132-I just want to Survive

"Who are you?"

Startled, Renjiro looked into the eagle's piercing grey eyes.

'Finally another sentient one. Let's hope this does not end up like the one with Kamegami.'

"I am Uzumaki Renjiro," he replied, his voice steady but respectful. "I am a shinobi from Konohagaure and I am here seeking a summon."

The eagle's eyes narrowed slightly as if evaluating Renjiro's words and intent. "And why do you seek a summon, Uzumaki Renjiro?" the bird inquired, its gaze never wavering.

'This again.'

Renjiro took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "I wish to protect my village and those I care about. I know that with a strong and wise summon, I can become even stronger than I am."

The eagle considered his response for a moment, the silence filled with the distant rumble of thunder.

"You speak with conviction," the bird said finally. "But many have sought my power, and few have proven themselves worthy. What makes you different, Renjiro?"

Renjiro met the eagle's gaze,

"I won't stand here and say how I faced countless adversities and have never given up, even when the odds were against me or how my resolve is unbreakable, and I am willing to prove my worth through any trial you deem necessary. I just want to survive, plain and simple."

"I have a goal that I am working towards and I will do whatever it takes to get there. Getting a summon would of course make the whole process easier. If not, then I also understand."

Renjiro shrugged at the last statement. If he were to be honest he was just tired of the process at that point. The unexplained rejection he got from Kamegima did not improve his situation.

It was not like he was giving up or anything, he just became numb to the whole situation. So he decided to speak his mind without giving much thought to the consequences, whether they would be positive or negative.

'Well, at least he is... honest.'

The eagle thought as he nodded slowly, its expression thoughtful. "Very well, Renjiro. I am Tenjin, the guardian of this nest. To earn my pact and that of my clan, you must prove your worth not just in strength, but in spirit and wisdom. Are you prepared to face the trials I will set before you?"

'There's more of them?'

"Yes, I am prepared." Renjiro nodded.

"Then get on top of me," the eagle commanded.

Renjiro was taken aback by the sudden request.

"Why?"

"Do you expect to partake in your trials here?" Tenjin replied.

'He's right.'

"Alright,"

Renjiro said, climbing onto Tenjin's broad back. The feathers were surprisingly soft yet strong, providing a stable grip.

The moment Renjiro was secure, Tenjin took off, his powerful wings slicing through the air. The speed was not overwhelming but just fast enough to let Renjiro take in the breathtaking scenery around them.

 As they soared higher, Renjiro marvelled at the numerous floating islands dotting the sky. Each island, similar to the one he had appeared on, had an empty nest perched atop it.

'Why are these nests empty? At first, I thought that I was directly transported to a bird's nest but now seeing what the other islands have, I think it's something different.'

The landscape below shifted as they flew, the floating islands gradually giving way to a new sight. In the distance, a towering mountain came into view, its peak shrouded in mist and clouds.

Renjiro couldn't tell if the mountain was floating like the islands or rooted to the earth, as its base was obscured by the dense cloud cover.

As they neared the mountain, Tenjin's speed increased. The eagle inclined its body, heading straight for the summit. Renjiro felt the air grow thinner and colder. Even the ticklish feeling Renjiro had been experiencing since they began their journey turned into a mild prickling sensation.

'Hmmm...? What is this odd feeling?'

At first, Renjiro wondered if the thinness of the air was getting to him, but he quickly dismissed that thought. With his ability to manipulate chakra, such things shouldn't affect him.

The mild prickling sensation soon intensified, becoming increasingly painful as Tenjin ascended higher. Despite the growing discomfort, Renjiro maintained his resolve.

'Is it the air that is affecting me? Any pain is nothing new to me, at this rate even what Kamegami did to me was worse.'

As they continued to fly for over an hour, the altitude and the pain both steadily increased making Renjiro regret comparing his encounter with the mountain being to now.

Eventually, they reached a large crater on the side of the mountain. As Tenjin descended into the crater, Renjiro's condition had deteriorated significantly. Blood trickled from his nose, ears, and even his eyes, the pain now a relentless, searing force. Still, he held on to the eagles wings, refusing to let go.

As they landed, Renjiro was so focused on his own struggle that he didn't immediately notice the other eagles gathered in the crater. These majestic birds, similar in size and stature to Tenjin, with some even larger, watched the newcomer with keen interest.

 Among them, an eagle smaller than the rest, distinguished by a striking silver beak, approached Tenjin.

"Is this the guest?" the smaller eagle asked, her voice sharp and clear.

Tenjin inclined his head respectfully. "Yes, Lady Momo. He is the guest you sensed entering our domain. He claims to be here seeking a summon."

Lady Momo regarded Renjiro with a mixture of curiosity and scrutiny. "It has been a long time since we have had a guest, let alone a shinobi who desires to make us his summon."

'It is good that he has survived his trip all the way up here. Very few manage to do so, so it speaks of his potential.' Lady Momo thought.

Renjiro, instinctively sensing the intense focus of the eagles, snapped out of his reverie. His innate healing had helped him stay functional, but even they had their limits.

'What happened?'

Renjiro thought as he immediately circulated neutral chakra throughout his body, aiming to heal the damage that his natural healing had not yet addressed.

Seeing that Renjiro was now back on his feet, Lady Momo approached him.

 "It has been long since our clan welcomed a guest," she said, "The last time we had one, I was still a young eaglet."

'Young? From her size, I first thought that she's the youngest eagle here, but from how the rest are behaving, she is either a respected entity or even their leader.'

Bowing respectfully, Renjiro repeated his purpose. "I am Uzumaki Renjiro, here seeking a summon."

Momo nodded. "I believe, Tenjin has informed you of the trials you must face, correct?"

Renjiro nodded in response. "Yes, Lady Momo. When do I begin?"

Momo's beak curved slightly in what could be interpreted as a smile. "You have already begun," she said, her tone carrying a hint of mischief.

Renjiro's eyes widened in surprise.

'Already?'

"Yes," Momo confirmed. "Your journey through the crater was the first of your trials. I am sure you have already noticed that there was something wrong with the chakra surrounding this place."

'I guess that explains why I experience that sudden and inexplicable pain. But at least I survived, although I have my healing to thank for that.'

Seeing the shinobi still in thought Momo decided to add, "With our domain the sky, we have access to the purest Natural Energy."

Renjiro's eyes widened immediately when he heard what Momo told him.

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