Chapter 26 : Round Deer

Today was the day. I was ready to exorcise the last shikigami on my list: the round deer. This one was special because it possessed the unique ability to use reverse curse techniques to heal. Capturing it would be a significant advantage for me, but I knew it wouldn't be easy.

I made my way to the Nara forest, can't use the forest of death after what happened there last time, Nara forest was a place familiar to my clan and full of shadows where I could operate comfortably. The air was cool and crisp, with the scent of pine and earth filling my senses.

I found a quiet clearing surrounded by tall trees, their branches creating a canopy above. This would be the perfect spot for my summoning.

For this one, I honestly had no idea what kind of trap I could put so plan to just go blank without any traps.

Taking a deep breath, I began the summoning ritual. My hands moved through the new hand sign, and I focused my chakra. "Round Deer" I called out.

The ground trembled slightly, and a soft glow emanated from the earth. Slowly, the form of the round deer materialized before me. Its strange how all the shikigami now have this strange feeling to them like all of them are getting stronger.

It was not just like most other deer I can find in this forest. In fact I am afraid that I can't even find him out from other dears if it get mix up with others. The only thing different about this one was the mark on his head.

The deer stood still, its eyes calm and almost serene. I felt a moment of hesitation; it didn't seem hostile at all. But I knew better than to underestimate it. I had to be careful and strategic.

I attacked first, launching a series of kunai at the deer. Each one hit its mark, but to my surprise, the wounds healed almost instantly. The deer didn't flinch or fight back; it simply stood there, its injuries vanishing as quickly as they appeared.

So I again attack with my sword, and to my surprice even a deep cut at this neck was healed. I penetrated its heart but again it healed. Then I cut off its let but its still ended up healing.

Frustration gnawed at me. No matter what I did, the deer healed itself. I tried using my shadows to bind it, but even that seemed ineffective. The deer would regenerate faster than I could deal any lasting damage. 

So I use some of my shikigami. Like Dogs and all but it didn't work. 

Although the dogs bite deer but as soon as they leave the deer it just heals.

Sweat dripped down my face, and my breathing grew heavy. "There has to be a way," I muttered to myself, trying to think of a different approach.

And here I was thinking that this shikigami would be easy. 

But what he hell, this one might be just as troublesome as Mahoraga. The only good thing that it doesn't attack back.

Clearly, attacking it directly wasn't working. I needed a plan that would bypass its healing ability.

I scanned the area, searching for inspiration. My eyes fell on a small pond nearby, the water shimmering under the dappled sunlight. An idea formed in my mind, one that was risky but worth a shot.

Instead of trying to kill the deer, what if I could incapacitate it in a way that its healing ability couldn't counteract? Drowning might be the answer. Water could prevent it from breathing, something it couldn't heal fast enough to counter.

I ponder, at this point, I was almost out of chakra after wasting too much on attacking the deer.

It doesn't burn, cut, bleed or break. Just becuase it can heal before any of that happens. It's almost frightening.

Maybe I should do that... I though and then finally decided.

With renewed determination, I directed my shadows to grab hold of the deer. It didn't resist, but that made it even more eerie. My shadows wrapped around its legs and body, pulling it towards the pond. The deer struggled slightly, but I held firm, using all my strength and chakra to control the shadows.

As we reached the edge of the pond, I felt a pang of guilt. The deer looked at me with those calm, unblinking eyes. But I pushed the feeling aside. This was necessary. I had to complete my mission.

With a final surge of effort, I plunged the deer into the water. It thrashed, its legs kicking out, but the water quickly enveloped it. I held it down, my shadows anchoring it beneath the surface. Bubbles rose as the deer tried to breathe, but it couldn't. Its movements grew weaker, and finally, it stopped struggling.

But again my shadow wasn't enough so I also put by dogs to hold the deer down.

I waited, heart pounding, until I was sure it was truly subdued. Slowly, I pulled the deer from the water. It was limp, its body no longer healing itself. The reverse curse technique couldn't save it from drowning. Relief washed over me as I realized my plan had worked.

I exorcised the deer, its form dissolving into my shadow, joining the other shikigami I had captured. I sat by the pond, exhausted but victorious. This had been the hardest challenge yet, but I had learned a valuable lesson: sometimes, brute force isn't the answer. Strategy and adaptability are just as important.

As the sun began to set, I made my way back home. There wasn't any more time to train now anymore anyway. The forest was quiet, the only sounds were the rustling leaves and my footsteps. I felt a sense of accomplishment and peace. But killing that deer, it was strange. 

For the first time, I felt like not doing that. It didn't even try to protect himself. Just stood there. 

That is just...sigh. 

Let's just go back for the time being. 

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Many Days Later.

Team 8 had been buzzing with excitement ever since they heard about Shika's solo completion of two C-rank missions. Kurenai could see the eagerness in their eyes—they wanted a challenge of their own. Deciding it was time to take on a higher-ranked mission, Kurenai couldn't help but surrender to their demands and take a C-rank mission for her team. 

As they entered the office, the Hokage looked up from his paperwork and smiled. "Kurenai, what brings you and your team here today?"

Kurenai stepped forward. "Hokage-sama, my team has been training hard, and they're eager for a C-rank mission."

The Hokage leaned back in his chair, thoughtfully. "I see. I do have a mission in mind, but I'd like to make a suggestion."

Kurenai nodded. "Of course, Hokage-sama. What is it?"

"I recommend you take a promising genin along with you on this mission," the Hokage said. "He's shown great potential and could benefit from the experience of working with your team. Especially in tracking and search missions."

Hinata, Kiba, and Shino exchanged curious glances. Kurenai looked intrigued but slightly puzzled. "Who is this genin, Hokage-sama?"

The Hokage at this just smiled knowingly.

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