Eastern Border of the Land of Fire
Aoshi and his three companions arrived here. They had been traveling for roughly a day and a half since leaving Konoha.
Although a ninja's stamina far surpassed that of ordinary people, Kurenai and the other two were still young, so their pace naturally couldn't be too fast.
"Is this the ocean?" Seeing the sea for the first time, Kurenai asked with barely contained excitement.
"It's so beautiful!" Rin and Shizune, also seeing the ocean for the first time, couldn't help but exclaim in awe.
Aoshi was already accustomed to reactions like theirs. "You all rest for a bit. I'll go find a boatman nearby who's heading out to sea."
Although Kurenai and the other two had already learned water-walking, the uninhabited island where the herbs grew was still far away.
With their current chakra reserves, it was impossible for them to sustain water-walking for such a long distance.
Traveling by boat was the only option.
Leaving behind a shadow clone, Aoshi departed.
Before long, he found a boatman preparing to set sail. After negotiating the round-trip price, they immediately set off.
The boat was fast. In less than half a day, they reached their destination.
"Do you still remember the herbal knowledge I taught you? Make sure you don't pick the wrong herbs."
"Don't worry, we remember everything. We won't make any mistakes."
"Oh, and remember—don't pick all of them. Leave some behind. Otherwise, no new herbs will grow in the future."
This was an unwritten rule. Kurenai and the other two nodded repeatedly, indicating that they understood.
Next, Aoshi led the three of them into the island to begin gathering herbs.
At the same time, his main body quietly left the area alone.
He was seen running directly across the surface of the sea, his destination naturally being Summoning Island, which wasn't far away.
That's right—the Aoshi currently accompanying Kurenai and the others, gathering herbs, was merely a shadow clone.
This uninhabited island was relatively safe. With his shadow clone present, it was more than enough to ensure the safety of the three girls.
---
Summoning Island
This was an island uniquely suited for summoned beasts to inhabit.
Within its tall, dense jungle, powerful summoned beasts could be seen everywhere, hunting and fighting for territory.
Because of this, the island was extremely dangerous, and ordinary ninjas wouldn't dare to remain here for long.
However—
On this island steeped in primal wilderness, there was a group of humans.
They were researchers who had come here to cultivate what they called the Ultimate Summoning Beast.
The so-called Ultimate Summoning Beast was their envisioned pinnacle creation—a being that would combine the abilities of all summoned beasts on Summoning Island.
Once completed, it would possess power comparable to the summoned beasts of the Three Great Sage Lands.
For this goal, they had devoted an enormous amount of time and effort.
"Excellent! We succeeded!"
"This is the strongest Ultimate Summoning Beast!"
Staring at the bizarre-looking summoned beast floating within the cultivation tank, the researchers felt no fear.
Instead, their faces were filled with uncontrollable excitement.
Yes—they had succeeded.
Just as they had envisioned, the Ultimate Summoning Beast possessed the abilities of multiple summoned beasts.
Its strength far surpassed that of ordinary summoned creatures—so much so that it treated them as prey.
It could be called the absolute overlord of Summoning Island.
No other summoned beast could rival it.
But the result was also a failure. And the failure lay precisely there.
The Ultimate Summoning Beast's power was too great—far beyond their ability to control.
At this moment, it suddenly went berserk.
"No! The Ultimate Summoning Beast is out of control!"
"Honoka, hurry—seal it!"
As the Ultimate Summoning Beast broke free from the cultivation tank, the researchers shouted in panic.
Among them, only a single barefoot, red-haired girl remained relatively calm.
She was Honoka, as the researchers called her. She pressed her hands firmly against the ground.
In the next instant, several chakra chains burst forth from behind her, tightly binding the rampaging Ultimate Summoning Beast.
If Kushina were present, she would have recognized the technique immediately.
What the red-haired girl used was none other than Adamantine Sealing Chains.
Yes—Honoka was also a member of the Uzumaki clan.
After the destruction of the Land of Whirlpools, the surviving members of the Uzumaki clan scattered across the ninja world.
For example—
Nagato's mother, Fusō, fled to the Land of Rain.
Shortly after giving birth to Nagato with her husband, the Second Great Ninja War erupted. To protect their son, both of them were killed by Konoha ninja.
Mai, on the other hand, was discovered by the leader of Kusagakure. She was brought back to the village and used as a living blood bag.
If Minato hadn't rescued her during the Chunin Exams, her fate would have been death by chakra exhaustion, with her daughter Karin destined to repeat the same tragedy.
Compared to them, Honoka was undoubtedly much luckier. She arrived in the Land of the Sea.
Because she had received some ninja training within the Uzumaki clan, she possessed a certain level of combat ability.
More importantly, she had mastered the Adamantine Sealing Chains. This granted her a measure of self-preservation.
As a result, she avoided the tragic fates of Fusō and Mai and was instead invited by the research team on Summoning Island to assist them.
Everyone here treated her very well.
"Hurry, Honoka—seal it, now!"
