Shikigami user

Once Naruto dug his heels in, not even ten oxen could drag him back.

In the end, Naruto paid for their meal at Ichiraku Ramen.

The two parted ways and went home.

Yecheng entered his training room and began examining the goodies from this ten-pull.

Three cards appeared before him: two green cards, [Shikigami: Jellyfish Moon] and [Cursed Energy Reinforcement]...

And one gold card, [Ten Shadows Technique]!

"Use [Cursed Energy Reinforcement]!"

This was a skill card. Once he used it, a flood of memories that had never existed before poured into his mind, bringing a tide of techniques for reinforcing his body or weapons with cursed energy.

Yecheng felt like an expert who had spent years on this path, thoroughly familiar with every technique for cursed energy reinforcement.

Since this world had no cursed energy, Yecheng chose to use these techniques by controlling chakra instead. He discovered that the two were interchangeable, without the slightest hitch.

Yecheng also discovered an unexpected bonus.

"This is... Yang Release nature transformation?"

Yecheng opened his eyes, azure light flowing through them, a look of delighted surprise on his face.

In the Naruto world, chakra nature transformations consisted of the five common types-earth, fire, water, wind, and lightning-and the two rarer types, yin and yang.

All seven attributes required aptitude, but the requirements for yin and yang transformations were particularly high.

Without the aptitude, they were extremely difficult to develop.

Among them, the Yang Release attribute was the source of life force, and its nature transformation mostly manifested in strengthening and altering the body.

It broadly had two branches:

One included the Akimichi Clan's Multi-Size Technique and Princess Tsunade's Monster Strength, both more outward manifestations of tremendous power.

The other was a more restrained but more important manifestation of life force, such as the extraordinary recovery, vitality, and constitutions of the Senju Clan and Uzumaki Clan. The focus of this branch was Medical Ninjutsu, which Hiruzen Sarutobi valued so highly!

Yecheng could feel that when he reinforced his body with chakra, his physical capabilities improved explosively. It was somewhat similar to the Raikage's inherited Lightning Release Chakra Mode, except the improvement was more balanced rather than focused on extreme speed alone.

He could also use this move during his daily training to strengthen his physique and practice Yang Release chakra nature transformation.

The skill [Cursed Energy Reinforcement] certainly lived up to its quality as a green card.

"Next up is this."

Yecheng took out [Shikigami: Jellyfish Moon] and immediately chose to use it.

This shikigami had appeared in the original story. Shaped like an enormous jellyfish, it floated beside its user, and its primary means of dealing damage was poison converted from cursed energy. More noteworthy, however, was its tough, flexible body, which had considerable cushioning ability.

In the original Jujutsu Kaisen, even though the shikigami user Junpei Yoshino had only recently awakened his cursed technique, he could use this shikigami to hold his own against the protagonist, Yuji Itadori. It even dispersed the force of his attacks several times, leaving Junpei unharmed after he was knocked down from the fourth floor.

For Yecheng as he was now, it was also a very useful asset.

"And finally, you."

Yecheng took out the last card from his ten-pull, its only gold card: [Ten Shadows Technique]!

After he used it, Yecheng's shadow on the ground suddenly contracted into a chaotic mass, then burst apart the next instant as though something had forced it open!

Within the shadows, the forms of a dog, an owl, a snake, a toad, an elephant, a rabbit, a deer, an ox, a tiger, and a human appeared in succession. Finally, they converged into two large dog-shaped shadows, which leaped out of the shadows on the ground and became two large dogs, one black and one white.

Divine Dog: Black and Divine Dog: White-the former primarily handled damage, while the latter primarily gathered information. Together, they were remarkably powerful.

In the Jujutsu Kaisen world, these two shikigami alone could easily exorcise a Grade 2 Cursed Spirit. Translated to the Naruto world, they were powerful enough to face a Chunin.

As he gradually tamed the remaining shikigami in the future, Yecheng's strength would increase further!

If he could eventually tame the strongest shikigami, "Mahoraga," his strength would take another leap!

He might even stand shoulder to shoulder with Kage-level fighters!

After the boost from this ten-pull, Yecheng's combat strength in short bursts could already rival a Chunin's-and a fairly well-rounded one at that, rather than a glass cannon.

The only shortcoming was that his chakra reserves still fell short of a Chunin's.

It was worth mentioning that, much like [Cursed Energy Reinforcement], because it involved shadow transformations, alternate spaces, and other such aspects, the [Ten Shadows Technique] skill actually came with techniques and experience for Yin Release chakra transformation!

That was an unexpected bonus.

Yecheng had actually obtained both of the rarest chakra nature transformations, Yang Release and Yin Release, in this single ten-pull!

With Yin Release and Yang Release together, I've received treatment that not even destiny's favored sons, Naruto and Sasuke, got. If I keep saving up fate points to draw cards, and with the Six Eyes assisting me, perhaps I really can combine all seven nature transformations in the future and glimpse the Sage of Six Paths' realm of the "power of all creation"!

The nine powerful tailed beasts that had long wreaked havoc in the shinobi world had been created by the Sage of Six Paths using the "power of all creation." It was practically equivalent to creating nine new, self-aware lives!

Yecheng deeply yearned for power on that level. It was practically encroaching on the authority of a creator!

Yecheng reflected that, as a ninja, he had yet to formally study the Five Basic Nature Transformations. Aside from simple ninjutsu like the Three Basic Techniques, the only thing he had worth showing was his skill with a Chakra Blade. It really was nothing to boast about.

What he had obtained from his card draws, however, already formed a decent "shikigami user" setup: Divine Dog: White gathered information, Divine Dog: Black served as the main damage dealer, and Jellyfish Moon controlled the battlefield and dealt sustained poison damage, while also being able to protect him by acting as close-fitting armor.

When an enemy assumed he was a frail summoner and finally managed to get close after exhausting every effort...

Yecheng could finally reinforce himself with chakra and unleash his talent for Taijutsu to his heart's content.

Tsk, tsk, tsk. Just thinking about it makes me feel despair on their behalf.

After spending some more time familiarizing himself with his new powers, Yecheng went to bed.

The night passed uneventfully.

Early the next morning.

Yecheng abruptly opened his eyes, rose, and looked toward the uninvited visitor in his courtyard.

The man wore close-fitting combat attire and a Cat-Shaped Mask. He stood there quietly, looking in Yecheng's direction.

From his stance alone, Yecheng knew this man was very, very strong.

He pushed open the door and asked in a low voice, "What does someone from ANBU want with me?"

"Apply to the Hokage to join Root."

The man spoke evenly, but his words brooked no argument.

"What if I refuse?"

Yecheng narrowed his eyes slightly, the smile on his face unchanged.

At those words, the Root ninja immediately exuded a dangerous aura, as though he might attack at any moment.

"This is not a negotiation. It is an order. Join Root."

"I said, I refuse."

Yecheng's expression remained unchanged, but he had already begun secretly reinforcing his body with chakra.

At the same time, all three of his major shikigami were poised to act.

If a fight really broke out, he would unleash his fiercest, swiftest assault and cut the man down outright!