Shikigami Summoning in Konoha

Chapter 25: A Year Later!

"Fox..."

The Nine-Tails' massive beastly pupils scrutinized the Three-Tails. Though he sensed that she wasn't human, he couldn't confirm she was a fox—after all, not everything with tails is a fox.

"Be careful, Sister Fox!"

Seeing how the Three-Tails seemed totally unconcerned, Katsuragi felt a bit helpless. The Nine-Tails' personality wasn't the kind that reciprocated kindness with kindness. With his haughty nature, he could snap even at other Tailed Beasts.

"This little brat is right! If you come any closer, be careful, or I might just kill you!"

The Nine-Tails bared its sharp teeth, revealing its fierce, red eyes and extending its sharp claws—not sure if to intimidate the Three-Tails or to actually attack.

"Eh!?"

The Three-Tails tilted her head and looked up at the Nine-Tails' imposing stature, then spoke discontentedly, "Just because you're a fox with six more tails, doesn't mean you can act all high and mighty. If you're so powerful, come out here and fight!"

"Cough, cough!"

Hearing the Three-Tails' words, Katsuragi choked, her words like salt on the Nine-Tails' wounds. He quickly pulled the Three-Tails in front of him.

"Roar!"

As expected, just as Katsuragi pulled the Three-Tails to his side, the Nine-Tails inside the seal lunged forward and roared at them, his eyes filled with fury:

"If it weren't for those damned humans..."

"Katsuragi, what's with this guy?"

As the Nine-Tails attempted to attack Katsuragi and the Three-Tails, Snow Woman hurried over, her hands manifesting frost, but she dissipated it upon realizing the Nine-Tails couldn't breach the seal.

"It's a seal!"

Looking at the howling Nine-Tails, Katsuragi sighed, "This being was manipulated by someone using the Sharingan in my previous life, though even without control, the Nine-Tails would not have spared Konoha."

"A seal!?"

Only then did the Three-Tails notice the seal on the iron door, and said, "Katsuragi, let's help him break the seal!"

At this, the Nine-Tails, who had been glaring fiercely at them, paused, examining the genuinely innocent Three-Tails and, for the first time, perhaps considered she might actually be a fox.

"Uh!"

But Katsuragi was equally taken aback, then quickly shook his head, "No, Sister Fox! There are many complex issues involved here, and moreover, we can't break this seal right now!"

Not to mention that breaking the seal would also involve dealing with the chakra of Minato and Kushina. Even if it were possible, Katsuragi wouldn't dare to unseal it. Releasing the Nine-Tails could mean disaster for Konoha and for Naruto, who wouldn't survive without the Nine-Tails as his life force was tied to it.

"Alright!"

Though she felt sympathy for the Nine-Tails' plight, the Three-Tails trusted Katsuragi more and didn't insist further. She walked up to the now calm Nine-Tails, smiled and said, "Sorry! Katsuragi said we can't break the seal, but if we ever get a chance, we'll come back to visit you!"

"Heh!"

The Nine-Tails scoffed, his eyes filled with mockery, "Believing in humans will lead you to regret, just you wait!"

As Katsuragi was about to lecture him on the virtues of truth, kindness, and beauty, he suddenly felt a tug from the courtyard's direction—probably Naruto was done crying and about to leave.

To avoid any risks, Katsuragi didn't linger. He called to the Three-Tails and Snow Woman, and using the power of the courtyard, returned to it.

After they left, the Nine-Tails stared in the direction they had gone, muttering, "A fox with three tails... who are they?"

---

"Whew!"

Back in the courtyard, feeling the warm and comfortable atmosphere, Katsuragi let out a deep breath. Being near the Nine-Tails, with its aura of cold fury, was intense.

"Home is always best!"

Under the cherry tree, the Three-Tails lamented, "It's a pity we can't invite that Nine-Tails to see our courtyard."

"Alright, Sister Fox, Sister Snow, rest well. I'm off!"

Hearing the Three-Tails' lament, Katsuragi, feeling a bit speechless and remembering his body outside needed attention, quickly said his goodbyes and left the courtyard.

---

Katsuragi glanced back towards where Naruto had been crying but saw no sign of him; presumably, he had gone home.

"Fate, huh?"

Katsuragi couldn't help but recall Neji's words about everyone being born with a different fate. Was Naruto's destiny to save the ninja world from the moment of his birth?

And what about himself?

With thoughts on these questions, Katsuragi returned home.

---

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, a year had passed. Katsuragi had turned five. Over the year, many things had happened.

Neji, under his 'tough love,' became the earliest in the Hyuga clan to activate the Byakugan, which, while it delighted Neji, made Hinata's training even more rigorous and severe, something Katsuragi greatly regretted.

As for Neji, who came to challenge him full of confidence after activating his Byakugan and was brutally beaten by an extremely annoyed Katsuragi, that event didn't need to be detailed. Suffice to say, Neji didn't leave his house for three days afterward.

Regarding Katsuragi's strength, he had successfully raised Snow Woman to four stars within the year, though this time there were no additional rewards or functions, leading him to speculate that perhaps only at five stars would new features unlock.

However, advancing from four stars to five required a staggering 480,000 coins, a goal that seemed far off for now.

The increase in power from having a four-star Snow Woman was significant, yet due to chakra limitations, he couldn't fully utilize her abilities, which frustrated Katsuragi. While the Three-Tails was limited by physical strength, Snow Woman was constrained by chakra.

Thus, in the end, he still needed to diligently train to truly become stronger. There's no such thing as a free lunch, after all.

---

June 9th, clear skies. The clouds were fluffy like cotton candy, and occasional breezes brought welcome relief from the heat, marking a significant day in Konoha.

It was the first day of the Ninja Academy.

Outside the school, as Katsuragi accompanied Neji on his first day, a glint of warmth passed through Neji's eyes, though he remained haughtily dismissive, "Just wait! I will defeat you someday!"

"Sure, sure! Do your best!" Katsuragi waved nonchalantly, appearing eager for Neji to just go inside, which only irritated Neji more.

"Hmph!"

With a cold snort, Neji no longer paid Katsuragi any mind and turned to enter the school. But as he reached the gate, he covertly activated his Byakugan to check behind him. Seeing Katsuragi still looking at his back, a slight smile crossed Neji's lips before he deactivated his Byakugan and headed to his classroom.

"Ah! To turn your head, you use the Byakugan! Really..."

---

End of Chapter 25