Another cloud of white smoke billowed, momentarily obscuring the training ground. Renzou waved it away, his eyes widening as the form before him solidified. He had succeeded. Standing there was a saber-toothed tiger, its fur a deep, shadowy gray, crackling with arcs of vibrant purple lightning.
"This dark gray fur, with thunder and lightning crackling around it… are you from the Thunder Tiger clan?" Jiraiya straightened up, walking closer, his initial surprise giving way to shock. "Well, summoning you is…"
Kohaku, the Thunder Tiger, paid Jiraiya no mind, his gaze fixed on Renzou. "You summoned me?" He took a massive step forward, his eight-foot frame towering over Renzou, making the boy seem like a mere plaything.
"Yes, hello. My name is Uchiha Renzou. Please take care of me in the future," Renzou said, bowing instinctively.
"My name is Kohaku, from the Thunder Tiger clan. You possess considerable strength…" Kohaku's words were few, but Renzou sensed a powerful ally, a partner worthy of deep camaraderie.
"I never imagined a child like this could summon one of the Thunder Tiger clan," Jiraiya mused, approaching slowly, disbelief coloring his tone.
"Who are you…?" Seeing Jiraiya, a flicker of recognition crossed Kohaku's features. "You are Jiraiya, one of the Sannin chosen by Mount Myōboku some years ago." Kohaku stated calmly.
"Ah, yes, that's me! The famous Jiraiya-sama, hahaha!" Jiraiya puffed out his chest.
Kohaku ignored Jiraiya's boast, turning his attention back to Renzou. "You, come to the Thunder Tiger clan with me."
Hearing this, Renzou nodded eagerly. "I'm ready."
"Relax your body, do not resist. I will activate the reverse summoning technique," Kohaku instructed. As he spoke, Kohaku's massive form shimmered, and a symbol resembling thunder and lightning appeared between his eyes. A burst of white smoke erupted, and in its wake, both Kohaku and Renzou vanished.
"He's actually from the Thunder Tiger clan… This little guy's potential…" Jiraiya murmured, watching the dissipating mist.
Mountains of the Thunder Tiger clan:
When Renzou opened his eyes again, he found himself on a mountain. A colossal waterfall dominated the view, constant flashes of electricity dancing within its cascading waters. Beside it, several Thunder Tigers lounged on massive boulders.
"Is this the Thunder Tiger clan's habitat, the Tianlei Stream?" Renzou asked, awestruck.
Seeing Renzou awaken, Kohaku approached. "Let's go. I'll take you to see the patriarch."
"Oh, okay," Renzou replied, quickly getting to his feet and following Kohaku towards a cavern near the base of the waterfall. Torches illuminated the cave's interior. Soon, they reached their end, where a Thunder Tiger several times larger than Kohaku lay regally. Beside it, four other immense Thunder Tigers rested, eyes closed in concentration.
Hearing their approach, the giant Thunder Tigers slowly opened their eyes. "Patriarch, this is the human who summoned me this time. His name is Uchiha Renzou," Kohaku said, lowering his massive head respectfully.
The colossal Thunder Tiger on the elevated platform rumbled, "Uchiha Renzou…"
As Kohaku finished speaking, Renzou quickly clasped his hands in a respectful bow. "Hello, Patriarch. My name is Uchiha Renzou, from Konoha."
The giant Thunder Tiger slowly sat up. "Little human, please rise. The same to you, Kohaku. My name is Bakko, leader of the Thunder Tiger clan. Little human, are you from the Uchiha clan?"
"Yes, Patriarch. But my father was Uchiha, and because of his marriage to a member of the Hyuga clan, we were… excluded from both clans." Renzou spoke plainly.
"Those stubborn old fogeys in the Uchiha and Hyuga clans have such antiquated notions," one of the other giant Thunder Tigers grumbled impatiently.
"Taiga, every ninja clan has its own rules. Watch your tongue," Bakko said mildly, without turning his head. Taiga fell silent.
"Alright, little human, Kohaku will show you around, familiarize you with this place, so you won't get lost if you return in the future," Bakko said, his tone surprisingly gentle for such a majestic beast.
"Okay, Patriarch."
"By the way, Kohaku, afterwards, take him to the Tianlei Spring to meet your Aunt Siberian."
Hearing Bakko's words, Kohaku's massive frame twitched slightly. Even the other Thunder Tigers nearby exchanged curious glances.
"Understood, Patriarch," Kohaku replied.
As the two left, the remaining Thunder Tigers turned their gazes towards Bakko. "Patriarch Bakko, you seem to have taken a liking to this child. Asking him to visit Tianlei Spring on his first day… But he is of the Uchiha and Hyuga clans…"
Before the Thunder Tiger could finish, Bakko extended a massive claw, cutting him off. "Didn't Taiga just point out the outdated views of the Uchiha and Hyuga? Why should our Thunder Tiger clan adhere to such rigidity? While we have never shown signs of decline, progress lies in embracing the new." The other Thunder Tigers fell silent at Bakko's words. "We, the Thunder Tiger Clan, have not formed a contract with a human in nearly a century. This child possesses great potential. For such a one, we must show the sincerity of our Thunder Tiger Clan."
Meanwhile:
Renzou and Kohaku had arrived at the Tianlei Stream. Kohaku was pointing out various landmarks. "There are about two hundred Thunder Tigers residing here. Among all the Summoning Beast clans, we are considered one of the smallest." As Kohaku spoke, they ascended the mountainside. Along their path, Renzou often saw Thunder Tigers walking upright, resembling werewolves from stories.
Noticing Renzou's surprise, Kohaku explained, "We of the Thunder Tiger clan can alter our form by releasing chakra. However, the orc form consumes chakra, so we only transform when necessary."
Soon, they reached the mountain's peak, not far from the Tianlei Stream. A vast, hot spring-like pool lay nestled amongst the rocks, several Thunder Tigers standing guard around its perimeter.
"Aunt Siberian!!! It's Kohaku!!!" the tiger roared, his voice echoing across the mountains.
Hearing the booming call, the leading Thunder Tiger near the pool turned towards them, followed by several others. This Thunder Tiger's fur had a faint pinkish hue, but the lightning crackling around her, as thick as hemp ropes, spoke volumes of her power.
"It's Kohaku. Why have you come to see Auntie today? And who is this little human…?"
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End of Chapter 28