thefictionvixens Chapter 158 Ghost City, Shuzaki Lizard
Chapter 158 Ghost City, Shuzaki Lizard
Chapter 149 Ghost City, Shuzaki Lizard
The free clinic in the city is progressing in an orderly manner, and most of the critically ill patients have received proper treatment. The mobile clinics in the surrounding villages are also proceeding smoothly.
Xingyuan Qianshuo had already stored all the healing fluff balls in his storage scroll into his personal space, so that his various shadow clones could access them at any time. Originally, there were a total of two hundred fluff balls, but now only thirty-six remain.
It was 1:30 in the morning. After a moment's thought, he decided to go to the Cat Castle and ask Huimei to use her abilities to pick some healing pom-poms for future use.
The Cat Castle is far from Morino Castle, exceeding the distance of his spell perception limit.
Xingyuan Qianshuo used teleportation twice, and his figure appeared next to Huimei.
"Teacher Chisaku, you've arrived?" Huimei looked up, a bright smile spreading across her face.
"Hmm, practicing Earth Release?" Hoshino Senju looked around.
Before them lay a desolate rocky cliff, with clear traces of earth-遁 (earth-遁术) on the ground.
"Yes, that's what the teacher taught me these past two days," Huimei replied playfully, glancing back at the approaching shadow clone teacher.
"Sigh—Shadow clones really have no rights." The shadow clone that had been staying by Huimei's side to guide her sighed softly, and then "poof" turned into a cloud of white smoke and disappeared.
After receiving the memories, Xingyuan Qianshuo frowned slightly.
The mindset of the shadow clone is almost identical to that of the original. While it may be manageable to act separately for a short period, if it remains outside for an extended period, it will inevitably accumulate loneliness and longing, and may even begin to ponder the meaning of its existence.
This shadow clone, focused on teaching Huimei, has been here for nearly four days and four nights, and negative emotions are beginning to arise.
"It seems I can't leave my shadow clones outside for long periods of time anymore," Hoshino Senju thought to himself.
He quickly composed himself and looked at Huimei. His shadow clone had considered a way to rapidly increase her strength: one method was to utilize her vast chakra reserves to find her a powerful summoning beast to aid her.
Most of the top summoning beasts in the ninja world come from the three sacred lands. However, the contract for Shikkotsu Forest ultimately belongs to Tsunade, so it's not really suitable for Emi to sign it.
Furthermore, although the ninja beasts summoned by Nagato's Animal Path in the original work are powerful, they are forcibly controlled by the Rinnegan and have limited intelligence. Even Hoshino Sensaku does not know where to find them.
He did remember an unclaimed yet intelligent summoned beast—the "Shuzaki Lizard" of the Head Country.
Its strength is at least on par with Gamabunta and Manda, and it is incredibly loyal. Even though its master, Gossa Shuzaki, has been gone for decades, it still obeys its orders and stands as a castle.
Previously, Xingyuan Qianshuo had considered using its animal affinity to obtain the psychic scroll. However, before he could act, his own strength had increased rapidly, and he no longer needed its assistance.
"Huimei, let's go, I'll take you somewhere," Hoshino Senju said gently.
"Okay, teacher," Huimei replied obediently.
Hoshino Gensaku gently placed his hand on Huimei's shoulder and used the Flying Thunder God Technique. The two figures flashed and disappeared from their original spot.
When they reappeared, they had arrived near the capital of the Land of Rivers.
The Flying Thunder God mark here is one of the earliest ones he left behind.
The reason for choosing this place as a foothold is that the extinct "Kingdom of the Head" was located within the territory of the Kingdom of Rivers, and is now situated at the border between the Kingdom of Honey and the Kingdom of Filling.
The Land of Honey and the Land of Filling are located in the northern part of the narrow territory of the Land of Rivers. They are both independent small countries with relatively close ties to the Land of Fire and Konoha Village.
