Inside the Secret Base
Deep within the hidden underground base, silence reigned.
Pain — Hiruko once again activated the Kiyomi no Jutsu, carefully preparing to fuse the Seven-Tails Wings into the body of a newly created Summoning Beast.
Compared to the previous experimental subject, this Summoning Beast was significantly stronger. Its body had been reinforced through countless enhancements, layered with chakra-conducting tissues and stability seals. By all conventional standards, it should have been more than capable of withstanding an enormous influx of power.
Yet—
The fusion still failed.
The Seven-Tails Wings, already infused with Nine-Tails chakra, released a violent surge of energy the moment the merging process reached its critical phase. The Summoning Beast's body trembled violently before rupturing from within, unable to contain the overwhelming force.
Fragments scattered across the sealing chamber.
A faint sigh echoed through the darkness.
"It seems I still underestimated the immense power contained within the Seven-Tails Wings after they fused with Nine-Tails chakra."
Aomizu's voice was calm, but his eyes were thoughtful.
The problem was not technique.
The problem was capacity.
Ordinary Summoning Beasts simply could not endure the chakra of a Tailed Beast.
The power of a Bijuu was not something a common creature could casually bear. Even a fraction of that chakra was catastrophic.
"So where can I find a powerful enough Summoning Beast?"
There were many types of Summoning Beasts across the Shinobi World—wolves, hawks, giant spiders, monkeys, turtles, serpents, and more. But when speaking of the strongest beings in the Summoning Realm, only three locations truly stood at the pinnacle.
The Three Great Sage Regions.
They were the summoning world's equivalent of the Five Great Shinobi Villages—dominant, ancient, and nearly untouchable.
However, precisely because of that status, they were not places one could casually provoke.
The first was Shikkotsu Forest.
Aomizu himself was a contractor of Shikkotsu Forest. Attacking it was not only impractical but absurd. Moreover, although Shikkotsu Forest was counted among the Three Great Sage Regions, it housed only one true entity—the Giant Slug Sage.
Every other slug within the forest, no matter how large or small, was merely a divided body of that singular being. The same applied to the slugs summoned to the battlefield.
Provoking Shikkotsu Forest would be equivalent to directly challenging the Giant Slug Sage face-to-face.
That would be no different from seeking death.
It was foolish to mistake gentleness for weakness.
The Giant Slug Sage stood at the summit of the Summoning World.
Next was Mount Myōboku.
Among the Three Great Sage Regions, Mount Myōboku was perhaps the most renowned. The Great Toad Sage possessed prophetic abilities so profound that even the legendary Sage of Six Paths had once been connected to its foresight.
Who could say what hidden abilities remained unseen?
Furthermore, Jiraiya maintained a deep relationship with Mount Myōboku. Out of respect for Jiraiya, Aomizu had no intention of targeting them.
That left only Ryūchi Cave.
Despite its name containing the character for "dragon," it was, in truth, a domain of serpents. Among the Three Great Sage Regions, Ryūchi Cave arguably had the worst reputation.
Unlike the others, Aomizu had no prior connection to it.
If he truly had to choose one of the three to approach, Ryūchi Cave would be the most viable option.
However, there was a problem.
He was not a contractor of Ryūchi Cave.
Gaining access would require contacting Orochimaru.
And Aomizu had no desire to initiate contact with Orochimaru.
Thus, for now, the path involving the Three Great Sage Regions was temporarily set aside.
He would have to search elsewhere.
But that posed another difficulty.
Most well-known, powerful Summoning Beasts already had contractors. There were not many unclaimed options left.
Then a memory surfaced.
"Wait… there's an island near the Land of Fire…"
"Summoning Island."
Summoning Island was home to a wide variety of powerful Summoning Beasts. Many shinobi traveled there in hopes of finding suitable contracts. It was a natural gathering place for creatures of the Summoning Realm.
If not for the absence of Sage Mode inheritance, it might have become the fourth Great Sage Region.
Yes.
Summoning Island was worth investigating.
Ninja Academy – Medical Special Training Class
The second-stage assessment had concluded shortly after the new semester began.
To Aomizu's satisfaction, all twenty-three students passed and successfully advanced to the third stage of instruction.
It was clear they had practiced diligently during the holiday break.
The third stage would focus on in-depth medical theory—an area far more difficult than basic chakra control exercises. The content would include anatomy, toxin analysis, cellular stimulation, surgical precision, and battlefield triage principles.
The first stage had consisted of twelve classes spread over three months.
This stage would require approximately one hundred classes.
