Chapter Thirty Two- The Four Clans
"This will be your room for the night, tomorrow we will bring together the council," Mufoso said as he led me to a floor under Peru's chamber, the room was simple but luckily it seemed to be made for a bipedal person. A toilet instead of a litter box was what I was most thankful for, despite my other problems with the situation.
"You two still won't send me back? I've already become your summoner, don't I deserve some face in this regard?" I asked with a sigh, I estimated I'd been in this realm for over a day, based on the encounter with the cubs, the climb up here, and the nap I had which I doubted was anything less than half a day.
"Deserve you say? In my opinion, you don't 'deserve' what you've already been given for just being 'interesting'. But I won't blame you for your ignorance, you are a child after all." Pathera commented from my left. "Yet I won't fault you for that but I surely won't just allow you to disappear in a puff of smoke without knowing your duties as our summoner. Nor without even knowing the abilities and specialties of your partners. To be the sole holder of a complete contract is something I'm sure most of your society will kill for. So shut up, go to bed, and we'll come and retrieve you in the morning!" It seemed I'd touched a nerve as she slammed the door to my room.
'Well, I guess everyone can wait….. Not like they believe me dead.' I sighed at the reprimands I'd have to deal with from sensei and probably Captain Yoru as well. But still, it wasn't like I didn't have projects and things to do now that I knew that I was probably a thousand miles from the conflict.
Four clones appeared next to me…. 'No, I'm done taking things slow when there is no reason to, if I'm stuck in this realm for the foreseeable future, then I'm going to get the most out of it' With resolve filling me I dumped every extra stat point I had into intelligence.
(Intelligence: 104-(164) (Chakra 600/2600-( 2,100/4,100)
The power in my stomach swelled like never before, as if somebody let off a paper bomb in my stomach. It flowed in my pathways and the tiled flooring under me cracked as four more clones appeared around me.
Going from feeling so powerful I could split a mountain to weaker than an average genin was a stunning experience. But when you only left yourself with a sliver of chakra that was to be expected.
It was going to prove to be the best idea I'd ever have, because with eight clones all focusing on the task of splitting a leaf. With eight of them working for an hour, that's eight hours of training. So if they work for a day it would be eight entire days of training without stop or rest.
Luckily I only had to deal with the aftermath so in the meantime I could go through my inventory, open everything that's been collecting dust, and well, of course, sleep.
Inventory-
Gear/Weapons-
Name: Wind's Call
Type: Accessory
Effect: Increases the power of wind-natured attacks by 10%
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Name: T****k* Bl**e
Type: Weapon
(Passive) Effect: Any chakra pushed into the blade will automatically be attuned with the power of fire.
Effect:?????????
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Unopened Rewards-
Common Loot cache X2
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Uncommon Loot Cache
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Rare Loot Cache
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Epic Item Cache
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Minor Contract(Crows)
I've managed to stack up five of the random boxes I got my earring from. Four different tiers as well, based on everything else I received from the scroll then whatever was in the Epic Cache should be superior to the earring I now wore.
The minor contract wasn't that groundbreaking as I probably could've got one from the Uchiha clan despite the headache that was.
They had a merit system, where you do missions or projects that could range from helping the clan shopkeeper to improving and spreading the Uchihas name throughout the world. I never went into the details of this system of rewards but Uncle Koshu did tell me I had a few merits stashed away from the battle against Russo of The Iron Sand.
From what I've heard the rewards weren't anything to scoff at either, a clan vault that has been storing and guarding treasures since the days of the Sage? There were surely a few diamonds stashed away, S-ranked fire release jutsu, blades, and other powerful weapons. Probably even mementos of past fallen clans or possibly even a tool of the Sage himself. Now knowing the true history of the clan I couldn't imagine what could be collecting dust in the vault.
I first opened the two common and the single uncommon cache at once. Receiving fifty thousand Zeni, a set of soldier pills, and a 'demon wind shuriken set'.
A particularly dangerous shuriken as it was made as two so that when thrown, the second would hide in the shadow of the first. That would be a great combo with my new Shadow shuriken jutsu, I'd bet if I used a decent amount of chakra I could mow down a few squads of genin on the frontline. 'Thanks again Senju bastard'
Next came the rare cache that opened with more flourish than the other two, the same rank as the 'blue' amour crate I received as my only piece of worthwhile gear.
A rather dashing dark red Haori appeared folded up on my bed, long sleeves fitted to nearly hug my body.
I put it on immediately. The jacket ended at the start of my kneecaps, while the collar almost magically rose to cover most of the side of my face that my decent long hair didn't cover. It didn't have a zipper or a way to fasten it as I realized this Haori was made to be worn open.