Panicked and desperate, the researchers stared at the rampaging Ultimate Summoning Beast and could only place their last hopes on Honoka.
However, Honoka's sealing technique was relatively slow to activate. After all, she had never received a complete ninja education from the Uzumaki clan.
During that brief window—
The Ultimate Summoning Beast suddenly extended two tentacles, snatching up two nearby researchers.
Then, before the horrified and despairing eyes of everyone present, it devoured them whole.
Not even bones were left behind.
The scene plunged the survivors into terror.
Companions who had been standing beside them just moments ago had been reduced to food in an instant.
Fortunately, at that very moment, Honoka's sealing technique finally activated.
Faintly glowing chakra chains surged forth under her control, tightly coiling around the Ultimate Summoning Beast's massive body.
Just as everyone was about to breathe a sigh of relief—
Honoka cried out in despair.
"It's useless! I can't seal it!"
If the Uzumaki clan still existed, Honoka would undoubtedly have received a complete education and become a true master of sealing techniques.
But in her current state, the Adamantine Chains she wielded were clearly a weakened version.
They simply could not exert their full, intended power.
No matter how hard she struggled, the Ultimate Summoning Beast forcefully tore free from the restraints.
"Everyone—run!" Honoka's expression changed drastically as she shouted in despair.
Hearing this, the remaining researchers abandoned all other thoughts and fled desperately from the research facility.
But it was already too late. The rampaging Ultimate Summoning Beast immediately treated everyone present as prey.
In mere moments, the entire research facility was reduced to ruins.
Faced with its overwhelming power, none of the researchers could escape. All of them were devoured.
Only Honoka was left alive—and even she was now the Ultimate Summoning Beast's target.
"Help!"
"Someone, please save me!"
As she ran, Honoka cried out desperately.
Yet even as she screamed, she knew it was futile. This was Summoning Island—a paradise for summoned beasts.
Aside from her research team, no one else would remain on this island for long.
Suddenly—
A tentacle shot out toward her at terrifying speed.
Honoka narrowly managed to dodge but lost her footing and fell heavily to the ground.
Seizing the opening, a second tentacle lashed out, even faster than before. This time, she had no way to evade.
Is this… the end? The thought flashed through her mind.
At that exact instant, a gigantic water dragon materialized out of thin air.
Water Release: Water Dragon Jutsu!
In Honoka's stunned gaze, the roaring water dragon surged forward and slammed into the Ultimate Summoning Beast.
Unable to evade, the creature was blasted backward more than ten meters.
"Who… who is it?"
Having escaped death by a hair's breadth, Honoka turned toward the source of the technique, her eyes filled with shock and relief.
What she saw was a blue-haired man wearing sunglasses.
The one who had arrived was Aoshi.
After landing on the island, he had immediately sensed that Summoning Island was teeming with powerful summoned beasts.
And while searching for a creature that met his requirements, a violent disturbance erupted from the island's center.
He rushed over without hesitation and saw a grotesque summoned beast attacking a barefoot, red-haired girl.
Seeing that she was about to be captured, Aoshi instinctively formed a hand seal and unleashed the Water Dragon Bullet, saving her.
Stepping in front of her, he reached out and pulled her to her feet.
"Are you alright?" Feeling Aoshi's calm, gentle presence, Honoka's pretty face flushed slightly.
"Thank you for saving me."
"Who are you?" Aoshi asked. "And why was that summoned beast attacking you?"
Faced with the questions of her savior, Honoka explained everything honestly, without hiding a thing.
After listening, realization dawned on Aoshi.
He remembered now. There was indeed a plot involving an Ultimate Summoning Beast in the original story.
However, that incident occurred much later—on the eve of the Fourth Great Ninja War.
By then, Honoka was already dead, existing only as a spiritual remnant that guided Naruto and the others when they accidentally arrived on Summoning Island to deal with the revived Ultimate Summoning Beast.
Roar!
At that moment, the Ultimate Summoning Beast, having been repelled by the Water Dragon Bullet, charged forward once more.
The previous attack hadn't left a single wound on its body. This alone demonstrated just how terrifying its defensive power was.
Seeing this, a glint of interest appeared in Aoshi's eyes. Perhaps this Ultimate Summoning Beast truly met his requirements—
Perhaps it could withstand the power of the Seven-Tails' wings.
With that thought, he calmly formed another hand seal. He opened his mouth, unleashing an ultra-high-pressure, razor-thin stream of water.
Water Release: Water Severing Wave!
This technique possessed terrifying cutting power.
Sensing mortal danger, the Ultimate Summoning Beast hastily raised its defenses.
But how could it possibly block an attack unleashed by Aoshi?
Under Honoka's stunned gaze, the monstrous beast that had slaughtered all the researchers was cleanly severed in two.
Blood sprayed everywhere.
The Ultimate Summoning Beast let out a shrill, agonized roar.
Staring at Aoshi—who had bisected such a terrifying creature with a single move—Honoka couldn't help but exclaim in shock and awe,
"So… strong!"