Blood as a Guide

In the entire ninja world, there are many ninjas who use blood to assist in the casting of ninjutsu, but there are very few techniques that absolutely require fresh blood as a medium.

As a part of the body, blood is an excellent conductor for chakra. Generally, the materials used for inscribing seals, barriers, and formation runes contain more or less blood from beasts or even humans. When Mizuki uses the Summoning Technique, because the jellyfish's intelligence is too low, he often uses his own blood to strengthen the connection and enhance control.

Another typical category involves ninjutsu that stimulates the body to overdraw its potential. These techniques place a severe strain on blood or other parts of the body, and secret arts that burn essence and blood to fight to the death are not uncommon.

Beyond these methods, there is the sacrificial type. The most famous example is Hidan of the Akatsuki, whose Jashin Ritual—which requires sacrificing his own blood or that of others—is an extremely bizarre and evil curse.

Regarding the principles of the Summoning Technique, Mizuki does not know if there are similarities to this sacrificial type. However, looking at the Aburame Clan's Insect Manipulation Technique, it is a secret art where one exchanges their own chakra and uses their body as a hive in return for insects helping them fight.

Therefore, generally speaking, unless the situation is like Mizuki's—where he is the dominant party and the summoned beast is extremely weak—it is hard to say that the Summoning Technique allows for a beast to come and help fight without any cost at all.

Furthermore, high-level summoned beasts are intelligent species. The top-tier among them, such as the Toad Sage, the Snake Sage, and the Katsuyu entity, are beings standing at the pinnacle of power in this world. Without some sort of demand, how could they possibly interfere in the struggles between humans? Even if Kaguya Otsutsuki were resurrected and enslaved all of humanity with the Infinite Tsukuyomi, turning them all into White Zetsu, what would that have to do with them? Toads would still eat bugs, and snakes would still eat frogs; why go to such lengths to prophesy about some Child of Prophecy?

If one were to ask which technique requiring a sacrifice is the most famous, it would undoubtedly be the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, which requires offering one's soul to summon the mysterious Shinigami to launch a soul-based attack and seal the target.

As for the Summoning Technique, as the name implies, it can be understood as a ninjutsu for communicating with certain existences. Although it is not in the same category as the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, the principles have some logic to them. The only thing that remains unclear is what exactly the summoned beasts gain from humans? Or rather...

Is it possible they don't gain any direct benefits from humans at all, but rather gain benefits from this world indirectly? If that's the case, it's somewhat plausible, but without seeing the actual contract scroll, it's hard to say for sure.

Thinking of this, Mizuki picked up the Summoning Technique documents again to read for a while, but he gained nothing.

It seems I still need to conduct a real investigation; I cannot jump to conclusions easily.

The next morning, Mizuki checked on the "bootleg" jinchuriki who was still recovering. The situation had basically stabilized, and there was no longer any danger. In truth, testing the violent version of space-time teleportation for this escape was a last resort.

Before he was turned into a bootleg jinchuriki, the Summoning Technique worked, but now it didn't. After a careful inspection, the reason was simple: summoning is a ninjutsu between two individuals, but the summoning contract now identified him and the bootleg jinchuriki as the same person. Standard summoning techniques no longer worked; at most, he could use certain methods to strengthen the sensory connection between the two. If it weren't for this, Mizuki wouldn't have been in such a rush to develop space-time ninjutsu. However, he truly hadn't expected real space-time ninjutsu to be so difficult—it completely exceeded his expectations, which is why he became so focused on the Summoning Technique as a means of achieving space-time teleportation. Only now did Mizuki truly realize how powerful the Flying Raijin Jutsu was, given that it could be developed into space-time ninjutsu based on reverse summoning.

In Konoha Hospital, many injured examinees were receiving treatment. In reality, Mizuki, who currently had no missions, wasn't being bothered by many people. In the bustling wards, the occasional covered body of someone who had died was carried out, and among them were a few he had personally tried to save.

Arriving at the special care ward on the top floor, Kakashi was already waiting.

"What do you need me for, Kakashi?" Mizuki asked after entering. He glanced around and noticed a few Anbu on guard duty.

"As you can see, Sasuke is badly hurt," Kakashi indicated. "But he has to participate in the third round of the Chunin Exams in a month. I need to provide Sasuke with some special training, which will also serve as a form of protection."

"And so?" Mizuki asked, puzzled. "You didn't just come here to show off the bond between teacher and student, did you?"

"Let me finish," Kakashi explained patiently. "Protecting and specially training Sasuke alone will take a lot of time, but all three of my students made it into the third round."

"Oh, I almost forgot to congratulate you, the Copy Ninja of Konoha, for your excellent teaching."

"Ahem, let's not talk about that for now," Kakashi said awkwardly. In truth, aside from some basics, Kakashi hadn't really taught the new genin much. "So, my other two students are currently without guidance. Targeted improvement is necessary for the third round of exams, so I've asked Ebisu to tutor Naruto, who has the worst foundation."

"Oh," Mizuki understood upon hearing this. "You want me to help you train Sakura, then?"

"Yes, please, I really need your help."

"You've got it wrong," Mizuki refused. "Ebisu is a Special Jonin with a specialty in teaching, so it makes sense you'd go to him. What does it mean that you're coming to me? You really aren't wrong to be accused of favoritism."

"Don't be in such a hurry to refuse," Kakashi explained. "During the last preliminary exam, Sakura guessed that it was a test by the village, so she asked me who the proctor was."

"So you sold me out?"

"I wouldn't call it selling you out," Kakashi said. "It was Sakura herself who requested that you be the one to guide her."

"Oh?" That was strange. "What's the use of finding me? Her opponent is that strongest Sound Ninja; the gap is too large. Does she have some other idea?"

"I don't understand the minds of young girls, but I really couldn't find anyone else suitable to teach Sakura."

"So you're just dragging me in to make up the numbers?"

"Not exactly. With your strength, Sakura can't learn anything too advanced in terms of sealing arts, barrier arts, or genjutsu right now. Whether you teach her or I teach her, there isn't much difference, and there's no other way to rapidly improve her strength for the time being."

"Sealing arts and genjutsu are barely acceptable, but what's the point of learning barrier arts? She'd be better off resting to conserve her stamina. That sound-wave attack from her opponent is too troublesome."

"Regardless, I'm leaving it to you. Whatever Sakura wants to learn, let her learn. You handle it."

"Since you've put it this way, fine. But..." Doing a favor was fine, but it would be a nice choice if he could get it repaid immediately.