21 - I Have a Dream

"Could these Fire and Wind Release insights be connected...?" Shin mused, sitting cross-legged on the floor of his room. The system rewards aren't random. There's always a pattern.

He recalled that Scorch Release came from combining fire and wind chakra. As for earning the Summoning Jutsu, he wasn't sure if it came from saving Ajisai or helping stabilize Hanzō—both were accomplished summoners. While it could be coincidence, patterns like this rarely were.

However, he didn't dwell too much on the source of the reward. What intrigued him more was how the system mentioned that a lost summoning scroll would be rewarded to him as part of an event. He wondered what kind of event that would be.

He didn't have to wonder long. Just two days later, the event arrived.

One of the members of Akatsuki approached him. The messenger's breath came in short bursts, as if they'd rushed to deliver the news.

"Did you know? We've got some new recruits in our organization!"

"Several ninja who fled from the borders have joined us. I heard they come from a declining minor ninja clan. These individuals were moved by Yahiko-sama's ideals and not only joined us but also contributed all their family's treasured jutsu scrolls to the organization!"

Shin leaned forward slightly, keeping his expression neutral despite his growing interest. "What kind of jutsu scrolls did they bring?"

"There's a wide variety." The member gestured animatedly. "I even heard they brought a rare summoning scroll. It's been sitting untouched for generations—no one's signed any contracts with it yet!"

So that's it, Shin thought, realizing the system's event had arrived. It seemed the system didn't have the ability to create physical objects out of thin air. Otherwise, it wouldn't have had to take such a roundabout way to deliver this reward to him.

Interesting—the way it obeyed the law of conservation of mass. Even supernatural powers had their limits. Good to know.

Soon after, Shin followed the Akatsuki members to meet the new ninja recruits. At that moment, they were gathered around Yahiko, listening to one of his speeches.

"I have a dream today," he declared. "A dream deeply rooted in every shinobi's destiny."

"I have a dream that one day, the great nations will live up to their true promise: that all shinobi are created equal, free to live without fear."

"I have a dream that one day the children of war-torn villages will join hands with the children of the great nations as brothers and sisters."

"I have a dream that our land of endless rain will transform into an oasis of freedom and justice."

"I have a dream that our small village will rise as a symbol of hope—where shinobi are judged not by their headband's symbol, but by their dedication to peace."

"I have a dream that the children of Ame will grow up in a nation where they need not watch their parents fall to foreign wars, where they'll never know our pain. Where every child can walk free, without fear of becoming another orphan of endless conflict."

"I have a dream that one day all shinobi will join hands and proclaim: Free at last!"

"Free from the cycle of hatred at last!"

"Free from the chains of war at last!"

"This is our hope. With this faith, we'll stand together. And fight together, knowing that peace will one day reach all lands."

"This is my dream—our eternal dream of peace!"

"This is Akatsuki!"

Shin didn't interrupt and instead smiled from the side, remarking, "In some ways, Yahiko certainly has a unique charisma." Perfect for inspiration, terrible for strategy.

He was glad he hadn't rushed to push Yahiko aside. This man was a natural at rallying people and could probably serve well as a figurehead or motivational speaker.

If Shin had been in his place, he might have tricked people into going bankrupt, but he definitely wouldn't have been able to inspire them to willingly give everything like Yahiko did. Different tools for different tasks. Let him handle the hearts while I handle the minds.

Yahiko wasn't suited to be a leader, but he was excellent at recruiting and handling ideological work within Akatsuki. As long as he wasn't given command of military operations, everything should be fine. 

Shin stopped paying attention to the brainwashing of the new recruits and instead turned to the person beside him, "Where are the scrolls they contributed?"

"Right this way, Captain Shin. Follow me." The member led him through dimly lit corridors, past stacks of supplies and weapons.

By now, those scrolls had already become public assets of Akatsuki. 

Soon enough, Shin found himself in the warehouse, looking at the summoning scroll. "Do you know what kind of summoning animal this is for?"

The Akatsuki member beside him shifted uncomfortably, shaking his head.

"Not really. Those ninjas said that many years ago, one of their clan's elders did something terrible to a summoning beast while they were fleeing, and as a result, the summoning beast has refused to serve their clan ever since. These younger ninjas don't even know what the summoning beast looks like anymore."

No wonder the system called this the 'lost' Summoning Scroll.

It felt like opening a mystery box.

The system hasn't led me wrong yet. Whatever this summon is, it will be useful.

Trusting in the system, he didn't hesitate. Under the surprised gazes of the others, he quickly unfurled the scroll and signed his name at the bottom, pressing his handprint down.

