Chapter 43: Summoning Technique
Getting a reward? Sure, that's one thing.
But getting two?
That's something else entirely.
"…This system is clearly messing with me."
Tatsuro could dismiss the [Substitution Jutsu]—a low-cost, escape-type ninjutsu—but this [Summoning Technique]? That was different.
Especially the shared cursed energy part.
If he managed to contract a pet that possessed cursed energy, wouldn't that basically make the pet his personal battery pack?
Looks like he needed to go adopt a special kind of creature tomorrow.
It had to be epic.
A mount that'd look badass as hell when he rode it into town—nothing less!
Tatsuro had already imagined it:
A two-meter-tall white-furred beast, muscular and majestic.
He was in love.
Totally in love.
And once he dueled Fushiguro Megumi the day after tomorrow, he'd show him who had the cooler summon—his own epic dog or Megumi's shadows.
Tatsuro didn't even know why, but he was suddenly super competitive.
As he drifted to sleep, he was already planning how to raise his future battle dog.
---
The Next Morning
The alarm never rang.
Tatsuro still woke up naturally, energized by his determination.
He hadn't even slept five hours, but nothing was stopping him from finding his new dog.
He'd already visualized the training plan in his head. The dog had to be as hardcore as him. No lazy mutts allowed. If the dog couldn't fight beside him, then what was the point?
He didn't care about bloodlines or background—only that the dog had the drive to keep up with him.
Didn't even need jutsu. Just bite things hard.
He put on clothes that had been drying for 15 days, took out the laundry from the machine, did a quick wash-up, and bolted out the door.
"Wahoo! Let's go!"
Not even pulling an S-rank jutsu got him this hyped.
That kind of jutsu ate through cursed energy like crazy.
But if his dog could share energy?
Oh baby—Tatsuro's biggest weakness would be patched.
"I'm coming for you, my battle pup!!"
He cackled into the morning light.
Nearby, Zenin Maki paused during her morning run, raising an eyebrow as she saw Tatsuro dash out like a lunatic.
"…Did he go insane on that last mission?"
Because it was so early, there were no buses yet. Tatsuro ran all the way to the city.
It took him over an hour.
He reminded himself—blood contracts needed the animal to remain completely still.
But how could you expect a grown dog to stay calm during something like that?
Most people would start raising a pup from scratch.
But not Tatsuro.
He was going to find the toughest dog he could.
If it resisted?
One Sharingan glare would shut down its brain in seconds. No struggle possible.
"…Wait, why does that sound so evil?"
No matter.
First step: Dog Market Recon.
His map didn't have a specific "dog market" location, so he had to wander around asking.
Half an hour later, he finally found one.
It was now 6:40 a.m.
Vendors were proudly showing off puppies to potential buyers, talking up their good traits and letting strangers pet them.
Tatsuro, having never been to a dog market before, looked around… and frowned.
All the dogs here were either freshly weaned or just looked kind of… dumb.
Sure, they could probably be trained, but they didn't exactly scream battle partner material.
Still, his confused expression caught a few opportunistic vendors' eyes.
A plump lady waved him over.
"Young man! Come see my pup—a purebred Siberian Husky!"
Husky?
Tatsuro's interest spiked.
He hurried over.
But when he looked into the dog's eyes… it looked derpy. Real dumb.
Like it had never had a thought in its life.
"Wait… isn't that just a Husky?"
"Well… technically, yes. But mine doesn't tear up the house!"
"…If it doesn't destroy things, why would I want a Husky at all? What's even the point?"
Tatsuro left on the spot.
Huskies that didn't cause chaos?
Fake news.
A nearby bald man laughed. "Kid, come check mine out!"
"Got anything good?" Tatsuro asked curiously.
"Of course! Looking at your refined appearance, I can tell you want a classy kind of dog."
The man pulled back a cloth and gestured at a golden-furred pup. "Purebred golden retriever. Gentle, smart, obedient. Trained to help with chores—basically the top student of the dog world."
"Ooh…"
Tatsuro leaned in. The golden retriever looked a lot smarter than the Husky.
Its eyes gleamed with intelligence.
"…Can it fight?"
"If it can, I'll take it."
"…"
The bald man looked like he'd just been slapped.
He'd spent all that time describing how gentle and sweet the dog was—only for this punk to ask if it could brawl?
"Get lost! You think I'm gonna sell this dog to someone like you?"
He even looked like he was about to grab a stick and chase Tatsuro out.
"Alright, alright, I'll go! Jeez!"
Tatsuro beat a hasty retreat.
"I didn't know, okay? First time buying a dog…"
"Golden retrievers don't fight! Get that through your thick skull!"
More people nearby were laughing.
---
After browsing the whole dog market, Tatsuro was starting to feel hopeless.
Not a single dog looked promising.
He sighed. Maybe he should call Megumi and ask.
Megumi's dogs were badass, after all. Big, fast, and brutal.
He pulled out his phone to call—
But then…
From a nearby alleyway, he heard a weak, whimpering sound.
It was faint—like the cry of a starving pup.
He didn't think much of it at first.
They were near the market. Maybe it was just an unsold pup.
But still, curiosity made him glance over.
Lying in the alley…
was a skeletal little creature, nothing but skin and bones.
Its fur had almost all fallen out from malnutrition.
It weakly opened its eyes, looked at Tatsuro, and let out a soft whine…
Then closed its eyes again.
Tatsuro immediately rushed over and scooped the dog up.
As someone trained in medicine, he didn't panic.
He pressed his hand to the pup's chest.
Its heartbeat was faint… but still there.
Without hesitation, he ran toward the nearest animal hospital.