LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 20: On Probation
Shirogane resides in one of the waiting rooms in the Shrine Palace of the Fox Clan, and he has been waiting for three days already, but if there was one thing he learned, it was patience above all else. At least he wasn't alone. Shiro, a white-haired, red-eyed kitsune attendant, was keeping him company while he waited for Lady Tamamo-no-Mai.
( Insert Shiro from The Helpful Fox Senko-san.)
" Lord Shirogane, it's your move."
They were playing Go to pass the time, and the white kitsune was winning. Shiro wasn't hiding her smug smile. The white fox frowned as he was stumped about what move to make. Ultimately, Shirogane sighed and admitted defeat.
" You win again, Shiro-chan."
The white kitsune's smile grew as she cleared the board before her fox ears perked up, and she got up from her cushion before saying.
" It seems Lady Tamamo-no-Mai is finally able to meet you, Lord Shirogane."
The white fox felt relieved at finally getting a meeting with Lady Tamamo-no-Mai. Shiro opened the door to reveal the leader of the Fox Clan and her Guard. Tamamo-no-Mai is a pink, long-haired kitsune with yellow eyes, brown fox ears, and a tail. She wears an elegant and complicated blue kimono with a neutral expression.
( Insert Tamamo-no-Mai from Fate-Verse.)
Her guard, Miyabi, was expressionless as she followed behind her charge. She was a red-eyed, black-haired kitsune with tall black fox ears and her tail hidden from sight. She wore a modified shrine maiden outfit with a blue-green haori. She wore a black shirt with matching pantihose and a black tie over her yukata top. What drew the eye the most was her katana, which gave off a unique presence.
( Insert Miyabi Hoshimi from Zenless Zone Zero.)
Shiro immediately removed more cushions for her Lady and the guard before politely bowing. Shirogane bowed deeply before offering his greeting.
" You are as radiant as ever, my Lady."
" I have had my fill of flattery for the week, Shirogane, so please save it for another time."
After Lady Tamamo-no-Mai sat down in a seiza position with Miyabi doing the same, the white fox raised his head slightly before continuing to speak.
" We have a new possible summon contractor, but..."
" He failed the first test, but you felt that it wasn't suitable and want to bend the rules or create an exception."
The Leader of the Fox Clan finished Shirogane's sentence and accurately guessed the situation.
" Correct, my Lady."
" Your reasoning?"
Tamamo-no-Mai asked patiently while Shiro served her tea, and Miyabi silently refused a cup. The white fox explained.
" He is young. It's only his tenth year, and more importantly, his Chakra reserves are immense despite his age. He can already summon some of the Clan's strongest with his current reserves, and as he grows older, he may even be able to summon you or possibly even the Elders. He did breakout out of the Genjutsu on his own, which is impressive for his age despite being late in doing so.
To put it simply, my Lady, he has potential, potential that could benefit the Clan in the long run."
" Oh?"
Tamamo-no-Mai arched an eyebrow with mild interest before saying.
" He does sound promising, and we haven't had a proper Contractor in over a hundred years, so you make an appealing case, Shirogane."
" Then?"
Shirogane perked up, hoping to finally get a Contractor to link the Clan and, more importantly, him to the outside world, but Tamamo-no-Mai poured a bucket of cold water on him, figuratively.
" However, the Fox Clan has upheld our traditions for far longer, and there are many who think we should continue to do so."
" And of yourself, my Lady?"
The white fox asked as he cared more about his Clan leader's opinion more than the more traditional members of the Clan. Tamamo-no-Mai answered vaguely.
" Water that does not flow stagnates."
Shirogane grinned at the answer, and the Clan leader then said.
" However, before anything else, I wish to meet the young man personally to see the potential you speak of so highly."
" By your leave, my Lady."
Tamamo-no-Mai silently dismissed her subordinate with a casual wave of her hand, and the white fox used the Body Flicker Jutsu to leave. The Clan leader rose from her seat and headed to her audience chamber to await the prospective Summon Contractor.
________________________________________
" In a world where other worlds are born made up of illusions and what the mind can believe, one world was reaching its end, a world called Yggdrasil, a full immersion world where you explore nine interconnected worlds in a form similar or far different than your own. Within this world resided a system known as Guilds, which were essentially an organization made by those known as Players who come to the world to amuse themselves. One guild stood above all others as unbeatable.