"Captain Shin, are you sure you don't want to think it over a bit more?"

"It's fine. I'll just consider this as paving the way for the organization," Shin said with a carefree smile.

Then, forming hand seals with both hands, his fingers moving with precision despite never having performed this technique before, he called out: "Summoning Jutsu!"

With the knowledge he had gained from his dreams, Shin successfully performed the summoning on his first try.

With a poof sound, white smoke exploded in the warehouse, obscured everything from view. As it cleared, what appeared was—

A tiny elephant, no bigger than a house cat, standing on the wooden floor.

"An elephant?" One of the Akatsuki members, charmed by its small size, reached out to pet it.

But just as his hand neared its head, the elephant's eyes sharpened, and a cold glint flashed.

"Ah!" The Akatsuki member yanked his hand back as the trunk whipped up, nearly crushing his arm.

"Hmm? Where am I? Just moments ago I was in Sora-ku..." The elephant's clear, childlike voice made everyone freeze. It blinked, taking in its surroundings with intelligent eyes that seemed to miss nothing.

"It... it speaks?!"

"An intelligent summoning animal?"

The members exchanged stunned looks, backing away slightly. Intelligent summoning beasts were exclusive to the major ninja villages.

Even Ajisai, their summoning specialist, could only summon mindless animals—such was the fate of those from small nations. This would remain true even when she later became Pain's Animal Path, her summons growing in size but never in wisdom.

Ninja partnerships with cats, dogs, and frogs were luxuries minor village shinobi could only dream of. But an intelligent elephant summon? That was unheard of.

The elephant drew up to its full height, tiny as it was, and surveyed its audience proudly. "Oh? A summoning? Who among you has called me? Step forward!" Its trunk curled elegantly as it gestured. "Let me see if you're worthy of becoming our first human contractor in generations!"

Intelligent summoning animals would choose their own masters—it wasn't enough just to sign the scroll. Even Naruto had to prove himself to Gamabunta in a grueling day-long trial.

Shin watched the tiny elephant with great interest. Despite its size, it carried itself with dignity.

"I'm the one who summoned you. May I ask your name?" he asked as he met the elephant's gaze steadily.

The elephant studied him carefully, its eyes seeming to pierce through flesh and bone to something deeper. As time passed, its initially scrutinizing gaze softened.

"Not bad. Your chakra is excellent, your physique reminds me of my kin—strong and steady." The elephant circled Shin once, trunk occasionally twitching as if sensing something. "Alright then, the contract is established."

"Ok... Did you just say you can see chakra? And identify bloodlines?" Scout, fighter, and sensor all in one. The system outdid itself this time.

"These abilities are just the basics." The elephant's trunk swayed with pride.

"What else can you do?" Shin leaned forward slightly, genuinely curious. The other Akatsuki members had backed away, giving them space but still watching with undisguised interest.

"I'm skilled in Earth Release, possess immense strength even at this size, and know defensive jutsu." The elephant's ears flapped enthusiastically as it listed its abilities. "I can use the Body Flicker, sense chakra, and even perform medical ninjutsu."

"And I can adjust my size at will, though I'm keeping small right now because I was visiting friends in Sora-ku. Having the same size as the ninja cats there makes things more fun!"

"Oh, and I haven't properly introduced myself—I'm Ayumi!"

Shin smiled warmly. "So your name is Ayumi. I'm Shin. I look forward to working together."

"Likewise! But just so you know, my fee is at least one basket of sweet fruits per hour." Ayumi's trunk swayed in a businesslike manner. "My rates are very fair; I'm not trying to scam you!"

Shin raised an eyebrow, amused. "Let me guess—you learned about 'fair rates' from a cat in Sora-ku?"

Ayumi's ears flapped in surprise. "Oh? How did you know? The cats there are quite particular about their compensation systems." The elephant seemed impressed by his deduction.

"No problem. What kind of fruits do you prefer?" Shin asked, already planning logistics in his mind.

"Bananas!"

Shin's smile froze for a moment. The temperature in the warehouse seemed to drop several degrees. Of all the fruits in existence...

"What else?" he asked, maintaining his composure with effort. His fingers twitched almost imperceptibly.

"Mangoes!" Ayumi's eyes sparkled even brighter. "They're actually my favorite!" The elephant bounced slightly in place, clearly excited about the prospect of sweet treats.

Shin's genuine smile returned. He had found a good partner.

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A/N: After 20 chapters, I believe it's time to mention my P@treon!

p@treon.com/Malphegor