Chapter 67: The Ninjutsu Eagle
"And that Solar Flare... its power has been massively enhanced. When focused, it can even damage Goldie's own eyes. It can definitely be used as a trump card!"
Kael understood that in the Shinobi World, any jutsu that harmed the user as well as the enemy was extraordinarily powerful—powerful enough to be classified as a forbidden technique.
But seeing the despairing, teary-eyed look on Goldie's face, Kael felt a mix of pity and frustration.
"You useless thing! You hit the jackpot and you're still making that face? Did you really think you could just coast through life by being cute? Let me tell you, your Disarming Cuteness won't work as well anymore! From now on, you're going to be a taijutsu dog and get in the front lines!" he scolded.
"Woof... woof woof! — Waaah... but I just wanted to be a lazy fish!"
Kael ignored its protest and checked his own status.
[Host: Kael Cross]
Race: Human
Summoning Beasts: ...
Life Force: 225
Chakra: 59
"To get from 59 chakra back to 100... based on my past experience, it should take about two days..."
He turned to Watanabe Musashi. "Uncle Watanabe, in two days, I'll have to trouble you to come by again."
Watanabe didn't even turn his head. He continued to stroke Goldie, who was now taller than him, his hands sinking into the soft, golden fur. "Fine, I got it!"
After Watanabe Musashi reluctantly left, Kael began his preparations. He quickly ran into a problem.
"This chakra metal is... really hard."
Kael looked at the kunai in his hand, now snapped in half, and gave a bitter smile.
The only summons suitable for synthesis with lightning chakra were Goldie and the Wind Eagle. The others were all abandoned due to low compatibility. He had also tested the chakra metal with all his other summons. As a material that excelled at conducting chakra, it had decent compatibility with almost all of them. This meant it was a "universal" Blue-quality material that rarely had low compatibility with creatures in the Shinobi World.
This made the chakra metal even more precious to Kael. He wanted to break it into small pieces and use only a little bit for each synthesis. But cutting the metal was no simple task.
He shook his head, pushing the problem aside for now. He already had a few ideas on how to cut it. His main concern now was the next synthesis.
The summon with the highest compatibility with chakra metal was, surprisingly, the Earth Dragon, at 70%. The success rate was a staggering 200%, which both surprised and delighted Kael. This meant that in addition to Little Gray, Goldie, and the upcoming Wind Eagle, he would have another C-rank summon.
The implications were obvious. In total, he would have the combat power of at least four Jonin-level summons!
Aside from Little Gray, whose unique affinity for natural energy made it unsuitable for a secondary synthesis, all of his other summons had over a 100% success rate with the chakra metal. This meant the Blazing Ant Queen would be upgraded from D to C, and the Explosive Flies, Earthen Beetle, and Ironclad Hedgehog would all be upgraded to D-rank. His overall strength was about to take a massive leap.
Two days later, early in the morning.
Still in Kael's courtyard.
"Are you ready?" Watanabe Musashi asked impatiently.
Kael looked at the sky, which was not yet fully light, then at his system panel, which showed 105 chakra—a number he'd stayed up half the night to reach. Disheveled and tired, Kael's mouth twitched.
"Dude, what's the rush? You're this energetic, why don't you go home and make a second kid?"
"Cut the crap. Just do your thing. I can't wait to see what happens to your next summon."
Kael: "..." Fine, fine. You be the system host then! After seeing just one synthesis, Watanabe Musashi was more addicted than he was.
"Little Wind, wakey wakey," Kael called out wearily. "Hold on, I need to wash my face. I was up late extracting chakra, I'm exhausted," he yawned, his eyelids drooping.
Two minutes later.
"Let's go," Kael said, stepping onto the Wind Eagle's broad back and looking down at Watanabe.
Watanabe paused. "Not here?"
Kael shook his head. "Little Wind's size might change again. I'd rather he not demolish my yard... again."
Fool me once, shame on you. After the Wind Eagle had literally burst through his roof, Kael wasn't taking any more chances synthesizing indoors.
Deep within the Hidden Hot Water Village,
In a quiet meadow.
Kael and Watanabe Musashi leaped from the Wind Eagle's back. The crisp morning air hit Kael's face, waking him up and blowing away his drowsiness. The fresh air and the chirping of birds felt surprisingly comfortable. He closed his eyes, soaking in the moment.
BZZZZT!
The sharp crackle of electricity shattered the peace. Kael's serene expression vanished. He opened his eyes and stared flatly at Watanabe Musashi.
"Are you sick?"
"Hey, watch your tone! Do you know how valuable my time is? I've stayed in the village for two days just to help you, not taking any missions. Do you know what a loss that is? The village shinobi are already swamped!" Watanabe glared at him.
Kael rolled his eyes, rendered speechless.
He placed one hand on the Wind Eagle's belly and slowly moved his other hand toward the crackling orb of lightning, stopping expertly at the ten-centimeter mark. Watanabe Musashi's eyes lit up, and he stared intently at the Wind Eagle.
[Lightning-Nature Chakra]+[Wind Eagle]= ???
[Compatibility]50%
[Material: Lightning-Nature Chakra, Quality (Blue)]
[Creature: Wind Eagle, Rank (D+)]
[Synthesis Success Rate]105%
[Chakra Required]200
[Synthesize?]
Kael didn't immediately select "Yes." He had forgotten that a D-rank synthesis required 200 chakra, and he only had 105... That meant he would lose 95 points of life force, which would probably put him back in bed for days.
"What are you waiting for, kid? I have a mission to get to! I'm leaving the village soon. Hurry up," Watanabe Musashi urged him.
Kael's resolve softened. He gritted his teeth and confirmed the synthesis.
His chakra was instantly drained, and the system mercilessly consumed nearly 100 points of his life force along with it. The synthesis began.
Kael's body went limp and he collapsed, but Watanabe Musashi caught him with a quick reflex.
"What's wrong?" he asked, alarmed, pulling Kael against him for support.
Kael didn't pass out this time, but he was completely sapped of all strength. He gritted his teeth and muttered, "Hurry, hurry, hurry... what's the damn hurry..."