If you want to get to the castle that the lizard in Shouzaki is said to be, the shortest route is to travel about 300 kilometers north from there.
"Teacher, where is this?" Huimei blinked, looking around curiously.
"Within the Land of Rivers. We're going to a legendary ghost city to find you a summoning beast," Hoshino Sensaku explained.
"A ghost town?" Hui Mei's body trembled slightly, her voice filled with unease. "Teacher, could there be ghosts?"
"Uh—" Hoshinohara Chisaku paused for a moment, "Huimei, are you afraid of ghosts?"
"When I was alone at night before, I was always worried that ghosts would appear—" Huimei said softly.
"He's a bit like Naruto. It's normal for a kid to be afraid of ghosts growing up alone," Hoshino Senju thought to himself. "There really is a ghost in Ghost Castle, though, it's Kusaki Gosho."
"It's broad daylight, don't be afraid," he encouraged. "Besides, the teacher is still here."
"Mmm." Huimei nodded, trying hard to suppress the fear in her heart.
"Let's go, it's about 300 kilometers, a bit far, let's speed up."
"it is good."
The two then ran north side by side. Xingyuan Qianshuo did not enter the capital of the River Kingdom, but instead bypassed it via the outer roads.
At noon, the two had run more than halfway and stopped to rest for a while.
"Hye-mi, are you hungry?"
"I'm a little hungry, hehe."
"Perfect timing, the teacher brought lunch." Hoshinohara Chisaku revealed a mischievous smile. "Did you know that chili peppers can ward off ghosts?"
"I don't know, is chili pepper okay?" Huimei asked innocently.
"The curry rice the teacher brought is a bit spicy, you can eat more of it."
As Xingyuan Qianshuo spoke, he waved his hand and took out a pot of curry, placing it on the ground. A strong, spicy aroma immediately filled the air.
"Cough cough—" Huimei coughed, choked by the spiciness. "Teacher, this is too spicy!"
"Haha, you can eat more rice and have less curry."
Xingyuan Qianshuo washed the dishes and served himself and Huimei a plate each, then put the curry pot and rice pot away.
"Try it, it's actually quite delicious once you get used to it," he urged.
Huimei stared at the plate of dark, mushy curry rice, blinked, then looked at the teacher with a somewhat bewildered expression.
Trusting her teacher, she scooped up a spoonful and put it in her mouth.
"Whoa—" Huimei's face immediately turned red, her features scrunched up, and she quickly put down the spoon, fanning herself with her hand and breathing heavily.
"Here, have some water." Xingyuan Qianshuo, having successfully pulled off a prank, smiled and handed over a glass of water.
Huimei took it and drank it all in one gulp, then looked at him with a pitiful expression.
Xingyuan Qianshuo shook his head slightly, picked up his plate, gestured to Huimei, and began to eat heartily with a composed expression.
Through the memories of the shadow clone, he learned that Hui Mei's recent apparent liveliness was actually due to the shadow clone's companionship.
She is overly dependent on her teacher, and if left alone, her mood will likely plummet quickly.
Xingyuan Qianshuo intentionally wanted to provoke her with a prank. This "Super Spicy Life Curry" was sure to have a strong impact on both her body and mind.
"Honestly, the teacher brought such awful fruit last time, and this time it's super spicy curry—" Huimei sighed inwardly.
She looked at her plate of curry, feeling both afraid and unwilling to waste it.
He took a deep breath, picked up the plate, and with a determined look in his eyes, scooped up a spoonful and forced himself to swallow it.
After finishing a plate of curry rice, Hoshino Chisuke smiled slightly and quietly watched Huimei eat with difficulty, thinking to himself, "Not bad, this level of spiciness is hard for ordinary people to bear. At least you need the willpower of Rock Lee or Naruto to do it."
While Huimei was eating curry, he secretly observed the changes in her data on the system interface.