Ainz Ooal Gown."
I told my story to entertain myself and Haruhime. Even Kurogane was listening out of boredom and even allowed me to place him under a Genjutsu to better tell the story. I love Genjutsu. The only limit is the mind and imagination, although the black fox did critique my Genjutsu.
"You're still rough in changing scenes."
I took note of his critique and focused on telling my story as Haruhime listened with rapt attention.
" Ainz Ooal Gown's base, The Great Tomb of Nazarick, a special location known as a Guild Dungeon, can be conquered by a group or Party of Players and be customized with unique monsters and characters, like playing God. This Guild Dungeon endured an assault by a 1500 Player army, and they didn't even reach the end of the Dungeon. Within it resided a great Sorrow, the Leader of the Guild, Momonga, a terrifying skeletal being with the race name of Eclipse, one of the greatest Undead Race, was waiting for the world to end."
Haruhime examined the Momonga I conjured with my Genjutsu with interest.
( Insert Momonga from Overlord.)
Of course, Kurogane critiques my attempt at putting a metaphysical presence on the future Ainz.
" It seems you don't quite understand what it means to have a presence that can be felt, but you're only ten, so it's to be expected."
Again, I took note of the critique, as the black fox is far more experienced with Genjutsu than me, and moved on with my story.
" Much to Momonga's pleasure, one of his old guild mates, a Toxic Slime known as Herohero, was visiting the Great Tomb one last time before the world was shut down for good. They exchanged greetings, asking how the other was."
I recreated the scene with Genjutsu and Kurogane's comments.
" Not bad at simulating different voices, but there is a slight similarity to them with your voice."
I moved on while taking his comment in stride.
" Herohero, of course, left for reality as it waits for no one despite Momonga wanting to invite his old friend to stay with him for the end of the world but was too respectful of his friend's need for sleep. The Eclipse sighed before heading to the throne room with the Guild Weapon that represented Ainz Ooal Gown that, if destroyed, would cause the disbandment of the once lively guild. Momonga took control of a group of battle maids and the Head Butler to await the end. As he sat down on the grand throne, he looked toward one of the greatest creations.
The Guardian Overseer, the one of the Final Protectors of the Great Tomb, Albedo."
" Beautiful."
Haruhime commented in awe at seeing Albedo, and even Kurogane gave a hum of approval. Before I could get to the good part, the Genjutsu was broken, and I saw Shirogane. The black fox looked at his colleague with a bit of annoyance. Even Haruhime pouted cutely at the white fox, but those looks faded away at his following words.
" Lady Tamamo-no-mai requests your presence."
It was less of a request and more of an order, but I was eager nonetheless to meet the leader of this Summoning Clan. As I went up the mist-covered steps past the Tori gate, the mist soon started to fade as I saw a small town filled with shrines, and beyond the town was a massive palace at the top of the mountain. I looked around and was surprised by how human this town was despite being filled with foxes of various colors and sizes, along with fox boys and fox girls.
This town felt less like a residence for a Summoning Clan and more like a closed-off community. Everyone there was eyeing me with curiosity, and suddenly, I heard a squeaky voice cry out.
" Take this, Human! Fox Fire Jutsu!"
A pale blue-green flame covered me, and as I was about to Stop, Drop, and Roll to put out the fire I quickly realized I wasn't burning. I looked at the flames with curiosity, and I figured out these weren't a Genjutsu but an odd Fire Style Jutsu. Cool, but why would anyone make a Jutsu like this? I heard Haruhime scold the offender.
" Shippo, Naruto-san is our guest and should be treated as such!"
I looked to see a mini kitsune that was a little over a foot tall. The little guy looked unrepentant as he replied while cleaning out his human ear.
( Insert Shippo from Inuyasha.)
" Come on, Haruhime, it was just a joke. No one was hurt."
I then asked as I noticed the false flames weren't disappearing.
" How long are these flames going to keep going?"
" Um, probably a couple of minutes at most."
Shippo replied while scratching his head, and I shrugged as it wasn't a big deal before reminding the group.
" I rather not keep Lady Tamamo-no-mai waiting."
" Come on, then."
Shirogane said as we continued to the palace at the mountaintop with a new companion.
" So, is it true Humans eat just about anything?"
Shippo asked, and I told him.
