle had been quite a thrill.
With the leader's fall, this fight officially ended.
According to ninja rules, they began cleaning up the battlefield.
During the fight they didn't feel much, but when facing the bloody corpses, all four felt physical discomfort.
After quickly disposing of the corpses, Tsunade couldn't hold it in any longer and threw up by a tree.
The others' faces paled too—even the infamous pervert-to-be, Orochimaru, looked unusually pale.
Giving his disciples some time, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke:
"Okay, prepare yourselves. We need to leave quickly."
Due to this unexpected event, the distant sky's sunset had already half hidden beneath the horizon.
The afterglow had turned dark red; darkness began spreading throughout the forest as everyone realized night was approaching.
Fortunately, they originally planned to camp in this forest tonight anyway.
Before complete darkness fell, they finally found a suitable place and built a campfire.
Currently, Hiruzen Sarutobi watched curiously as Kagura busied himself.
A large pot hung on a temporary wooden rack.
Kagura kept adding various ingredients and spices into the pot.
Before long, a rich aroma started drifting out of the pot.
She scooped up a bowl with a spoon and respectfully handed it to Hiruzen Sarutobi with both hands.
Looking at the appetizing ingredients in the bowl and smelling the continuous fragrance, Hiruzen couldn't help but gulp.
He took a bite eagerly — a flavor unlike anything he'd ever tasted exploded across his tongue.
The meat, cooked just right, blended perfectly with the spices. As he swallowed, he felt warmth radiating from his stomach throughout his body.
Tsunade and her companions clearly knew about Kagura's exceptional cooking skills. Without waiting for Kagura to serve them, they rushed to fill their bowls.
For a while, the only sound was the quiet crunching of food being eaten.
Even Fuchuan jokingly suggested to Kagura after finishing several bowls that if he ever decided to quit being a ninja, they could partner up to open a restaurant together.
He promised on his reputation as a businessman that it would be a smashing success.
As for Fuchuan's suggestion, Kagura remained noncommittal.
In fact, when camping outdoors, he couldn't really prepare anything extravagant—the current dish was nothing more than ordinary braised beef with potatoes.
It simply contained some special spices he had researched over recent years.
After having their fill, the fatigue from traveling during the day finally eased quite a bit.
Looking over at Jiraiya, Orochimaru suddenly faced Hiruzen and asked:
"Sensei Sarutobi, can we also learn the Summoning Technique?"
Clearly, Jiraiya's earlier display of power had sparked Orochimaru's interest in summoning techniques.
Looking around and noticing Tsunade and Kagura also showed interest, Hiruzen smiled and replied:
"Of course you can. The Summoning Technique is actually just a Class-C ninjutsu technique.
Once learned, anyone can attempt to summon their own summoning beast.
Of course, summoning techniques are divided into two types: one for summoning tools and one for summoning beasts."
[Summoning Beast]
As he spoke, he directly summoned his own summoning beast in front of everyone.
With a puff of smoke, a muscular monkey dressed in ninja attire and wielding a staff appeared before them.
After appearing, the monkey glanced around briefly before looking at Hiruzen and speaking:
"Hey old buddy,
What do you need me for?
This doesn't seem like a place for fighting."
Sarutobi-sensei smiled awkwardly and replied: "I'm sorry, I'm just doing a demonstration for my students.
Thanks for coming all the way here."
Upon hearing this answer, the monkey rolled its eyes.
Another puff of white smoke rose, and it vanished from sight.
Witnessing this scene, Kagura and the others all displayed curious expressions.
Hiruzen continued:
"When you use the Summoning Technique for the first time, if there's a summoning beast willing to respond to your call, it will directly appear before you.
As long as you're willing to sign a blood contract with it, next time you'll be able to directly summon the specific summoning beast you've contracted with.
In fact, many clans have their own fixed summoning beasts—for example, our Sarutobi clan typically signs contracts with Enma."
Fixed summoning beast?
Kagura tried to recall what he had learned and asked Hiruzen Sarutobi,
"Sensei Sarutobi, why don't the Uchiha clan seem to have fixed summoned beasts?"
Hiruzen looked at him meaningfully before replying,
"That's because historically, the Uchiha didn't need binding contracts.
The Uchiha later relied on their powerful dojutsu, which could basically force control over any summoned beasts.
Your ancestor, the famous Madara Uchiha, summoned the Nine-Tails.
That's why there was once a rule in the Ninja World:
Never summon a beast in front of an Uchiha."
Upon hearing this, the others shot Kagura envious glances.
Kagura's expression shifted slightly, silently scolding himself for almost forgetting about that part of the lore.
Looking at everyone present, Hiruzen changed the topic,
"Well then, if you'd like to try the Summoning Technique now, feel free.
With me here, nothing should go wrong."
At his words, everyone except Jiraiya showed eager expressions.
After briefly studying the Summoning Technique, Kagura and the others quickly mastered it.
Under Tsunade and Orochimaru's nervous gazes, they both attempted their first uses of the Summoning Technique.
As two puffs of smoke appeared, small summoned beasts emerged in front of each of them.
Seeing those summoned beasts, Kagura wore a look of confirmation.
Before Tsunade stood a tiny slug with blue-and-white patterns. It was slowly crawling on her palm.
Without the usual sliminess of slugs, this one gave off a gentle and cute vibe.
Delighted, Tsunade cupped her hands and carefully examined it up close.
Orochimaru's summons, on the other hand, was a small white snake.
He gently cradled it too, as the snake flicked its tongue affectionately against his palm.
Watching both companions successfully summon their personal beasts, Kagura couldn't help but feel eager to try it out himself.
Although Sensei Sarutobi had just mentioned that technically speaking, the Uchiha didn't need summoned beasts.
But imagining how later during fights, when the Sannin made hand seals, three gigantic creatures would appear.
Yet he'd have to borrow someone else's summoning beast on the spot?
That would be so embarrassing!
Thinking thus, he stopped hesitating and quickly formed the hand seal, slamming his palm onto the ground!
"Poof!"
The smoke started clearing, revealing gradually the true form within.
However, when everyone saw what had been summoned, they were all greatly shocked!
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