Shikigami Summoning in Konoha

Chapter 52: Put It On, and You Will Become Stronger!

"Who is this with you, Neji?"

To Katsuragi's surprise, the first to greet him was Tenten, a girl with a decidedly modern style. Smiling, Katsuragi extended his hand and introduced himself, "Hello, my name is Katsuragi Takanobu, nice to meet you."

"Hi, I'm Tenten!"

Tenten, with her bright and straightforward personality, shook his hand warmly and introduced herself.

Just after Katsuragi introduced himself, Neji interjected, "Katsuragi admires Teacher Guy a lot, so I brought him to meet everyone."

"Eh! I..."

Katsuragi's face stiffened, and before he could object, the future Mighty Guy himself had unexpectedly dashed to his side, teary-eyed, grabbing his shoulders and sobbingly asked:

"Really? Someone admires me so much? This is youth! I've decided! After lunch, we'll run 10,000 laps around Konoha to celebrate."

"I…"

Faced with Guy's tearful, dramatic display, Katsuragi twitched slightly and caught Neji snickering out of the corner of his eye. He mentally noted this down, promising himself a payback.

"Teacher!"

Lee joined in, tears brimming in his eyes as well, shouting with a stiff expression directed at Katsuragi, "I knew Teacher is the best, I will also run 10,000 laps with Teacher!"

"Lee!"

"Teacher!"

Katsuragi really wanted to know who Lee's real father was. Had there really not been a mix-up at birth? More importantly, does Guy even have a wife?

Watching Guy and Lee hugging tightly, Katsuragi discreetly stepped back, realizing that attending this gathering was a mistake.

"Neji, let's have another spar tomorrow!"

Katsuragi whispered to Neji as he edged away, his gaze betraying his intent was far from simply sparring. Neji understood the unspoken message too, recalling the time his head ended up looking like a pig's, his expression turning grim.

Since Katsuragi didn't attempt to hide their conversation, Tenten also overheard, her eyes widening as she caught Neji's fearful expression. She knew of Neji's strength, always topping their class.

But hearing that Katsuragi wanted a spar seemed to frighten him, which made her very curious. Observing Katsuragi closely, she noted his short black hair, attractive and friendly face smiling gently—nothing about him screamed danger or power.

However, Tenten, being considerate, didn't pursue further inquiries and instead turned to Guy and Lee, who were still emotionally entangled, shouting:

"Lee, Teacher, we're going to head out if you keep this up!"

Finally letting go, Guy and Lee approached Katsuragi with serious expressions, Guy patting Katsuragi's shoulder, "Although I can't make you a student of my class, I can share the secret of our strength with you!"

"No, that's okay!" Katsuragi quickly waved his hands dismissively, "Such important things shouldn't be shared lightly!"

"But Katsuragi isn't just anyone!"

Guy beamed, thumb up, his teeth gleaming so brightly they practically blinded Katsuragi. Then, out of nowhere, Guy produced a spandex suit identical to his own and offered it to Katsuragi:

"Katsuragi, this is a special training suit I made. Wear it, and you will become stronger!"

"No! I'd rather wear a dress than wear that!"

Katsuragi was at a loss for words. Knowing this was the infamous green jumpsuit, he respectfully declined, "Teacher Guy, I think my strength is sufficient for now. This suit should be left for Neji!"

"I've already prepared one for Neji!"

Katsuragi, ignoring Guy's response, turned sharply, shooting Neji a glare, "What are you all up to next? If you're busy, I should be going. Goodbye!"

"Wait!"

To his surprise, Tenten called him back, smiling, "Since you're here, come join us for a meal. It'll be more fun with more people!"

Seeing Guy still going on about the benefits of the suit, along with Lee nodding incessantly next to him, and Neji's silent, cool demeanor, Katsuragi figured Tenten probably just wanted someone to talk to keep from getting bored.

Rubbing his temple, Katsuragi pondered for a moment and ultimately agreed. Although Tenten wasn't a little girl, he found it hard to refuse a request from a young lady.

Ignoring Guy and Lee's incessant chatter, Katsuragi followed Tenten and Neji to a barbecue restaurant.

Seeing that Katsuragi was truly unwilling to wear his spandex suit, Guy finally gave up, somewhat dejectedly, as Tenten and Neji had also refused to wear it, so he wasn't overly insistent.

As the succulent meat sizzled on the grill and the five of them sat down in the booth, Guy raised his glass and stood up, "Although Katsuragi isn't part of our team, we are all ninjas of Konoha, we are family. So, to a wonderful future together, cheers!"

"Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

Katsuragi raised his juice glass in response, secretly looking forward to how he would be assigned to a team next year. The original narrative didn't include him, and with 28 classmates, there were exactly nine teams.

With him added, how would the Third Hokage arrange it?

"What are you thinking about? If you don't start eating, it'll all be eaten by Teacher Guy and Lee!"

While Katsuragi was lost in thought, a pair of delicate hands waved in front of him—Tenten noticed his distraction and reminded him gently.

"Right!"

Katsuragi smiled and stopped pondering. Whatever would be, would be. Even if he ended up as a one-person team, with his current strength, he could still hold his own.

The dinner went on joyfully, and perhaps because they were having too much fun, Guy even secretly ordered a bottle of sake. This bottle, unfortunately, led to a less-than-perfect end to the evening, even somewhat disastrous.

In front of the ruins of the barbecue restaurant, Katsuragi looked at Guy, who was kneeling on the ground, face ashen as he returned from the restroom, and patted his shoulder consolingly, "Don't worry, Teacher Guy, money is an external possession. Without the old, there can be no new!"

"..."

A few minutes before, things had been different.

"I'll go to the restroom and come right back, you guys eat first!" Guy, slightly tipsy, told everyone before leaving the booth, and Katsuragi and the others didn't think much of it; it's normal to attend to nature's calls.

Then, perhaps because no one was competing with him for food, Lee ate a bit too eagerly and choked. Seeing the bottle of sake where Guy had been sitting, mistaking it for some soft drink, he thoughtlessly gulped it down, taking a large swig.

"Burrp~"

End to chapter 52