Chapter 74

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Once the reverse scale was torn off, Shin quieted down immediately, and Yōichi also instructed Gates to stop.

"Become my summoned beast, Shin," Yōichi stated his intention directly, not coddling the red serpent, "You're not irreplaceable. My Gates is more useful. If you refuse, Gates will have a hearty dinner today."

"Roar~"

Upon hearing this, Gates, too, was enticed, nodding its bear head and then licking its lips.

Shin was full of energy, which would be beneficial for Gates; consuming a few more could potentially advance it to maturity.

The cave fell silent for a moment. Seeing Shin's silence, Yōichi turned to Gates and said, "If Gates can't finish it in one meal, take it back. I'll preserve it for you in a storage scroll."

"Roar~"

Gates roared happily, then was about to bite down.

"Stop, stop, I agree, okay? I'll be your summoned beast"

"what?"

"Don't let this bear eat me!"

After the reverse scale was removed, Shin's irascibility vanished, now much calmer and naturally unwilling to become a bear's dinner.

Facing these two adversaries alone, it was confident; the bear might be odd, but it seemed too small. However, against both together, it stood no chance.

To avoid being eaten, Shin reluctantly agreed.

"Let's sign the summoning contract."

Yōichi let Gates release Shin, and man and snake began to sign the summoning contract; Gates, somewhat reluctantly, roared at Shin, scolding it for its cowardice.

Had Shin maintained its dignity, Gates could have enjoyed a feast and shortened its time to maturity.

As Yōichi was preparing the summoning scroll, he glanced at Gates, who had also been subdued at the beginning, now reprimanding Shin.

After signing the contract, Yōichi asked, "What effect does losing the reverse scale have on you?"

"I can't exert force. It will take at least a few months to recover. Master, I might not be able to fight for you during this time."

Shin now behaved submissively in front of Yōichi, realizing that its temper wouldn't work with this master. If it showed any aggression, it might end up as snake soup.

With Gates still eyeing it, Shin had no choice but to suppress its temper.

Fortunately, without the reverse scale, Shin's irritable temperament had indeed lessened.

"It's fine. I know your last master was the Third Kazekage of Sunagakure. He might be dead now. Try summoning him with reverse summoning," Yōichi suggested, then explained Shin's previous master's fate, suspecting he had become the Kazekage.

"Dead?"

Shin was stunned at the news, then suddenly raised its head and laughed loudly, forcing Yōichi to cover his ears. Knowing Shin was betrayed by the Third Kazekage, he understood Shin needed to vent.

After Shin's laughter subsided, it apologized, "Sorry, master. I couldn't control myself upon hearing that news."

"No worries, I approached you knowing your situation," Yōichi continued, "I'm not entirely sure about this news, so try reverse summoning to see."

"Understood."

Shin then wiggled its tail, performing reverse summoning in its own way.

Boom!

Smoke appeared and quickly dissipated.

"Master, that bastard is indeed dead. My summoning wasn't rejected; there was just no response."

"Alright, I'll return this reverse scale to you. Rest up for now. I'll be staying nearby for the next few days. Except for summoning you to prove the Third Kazekage's death, you can rest and heal."

Yōichi then turned to Gates, "Gates, shrink and return. Everything's settled here."

"Roar~"

"There's meat back home too. If it's not enough, ask Mina for more."

Boom!

With that, Yōichi dispelled the summoning technique, sending Gates back to Konoha.

He then advised Shin to rest well while he prepared to leave Ryūchi Cave and return to the surface village.

For the next three days, he planned to stay in the village, using up his remaining chances to absorb natural energy. The more he could absorb, the higher his chances of successfully training in Sage Mode.

If he could create a complete physique, training in Sage Mode might be a breeze.

"You really tamed Shin!"

Just as Yōichi was leaving Shin's cave, the loli Miko suddenly appeared.

"Taming Shin wasn't difficult. Taming you three snake princesses would be a challenge. Have you been waiting here, hoping Shin would defeat me and you could eat me?"

Yōichi glanced at Ichikishimahime, intending to reveal her true form sooner or later and then stand on her head in battle.

"Hmph!"

Ichikishimahime, her thoughts exposed, huffed but continued to lead the way lazily.

"What are you doing? Leading the way?"

"Of course. This is a snake den. Without me, you would have been eaten long ago."

"Without you, my Earth Bear could have had a feast. The snakes here are far more attractive to it than the beasts outside."

"Hmph, ungrateful!"

Ichikishimahime snorted but didn't leave, continuing to lead Yōichi to Ryūchi Cave's entrance, ready to return.

"Tell the White Snake Sage I'll come back later to train in Sage Mode," Yōichi said as Ichikishimahime prepared to leave, soon disappearing without a word.

Sage Mode demands a high level of chakra, and Yōichi's chakra level could still increase, far from reaching its peak. Unless he acquires more physiques capable of absorbing natural energy or significantly increases his chakra, he plans to postpone training in Sage Mode.

After leaving Ryūchi Cave, the middle-aged village chief asked Yōichi curiously, "Sir, did you find the sacred land?"

"I did, but I plan to stay here for three days before leaving," Yōichi informed the village chief. Seeing the chief's hesitance, he added, "Don't even think about going in, chief. Without the ability to cultivate chakra, joining a ninja village is your best bet to cure your madness."

There are two ways to solve their madness: learn Sage Mode or increase one's chakra to suppress the natural energy.

Without these, entering Ryūchi Cave would be futile, likely ending in being eaten.

Yōichi plans to use up his remaining chances in the next three days in the village, absorbing as much natural energy as possible. A more complete physique would make Sage Mode training much easier.