Appearing in an unfamiliar environment, the white fox looked stunned. However, as its gaze quickly fell upon the person in front of it, the confusion in its eyes faded, replaced by immense joy.
It scrambled toward Tōshirō, its tail wagging, its happiness obvious.
"You've grown..."
Tōshirō gently stroked the fox's fluffy fur, feeling a sense of nostalgia. In the past, this little fox was small enough to sit on his head. Now, given its size, their roles had been reversed.
"I thought you were dead! You haven't summoned me in so long..."
The white fox's voice was filled with complaint.
"When you go back, have them prepare the Reverse Summoning Jutsu to summon me over there."
"Huh? After all these years, that's all you want me to do?"
Tōshirō sighed.
If he could, he would have liked to catch up, but he had more important matters to attend to. "I'm sorry, but I have something urgent to deal with right now."
The white fox heard the seriousness in Tōshirō's tone and stopped complaining. It nodded softly. "I understand. But after you're done, you have to tell me everything that's happened to you all these years."
Tōshirō hummed in agreement. "I promise."
The white fox turned into a puff of white smoke and returned to its summoning location.
Tōshirō closed his eyes, silently waiting for the summoning.
After a few minutes, white smoke suddenly erupted around Tōshirō, enveloping his entire body. When it cleared, Tōshirō's figure had vanished.
A moment later, the door to the room was pushed open, and Hoshi Hana walked in, wanting to inform Tōshirō that the ship was ready to depart at any time.
But seeing the empty room, she frowned. "That's odd, where did Lord Tōshirō go?"
She searched the room for a long time but couldn't find him. As she walked out, Fubuki Kakuyoku saw she was alone and approached her. "Where is he?"
"I don't know..."
Fubuki Kakuyoku was stunned by the answer. "You don't know?"
Hoshi Hana said in confusion, "He was just eating a moment ago..."
Fubuki Kakuyoku looked down. Coming and going without a trace, Tōshirō was becoming increasingly mysterious.
Fuyuaki, who had no opinion of his own, asked, "He's gone. What do we do?"
"What else can we do? We can only wait..."
Fubuki Kakuyoku's voice was laced with helplessness. What else could they do when they followed such a person?
Meanwhile, in another location.
After many years, Tōshirō was once again in this place. All he could see were vast, white icebergs.
A scarf-wearing penguin saw Tōshirō and looked surprised. "I thought you were dead..."
The corner of Tōshirō's mouth twitched. "I'm not that easy to kill..."
The penguin, Mari, circled Tōshirō and pondered for a moment. "I see. You used the jutsu I taught you."
Tōshirō replied, "That's right."
Mari asked with interest, "What is your true form now? Show me..."
Tōshirō transformed into an ice dragon, answering with his actions.
Mari's eyes widened. Even he was shocked by Tōshirō's appearance, sensing an aura similar to that of the Ice Phoenix.
"This is incredible. You actually turned into this creature."
In his dragon form, Tōshirō said, "I need to see the Ice Phoenix."
Mari was surprised. "Why are you looking for her?"
"I can't suppress this form for too long. I feel that if I continue like this, I'll be stuck in this form forever..."
Mari understood his intentions and, not one to take things too seriously, said, "What's wrong with that? Your form looks so cool..."
Tōshirō glared at the cheeky penguin with his dragon eyes. "Don't talk to me like that."
The penguin laughed awkwardly. "Alright, alright, I'll take you there..."
With that, he jumped onto Tōshirō's back. "Let's go!"
Tōshirō flapped his wings, carrying him to the Ice Phoenix's dwelling. To see her, he needed her permission.
After meeting the Ice Phoenix, Tōshirō got straight to the point, asking how to suppress this form. He could still force it down with his willpower for now, but he couldn't guarantee that would last.
"How surprising. You actually succeeded..."
After seeing Tōshirō's form, the Ice Phoenix first expressed a rare astonishment. Then, with a flap of her wings, a ball of deep blue energy appeared in the air and floated into Tōshirō's body. Immediately, Tōshirō's body shrank, changing from a dragon to a human.
"This is..."
Tōshirō's vision narrowed as he realized his body had shrunk. His clothes became very ill-fitting. His current appearance was that of a boy around eleven or twelve years old.
The Ice Phoenix said, "I have sealed the turbulent power within you... For a short time, your body shouldn't experience any discomfort."
Tōshirō caught the "keywords." "How long will this seal last?"
"Three to five years..."
