Nyala appeared on the grass, causing a wave of sighs from the audience, but the kitten wasn't interested in that - as soon as she appeared, she began actively sucking in air with her nose, even squinting her eyes, I guess to avoid distractions.
- And what is it that smells so delicious here?
- Well, I promised to get you some goodies next time, - I smiled at the kitty, stroking her head, - there's a bowl with milk, and that girl has a piece of fresh cottage cheese casserole, - I pointed at my daughter, gesturing to her to put the bowl next to mine.
- Yummy! - immediately rushed to them kitty, first favoring the casserole.
- A summons? - Linley whispered with only her lips, looking at me with round eyes and a little pale face.
Saya kept up with her, and I was well aware that only the presence of children nearby saved me from being interrogated by two angry and frightened women. Both of them were definitely not aware of Uzumaki's summoning, so the only conclusion I could come up with was that I had used the free search yesterday and today I was demonstrating the success of the attempt.
Given the statistics of successful attempts and the rumors of those who tried walking around the village, such a reaction is expected - it's practically guaranteed suicide, which a reasonable person wouldn't go for, especially if there's something to lose.
Yep, the surprise was a little off, but I was mostly counting on the reaction of the more uninformed onlooker, now watching the rumbling kitty mesmerized.
- This is Nyala, my summoner," I introduced the small panther to the women, "to grow well, she needs frequent exposure to the regular world and a good meal.
- Can I pet her? - Katsumi asked with her eyes lighting up.
- You should," Nyala said instead of me, pulling away from the empty bowls and licking her face with her pink tongue.
- This is my daughter Katsumi, she likes to eat and play," she said with a grin, pointing to the one mentioned, who reached for the kitty with a happy smile and started stroking her head.
- I like to play too," Nyala replied, rumbling under the caress.
- I hope you'll be good friends," he smiled at the pampered little ones, studiously ignoring a couple of fierce glances.
He was glad that the plan to pit the two rambunctious little ones against each other had worked. It was a little early to train them, but when they grew up in a year, we could do it together. And with a soft toy as a playmate, Katsumi would be less likely to bother her parents and grandmother.
I shivered as the women who'd reached the boiling point took me in their clutches, each grabbing my arm from her side, obviously to keep me from running away.
- Ryo, did you use free summoning?!
- Ryo, where'd you get the summoning?!
The almost merged exclamations read the promise of punishment if the answer was wrong.
- Well, well, well, my good ones, no need to worry so much, as if you don't know me? - I got the draft in the safest and most acceptable way - just by signing a contract and not using any free draft.
After looking into my eyes and making sure I wasn't lying, the women sighed almost simultaneously in relief.
- Ryo-kun, don't scare us like that again," Saya tightened her lips in frustration, "considering that there's no word of the panther draft in Konoha, not even a rumor, what else could there be to think about?
- A conscription unknown to anyone only works like that," Linley added with a nod and asked, "Who gave you the opportunity to become a contractor?
- I'm sorry, my good ones, but I'd rather not talk about it," I hugged both kunoichi by the shoulders, "at least for now.
- You don't want to or you can't? - Linley clarified.
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