That meant nearly twenty-five months of structured instruction.
Accounting for holidays and academy breaks, the total duration would likely extend to around two and a half years.
After finishing his lecture that day, Aomizu did not dismiss the class as usual.
Instead, he prepared a surprise quiz.
The students straightened immediately.
"Students," Aomizu said calmly, "the top three scorers on this quiz will accompany me on an outdoor mission tomorrow."
The classroom erupted in excitement.
Since childhood, most of them had never left Konoha. The idea of going outside the village—even for a D-Rank mission—was thrilling.
And to do so with Teacher Aomizu?
It felt historic.
Soon, the test concluded.
As expected, the top three scorers were:
Kurenai Yuhi.
Rin Nohara.
Shizune.
Kurenai could hardly contain her joy.
"This is amazing! Rin, Shizune—we get to go together again!"
Even Rin's usually composed expression showed excitement.
Shizune, though quieter, was visibly delighted.
"Teacher Aomizu," Rin asked cautiously, "what kind of mission is it? Is it really okay for us to go?"
"Yes," Shizune added, "we haven't graduated yet…"
Aomizu smiled reassuringly.
"It's only a D-Rank mission—gathering medicinal herbs. I'll inform your other instructors. There won't be any issues."
In truth, the herb-gathering task was partly a pretext.
Near Summoning Island lay an uninhabited island rich in medicinal plants used to refine soldier pills. It was the perfect excuse to travel.
Bringing the three girls was a spontaneous decision.
He would treat it as a field lesson.
For a medical ninja, identifying herbs in their natural environment was essential training.
"However," Aomizu added, his tone turning serious, "although D-Rank missions are typically safe, once you leave Konoha, unexpected situations can occur."
"If any of you are afraid, you may withdraw."
None of them hesitated.
They all chose to go.
Aomizu's expression softened.
"Don't worry. If anything happens, I will protect you."
Given his current strength, those words were not an exaggeration.
The girls believed him completely.
"The location is an uninhabited island in the sea. The round trip will take four to five days. Prepare accordingly."
He gave additional instructions—travel supplies, clothing, ration management, and safety precautions.
The News Spreads
By afternoon, the news had spread across the academy.
Kurenai, Rin, and Shizune instantly became the center of attention.
Envy filled the air.
Some regretted not joining the Medical Special Training Class.
Others regretted quitting earlier.
But it was too late.
The opportunity was gone.
Even Uchiha Obito rushed to find Rin.
"You're going outside the village? That's dangerous! I'll go too! I'll protect you!"
Rin gently stopped him.
"Obito, we're going with Teacher Aomizu."
Kurenai crossed her arms confidently.
"With Brother Aomizu there, we'll be perfectly safe. Maybe you should focus on improving your grades first."
Obito immediately flushed red.
Shizune covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Asuma Sarutobi, on the other hand, simply offered Kurenai a quiet reminder.
"Be careful."
At Home – Kurenai's Preparation
That evening, Kurenai informed her father, Shinku Yuhi.
Instead of objecting, he smiled proudly.
"Going on a mission with Aomizu? Good. You truly are my daughter."
As a Jonin, Shinku had heard the rumors—many believed Aomizu could become the Fourth Hokage.
If Kurenai could build a good relationship early, it would only benefit her future.
Still, he gave serious instructions.
"This is your first time leaving Konoha. Listen carefully to Aomizu. Follow orders."
He personally helped her prepare equipment—ration pills, kunai, flares, basic medical supplies.
Kurenai felt both excited and slightly nervous.
The Next Morning – Konoha Gate
At dawn, Kurenai arrived at the village gate first.
She had woken before sunrise, too excited to sleep longer.
Soon after, Rin and Shizune arrived.
"Good morning!"
"Did you eat breakfast?" Rin asked immediately.
"Yes! I just woke up early."
"I was so excited I could barely sleep," Shizune admitted shyly.
They laughed together.
Moments later, Aomizu appeared.
"Good morning. If you haven't eaten, eat now. We have a long journey ahead."
They nodded in unison.
Everything was ready.
Aomizu glanced once at the towering gates of Konoha.
Then forward—toward the distant sea.
"Since you're prepared," he said calmly,
"Let's set off."
"YES!"
With that, the four figures departed from Konoha, stepping beyond the village walls and into the wider world.
For the three girls, it was the beginning of their very first true mission.
For Aomizu—
It was the first step toward acquiring a Summoning Beast capable of bearing the power of a Tailed Beast.
And far beyond the horizon, Summoning Island awaited.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)