"What happens after that?"
"By then, even I won't be able to seal it. You may have to live in that form forever..."
"..."
The Ice Phoenix offered advice. "Don't be discouraged, though. During this time, you can try to learn a new Sage Art."
"Learn a new Sage Art?"
"Yes, different Sage Arts yield different results. The one you learned, in its most perfect state, turns you into a non-human, like you were just now. The cost is never being able to return to being human. From what I know, the Sage Arts from your Three Great Holy Sites seem to follow a different path. If you get a chance, you can go and learn one, and by mastering both, you might be able to break this side effect."
The Ice Phoenix's words opened a door for Tōshirō.
He clenched his fists, carefully feeling his current form. Although he was now a child, his strength didn't seem to have diminished. On the contrary, the power within his body was more stable. The dragon transformation would no longer happen just from using too much chakra.
Tōshirō sincerely thanked the Ice Phoenix.
He then left, no longer disturbing the old Phoenix.
When he came out, Mari looked at the now child-like Tōshirō and teased, "Some people get older, but you're getting younger."
Tōshirō sighed helplessly. It seemed he would have to stay in this form for quite some time.
Fusing two Sage Arts was clearly not an easy task.
Mastering one was already extremely difficult, let alone learning another on top of that and fusing them.
"But seriously, what happened to you?" Mari asked out of curiosity.
"I'll tell you when I have time."
Seeing that Tōshirō didn't want to talk about it, Mari didn't press any further.
"Do you have any suitable clothes for me?" Tōshirō's body had shrunk, and his old clothes were too big. The unsightly, baggy appearance was secondary; the main thing was that it hindered his movement.
"I do, follow me..."
Mari took Tōshirō to his home. There were clothes inside, but they were mostly decorative items, like scarves and cloaks, which were universal.
Considering that animals and humans have different body shapes, this was understandable. Tōshirō casually chose a gray cloak and put it on.
"You have great taste..."
Just as the penguin was about to launch into a detailed explanation, Tōshirō raised his hand. "Alright, I know. How much?"
Mari was taken aback. "Uh..."
Tōshirō had already figured him out. "Knowing you, you're definitely going to ask for money, right?"
Mari looked wronged. "That's unfair! You think I'm that kind of penguin."
Tōshirō eyed him suspiciously. "So, it's free?"
Free things are the most expensive... Mari waved his hand grandly. "I also have feelings, you know."
Tōshirō: ...
In the Land of Snow, Fubuki Kakuyoku and the others had searched the entire castle but couldn't find Tōshirō.
"Did you find him?"
"No."
"That's strange. Where did that guy go?"
Just as they were wondering, a slightly immature voice came from the air. "Looking for me?"
They turned to look and saw a young boy wearing a gray cloak.
Although his physique had changed significantly, they could still make out his features. "Are you Lord Tōshirō?"
Tōshirō nodded slightly. It was normal for them to be surprised by his appearance.
Fubuki Kakuyoku was even more confused by Tōshirō. He disappeared and came back looking like a child, and it didn't seem like the Transformation Jutsu.
He had many questions but held back.
He knew what to ask and what to say.
If Tōshirō wanted to tell them, he would.
Maintaining a sense of mystery was very effective in controlling subordinates. Tōshirō didn't explain and instead asked, "What about the ship to the Land of Fire?"
Fubuki Kakuyoku replied respectfully, "Everything is ready, just waiting for you."
"Good..."
The efficiency was good, and Tōshirō was quite satisfied. He pointed at Hoshi Hana. "You will accompany me to the Land of Fire and serve as the liaison for information here."
Hearing that Tōshirō planned to take her with him, Hoshi Hana's face flushed with excitement. She agreed without a second thought.
Tōshirō's gaze narrowed slightly. This woman was fond of him and unlikely to betray him, making her the most suitable person to keep by his side and train properly.
Fubuki Kakuyoku glanced at Hoshi Hana and sighed inwardly. What a pathetic woman, completely blinded by love.
Admiration is the emotion furthest from understanding...
After that, Tōshirō gave Fubuki Kakuyoku some simple instructions. Before officially leaving, he said, "I'll leave things here to you. Don't disappoint me."
His seemingly harmless, youthful voice contained a faint threat, which Fubuki Kakuyoku understood. "Don't worry, I will complete the mission you've given me."
Tōshirō nodded and boarded the ship bound for the Land of Fire.
Konoha, I'm back...
(End of Chapter)
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