Furthermore, not subduing it today didn't mean there wouldn't be chances in the future.
So, if he truly failed, Menma was prepared to simply turn around and leave. But this time, the Shiromari was clearly moved. Just as Menma had anticipated, Gonza Shuzaki held an irreplaceable place in the Shiromari's heart.
No matter how eloquently Menma spoke about other things, the Shiromari wouldn't even spare him a glance. But the moment Gonza Shuzaki and the former Land of Necks were mentioned, this ninja beast could no longer sit idly by.
Its emotional shift was undeniably far more intense than before.
For the first time, the Shiromari turned its head, its massive eyes staring fixedly at Menma.
Menma felt a surge of joy, then met its gaze frankly.
He had absolutely no intention of deceiving the Shiromari. In Menma's view, if such a promise could exchange for the full assistance of a powerful summoning beast, he considered it a hugely profitable deal.
"Human, is what you say true!?"
After a long stare-down...
The Shiromari finally couldn't hold back. With two streams of hot air blasting from its nostrils, it stared intently at Menma and spoke in a booming voice.
"Of course. This is my promise. I guarantee on my character that I will definitely avenge the Land of Necks. As for Gonza Shuzaki's descendants, I will also do my best to find them!"
Menma straightened his body as much as possible, looking straight back at the Shiromari and speaking with firm conviction.
The meaning was clearly conveyed.
Most importantly, the Shiromari could sense the sincerity coming from Menma. Its heart was visibly moved.
After taking one last deep look at Menma, the Shiromari slowly nodded and said, "Human, please remember the words you spoke today."
Immediately after...
To Menma's immense delight, the beast spat out a scroll nearly half Menma's size from its mouth.
"Mhm, I will remember!"
Menma nodded heavily.
Ignoring the slime on the scroll, he opened it directly, pulling it to the end where Gonza Shuzaki's name was written.
After staring at it for three or four seconds, Menma bit his finger and wrote his name clearly and properly next to it.
The moment the contract was completed...
Menma could clearly sense an inexplicable connection with the Shiromari before him. And vaguely, there seemed to be other, deeper connections as well.
This sparked a thought in Menma's mind. He looked at the Shiromari with uncertainty and asked, "Are you part of a clan?"
"Yes, Master. We are the Urushi-Iwa-Ara (Lacquer-Rock-Rough) Lizard Clan. Although we cannot compare to the Three Great Sage Regions, we are a clan. Including myself, there are dozens of lizards in the clan. However, most are currently in their infancy or in hibernation. I am the eldest of the clan. My name is Urudo (Lacquer Earth)."
The Shiromari before him—no, Urudo—bowed his head slightly with a respectful expression after Menma signed his name on the scroll.
"Oh? Is that so? Well, Urudo, you don't need to call me Master. As I said before, we are comrades fighting side by side. Just call me by my name. As I said, I will do my best to fulfill my promises."
Upon hearing that Urudo wasn't a solitary summoning beast but came from a clan, Menma was ecstatic. He knew all too well what a summoning clan meant—it meant the things he could do had just increased significantly.
Even though he tried to calm himself down, a smile couldn't help but surface on Menma's lips.
"No, Master. Rules are rules. I also trust that Master will fulfill the agreement."
Clearly, the Urushi-Iwa-Ara Lizard Clan was a very traditional ninja beast clan, where hierarchy and status were likely ingrained in their bones.
Menma was still somewhat unaccustomed to it.
Being called "Master" by another creature like this.
"Let's change it, Urudo. I'm not that used to it," Menma said, waving his hand.
"Ah? Yes... then, Menma-sama?"
Since the contract was already formed, Urudo could clearly judge that Menma wasn't just being polite. However, his personality and past habits prevented him from calling Menma by his name directly, so he simply added the honorific "-sama" after the name.
"Mhm, let's go with that."
This title was much easier to adapt to. Perhaps the meaning wasn't too different, but to Menma's ears, there was a fundamental difference.
He nodded in agreement.
Immediately after...
Menma used the Mystical Palm Technique he had just learned to perform basic preliminary treatment on Urudo.
"Release!"
He formed a seal and released the Summoning Jutsu, allowing Urudo to return to his clan's exclusive summoning space to recuperate.
Urudo's injuries from this battle were somewhat severe.
For the next while...
Menma certainly wouldn't summon Urudo; he had to let the guy rest for a bit. As for the other lizards...
Well.
That could wait until they got more familiar.
'I really found a treasure this time,' Menma thought, his face full of smiles.
In the distance, seeing that Menma had successfully formed the contract, Karin flickered over rapidly.
Seeing the joy on Menma's face, Karin also showed a happy expression. In her eyes, Menma's joy was her own joy.
"Menma, did everything go smoothly? Does that mean we have to go back now?"
Karin's eyes widened, and she spoke with a tone that hinted at a little resistance.
Hearing this, Menma paused for a moment, then immediately realized.
The atmosphere at Orochimaru's place was indeed a bit gloomy.
It made sense that Karin didn't like it.
However, they had to go back eventually. Even though Menma's plan included establishing his own force, now was definitely not the time. Firstly, the timing wasn't right; secondly, he didn't have the corresponding ability or strength yet.
Therefore, Orochimaru's place was still a necessary foothold for him.
"Mhm, we definitely have to go back. But not so soon. We spent less time here than expected, so I plan to deal with another matter while we're at it," Menma said with a light smile.
Hearing the first half of the sentence, Karin pouted, clearly a bit unhappy. But upon hearing the second half, a look of obvious delight appeared on her face.
"Mhm! Are we setting off now?" Karin asked, her eyes sparkling.
Regardless of where they went, as long as she could be with Menma and didn't have to return to that cold, damp place, Karin was absolutely willing.