Summoning Scroll

Satoru's protest had no effect.

As a high-ranking advisor who had devoted the first half of his life to Konoha and would continue devoting the latter half to it, Mitokado Homura was unwavering when it came to matters of principle.

As one of Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage's direct disciples, Mitokado Homura possessed the most fervent Will of Fire.

Although some of his flaws were exactly the same as those of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, it did not affect his wholehearted contributions to Konoha.

Including sending his own son to the battlefield.

"Satoru, I'm sorry, but as a ninja, at least for now, you don't have the right to choose."

For the first time, Mitokado Homura showed a desolate expression before his son. As a father, how could he not know the consequences of doing this?

"Lord Third Hokage... or rather, our generation still hasn't reached the point of fulfilling the First Hokage's dream."

"You underage children still have to be sent to the battlefield—but at least not all of you."

"More than a decade of peace has left the village's military preparedness relatively lax. The combat strength of two hundred genin is indispensable in facing a war that could break out at any moment."

"..."

Satoru quietly watched Mitokado Homura, who seemed to have aged considerably in an instant.

Perhaps, in the original timeline, "Mitokado Satoru's" life had ended here?

If such a person had truly existed.

But...

"What a joke... As the inheritor of the Tirisfal Guardian lineage, how could I fear a challenge?"

Satoru's soft murmur was too quiet for Mitokado Homura to hear clearly.

"What...?"

Mitokado Homura looked up at his son, only to find an expression on Satoru's face that he had never seen before.

Confidence.

The Tirisfal Guardians throughout the ages had been protectors of the world.

Could the inheritor of the Guardian lineage really be too afraid to fight even a defensive battle for a mere Konoha?!

"Fine... I'll take part, if only for your sake, old man..."

That confident aura flashed past so quickly that Mitokado Homura thought he had imagined it. In the blink of an eye, Satoru had turned back into his usual lazy, rogueish self.

"But Dad, shouldn't you give me something to keep me alive? Choza and the others are learning Clan Secret Techniques already. What secret techniques does our family have?"

"Hidden weapons don't count! Unlike you, old man, I specialize in jutsu... Hidden weapons and all that don't suit my temperament~"

"..."

Mitokado Homura's fists cracked as he clenched them.

He felt it was necessary to properly educate this little bastard. His proudest hidden-weapon and ninja-tool techniques were actually being looked down upon by his own son?!

Mitokado Homura's usual weapon was an enormous Summoning Scroll.

Tool Manipulation: Hidden Weapon Strike was his most commonly used method, summoning countless ninja tools and hidden weapons from the Summoning Scroll to fight his enemies.

But that did not mean hidden weapons were all he knew.

Mitokado Homura's true strength lay in his mastery of the many applications of one of the space-time ninjutsu—Summoning Technique.

When it came to using Summoning Scrolls, he was a true master.

Scrolls could not only summon living creatures; they could also use the Summoning Technique to seal ninja tools, luggage, or assist in casting ninjutsu. They could even store pre-prepared ninjutsu.

Konoha even had communication scrolls and scrolls containing Medical Ninjutsu!

So, if the Mitokado family had any special secret technique...

"I am proficient in every kind of scroll application."

Mitokado Homura adjusted his glasses, which flashed white. Advisor decided that he absolutely had to preserve his dignity as a father before his son.

"Ordinary ninjas can only use premade scrolls. But crafting all kinds of scrolls best suited to oneself is the secret inheritance of the Mitokado family!"

"Whoa..."

Satoru gasped in amazement. So his quiet, unassuming old man had been hiding such an incredible skill!

"You've really been hiding your talents, old man! Hurry up and teach me!"

"Hmph! Do you think this is something you can learn in a short time?"

Seeing that his son finally seemed to admire him, Mitokado Homura could not help feeling a little pleased with himself. He slightly raised his head.

"This involves many complex techniques. Even the most basic Summoning Technique would take you at least a week to learn!"

"That's fine, I've got plenty of patience!"

Satoru became even more impatient—

Summoning Scrolls were often like inventory bags in games. They could store many things without taking up much space.

Even Arcane Power could not accomplish that in its early stages.

A spell on the level of a portable storage space required profound arcane mastery. Even simpler magical items were beyond Satoru's current abilities.

Azeroth also had spell scrolls capable of sealing one-time spells, but they generally required advanced Enchantment School techniques and all kinds of magical materials imbued with power.

In this world without magical materials, sealing spells into scrolls using Arcane Power alone was still beyond Satoru's current magical knowledge.

The Summoning Scroll solved this problem perfectly.

By making use of this world's existing ninjutsu knowledge and the principles behind its tools, Satoru could further develop arcane scrolls suited to this world!

This would be an enormous improvement to his Enchantment School spells.

Moreover, the spacetime nature of the Summoning Technique would better help him grasp arcane knowledge related to time and space.

"Just when I was getting sleepy, someone handed me a pillow. I never thought such a huge treasure was right beside me!"

Filled with anticipation for knowledge, Satoru eagerly threw himself into learning how to make Summoning Scrolls alongside his father.

The mysterious connection between ninjutsu, Chakra, and Arcane Power, together with the help of The Book of Medivh, allowed Satoru to analyze the Summoning Scroll—refined by generations of predecessors—from all manner of incredible angles.

The new term began, and the upperclassmen who had already graduated eagerly awaited the arrival of their jonin instructors.

Because of the war preparations this year, the jonin instructors had also undergone some adjustments. They would prioritize participating in the village's defenses, so they would arrive later to take on students.

During the free time, the school arranged for these young ninjas who had officially received their Konoha Headbands to first conduct some exchange exercises with the younger students about to undergo practical training.

As a gifted Medical Ninja, Nonō had already been taken away by Tsunade for personal instruction—on the eve of a great war, Medical Ninjas were an even more indispensable resource.

At long last, Satoru and Nawaki managed to drag out their pretend sparring until school was over—this would keep Satoru from being approached by other random graduates.

Watching Nawaki leave with his treasured headband tucked away, Satoru finally breathed a sigh of relief and headed home.

He could not go too far during his sparring matches with Nawaki. To outsiders, it had to look like Nawaki was beating him down; only then would it make sense.

In any case, under the threat of "Transformation Technique: Pig," Nawaki had reluctantly agreed to cooperate, allowing Satoru to spend these days in peace.

"Hmm... I should be able to decipher the final formula of the Summoning Technique today..."

While thinking over the progress of the past two days, Satoru walked down a familiar street. His home was just around the corner, and once he got home...

"Hmm?"

Satoru frowned and abruptly stopped.

"Something's wrong!"