It only had a single symbol on the middle back, a palm-sized three-tomoe Sharingan colored white. And as I looked closer I noticed the small seals hidden inside the tomoe and the dots around it.
My only critique would be the lack of inner armor. But that could be fixed by having a blacksmith sew a few plates in the back and arms.
Deciding I'd learn nothing more from just observing normal I focused a little harder to activate my 'Odin's Eye' perk.
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Name: Mantle of The Uchiha
Type: Armor
Effect: Reduce the cost of the Sharingan and its affiliated jutsus by 10%
Passive Effect: Self-cleaning and repairing seals.
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'Well, when compared to my earring. They're about as badass, but I'd be hiding my bias if I didn't instantly fall in love with the haori'
It was anything but an exaggeration because now I could effectively keep my Sharingan active at all times.
I regenerated roughly .1% of my chakra every second or so, even during combat so roughly four chakra points a second. So with my Sharingan costing five chakra points a second, plus the ten percent reduced cost from the haori. That drain was less than half a chakra point per second.
Perfectly and indefinitely sustainable. This brought into perspective how much I've changed from the genin wielding a garbage sword who couldn't even hold his Sharingan active for longer than five minutes.
Sure I would've come to this point once my chakra pool grew to over five thousand points but that was a decent amount of stat points away. Nearly forty if my math was right.
'Well that's one for two, hopefully, I'll have two hits on my newly acquired gambling addiction...'
This time the small ethereal box appeared and opened with a purple glow. I couldn't stop my right eye from twitching as I looked down at the bright green bean that bounced a few times on my bed. My spinning red eyes captured this moment for all time, just in case I get the urge to walk into a casino or the like in the future.
Despite my twitching right eye, I focused on the small green bean.
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Name: Senzu Bean
Type: Recovery Item
Effect: As long as the bean is chewed and enters the stomach even a man inches away from dying will live.
Limitations: Won't regrow limbs, nor can it save a person if their brain is destroyed but their heart still beats.
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My eyes were the size of dinner plates after I read the item's description.
It was not only a second chance at life in a rough battle, assuming my prodigious luck ran out. But more importantly, it was a chance to take fate into my own hands and save at least one of my 'special people' before dying in front of me again.
I reverently held the bean and placed it in the deepest part of my 'inventory' space.
If I don't need to use it before Mokoto becomes a genin then it'll be in her hands.
That night I could barely fall asleep, joy and a sense of…. Power, at being able to save at least one person or myself from the clutches of fate.
I awoke what felt like minutes later to a loud banging on the wooden door.
"I'm coming in coming…." I grumbled as I rose to my feet and checked my person. I must've been more tired than I thought as I was still completely equipped for war. Nothing was removed from my few pouches to my newest red jacket.
I was growing increasingly annoyed that the banging wouldn't stop, thankfully I was ready to go at that moment so with a malicious gleam I kicked the door open.
Hey, they might not like me much but that didn't mean I'd have to take their shit for it.
I could only lament my idea as I noticed the aged white tiger elder had expertly jumped back as if she sensed my actions.
"So the cub has some fangs after all, interesting….." she commented as she turned and walked away. Her intent was obvious so I followed closely behind.
"Today I will take you before the council, they were only notified this morning of a new summoner so I'm sure they'll have plenty of questions for you. After you get their blessing you'll be taken by Mufuso for the trail of the Elders. The only trial you will be required to complete." Panthera began listing off as if she was a secretary.
"I thought I was exempt from trials by the Grand Elder?" I asked as those were the exact words he said when Pathera asked about the trials.
"You have been, in doing so, you have been deemed the full summoner of Panthera. Granting you the right and obligation to undertake the Elder trial." She continued being surprisingly informative despite her obvious negative disposition toward me.
"To explain further, in being the full summoner you can summon any of us, and we have to answer the call. In times of war in our land that is a rather 'taxing' obligation to fulfill." She began trying to explain how great of a gift I'd been given, could I summon that old bipedal lion? I bet with him on my side I could give sensei a run for his money.
"In doing that there is one trait you must have to be welcomed as a leader among us. It is the first and only unbreakable rule the Grand Elder made, without that trait you would never be truly accepted and some of our more willful family members might outright refuse your summons." She continued which caused me to stagger.
A trait? Usually defined as a characteristic you were born with. Well didn't I get sent to the summon clan I had most similarities with? Surely I had whatever trait she spoke of by default, right?
"Would you mind telling me what that trait is?" I asked.
"Hm, well you must be able to become one with nature." She said as we arrived at the edge of the tower. "But that'll be enough questions, our ride down is ready," she said as a metal box-like contraption appeared under us rising from the cloud.
