Kapitel 42: Leaving Ame
Several days had passed since Souei had signed the summoning contract with the Spider Clan, and he had spent most of that time immersing himself in the inner workings of the Arachne Forest.
After spending a while here, the perpetual darkness that covered the first no longer bothered him. The towering trees covered in dense webs made him eerie the first time he came here, but now they were a source of comfort. The soft rustling of silk and the tiny scuttling of spider legs accompanied him wherever he walked, reminding him that he was never alone in this mysterious realm.
In the past, Souei had read history books on various summon clans—usually portrayed as tools in combat, allied creatures to call upon during a crisis. Ninja like Hanzo, with his deadly salamander companion, or the Third Hokage, famous for his alliance with the Monkey King Enma. The common thread in these stories was how the summons were treated primarily as weapons or allies for specific moments.
But it seems the Spider Clan was different. They weren't just a group of summons; it was an entire society, rich with tradition, hierarchy, and history. Perhaps the rest of the clans were similar, known only to their respective summoners.
He sat by a massive web strung between two ancient trees, its silver threads shimmering faintly in the dim light. The forest stretched endlessly around him, thick with the scent of damp earth and the sharp, organic tang of the spiders' silk. The darkness wasn't oppressive, though—it felt protective, like a shroud that held the secrets of the forest close to its heart.
Arachimaru, the massive, black-furred Spider Boss, stood before him, his eight legs moving with a deliberate grace. His dark exoskeleton gleamed under the faint light filtering through the canopy above. Arachimaru's multiple eyes focused intently on Souei, giving the impression of ancient wisdom and keen observation.
"The Spider Clan does not merely serve," Arachimaru's deep voice echoed around Souei. "We exist in balance, in a web of responsibility. Each thread is crucial, and each spider plays a part in maintaining the harmony of our world."
Souei nodded, absorbing the information. Arachimaru had been explaining the structure of the clan to him. There were three main roles within the hierarchy: hunters, weavers, and guardians.
The hunters were responsible for gathering food and protecting the clan's territory. They were quick, agile, and deadly, often venturing into dangerous areas to ensure the clan's survival. Souei had seen them in action, darting through the shadows with speed that belied their size, striking down prey or intruders with lethal precision.
The weavers, on the other hand, were responsible for maintaining the vast, intricate webs that covered the forest. Their work was artistic in its complexity, and the webs themselves served multiple purposes—traps, homes, and even clothes. They were the artisans of the Spider Clan, creating structures that would stand for centuries. Souei had already commissioned some clothes made out of spider silk.
The guardians were the most physically imposing of the spiders, their massive bodies and thick exoskeletons designed for battle. They stood at the entrances of the Spider Clan's territory, ensuring no intruders entered unchallenged. They served as the main combatants of the clan. The spiders who would become the boss of the clan are usually from this type, with Arachimaru being the latest one, ascending to the title a little over 200 years ago.
"What of the little ones?" Souei asked, glancing at the hundreds of spiderlings skittering around the edges of the web. They moved completely randomly, though their movements seemed erratic compared to the precision of the older spiders. "Where do they fit in this?"
Arachimaru's mandibles clicked thoughtfully before he replied. "The young are the future of the clan, learning their roles through observation and trial. They are not yet bound to a single path. Some may become hunters, others weavers or guardians. For now, they remain under the protection of the nest."
Souei's gaze lingered on the spiderlings, a thought forming in his mind. Their small size, their ability to slip into places unnoticed—it sparked an idea. "How many spiderlings are there?"
"Hundreds of thousands." The spider boss replied.
Souei leaned forward slightly, catching Arachimaru's many eyes. "They're small, fast, and nimble…. Hey boss, is there a chance these spiderlings could act as spies?"
Arachimaru's silence indicated he was considering the proposal. After a moment, his voice rumbled in response. "Spies, you say?"
"Yes," Souei said, excitement creeping into his voice. "Spiders can slip into the smallest corners of the world. They can be everywhere and nowhere, observing, listening. If I had the little ones scattered across various lands, they could feed information back to me. They would be my eyes and ears in places where no one would expect."
Arachimaru's mandibles twitched in what Souei had come to recognize as the spider equivalent of a smile. "There are spiders in the corner of every room, under the rocks of every stone, behind the barks of every tree. If spies are what you need, summoner, then the clan will oblige."
Souei couldn't help but grin. The possibilities were endless. He was already imagining a web of information stretching across multiple nations, all connected by his spider companions.
Just then, the white spider who rested on his head from before scuttled onto Souei's shoulder. Souei had spent quite a while bonding with this little guy. His name was Tarantaro, a hunter spider who was a little playful and mischievous compared to his siblings. Tarantaro's snow-colored body stood out starkly against the darkness of the forest, his size considerably smaller than most adult spiders in the clan. Despite his smaller stature, Tarantaro had an energy that belied his youth.
"Spies, huh?" Tarantaro's voice was light, teasing, with a hint of mischief. "Does that mean I get to eavesdrop on all the juicy secrets?"
Souei chuckled, reaching up to scratch the top of Tarantaro's head. "Only if you promise not to spill them to anyone else."
"Who, me?" Tarantaro's many eyes blinked innocently. "I'd never dream of it. But between you and me, I bet some of those secrets are going to be very interesting."
Souei merely smirked. Tarantaro had become his constant companion during his time in the Arachne Forest, always quick with a joke or a lighthearted comment. Despite his teasing nature, there was a loyalty and friendship that Souei found comforting.
