Unlike those ninja who sought to strengthen themselves by signing contracts with summoned beasts, Araki had always believed only in the power he earned through hard training. Therefore, his requirements for a summoned beast were not simply that it be bigger and stronger; compatibility with him was what mattered most.
He had a very clear understanding of his future path: becoming a top-tier great swordmaster proficient in many schools of swordsmanship.
And what was a great swordmaster like?
They pursued ultimate offensive power and believed that the sword in their hands could cut through anything, whether tangible lifeforms or intangible, abstract concepts.
With a sword in hand, nothing could survive!
So when Araki chose a summoned beast, he did not care how strong its attack power was. No matter how strong it might be, it would never surpass his future self.
Therefore, utility and support capabilities were the real bonuses.
As mentioned before, swordmasters pursued ultimate offensive power, so comparatively speaking, their defense and recovery were somewhat weaker.
After all, critical strikes consumed a great deal of stamina.
Therefore, having an endurance-type summoned beast at his side would be perfect.
Abilities such as Ibuse's poisonous breath or the Giant Clam's genjutsu mist were not bad, but in the foreseeable and not-too-distant future, they were destined to be completely rendered obsolete by Araki's growing strength.
After all, applying debuffs to an enemy depended on their resistance too.
Would Six Paths Madara fear Ibuse's poisonous mist? Would Otsutsuki Hagoromo fall for the Giant Clam's genjutsu?
No!
So what use were they?
Weakening the enemy would never compare to strengthening himself. If he had to choose between the two, Araki would undoubtedly choose to improve himself.
From that perspective, Katsuyu was actually the ideal summoned beast in his mind.
A swordmaster with heals—who