Cats Make People Happy

"Where is the Ninja Cat Clan's summoning scroll?"

"It's in the scroll archive... Don't tell me you intend to?"

"Yes, I want to make a contract."

Uchiha Haru paused, unable to understand.

"Ninja cats usually only handle some commercial dealings and intelligence transmission. Forgive me for speaking frankly, but they offer no help whatsoever in cultivating one's strength."

"Well... don't be so serious. No one says you can only contract with one summoning beast clan, right? I just want to raise a cat."

"...As long as you're happy."

Though he said that, Uchiha Gen really was only contracting a summoning beast on the side. His main purpose was to visit the scroll archive and study other ninjutsu.

Now that his strength was gradually recovering, aside from the vitality he had lost being impossible to regain, he was no different from his former self.

After one night, Uchiha Gen used the privileges of his position to enter the scroll archive without issue. This time, no one outside could stop him, because he was now the acting clan head!

"So this is how the Summoning Technique works. It feels somewhat similar to the Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Arts."

The formation inscribed on this Summoning Technique scroll resembled the patterns used in Sealing Arts. Uchiha Gen suspected this ninjutsu had been created by the Uzumaki Clan.

"This Summoning Technique seems to contain spatial principles. If... I added... wouldn't that mean... the Flying Thunder God might be possible?"

The principles of the Summoning Technique involved space. No matter where a contractor was, they could summon their contracted beasts, yet those contracted beasts were not a single creature, but an entire population.

In the original story, Naruto initially summoned nothing more than a tadpole, yet later he could summon Gamabunta.

"This probably isn't a simple contract summoning. There must be something involved that I don't know about."

Uchiha Gen's expression turned grave. Even an ordinary Summoning Technique contained such vast knowledge. How difficult, then, must the Uzumaki Clan's other Sealing Arts be to learn?

He continued reading.

Below the summoning scroll, he found rows upon rows of Uchiha names. He gave them a rough glance, only to find that he recognized none of them.

"Madara and Izuna didn't make contracts either?"

Could it be... Uchiha Gen suddenly had a bold thought.

All along, Uchiha Gen had believed that summoning beasts and the ninjas contracted with them shared an equal relationship. Some, like those of the Three Great Sacred Lands, were even especially proud, putting ninjas in the weaker position. But perhaps the truth was the opposite.

The Ninja Cat Clan was mediocre in every respect. Their becoming the Uchiha Clan's summoning beasts was likely because they had shamelessly attached themselves to the clan. After all, the Uchiha were among the top clans. With such a powerful ally protecting them, being neglected was no great concern.

Even so, Uchiha Gen wrote his name at the very bottom.

Just as he had said, he truly wanted to raise a cat. Besides, it would make passing messages to his ten tools more convenient.

"Fine, then let's see just what mysteries this Summoning Technique holds."

As he spoke, Uchiha Gen calmly began forming hand seals, though the sequence was completely opposite to the one on the scroll.

Reverse Summoning Technique!

Poof!

Uchiha Gen vanished, arriving somewhere else in the blink of an eye.

"Meow~"

"Meowr~"

Uchiha Gen's cheek twitched slightly, and his mouth slowly fell open.

"Achoo!"

What kind of place was this? Why was there so much cat fur?

Looking around, he saw young kittens everywhere. Thick cat fur carpeted the ground in a layer, no wonder the spot beneath him had felt so soft.

As Uchiha Gen surveyed his surroundings, the kittens around him also curiously watched the two-legged creature that had suddenly appeared.

A few bolder ones approached and sniffed him. They immediately fled in fright, the unfamiliar scent making them deeply uneasy.

"Oh my~ Has someone new from the Uchiha made a contract?"

Hm?

Uchiha Gen looked toward the source of the voice and saw a rather large white cat speaking in human language.

"You can talk?"

"We are summoning beasts, after all. We have Chakra in our bodies. As long as we possess enough intelligence, we can speak."

"I see."

This old cat sounded like an auntie in her forties. Being watched by it made his whole body feel uncomfortable; its gaze was like that of some elderly relative.

"Well, I used Reverse Summoning to come here because I wanted to choose a Ninja Cat as my long-term summoning beast."

"Oh? That's rare."

Uchiha Gen's brow twitched.

"What do you mean?"

"You Uchiha are proud and emotionally volatile. You're the first one who has wanted to summon a single Ninja Cat. Previous contractors only cared about transmitting intelligence."

Uchiha Gen smiled indifferently.

"After all, it's the Warring States Era. Who knows when I might end up separated from my head and body?"

"That's true."

The old cat nodded in a very human-like manner. Ninja cats were not skilled at combat, and it knew that much about itself.

"Come with me. This is the Ninja Cat nursery. I'll take you to see the other cats. If any are suitable and willing to go with you, choose whichever one you like."

"Alright."

The old cat stuck its rear up, its tail held high as it swayed back and forth while leading the way.

Looking at the snow-white old cat, Uchiha Gen wondered whether he should pick one of the same color.

He had no idea where the Ninja Cat Clan's Clan Land had been built. The surrounding architecture was extremely ancient, and everything in the distance was tightly blocked from view.

Still, the environment was quite nice. There were mountains, water, and forests. It truly was a good place.

After following the old cat through several turns, he entered a hall. At the highest point in the center sat a cushion, where another old cat was sprawled.

"Clan head, this Uchiha contractor wishes to choose one as his exclusive summoning beast."

The old cat on the cushion looked even older. Though it had a cat's face, Uchiha Gen could sense an air of twilight about it.

"Go ahead."

"Yes."

Uchiha Gen did not say a word throughout the exchange. It just so happened that he was not particularly good at dealing with others.

After turning several more corners, they entered a spacious room filled with cats of every color.

Some of the cats rested atop the beams, while others played and frolicked in groups of three or five. The entire place brimmed with life.

"Children, stop playing. Come down and sit properly."

The white cat seemed highly respected within the clan. The moment it spoke, the surrounding cats descended one by one and obediently sat before it.

The white cat glanced back at Uchiha Gen.

"The rest is up to you."

Uchiha Gen nodded, stepped forward, and sat cross-legged. Looking at the Ninja Cats before him, he estimated there were no fewer than several hundred. They really could breed.

"I want one Ninja Cat to become my personal summoning beast. In other words, from now on, this Ninja Cat will be responsible only for me. First, let me explain the benefits."

"First, as my Ninja Cat, you will share my status. Other than me, no one has the right to interfere with your actions."

"Second, as your keeper, I will provide sufficient food and protection, and I will do my best to take good care of you."

"Third, although you will serve only me, I will not restrict your freedom. So long as your safety can be ensured, you may go wherever you wish."

After Uchiha Gen finished listing the three benefits, quite a few Ninja Cats' eyes lit up. These terms seemed pretty good, didn't they? They would get food and care, and most importantly, their freedom as cats would not be restricted.

"Now, let me continue with the drawbacks."

"First! You must never disobey any wish of mine as your keeper. If you truly must refuse, then you must give me a reason."

"Second! You must not betray me. If you ever intend to harm me or develop any resentment, tell me as early as possible. If anything happens that results in me being persecuted, I will make the entire Ninja Cat Clan accompany you in death!"

After speaking, Uchiha Gen's face darkened. The aura of one long accustomed to high status, combined with the immense pressure of the Mangekyō Sharingan, made even the air turn thick and heavy.

Yet it lasted only two or three seconds before he returned to being that gentle, refined young man.