"Honestly, though," Tarantaro continued, shifting to perch on top of Souei's head, once more being the world's strangest hat, "it's a pretty genius plan. We could have eyes everywhere! And just imagine how freaked out people will be when they realize they've been spied on by spiders."
"I'm sure they'll love it," Souei replied dryly, picturing how some of his fellow shinobi might react to tiny spiders creeping around their homes.
Arachimaru watched the exchange silently, his serious demeanor a stark contrast to Tarantaro's playful energy. "You have formed a bond with Tarantaro. It is good. A true summoner is not simply a commander but a partner. The bond strengthens both parties."
Souei glanced up at the white spider, feeling a sense of camaraderie. He hadn't expected to form such a close connection with one of the clan members so quickly, but Tarantaro's easygoing nature had made it effortless. "He's definitely grown on me," Souei admitted.
Tarantaro puffed out his chest proudly. "As I should. I'm the best partner any summoner could ask for."
"Right," Souei said with a smirk. "I'll remember that when you're nibbling on some of my snacks."
Arachimaru's mandibles clicked again, and Souei got the distinct impression the Spider Boss was amused, though his tone remained serious. "You will leave soon, I presume."
Souei nodded. "Yeah. I've learned a lot, and I'm grateful for everything. But it's time for me to go back. There's… something I need to take care of."
"Very well. Know that the Spider Clan stands ready to assist you when the time comes. Our contract binds us, but more importantly, our respect for you has been earned."
Tarantaro hopped down onto Souei's shoulder as the young shinobi stood. "Guess this is it for now," Tarantaro said, "but don't forget to summon me when things get boring."
Souei laughed. "I doubt anything's going to be boring from now on. Besides, I'm not dismissing you yet. You're coming with me."
The white spider cocked his head. "I am?"
"Yep. Gotta introduce you to the rest before I leave." Souei smiled. "Ready to make an impression?"
The spider jumped back to Souei's head, "You bet!"
With that, he formed the hand seals Jiraiya had taught him, placing his palm on the ground. A puff of smoke surrounded him, and the familiar tug of reverse summoning pulled him out of the Arachne Forest.
When the smoke cleared, Souei found himself back in the small home of Konan, Nagato, and Yahiko. The three orphans sat around the table, surprised by his sudden appearance.
"You're back," Konan said, smiling warmly.
"Yeah," Souei replied with a grin. "This is Tarantaro, my partner."
"You got a spider?! Cool!" Nagato exclaimed. Souei's smile widened at the look of awe that the trio sent Tarantaro's way. His small partner preening at the attention.
He passed the spider to Nagato's waiting hands before turning around to pack up all his things. Konan, her soft blue hair framing her gentle expression, was the first to notice. "You're leaving already?" There was a note of sadness in her voice, her hands folded in front of her as if holding herself back from asking him to stay.
"I have to," Souei said, offering her a small smile. "I need to go home. I've learned a lot here, and I'm grateful for everything, but I have unfinished business in my village."
Konan looked disappointed but understanding. "We'll miss you."
Nagato, who was sitting at the table and playing with Tarantaro's mandibles, leaned forward slightly. "We understand. Good luck."
Yahiko, standing a bit apart from the group, crossed his arms. "Don't make this a big deal, Konan. He's a shinobi. He's got a duty. We all do." His voice was tough, but the respect in his eyes was clear. "Just don't get yourself killed."
Souei smirked at Yahiko. "I wouldn't dream of it. Besides, I've got someone watching my back now." He gestured to Tarantaro, who jumped from Nagato's hand and rested on Souei's shoulder, who gave a cheeky wave with one of his legs. "He won't let me get into too much trouble."
As Souei turned to leave, he felt a presence behind him, one he had come to know well. Jiraiya, the Toad Sage, was leaning against the doorway, watching Souei with a knowing look in his eyes. "Heading out already, huh?"
Souei nodded. "Yeah. I need to go back to the village. My injuries are mostly healed and I've been gone long enough."
Jiraiya returned the nod, folding his arms. "What are you gonna do next?"
Souei paused, looking at the horizon. "I don't know yet," he admitted. "But I know I won't find the answers here. It's time I went home."
He knew what Jiraiya was really asking. Their whole talk about the cycle of hatred still rang in his mind after all.
Jiraiya nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Good luck, kid. The fact that you're even thinking about all this is a start. Most people don't even get this far. Just try your best to not let that anger consume you, it's rather easy to fall into that trap."
Souei looked up at Jiraiya, meeting his gaze with a quiet resolve. "I won't. I don't know how I'll deal with it yet, but I won't let it take over."
Jiraiya placed a hand on Souei's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "That's all anyone can ask. Just… take care of yourself, alright kid? The world needs more people willing to find a better way. Ishito taught you well."
With a final nod, Souei stepped away, leaving them behind. As uncertain as the future was, facing it forward is the only way to go through it.
__________
AN: Anything spider related are original. I hoped you like the small bit of background I did on the Spider clan. Summons in general was such a cool and interesting aspect of the world of Naruto that was never really fleshed out in canon. They have their own cultures, histories, background, characters, etc. I plan on expanding much about their world here.
I'll probably do a Jiraiya or Minato POV soon to expand on the Toad Clan at some point.
As usual, go to my patr_eon if you want advanced chapters. Chapter 43 should be available by the time this chapter was posted.
Hope you enjoy the chapter. Cheers lads.
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