"Chakra levels have indeed increased, by about two thousand points," Xingyuan Qianshuo thought to himself. "Was it the super spicy stimulation that took effect on my body and mind? It's like an ordinary person's first time winter swimming; it's a rare form of training."
He didn't compare his chakra levels with the system data when he took the first dose, but he did get a sense of it. Now, after taking the second dose, the increase in chakra is no longer obvious, but he confirmed the effect through Huimei.
"Huff—ha—" Hui Mei's heart was pounding like a drum. She finished eating the curry, drenched in sweat, and put down the plate to catch her breath.
"Here, have another glass of water." Xingyuan Qianshuo handed over the water glass.
After gulping down her drink, Huimei looked at her teacher and said quietly, "Teacher, could you bring something normal next time?"
"Haha, okay, I'll treat you to a barbecue feast next time." Xingyuan Qianshuo laughed, then put away the bowls and chopsticks, rinsed them clean with water, and put them back into his personal space.
"Let's go, let's use speed travel to relieve some of the discomfort."
"Okay," Huimei readily agreed.
After eating a super spicy curry, her body and mind seemed to have undergone a tempering process, and she was in a state of high excitement.
The two set off again.
Soon after, Xingyuan Qianshuo sensed through Kagura's Mind Eye that there was a huge and dormant chakra a hundred kilometers away, which was undoubtedly the Shuzaki lizard that had transformed into a castle.
Once the direction is determined, the route becomes clearer.
An hour later, as they approached their destination, the two slowed their pace.
"Emi, use Kagura's Mind's Eye to sense what's ahead," Hoshino Sensaku gently instructed.
"Yes, teacher." Huimei formed the "未" mudra with one hand and focused her mind on sensing.
"This is... such a massive amount of chakra!" Hui Mei exclaimed in amazement.
"That's the summoning beast we're going to subdue, a giant lizard," Xingyuan Qianshuo explained.
"Ah—" Huimei exclaimed softly, "She's so strong, can I subdue her?"
"Haha, let's give it a try. There should be a psychic contract scroll; just sign your name after you find it."
"Mm." Huimei nodded. With the teacher there, she wasn't worried.
Soon, the two came into view of a tall, ancient castle in the distance. The surrounding trees were tall, their leaves withered and yellow, and the ground was covered with fallen leaves.
"Teacher, this castle is alive!" Huimei exclaimed in surprise.
"Yes, the castle was transformed from that spirit beast. To find the spirit contract, we'll probably have to enter its body," Xingyuan Qianshuo explained.
He looked up and observed that the castle had a rock base and an ancient wooden structure on top, about forty or fifty meters high.
Through perception, the base is a physical object, but the wooden parts have a slow flow of chakra, which is not active.
With a slight thought, he probed the castle's information through the system:
[Name: Lizard Pill]
[Symptoms: Hunger, weakness]
"Is it called Lizard Maru? Not Shuzaki Lizard? It does sound similar to Toad Maru." Hoshigen Chisaku thought to himself, "Has it starved to the point of being diagnosed with an illness? In the original story, this lizard guarded this place for fifty years, and now it's been about thirty."
"This lizard is versatile, possessing transformation, illusion, tentacle attacks, stomach acid attacks, regeneration, and more. I wonder if it can become invisible like the chameleon in Pain's Animal Path."
After a moment's thought, he left a Flying Thunder God mark on a nearby tree.
He decided to take Huimei with him to investigate. If the "Animal Affinity" talent worked, there would be no need to worry; otherwise, he would grab the scroll and teleport out immediately.
"Let's go in and take a look," Xingyuan Qianshuo said.
"Yes, teacher." Huimei nodded solemnly.
Knowing that the castle was formed from spirit beasts, it still took considerable courage to enter. Fortunately, with her teacher by her side, she felt much more at ease.
The two stepped onto the stone steps and arrived at the gate. The gate creaked open automatically.