Confused, I tracked its trajectory and noticed a thick metal rope attached to this tower.
'What an odd contraption? A sort of travel device between this tower and the lower world? It seems a set of pulleys and chains drag the metal box up and down the thick metal rope'
"What an interesting method of travel," I said as I cautiously stepped into the metal 'wagon'.
"The Lions, amazing inventors, and craftsmen," She said with pride as she pushed down a lever that sent us traveling down the wire at a comfortable speed.
"I know you said no more questions but I'd like to know more about the four species before I have to stand before their leaders. I assume that creating and building things is the specialty of the lions?" I asked.
The elderly tiger sighed as if she had better things to do on this ride before she finally spoke.
"The tigers are the front-line combatants, strengths being fire ninjutsu. The panthers are the Rogues/Scouts, strengths being Yin jutsu focused on stealth but don't count them out as combatants either. The cheetahs are hmmm….. I guess they'd best be compared to the horse-riding fighters from your lands. Cavalry is the term I was looking for!" She stopped tapping her chin after finding her answer.
"The cheetahs are the cavalry, extremely fast, focusing on damaging the enemy as much and as fast as possible without taking much damage themselves. They specialize in chakra strengthening, boosting their already impressive speed. The lions as you already know are our inventors and craftsmen. Creating our defenses and trying to find ways to end our wars with the least losses possible" She finished her explanation just after we left the cloud cover.
"Wow, from what I've read most other summoning clans aren't known to be as organized and differently specialized as you guys." It was the truth, summoning clans were depicted as one step from wild animals, but depicted to have an intelligence and strength that could rival shinobi.
There were some differences but most were like Sakumo's summons. A single specialization, tracking. Though I'd bet that Jiraiya's and the rest of his team's summon clans were more like this one.
"As it should be, this is a rather special clan after all. Each species could surely stake out on their own and one day grow to become a major summoning clan." She said with the most vigor and pride that I'd probably never see from her.
"Yet we've stayed together united under the Grand Elder for generations, none of us have regrets or dissatisfaction in our hearts" She continued with pride as I looked over one of the windows and caught sight of a town. Nearly on par in size with Tanzaku town back home.
"And that is our capital and only town. Leandra"
It wasn't much longer before the metal air wagon came to a stop, from there she led me through the town's Main Street.
The town was abuzz, cubs ran aloud laughing, and normal-sized members of the clans traveled around from restaurants to weapon stores. There were even plays being displayed on platforms that had rather large turnouts. I instantly like this place a great deal.
From there she led me on a long walk that took us the better part of an hour at a leisurely pace to arrive in front of the largest building in town.
The tower was vaguely similar to that of the Hokage's seat of power. Really the only difference was the five incredibly large doors that surrounded its base.
Four of them were left ajar, leaving only the one facing toward the main road closed.
The side doors were left to each leader and boss. While this one seemed to be left for the elders.
Sure enough, I caught sight of Mufuso leaning his back against the door waiting for us.
"What do you think of Leandra, cub?" Mufuso asked me with a smirk on his withered face.
"I love it! So full of life it nearly puts Konoha to shame" I replied honestly.
"Even of this drivel, let's bring the boy in, have them approve of them. Then he'll fail the last trial like all of the others." Pathera said with a huff.
'What the hell is her problem, expecting me to fail in the end?'
"Enough of that ya old feline, the boy deserves a shot after old Peru just threw the boy to the wolves," Mufuso said as he placed a paw on one of the doors, while Pathera placed a paw on the other. The doors nearly flew off their hinges with the speed they were opened.
Four sets of slitted eyes zeroed in on me, a pressure bared down on my shoulders from the amount of chakra these beasts radiated together.
Rougias (Boss-LVL 48), seemed the least interested and the most bored in the room. He was after all the first one I'd met when I arrived here if you discount the two cubs.
Tugaris(Queen of the Tigers. Lvl 37), The Tiger I'd also met when I first arrived, she looked upon with a keen interest.
Rovix(King Of the Cheetas, Lvl 43), looked the most battle-hardened of all the kings, even the boss. Scars lined his body, and the eyes of a true predator regarded me.
Symbasei(King of The Lions, Lvl 39) was easily the most interesting looking of the lineup as he was fitted with various pieces of armor, from pauldrons on both shoulders to a horned helm.
He seemed to judge me with keen intelligence, paying a few seconds to regard my shinobi gear and sword before giving what I thought was a small nod in acknowledgment.
Looked like I had one supporter already.
(A/N: Just a few more chapters until the Panthera mini-arc is wrapped up, then we'll be back to the battlefields)