The two dark-gray fluffballs had their necks tucked in, one perched on each side of Ryo’s neck.
Nestled in the hollows of his shoulders, they almost looked like a short fur collar he had somehow acquired.
Having cleaned himself up and made himself presentable, Ryo followed behind Uchiha Yugo, tapping his walking cane along the way.
“Do we really have to start making the Summoning Contract now?
My training is at a critical stage…” Yugo wore the same expressionless face as always.
He merely glanced at Ryo.
“Training?
All I’ve seen are moving punching bags.” “That’s a little harsh, isn’t it…?” “Then should I call them punching bags that actively seek abuse?
Challenging you to taijutsu…” Yugo’s tone remained completely flat.
“You’re a freak who can go head-to-head with both the Senju Clan and the Kaguya Clan in taijutsu.” Ryo sounded somewhat helpless.
“But I’m blind now.
It’s not nearly as exaggerated as you’re making it sound.” “You lost your sight, not your limbs.
The combat instincts you built through years of training are still there, aren’t they?” Yugo opened the door to his house and stepped aside to let Ryo enter.
“Those stubborn idiots never had a chance if they only challenged you to taijutsu.
They should’ve done what Hiro did and waited until your training was finished before fighting you seriously.” Ryo: …
He really couldn’t argue with that.
Letting out a quiet sigh, he shifted his neck slightly as the two fluffy chicks rubbed against him.
“Is there anything I need to pay attention to when creating a Summoning Contract?” “The only thing you really need to consider is how you want to raise them.” Yugo entered the room and retrieved a blank scroll.
“You already know that summoning a Summon requires a contract.
A contract requires a price.
And even after signing one, all you’ve done is establish a connection—it doesn’t mean the Summon is obligated to serve its master.
“But these two Ninja Crows hatched after being nurtured by your chakra.
Because of that, there’s already a natural bond and trust between you.
“That provides enormous advantages when establishing a contract.
“First, they’ll instinctively be close to you because your chakra shares the same origin.
“Second, after the contract is formed, they won’t require much in return before willingly helping you.
“And third, because they’re newly born ninja beasts, you can raise them according to your own ideas and shape them to fit your fighting style.
“That’s the greatest advantage of personally raising your own Summons.” He paused before continuing.
“But the drawbacks are equally obvious.
“Summons raised this way lack generations of accumulated knowledge and inherited abilities.
Unless they encounter some extraordinary opportunity, they’ll have difficulty providing significant combat power.” Upon hearing that, Ryo gently stroked one of the young crows curled against his neck.
His expression softened considerably.
“That’s enough for me.” “I don’t need them to fight for me.” At the way Ryo referred to the crows, a subtle change finally appeared in Yugo’s expression.
Still, he said nothing.
Instead, he walked over carrying a blank scroll.
“Since this is a contract centered around you, the first step is giving the ninja beasts names so a connection can be established.” “Have you thought of any?” “Names, huh…” Ryo smiled awkwardly.
“I’m not very good at that.” “That’s fine.
Creating the Summoning Scroll will take a little while.
You can think about it.” Ryo tilted his head slightly and rubbed his cheek against the fluffy birds.
“These names will follow you for your entire lives, so they can’t be chosen carelessly.
Crows are auspicious birds too…” “What should I call you?” The two fluffballs didn’t understand his thoughts.
They merely squinted their bead-like eyes, looking half asleep.
Ryo sat quietly, deep in thought.
Eventually, Yugo approached carrying a small knife.
“Your hand.” “We need blood?” “Mm.” Yugo took hold of Ryo’s arm.
“Have you decided on the names?” The knife sliced a shallow cut across Ryo’s arm.
After collecting a small bottle of blood in a porcelain vial, Yugo tossed him a cloth and turned away.
“Stop the bleeding yourself.” “I’ll call them Yatagarasu and Mitsuashi.” Ryo smiled as he tensed his arm muscles and pressed the cloth against the wound.
“A little good luck never hurts.” By the time Ryo left Yugo’s house, night had already fallen.
Though the darkness made no difference to him, and he could easily have returned to the crude campsite he had built on the Naka River Highlands , he had already been away from home training for more than half a month.
If he hadn’t come down the mountain, that was one thing.
But now that he had, there was no reason not to go home.
Of course, another factor was that he had grown tired of sleeping outdoors— and his dissatisfaction with his own cooking was steadily increasing.
The moment Izuna saw him, he practically launched himself forward.
“Brother!” “Long time no see, Izuna.” Ryo smiled and rubbed the boy’s head.
Then he turned toward the interior of the house.
“Father, I’m back.” Uchiha Tajima nodded slightly, a faint smile appearing on his face.
“Looks like you’ve gained quite a bit from this period of training.” “I have.
Though developing a new technique has been somewhat exhausting…” Ryo paused.
“Madara isn’t home?” “Big Brother Madara is still out on a mission,” Izuna replied while clutching the hem of Ryo’s outer robe.
“Brother, are you leaving again after this?” “Mm…
probably.” Ryo’s smile turned apologetic.
“I’m still far from where I need to be.
Sorry, Izuna.
I won’t be able to stay and practice with you.” Izuna puffed out his cheeks.
“Why can’t I grow up faster…?” Seeing his expression, Tajima couldn’t help laughing.
“Now that you’re home, make sure to get some proper rest.
The war may be intense, but there’s no need to rush everything.” “Yes, Father.” Ryo leaned his walking cane against the wall, bent down, and picked Izuna up before carrying him inside.
“I’ll make sure to balance work and rest.” Meanwhile, Izuna stared curiously at the two fluffy birds nestled against Ryo’s neck.
Before long, he found himself meeting two pairs of bead-like eyes that were equally busy studying him.
Immediately, he stared back even harder.
As a Sensory Shinobi, Ryo naturally noticed someone focusing directly on such a vulnerable area—even when there was no hostility behind the gaze.
Still, he understood exactly what Izuna was looking at.
Smiling, he explained, “These are Yatagarasu and Mitsuashi, my Summons.” “If we convert their age to human years, they’re about the same age as you, Izuna.” “So make sure to get along with them, alright?” As soon as Ryo finished speaking, the two young crows each let out a chirp, as though agreeing with him.
Izuna blinked.
Then he reached out and poked one of the fluffy birds.
Looking both confused and thoughtful, he asked: “…Does that mean I’m a big brother too?” For a brief moment, silence filled the room.
Then both Uchiha Tajima and Ryo burst out laughing.
Ryo gently ruffled Izuna’s hair, his eyes full of affection.
“That’s right.” “They’re family too.” “Our Izuna is a big brother now.”