Xingyuan Qianshuo was the first to enter, followed closely by Huimei.
"Click!"
The gate slammed shut. The castle windows were small, and the interior was dimly lit, but bright light shone from the inner room, creating an eerie atmosphere.
"Teacher—!" Hui Mei's body tensed up suddenly, and she grabbed the teacher's arm with both hands, her voice trembling.
"Don't be afraid, it's just a spirit beast," Xingyuan Qianshuo said in a deep voice.
He sensed his surroundings; the walls were filled with flowing chakra, which was gradually becoming more active. He realized that the slow flow earlier was simply to conserve energy.
Xingyuan Qianshuo looked around and, knowing that the castle was actually a lizard in disguise, lost interest in visiting it.
Instead, head straight to the Sky Tower and obtain the Contract Scroll. Once you sign the contract and subdue it, you can summon it at any time in the future.
"Let's go, we'll go up the stairs," Xingyuan Qianshuo said calmly.
"Hmm." Hui Mei released her grip, let out a soft breath, and calmed herself down.
However, just as the two stepped onto a flight of stairs, their feet suddenly twisted, and as they swayed, they were sent back to the lobby.
"Is the animal's natural affinity less effective than its original owner's commands? Or is it that the fact that it wasn't attacked already shows that its natural talent is at work?" Xingyuan Qianshuo pondered to himself.
He could have used his speed to rush forward and seize the scroll, but after a moment's thought, he called out, "Lizard Maru, we come with good intentions. Please allow us to sign a summoning contract and end this thirty-year-long guardianship."
The words echoed through the castle. After a moment, a gruff voice rang out: "Do you know my name? — I am the castle, and by the orders of Lord Gangzo, those who enter the city shall die."
"Is it not possible?" Hoshino Senju thought to himself.
At this moment, the gruff voice rang out again: "You are a kind person, please leave quickly to avoid death."
"As expected, animal affinity can't compare to the original owner's commands. This summoned beast's loyalty is on par with Toad Ken's; it's a bit stubborn."
Xingyuan Qianshuo thought of Lizard Maru's hunger. If he could solve its hunger, he should be able to get a good system reward and also get closer to it.
But such a huge lizard must have an enormous appetite.
It would be too wasteful to feed it with magic beans, so he changed his mind and decided to let it try the special life curry first.
"Lizard Maru, I brought you some food, please enjoy." Xingyuan Qianshuo's lips curled up slightly, and with a wave of his hand, a large bucket of scalding hot, super spicy curry was poured onto the ground.
The ground instantly twisted and undulated, transforming into a red fleshy wall that devoured the curry completely.
Xingyuan Qianshuo placed his hand on Huimei's shoulder, ready to either rush upwards or retreat at any time.
This lizard is large and was previously in a state similar to hibernation, so its nerve reactions are a bit slow.
A moment later, Xingyuan Qianshuo clearly sensed that the chakra in the surrounding walls suddenly accelerated, and the fleshy walls that had originally formed a castle appeared piece by piece, while trying their best to maintain their original state.
"Wow, that's a strong reaction," Xingyuan Qianshuo sighed inwardly.
After a dozen or so breaths, the commotion subsided, and silence returned. The gruff voice came again: "Delicious! More!"
"Uh————" Xingyuan Qianshuo did not expect to receive such a response, but unfortunately there was no stock left.
"Lizard Maru, I'm sorry, I only brought these this time. If we sign a contract, I can cook for you again in the future, and you can return to your hometown and have a good meal."
Xingyuan Qianshuo was slightly disappointed that he hadn't received any system notifications, which indicated that there wasn't enough food, but he didn't pay much attention to it.
Lizard Maru did not respond for a long time, nor did he drive them away, seemingly hesitating and pondering.
Just then, a figure dressed in ancient armor suddenly appeared in the room.
Hoshino Senju suddenly turned his head and saw the ghost that appeared in the original work—Kusaki Gossa.
