The shadow clone thought in silence for a few moments before quickly dispelling his unrealistic ideas.
No, no, what am I even thinking?
My actions are perfectly reasonable.
This time, it was my luck that I encountered a summoning beast instead of a chakra beast. Otherwise, I would still be fighting with all my might to delay it as long as possible.
Then again, although most summoning beasts are indeed friendlier to humans, especially to powerful ninjas, it doesn't mean that there are no dangerous summoning beasts.
Don't I know how quite a few snakes from Ryuchi Cave, such as Manda, often demanded human sacrifice for each summon? Those malicious snake fuckers even attack their summoners before a summoning contract is formally established.
However, I must admit that they are indeed very powerful. That's why, even though those snakes have a terrible reputation, many ninjas still flock to the Ryuchi Cave to establish a summoning contract with them.
Who knows how many poor souls ended up in their bellies?
Then we have a bunch of Thunder Wolves from the Thunder Valley. Those guys act like bandits. If the ninja, who came to form a summoning contract, is weak, they will turn into hungry wolves who just can't wait to tear the ninja apart and feast on his dead body.
Anyway, constant vigilance is the key to survival in this world. Let's not be complacent.
Fortunately, this white wolf here looks sincere so far.
Still, there is no way in hell I am coming with my real body in front of it until I reach the Kage-level or form a summoning contract with it.
Seimei's shadow clone muttered inwardly before looking at the giant wolf with a questioning gaze.
The wolf noticed this gaze and asked, "What now?"
The shadow clone frowned slightly and questioned the wolf instead, "I just want to know what your real purpose is. What do you actually want?"
At this, the wolf blinked its large, icy-blue eyes, tilted its head sideways, and asked, "What could I possibly want?"
Seimei's shadow clone chuckled. "Hehe!"
"Don't try to fool me. I may not be an adult yet, but I'm not an idiot."
"You, a powerful creature with the might of a Kage-level Shinobi, kept playfully fighting me even after realizing that I'm just a clone."
"I didn't see a trace of killing intent in your moves. That's true. But I doubt you are bored enough to go out of your way to explain everything about nature beasts, sage beasts, and summoning contracts."
"For a beast as powerful as you, it is unnecessary. A waste of time, even. You could have simply ignored me and turned away. Or you could have used all your might to smash this clone body of mine to pieces."
"So, you simply don't need to give me, a clone, a brief history lesson about your kind, nature energy, and summoning contracts."
"Not unless you want something from me or have an ulterior motive."
"So, I will be direct. Tell me what you truly want, Mr. Wolf."
Hearing Seimei's rapid-fire logical deductions and the final question, the giant, white wolf was stunned for a moment.
However, at the next moment, the wolf quickly recovered and let out a knowing smile.
Well, the wolf thought that it let out a smile. From Seimei's shadow clone's perspective, the wolf's smile looked like a toothy grin.
And with the wolf's sharp fangs, the toothy grin looked rather ferocious.
Fortunately, the wolf wasn't ugly. Otherwise, the shadow clone really wouldn't be able to resist the urge to hit it with a giant rock using the Earth Release: Earth Mausoleum Dumpling.
Fortunately, the wolf didn't beat around the bush anymore and got straight to the main point.
"I want to form a summoning contract with you."
The shadow clone raised his eyebrow in confusion. "A summoning contract with me? Why?"
The wolf sighed and explained, "You know, staying in the forest all the time is boring. Really boring."
"Although this ancient forest has abundant resources, incredible treasures, and beautiful hidden lands, staying here all the time can still get monotonous and boring."
"So, I want to explore the world outside of the forest."
"However, if I go out there alone, I will be mistaken for a ferocious beast, or what you humans now call a chakra beast."
"When that happens, I'm sure plenty of powerful humans will come after me."
"And most would never listen to reason and launch blatant attacks. Although I don't fear most humans, even if I get away without harming anyone, they will still send stronger humans after me."
"I have already suffered such misfortunes several times. It turned my fun, leisurely trips into utterly exhausting beast hunts. Fortunately, I managed to get away, or we wouldn't be having this chat here."
"Because of this, I didn't go out of this forest for nearly a hundred years."
Hearing this, Seimei's shadow clone nodded. He could already picture the tragic fate of this wolf if it tried to appear in the open.
Compared to hundreds of years ago, the ninja clans nowadays are more powerful and organized.
And with the presence of a systematic hidden ninja village system, if a beast of this wolf's caliber were to be spotted in the open, the Daimyo would surely request ninja villages to launch a beast hunt with a Kage-level ninja leading the team.
A hundred years ago, when the ninja clans were scattered throughout the land, the wolf might still be able to roam in the open.
But now?
Even if it weren't killed, it would still have to be on a run. The ninjas and samurai would swarm toward it like buzzing flies.
For the wolf, it would be annoying as hell with a few life-threatening encounters if it were truly unlucky.
Thinking of this, Seimei's shadow clone couldn't help but look at the giant wolf sympathetically.
Poor child!
May the Buddha be merciful to you. At least, I hope that you won't die a tragic death.
Amitabha!
The wolf suddenly felt that it was being underestimated and shot Seimei's shadow clone with a glare full of annoyance.
"What's with that look?"
The shadow clone shook his head and replied, "Nothing. Please continue."
The wolf looked at the shadow clone with suspicion.
"I don't know why…But I am suddenly feeling an urge to beat the shit out of you."
"Anyway, let's get back to the topic."
"When I saw you, I suddenly had an idea."
"I can't roam the world freely without attracting trouble. But can't I just sign a summoning contract with you?"
"This way, I can roam outside of the forest with the identity of your summon. You get a strong partner. And I get to visit numerous places. Perfect solution. Problem solved."
Hearing this, Seimei's shadow clone was stunned for a moment.
That was your idea?
Well, it's not a bad idea.
But…
"Are you sure about being my summoning beast?" The shadow clone asked.
The wolf tilted his head and replied with a tone that indicated that the shadow clone was asking such an obvious question.
"Why not? You're still a human child, and yet you possess such extraordinary powers."
"Your potential is high, and your power will only rise as long as you don't court death."
"Working with you makes perfect sense. It's a win-win situation for both of us. It doesn't affect our lives negatively at all."
"Why will I hesitate to sign a summoning contract with you?"
Hearing this, Seimei's shadow clone fell into deep thought.
The conditions were truly not bad.
In fact, it worked perfectly well for Seimei.
This world was dangerous. Even more dangerous than the original Narutoverse.
And he was still weak in the grand scheme of things.
Having a summoning beast like this giant wolf, who possessed powers rivaling Kage-level ninjas at the very least, could save his life in desperate situations.
There was no reason to hesitate.
With that, Seimei's shadow clone looked up at the giant white wolf and nodded.
"Very well. I agree."
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