031 Reborn as the Third Kazekage

"A summoning beast? I thought you always looked down on that kind of thing," Ebizō said, raising an eyebrow at Arashi's question.

"Looked down on it? Why would I do that?"

"Well, when you became a Jōnin, didn't you always rely on controlling the Iron Sand and Shukaku for fights? I thought you…"

"Hey, it's not that I looked down on it," Arashi interrupted, waving a hand dismissively. "You know I grew up in the orphanage. The village paid for my education, and my Jōnin mentor didn't get the chance to teach me summoning jutsu before he was killed in action. Later, I ended up as the Second Kazekage's bodyguard…"

"Hmm, I remember. The Second wasn't big on using summoning beasts himself. So, you really don't know how to summon?" Ebizō chuckled, clearly amused.

"Nope, I don't," Arashi admitted, spreading his hands in mock defeat.

"Well, it's not a big deal. We can learn now. Let me start by telling you about the major summoning beast clans of Sunagakure."

"I'm all ears."

"There are a lot of smaller clans, but I doubt you'd want to pick them. Sunagakure's three main summoning clans are the Yellow Weasel Clan of Tomb, the Komodo Lizard Clan of Komodo Island, and the Scorpion Clan of Poison Mountain."

"The Tomb? Isn't that what outsiders call the Yellow Tomb?" Arashi asked, frowning in confusion.

Ebizō promptly gave him a light smack on the head.

"That's a slur outsiders use to disrespect the Yellow Weasel Clan. We don't call it that."

"Oh, I see. That makes sense. So, which clan is your summoning beast from?"

"My sister and I are both adept at using poison. Our summoning beasts are from the Scorpion Clan of Poison Mountain."

"Got it. Then which clan do you think would suit me best?"

"That depends on what you're aiming to achieve. Each clan specializes in different things."

"I have two main goals: learning Sage Mode and defending against genjutsu."

"In that case, you should go with the Yellow Weasel Clan. The Lizard Clan specializes in stealth and reconnaissance, while the Scorpion Clan focuses on poison and assassination. But if you're serious about Sage Mode and countering genjutsu, the Yellow Weasel Clan is your best bet. By the way, my brother-in-law's summoning beast is also from the Yellow Weasel Clan."

"Elder Retsudō's summoning beast is from the Yellow Weasel Clan?" Arashi's eyes widened slightly.

"Exactly!"

"Where's the contract scroll for the Yellow Weasel Clan?"

"It should be with my nephew."

"Gureki?"

"Right."

...

"Lord Kazekage, signing a contract with the Yellow Weasel Clan is possible, but their ritual is different from other summoning beasts. I need to explain it first," Gureki said patiently, addressing Arashi.

"Oh? Let's hear it."

"When someone signs a contract with the Yellow Weasel Clan, their first summoning requires a live chicken. The summoner must reverse summon themselves to Tomb, where they'll offer the chicken's blood as a sacrifice to the Yellow Weasel King. Only after gaining the King's approval will the contract be considered complete."

"Is that so? Do you have a live chicken at your place?"

"Uh… I do, but Lord Kazekage, is there really such a rush?"

"This sort of thing shouldn't be delayed. Leaving it undone just feels wrong. Gureki, my good godson, go grab that chicken from your house," Arashi instructed, pricking his finger to sign the scroll.

At that moment, a mischievous-looking boy darted past the doorway. Arashi immediately called out to him.

"Hey, Sasori! Go grab that chicken!"

Sasori, who was in his mischievous phase, grinned devilishly at the order. He dashed to the coop and grabbed the rooster that always crowed him awake every morning.

"Here!" Sasori exclaimed, presenting the rooster to Arashi like a trophy.

"Are you kidding me? This is the rooster that wakes everyone up. Go get another one."

"Never mind. This one will do," Arashi decided, laughing. "We'll send the expense report to Pakura later for reimbursement."

With that, he activated the reverse summoning technique. A puff of smoke engulfed him, and he disappeared from sight.

In a brightly lit hall, a grand feast was underway. Endless rows of tables stretched beyond sight, each adorned with a large, embossed symbol for longevity. The air was thick with the aroma of wine and roasted meat, yet the atmosphere was tense. All eyes were on the two main seats at the head of the hall.

An old, chubby man with yellow whiskers sat sulking in one of the chairs, arms wrapped around his knees like a child denied his favorite toy. Despite the banquet around him, he refused to eat, grumbling under his breath. Surrounding him were what seemed to be his children, each holding plates of food in an attempt to coax him into eating.

Every dish featured chicken: roasted, stewed, fried, baked, grilled, sautéed, curried, poached, and even raw. Yet the old man shook his head stubbornly at each one.

"Stubborn old fool!" an elderly woman scolded. "The kids went to great lengths to prepare this feast for your 3,000th birthday. And now, of all times, you insist on drinking rooster blood. You're impossible!"

The old man ignored her, repeating his mantra: "Take it away. Not eating."

Just then, a puff of smoke appeared at the center of the hall. Arashi emerged, holding the squawking rooster. The sudden change in lighting made the rooster think it was morning, and it promptly let out three loud crows.

The hall fell silent. All eyes turned toward Arashi and his bird.

"Haha! Finally! Exactly what I wanted!" The old man in the chair leaped up, clapping his hands. Drool dripped from his grinning mouth as he reached for the bird.

Confused but compliant, Arashi handed the rooster over. The old man ripped out its feathers in record time and, with a feral gleam in his eyes, bit down on the rooster's neck. Before anyone could react, the rooster went limp, its blood drained.

As the old man drank, his body began to transform. His hands turned into claws, his ears grew larger, and a bushy tail sprouted behind him. In moments, he had become a massive white-furred weasel.

"Ah! That hit the spot!" the weasel declared, tossing the drained rooster aside. Then, pointing at Arashi, he shouted, "Good job, kid!"

Gasps erupted around the hall. Arashi, meanwhile, could only stand there, utterly bewildered.

"W-what?!" he stammered.