Haruno Sakura
Seeing the large scroll summoned by the Monkey Demon King, Sakura pricked her finger and signed her name there.
"With this, you are now a summoner of the Sarumo clan, Sakura."
The Monkey Demon King glanced at the name that followed Sarutobi Hiruzen and couldn't help but comment.
Having a dual spiritual connection with both monkey and slug spirits was quite rare.
This child was truly fortunate.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Sakura before him, instinctively stroking the short beard on his chin.
"Now that the contract is complete, Sakura, try the summoning technique."
The slug on Sakura's shoulder spoke softly.
"When you use the summoning technique, simply think quietly of the spiritual creature you wish to summon."
Sarutobi Hiruzen added one more instruction.
Haruno Sakura nodded, and with the blood still wet on her finger, she quickly formed the seals as instructed.
Hai, Xu, You, Shen, Wei
"Summoning Jutsu!"
As the white smoke cleared, Sarutobi Hiruzen and the Monkey Demon King both looked disappointed at the small creature Sakura had summoned.
"Oh, it's such a cute little monkey~~"
The slug on Sakura's shoulder couldn't help but chuckle at the tiny creature that appeared in front of her.
"Uh, hehe, maybe my chakra ran out, so…"
Seeing the creature she had summoned, Sakura couldn't help but break into a cold sweat, scratching her head in embarrassment.
The reason was simple: Sakura had summoned a tiny white monkey still wrapped in a swaddle.
Somehow, this little creature had responded to Sakura's spiritual call…
"Aba Aba…"
The little monkey opened its bright eyes and stretched its arms, asking to be held. Seeing this, Sakura felt a surge of emotion, almost as if she'd summoned a "parent" for herself… Nonetheless, Sakura gently picked up the little monkey.
"I didn't expect you would summon my son, who's only a month old. This is really surprising." The Monkey Demon King sat down, looking at the tiny monkey in Sakura's arms, feeling a bit helpless.
He hadn't imagined that his son would respond to Sakura's spiritual call.
"My son?"
Sakura couldn't help but look at the Monkey King in confusion.
At this moment, the little monkey had freed itself from the swaddle and climbed up onto Sakura's head.
"Yes, this is my son, Saruro, who was just born."
Sakura was taken aback by the Monkey Demon King's words.
It turned out that the one on her head was the mischievous little monkey known for throwing banana peels and bombs in the duel arena.
But no matter; Sakura would protect him~~~
"It seems I didn't have enough chakra to summon another monkey, so I only called my son. When my chakra is restored, I should be able to summon normally."
The Monkey Demon King held the monkey on Sakura's head in his palm and explained.
"Then, maybe Sakura can grow together with Saruro~~"
The slug looked at the tiny monkey in the Monkey Demon King's hand.
"That's impossible. Because our Monkey Demon clan has indestructible bodies, our growth cycle is very slow."
"If this little creature grows up, Sakura's own children would probably be old enough to help in the kitchen."
The Monkey Demon King played with his son in his hand, making the little monkey Saruro grin.
"But if you ever need my help in the future, Sakura, just call on me. I'll come whenever you summon me. I don't have much to do at home anyway."
The Monkey Demon King picked up the cloth Saruro had discarded and skillfully wrapped him up again. It seemed this wasn't his first time doing it.
"Thank you, Lord Monkey Demon King!"
At that moment, while Sarutobi Hiruzen was teaching Haruno Sakura, a one-eyed man with a black-and-white cloak and an eye patch sat in the Hokage's office, in Sarutobi Hiruzen's exclusive chair.
That feeling…
The man, known as Shimura Danzo, leaned back in the chair, squinting, looking… comfortable.
Hiruzen was truly getting old and senile. At his age, he should have been considering early retirement, but here he was, trying to play young by taking on a student… Ridiculous.
Shimura Danzo glanced at Konoha from the Hokage's vantage point, and his expression shifted when he saw a piece of test paper beneath some documents.
The handwriting was…
The Will of Fire, Haruno Sakura.
The student the old man had taken in seemed to be named Haruno Sakura…
Haha, I'd like to see what kind of student Hiruzen's brought under his wing.
Thinking this, Shimura Danzo casually pulled out the test paper hidden beneath.
As time passed, Shimura Danzo's expression continued to change.
Scoffing, raising an eyebrow, serious, solemn, trembling…
What a genius!
The world divided in two, each ruled by separate rivers!
Though the world was divided in two, if this strategic deployment plan were followed, the Land of Earth would fall into Konoha's hands!
At that time, the Ninja World would be united, and the distant Land of Water across the sea would be like a turtle in a shell, a frog in a well!
If they wished to seize it, it would be easy!
Sarutobi Hiruzen had found an incredibly talented student!
Shimura Danzo's eyes sparkled as his mind raced.
It would be a waste to leave such wisdom with Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Only he could lead Konoha on the path to true power!
He was the only candidate suitable for the position of Hokage!
Shimura Danzo slipped the test paper into his sleeve and was about to leave when, at that moment, the office door swung open.
"Danzo?"
"What are you doing here?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had just finished training with Sakura, frowned upon seeing Shimura Danzo standing up from his chair and spoke.
"Oh, am I not allowed to visit?"
"I heard you took on a new student?"
Shimura Danzo was unflustered, even mocking Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"So what?"
"Hiruzen, you can't control the geniuses of this village; the best course of action is to leave them to me."
Hearing Shimura Danzo's words, Sarutobi Hiruzen almost laughed in anger.
"So what?"
"What do you mean?"
"Give me the child named Haruno Sakura. I can make the most of her potential!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned at Shimura Danzo in front of him.
Had this man taken the wrong medicine today?
What nonsense was he spouting?
"Not a chance, Sakura is my student. You'd better not lay a hand on her!"
"If anything happens to Sakura, you'll be the first one I come after!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen refused Shimura Danzo's request outright.
Shimura Danzo shot a sharp glare at Sarutobi Hiruzen and unconsciously repeated a line he had spoken countless times.
"Hiruzen, you'll regret this."
"Danzo, I am the Hokage!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen said it almost instinctively.
Bang!
With the sound of the door slamming shut, Sarutobi Hiruzen was left alone in the office.
Looking at his desk, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt his heart beat faster.
Something was wrong!
Sakura's test paper was missing!