He had been trying to sense the other's presence, but he was completely unaware of it, not even before the other revealed itself.
A sudden inspiration struck him, and he quietly used the system to investigate:
[Name: Gossa Kuzaki (Soul)]
[Condition: Unresolved obsession, difficult to break free]
"Teacher, what is this?!" Huimei asked nervously.
"Don't worry, your teacher is here," Xingyuan Qianshuo said calmly, patting her shoulder gently.
Perhaps because he possessed the origin of Yin power, Xingyuan Qianshuo was able to sense the emotions of this ghostly entity, and even some fragmented thoughts.
The other party meant no harm; on the contrary, they hoped they would sign a contract to release Lizard Maru from his obsession with guarding the castle. However, these thoughts were fragmented and incomplete.
In the original work, this ghost appeared rather dull, never speaking to Naruto and the others, and disappearing after leading them to the castle tower.
"It's a shame not to investigate a ghost, since it's so rare to encounter one," Xingyuan Qianshuo thought to himself.
He had a strong desire to explore the Underworld and Pure Land in the Naruto world, but he couldn't possibly die once to investigate them.
At this moment, Gossa Kuzaki moved forward with heavy steps.
Xingyuan Qianshuo and Huimei made way for each other.
A thought flashed through his mind, and with a slight twitch of his index finger, a chakra thread quietly connected to the ghost.
"Hmm—this works." Xingyuan Qianshuo was secretly delighted.
His chakra lines use Yin-attribute chakra, which he refined by simulating Yang-attribute chakra after obtaining the source of Yin power.
As light gray Yin-attribute chakra flowed into the ghost's body, Kusaki Gosaku suddenly stopped and turned to look at Hoshino Senju.
"I am Kuzusaki Gosho, the daimyo of Kuzu no Kuni, and I swear to defend my country to the death."
"No—the nation is gone. I wish to release Lizard Maru from his obsession with protecting, and grant him freedom."
A series of thoughts became coherent and entered Xingyuan Qianshuo's mind. The ghostly form also became more solid, and its eyes and expressions gradually became more lively.
With a slight thought, Xingyuan Qianshuo activated his chakra threads, condensing a Flying Thunder God mark on the ghostly body of Shouzaki Gossa.
"It really works." He was secretly delighted.
This action was his true purpose; perhaps he could glimpse the secrets of the Pure Land of the Underworld through it.
"Who are you??" Gossa Kuzaki asked.
"Greetings, senior. We are Konoha ninjas. My name is Hoshinobu Chisaku, and she is my student, Uzumaki Emi." Hoshinobu Chisaku responded politely, then stopped the output of chakra threads.
He had inquired with Tsunade and learned that the destruction of the First Country was not caused by Konoha, so he directly mentioned Konoha's name.
"Konoha Village? One of Hashirama Senju's men?" Gosaku Kuzaki pondered. "How many years have passed since the fall of the Hidden Country?"
"Senior, thirty years have passed," Xingyuan Qianshuo replied.
"Thirty years—" Gossa Kuzaki repeated, then trailed off, finally letting out a sigh.
After a moment of silence, he continued, "You are special, and your chakra is gentle. Remember to treat Lizard Maru kindly."
"Yes, senior. Summoning beasts are our partners, and we will definitely take care of each other," Xingyuan Qianshuo replied immediately.
"Okay. Let's go, I'll take you to sign the contract." Kusaki Gozo turned and strode forward, his steps much more agile than before.
Hoshino Senju and the quiet Emi followed closely behind, and soon arrived at the castle tower.
A large scroll was placed on a round table, with the words "Shuzaki Lizard" written on it.
Kusaki Gossa did not disappear. Pointing to the scroll, he said, "This is a spirit scroll passed down through generations of my Kusaki clan. It can be used to form a contract with the lizard clan."
"As expected, it's a clan pact," Xingyuan Qianshuo thought to himself.