" Anything edible and within reason."
" So bugs?"
" Depends on the culture."
" Rocks?"
" Not Rocks, but it is possible to heat up rocks and toss them in a soup to boil it."
" Foxes?"
" If they're desperate enough and lack anything else to eat."
I entertained Shippo by answering his questions. Even Haruhime asked a question or two. I started to notice that the air was getting thinner as we went up the stone steps, and I had a thought to try and recreate Breathing Styles from Demon Slayer here as thin air makes it easier to find the breathing pattern that maximizes the amount of oxygen in my blood. Still, later the meeting with the Clan Leader comes first.
It got harder to breathe as I got closer to the palace, and my stamina was dropping, but it only made me more determined to sign a contract with the Fox Clan, as this is a great training spot. Soon, we reached the gates of the palace, and a bipedal fox appeared with yellow fur and piercing blue eyes with purple arm warmers on.
( Insert Renamon from Digimon.)
" Lord Shirogane, Lord Kurogane, Haruhime, and... Shippo, Lady Tamamo-no-mai is waiting in the audience hall for our guest."
" Thank you, Rena-chan."
Haruhime thanked the bipedal fox, and Rena opened the gate to allow us inside the palace, which, now that I looked at it, had a strong resemblance to a shrine as well. I wonder what it is with these foxes and shrines—a question for later. Haruhime led the way until we reached another large door that led to an inner rock garden; then, another door led further back into the Shrine Palace until we reached the audience hall.
The Clan leader was obscured by a veil, but I could tell she was human-like, at least with another fox girl with black hair and red eyes that carried a katana. Tamamo-no-Mai spoke after everyone was sitting on the provided cushions. I imitated Haruhime and sat in a seiza position. The Clan Leader's voice had a regal tone as she spoke.
" So you are the human that Shirogane spoke so highly of? His Chakra reserves far surpass anything in your age group aside from a few monstrous Shinobi Clans like the Uzumaki and Senju Clans. How curious, what is your name, human?"
" Naruto Uzumaki, Lady Tamamo-no-mai."
I politely replied, and she hummed in turn before saying.
" Considering you lack the vibrant red hair of the Uzumaki Clan, you must have mixed lineage, which works to your advantage as I can't think of any Uzumaki or Senju with the level of Chakra you possess at your young age, and that was during the Warring States Era where everyday life was a battlefield for Shinobi Clans."
She kept silent for several long moments before saying.
" For now, you will be our Clan's Contractor on a probationary level, but when you become a full-fledged Ninja, you will be put through the rest of the tests that our summoner requires to pass to be fully recognized as the Fox Clan Summon Contractor. For now, you can only summon a select few members of our Clan until then."
" Lady Tamamo-no-mai, may I offer myself to look after Naruto-san? He's an orphan without anyone to care for him."
Haruhime spoke out, and the Clan Leader hummed before asking.
" Is it true that you are alone, Naruto Uzumaki?"
" Yes."
I replied frankly, and Lady Tamamo-no-Mai then said.
" Very well then, Haruhime, permission granted, but as an apprentice caretaker, you will need to work with someone more experienced in dealing with humans. Senko!"
" Yes, My Lady?"
A petite fox girl appeared in a shrine maiden outfit with the Body Flicker Jutsu.
( Insert Senko from The Helpful Fox Senko-san.)
" I have an assignment for you and Haruhime, and you are to serve our young Contractor as his caretaker for the time being."
Lady Tamamo-no-Mai then said as an afterthought.
" Hmm, a protector would be needed as well. Soushi Miketsukami!"
" Yes, my lady?"
A silver-haired fox boy appeared out of nowhere wearing a black Yukata.
( Insert Soushi Miketsukami from Inu X Boku Secret Service.)
" I have a new charge for you, our young Contractor, to be here."
The Clan Leader gestured toward me. I was honestly hoping for another fox girl, but beggars can't be choosers. Tamamo-no-Mai then said with a regal tone.
" You are dismissed, Naruto Uzumaki."
The next moment I was met with a puff of smoke and found myself at my apartment again. My Shadow Clone said, looking tired.
" Finally, your back boss, we'll see ya."
My Shadow Clone was gone with a puff of smoke, and I got some new memories that confused me. I'm friends with Tenten. Hinata approached me. What the heck happened when I was gone!?