In the future, Medical Ninja Nonou would die serving Konoha, the village she had devoted her life to. Such an end seemed tragically wasteful.
Kiyoshi glanced at Nonou and spoke suddenly:
"Teacher Nonou, if there's ever a time you need me, just tell me."
He meant the future Nonou, the one who would face financial crises at the orphanage, threatening the survival of all the children.
Shimada Danzo had exploited that weakness to force Nonou back into service. Kiyoshi resolved that, when the time came, he would provide the funds needed.
"Haha… I hope that day comes, little Kiyoshi."
Nonou smiled gently, letting Kiyoshi choose a summon beast.
Kiyoshi nodded, inspecting each creature through the glass: toads, birds, snakes… the variety was dizzying.
Summon beasts for contracts generally fall into three categories: combat, support, and sensory.
"I want a support-type summon beast," Kiyoshi said.
Combat-type beasts weren't urgent. In the coming ninja wars, such beasts could be easily targeted and overwhelmed. Sensory beasts were unnecessary for him as well.
Kiyoshi possessed the Yang attribute, a common trait among sensory ninjas. While all ninjas have all chakra types, natural talent varies. Some spend years refining a hidden attribute until it feels innate. The Yang attribute qualified him for sensory advancement.
With his aptitude, Kiyoshi could improve it through training. Therefore, a support-type summon beast suited him best. Later, he could contract more if needed—there was no limit.
"These should meet your requirements, little Kiyoshi," Nonou said, pointing out a few candidates and explaining their effects.
"One enhances olfactory senses, this one…" After careful comparison, Kiyoshi chose a white snake.
It coiled in a glass container, pale scales submerged in a greenish nutrient solution sustaining it. Sensing Kiyoshi, the snake opened its black eyes, watching him.
"This one? Not bad."
Nonou nodded and handed him a blank contract scroll.
The white snake would serve as a healing support, similar to a slug summon, and could also be used for reconnaissance.
"This is the summoning contract. Write your name in blood and dip your fingers to seal it," Nonou instructed on the C-rank Summoning Jutsu. After the contract, to summon, form a hand seal, gather chakra to the contracted hand, and indicate the desired location.
Kiyoshi nodded seriously.
Moments later, Nonou removed the white snake, and they established the blood-based contract.
Kiyoshi acquired the entry:
[Apprentice Summoner (White)]
• Requirement: Sign a contract with one summon beast.
• Progress: Complete
• Effect: Reduces chakra cost for summoning by 5%.
• Note: Can be further upgraded.
Summoning isn't easy; taming wild beasts is required, and the user's chakra limits the number and strength of beasts. A weak summon can't be effective, no matter the chakra.
This entry offered great potential for Kiyoshi, reducing chakra cost for summoning.
"From now on, you'll follow me."
The white snake was about the thickness of Kiyoshi's index finger, roughly fifty centimeters long.
"It's still young, it should grow stronger."
Kiyoshi patted the snake's head. It neither resisted nor approached his face, coiling gently around his arm. When he lowered his hand, it hid within his sleeve.
Kiyoshi was pleasantly surprised—he had acquired a summon beast and a new entry.
Sakura and Tsunade, even combined, could only summon a fraction of the slug's size using Hundred Slug Technique. Imagine a fully grown summon with enough chakra—the battlefield impact would be enormous, though Tsunade and Sakura lacked sufficient chakra.
"By the way, Teacher Nonou, I've mastered the five medical ninjutsu you taught me."
"Oh? Both theory and technique?" Nonou ruffled his head. At present, she was slightly taller. Kiyoshi didn't resist, letting the shadows sway across him.
"Let's go show them," she said, leading him back to Konoha Hospital.
Kiyoshi demonstrated all five medical ninjutsu again: four D-rank and one C-rank. He had also obtained the related entry yesterday.
"Now, I'll teach you about poisons."
Nonou handed him several scrolls. Medical ninjas don't only learn healing; they must master antidotes and poisons. Knowledge of toxins is essential for every spy ninja, and Nonou was highly knowledgeable in this field.
"Understood."
Kiyoshi felt the snake's cold, smooth scales along his arm, nodding as he prepared to study toxins.
Even Tsunade's apprentice, Shizune, had training in poison techniques.
(End of Chapter)