"You should sign the contract and get Lizard Maru out of here as soon as possible," said Gosuke Kusaki in a somber tone.
"Yes, senior." Hoshino Senju responded, and after a moment's thought, decided to sign the contract with Huimei together.
He picked up the scroll and unrolled it, seeing the four characters "Kishimoto Masashi" written in blood. His eyes flickered slightly, and he asked, "Senior, the name 'Kishimoto Masashi' sounds familiar. And who is this person—?"
“Masashi Kishimoto?” Gosaku Kuzaki recalled. “He was a hero who helped the country of the head, and my father allowed him to sign this contract as a token of his gratitude.”
"I see." Xingyuan Qianshuo was slightly disappointed, but did not delve into it further.
He then bit his finger, wrote his name, and pressed his five fingerprints on the paper.
"Huimei, do the same and sign the contract," Hoshino Senju said to Huimei.
"Yes, teacher." Huimei nodded, frowned slightly, bit her finger, and signed the contract in the same manner.
After it was finished, green chakra appeared in the teacher's palm, healing the wound on her finger.
Xingyuan Qianshuo wanted to try to get another fragment of the Vortex Physique, but unfortunately only gained some proficiency and chakra rewards.
He rolled up the scroll and put it back on the wooden table.
"Lizard Maru, your mission to protect the castle is over. From now on, these two will be your new companions," said Kusaki Gozo.
"Yes, Lord Gozo," Lizard Maru replied, his voice tinged with sorrow.
Gosaku Kusaki wanted to say more, but in the end, he let out a sigh and said in a deep voice, "Old friend, take care."
Then, his figure gradually faded away and disappeared without a trace.
Xingyuan Qianshuo's eyes narrowed slightly. His perception of the Flying Thunder God mark on Shouzaki Gosaku's body gradually blurred, but he still had a subtle feeling.
"It hasn't dissipated, but this feeling is very strange. It seems so close, yet so far away. Is it because of different dimensions?" he wondered. "I'll have my shadow clone try the Flying Thunder God Technique later."
At this moment, a notification popped up in the system, which was the reward for the removal of Gosaku Kuzaki's obsession.
He glanced at it: "Shuzaki Swordsmanship Experience Scroll *1, Mental Strength increased by 5%, Yin Power +3%".
"Not bad," Xingyuan Qianshuo thought to himself, then closed the interface.
He looked around the castle tower, but the spirit beast did not disappear as hastily as in the original story.
After a moment's thought, he spoke in a deep voice: "Lizard Maru, let me formally introduce myself—I am Hoshinohara Chisaku, and this is my student, Uzumaki Emi. Please take care of me from now on."
"Okay, please take care of me," Lizard Maru replied.
"You must be hungry. Let's leave first. Go back to your old place and eat to recover," Xingyuan Qianshuo said. "When I communicate with you in the future, I'll treat you to curry."
"Is it the same kind of food as before? It's delicious," Lizard Maru replied.
Xingyuan Qianshuo suddenly remembered that one of the ingredients in the special Life Curry was dried lizard, but actually it was gecko.
"Then we'll take our leave now, and see you another time." After saying this, Xingyuan Qianshuo put his hand on Huimei's shoulder and teleported outside the castle.
Lizard Maru sensed the two leaving and, without hesitation, vanished in a puff of white smoke.
As Xingyuan Qianshuo gazed at the empty foundation left behind after the castle that Lizard Maru had transformed into disappeared, he pondered to himself, "I wonder if the system will credit me and reward me after Lizard Maru has eaten his fill."
He then said to Huimei, "Let's go back to Cat Castle first. Lizard Maru has been guarding here for thirty years and is very weak. He will probably need some time to recover. I will teach you summoning magic then."
"Okay, teacher." Huimei nodded.
Xingyuan Qianshuo, with Huimei in tow, teleported back to the lakeside outside the Cat Castle.