Besides, even if he failed today, it didn't mean there would never be another chance in the future.
If negotiations truly collapsed, Menma would simply turn around and leave. That had been his final line of retreat. However, at this moment, the Suzaku Lizard was clearly shaken.
Just as Menma had expected, Suzaku Gosaku occupied an irreplaceable position in the heart of this summoning beast.
No matter how much Menma spoke about strength, the future, or companionship, the Suzaku Lizard had remained indifferent. Yet the instant Menma mentioned Suzaku Gosaku and the fall of the First Kingdom, the beast could no longer remain unmoved.
The emotional fluctuation this time was far stronger than before.
For the first time since the battle began, the Suzaku Lizard slowly turned its massive body. Its enormous vertical pupils locked directly onto Menma.
Menma felt a surge of joy but he restrained it immediately, maintaining a calm and steady gaze.
He had no intention of deceiving the Suzaku Lizard. In Menma's eyes, exchanging a solemn promise for the absolute loyalty of a powerful summoning beast was not only acceptable it was a deal worth staking his future on.
"Human…"
A deep, hoarse voice echoed through the clearing.
"Are you serious?!"
Two streams of hot air burst from the Suzaku Lizard's nostrils as it stared intensely at Menma, its voice carrying suppressed fury and doubt.
Menma straightened his posture completely and met that gaze without flinching.
"Of course," he replied firmly. "This is my promise. I swear it on my will as a shinobi. I will avenge the fall of the First Kingdom, and I will do everything within my power to search for the descendants of Suzaku Gosaku and protect them."
Every word was spoken with clarity and conviction.
More importantly, the Suzaku Lizard could feelit.
It could sense the sincerity in Menma's chakra fluctuations, in his heartbeat, and in his unwavering eyes. That sincerity struck something deep within the beast's heart.
After staring at Menma for a long moment, the Suzaku Lizard finally lowered its massive head slightly.
"Human… remember the words you have spoken today."
The next instant
In Menma's visibly stunned expression, the Suzaku Lizard opened its mouth and expelled a summoning contract scroll, nearly half Menma's height, landing heavily on the ground before him.
"I will remember them."
Menma nodded solemnly.
Ignoring the sticky mucus coating the scroll—a trivial matter—he knelt down and opened it. His eyes immediately fell upon the name already inscribed upon it.
Suzaku Gosaku.
After staring at it for several seconds, Menma bit his thumb, allowing blood to flow, and wrote his name neatly beneath it.
The moment the final stroke was completed
The contract was sealed.
Menma instantly felt a powerful yet stable connection form between himself and the Suzaku Lizard, far deeper than a simple summoning link. It was as if something ancient had acknowledged him.
That sensation caused a realization to form in his mind.
He looked up and asked cautiously, "Are you… part of a tribe?"
"Yes."
The Suzaku Lizard lowered its head respectfully.
"Our clan is known as the Urushi Rock Lizard Clan. Though we cannot compare to the Three Great Summoning Lands, we are still a true summoning tribe. There are dozens of us, though most are still dormant or in their larval stages."
"I am the eldest of the clan."
"My name is Urushi."
Menma's eyes widened slightly.
A summoning tribe.
That single revelation was enormous.
"I see… Urushi," Menma said, visibly pleased. "But you don't need to call me 'Master.' We are companions who fight side by side. Just call me by my name. As I promised, I will fulfill my oath."
The joy in Menma's heart was impossible to suppress. A summoning tribe meant potential far beyond a single beast it meant future allies, strategy, and influence.
"No, Master," Urushi replied firmly. "Rules are rules. And I believe you will honor your promise."
The Urushi Rock Lizard Clan was clearly a traditional summoning clan, one where hierarchy and respect were deeply ingrained.
Menma frowned slightly.
"I'm really not used to being called that."
He waved his hand.
"Then… Master Menma?" Urushi hesitated, adjusting quickly.
"…That works," Menma nodded.
Though the difference was subtle, to Menma, it felt far more acceptable.
Afterward, Menma placed his hands gently on Urushi's wounded body and activated the Mystical Palm Technique, providing basic treatment to stabilize his injuries.
"Release."
With a simple hand seal, Menma canceled the summoning technique, returning Urushi to his clan's summoning domain to recover.
The injuries from the earlier battle were not minor.
Menma had no intention of summoning Urushi again anytime soon. Recovery would take priority. As for the rest of the clan
That would come later, once familiarity and trust were established.
I really struck gold this time.
Menma smiled to himself.
In the distance, Karin leapt down and hurried over the moment she realized the contract had been successfully completed.
Seeing the rare smile on Menma's face, Karin's own expression brightened instinctively. To her, Menma's happiness was everything.
"Menma, did it go well?" she asked eagerly. "Are we heading back now?"
There was a faint reluctance in her voice.
Menma paused for a moment, then chuckled softly.
Orochimaru's domain was cold, eerie, and oppressive. it was only natural for Karin to dislike it.
Still, reality remained reality.
"Yes, we'll go back," Menma replied. "But not just yet. We arrived faster than expected, so I plan to take care of one more thing first."
Karin pouted briefly at the first part of his answer, but the moment she heard the second half, her eyes sparkled.
"Really? Then let's go!"
As long as she could stay by Menma's side and avoid returning immediately to that suffocating place, Karin was more than happy.
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