Chapter 73: Summoning
He had long wanted to try this move. By using an extremely high voltage to break down the air and create plasma, it could substitute for a rail to launch the coin. The projectile's initial velocity exceeded Mach 3, and the coin would melt after traveling more than 50 meters.
Using about half his strength, the surrounding dust recoiled before spreading out towards the tunnel walls. The coin shot out with a sonic boom, slamming into the gold dust and leaving a crater over thirty centimeters in diameter.
Rasa dispersed the defensive gold dust. The coin, now in tiny fragments, fell from the gold dust, making the same sound as sand hitting the ground. The lightning clone clapped its hands in regret. The move didn't seem very effective against the Kazekage. If it could be improved, or if his main body could fire a larger object with greater power, then it would have practical value.
'Raikiri!'
The lightning clone resorted to the most traditional method of combat, engaging Rasa in a close-quarters battle within the narrow space.
When the gold dust met the Raikiri, enhanced by Ryūmyaku chakra, it was like butter meeting a hot knife. It lost its magnetism and fell from the Kazekage's control. To use the fallen gold dust again, he would have to form new hand seals.
Rasa had fought against at least a hundred, if not eighty, Lightning Release users, but he had never encountered a ninja who was such a natural counter. It was the first time he had seen the ability to demagnetize. In the past, a Lightning Release that could penetrate even one-third of his defense was already considered incredibly powerful.
But that inconspicuous little coin just now had penetrated two-thirds of his defense. If it were any stronger, it could have completely broken through and injured him. The one who could defeat the previous Kazekage alongside Sasori was truly extraordinary. Even a mere clone could not be underestimated.
'Magnet Release: Gold Dust Imperial Funeral!'
With the previous layer of gold dust as a foundation, the casting time for a jutsu like the Gold Dust Imperial Funeral was extremely short. In the blink of an eye, the lightning clone was completely covered in gold dust. Demagnetized sand continuously flaked off, only to be replaced by more. The density of the sand prevented the lightning clone from using its speed advantage, forcing it into a battle of attrition, relying solely on chakra against Rasa.
This was exactly the scenario he was happy to see. Although the clone didn't have much chakra left, it could hold Rasa off for a long time. Plus, Rasa also had to expend chakra. If this clone was destroyed, it was destroyed; it wouldn't affect his main body.
The Kazekage dared not relax his control over the lightning clone. The two sides were locked in a stalemate.
Back with Kakashi's main body, Mei was still drinking with Sara. He was blocking attacks from the surrounding ninja, protecting the two of them from harm.
Mei watched the silver-haired young man run around for her with a satisfied look, not regretting the decision she had made.
While fighting these Sand-nin grunts, Kakashi wasn't idle. If a ninja familiar with his fighting style observed closely, they would surely notice a slight delay in his movements.
The delay was very short; at least, Mei didn't see it, and neither did Sara. As for the enemies, there was no need to even mention them.
The reason was that he was fighting while simultaneously contemplating the possibility of bringing the two women back to his era.
If things continued like this, they would probably really commit suicide if he tried to leave. His senses told him that the Kazekage and his lightning clone were at a stalemate, which meant the situation was acceptable. As long as he canceled the terrain alteration, he could reach the underground Ryūmyaku immediately and return to the past.
He really couldn't just leave these two. Kakashi had thought about leaving them behind, but every time he moved his feet, the nagging feeling of unease in his heart was impossible to shake.
He couldn't even see this Mei and that Mei as the same person anymore. The same went for Sara.
These two had changed so much from seven years ago.
'System, is there a way to take these two troublesome women back with me?'
[Recommendation: Summoning Scroll. Exchange Requirement: 5 Mega-Joules]
'Is the system learning to joke now?'
[The system does not joke.]
His chakra was constantly being depleted. He now had only 3.5 Mega-Joules left, not enough to exchange for the scroll.
If this thing really worked... then he could try to negotiate with them.
Kakashi imagined a future battle scene. The enemy summons a toad... a snake... a slug... a hawk... a stronger one might even summon a Tailed Beast.
And he? He bites his thumb, slams his hand on the ground with a "pop," and summons a Mizukage and a Queen?
The image was just too bizarre to contemplate.
Ever since coming to this future world, Kakashi, who was originally serious and dedicated to changing the ninja world and saving people, felt like he was trending towards becoming a comedian.
This couldn't go on.
Kakashi swore to himself that in the future, he would give women like this a wide berth. Two of them were already this much trouble. Letting them meet their past selves...
However, the summoning technique required him to actively summon them to appear. In a sense, that could solve the problem. The current Mei was incredibly strong, possibly even stronger than him. If he were in real danger, she would be an excellent asset.
Sara could also handle most ninja.
They were definitely stronger than ninja hounds. The reason he hadn't signed a summoning contract was that ninja hounds provided too little of a boost to his combat power and couldn't bring about a qualitative change. He would even have to divert his attention to protect their safety. As for sensory abilities, Kakashi didn't think he was any weaker than a ninja hound.
First, he needed to recover his chakra.
"Do you two have any more Military Rations Pills?"
"No. Who brings Military Rations Pills to a banquet?"
The silver-haired young man continued to unleash purple electricity, making the surrounding Sand-nin wary and hesitant to act rashly. They were already beginning to doubt the Mizukage's combat strength, since she had been sitting there while he blocked most of the attacks.
'I have to think of something.'
The best way to recover chakra was to eat and sleep. The more one exercised, the slower the recovery.
However, for Kakashi, there was another way, though he had never tested it and didn't know if it would work.
"Are the lights here all powered by the Ryūmyaku?"
"Yes. My lord, are you thinking of using the extracted Ryūmyaku chakra?"
"Right."
"Where is it located?"
"In the main control room to the southwest. It's connected to the great hall... but..."
Sara looked at a collapsed passageway.
"The entrance is already blocked."
"Understood."
Kakashi used a small amount of his remaining chakra to create an extremely low-quality shadow clone. He gave it a scroll, and the shadow clone vanished in an instant.
His idea was simple: have the shadow clone use Earth Release to sneak into the control room, steal some of the energy supplying the lighting system, and then directly absorb it into his body. This method would put a considerable strain on his body, but it was the fastest. It also gave him a new combat strategy: as long as he sealed enough Ryūmyaku energy in scrolls, he could sustain continuous combat, just like how Mei sealed seawater to change the terrain.
"This might be a bit forward, but I've thought of the best solution. Mei, Sara."
Mei put down her wine glass and elegantly wiped her lips. Sara struggled to stand up but was pushed back down by Kakashi.
"Are you willing to be my summoned beasts... I mean, people?"
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