บท 228: 227-Trust the Process
"So, I just have to look for summons like the toads and see whether their Senjutsu style is compatible with me?" Renjiro's voice carried a mixture of resignation and hope, his words hanging in the cold air.
Momo, gave a slow nod, her expression unreadable. "Yes, Renjiro," she said with a calm but definitive tone. "You might be able to find that other summons are more compatible with your current predicament."
Renjiro frowned, his fingers curling into fists at his sides. The thought of basically starting from scratch, and looking for such summons without any leads was a bit daunting.
"And do you have any suggestions that could help me with this?" Renjiro pressed, though he didn't expect much. He held out a sliver of hope, but Momo's past reluctance to give direct answers was well-known to him.
Momo took her time, her eyes narrowing as she turned her head slightly to face the horizon. The silence stretched, punctuated only by the sound of the wind ruffling her feathers. It was as if she was battling between agreeing and disagreeing.
After what seemed like an eternity, she spoke, her voice devoid of the warmth Renjiro had hoped for. "Unfortunately, that is not something I can do for you, Renjiro," she began, her gaze shifting back to meet his.
Renjiro felt his heart drop, though he kept his expression neutral. He'd known Momo long enough to recognize that her refusal wasn't an act of cruelty, but a reflection of the eagles' deeply ingrained principles.
"There are some things," Momo continued, "that you must discover on your own—based on your merit, your journey. Just Trust the process. Learning about our specific style of Senjutsu was already an act of generosity on my part." Her words were sharp, like the crack of thunder in the distance, and they struck Renjiro harder than he expected.
Renjiro blinked, caught off guard by the bluntness of her statement. 'Generosity?' He hadn't thought of it that way. He had assumed that, as his summons, they were obligated to teach him everything. Now, though, he realized that perhaps he had taken their knowledge for granted.
'I didn't expect her to spoon-feed me,' Renjiro thought bitterly, 'but isn't this a little harsh?'
He bit the inside of his cheek, swallowing down his frustration. Momo wasn't wrong, but that didn't make it easier to accept. He had come here for guidance, for answers, and all he was left with was the sense that he was alone in this search.
"You were generous," Renjiro finally conceded, though the words tasted bitter. "But what am I supposed to do now? Wander the world, hoping to stumble upon the right summon?"
Momo's feathers shifted, her eyes glinting as she regarded him with a measured gaze. "That is a decision you must make for yourself, Renjiro. I cannot walk this path for you." Her voice was firm, unwavering.
'So, I'm back to square one,' Renjiro thought bitterly. From his time with Lady Momo and the Lightning Eagles, he had learned that they adhered to a strict code of honour.
Their summoning contract had been clear—Renjiro was forbidden from using them for any immoral purposes, or for personal gain that went against their principles. At first, it hadn't bothered him.
If anything, Renjiro had assumed that if he ever needed to, he could use the power of his Sharingan to control them. But over time, as his bond with them deepened, he realized that doing so would break the trust they had forged.
The contract wasn't just words on paper—it was a pact, a mutual understanding. And to force them through his ocular powers would not only dishonour their agreement, it would defeat the very purpose of their partnership. Renjiro knew that much. He understood why Momo was telling him this now, why she had drawn a line.
It made sense. But that didn't mean he had to like it.
"I get it," Renjiro said quietly, clenching his fists. "But just because I understand doesn't mean I'm okay with it." His voice was tight, frustration seeping through despite his efforts to remain calm.
Momo tilted her head, her gaze softening. "It's not a matter of being 'okay' with it," she said gently. "It's about accepting the reality of your situation."
Renjiro stared at her, his mind racing. 'Okay, fine. This is my battle to fight.' He could accept that. But if Momo couldn't point him toward a solution, then what was he supposed to do next?
"Alright then," Renjiro said with a sigh, his voice dropping as he thought through his options.
"Just point me to one such being. A creature who could teach me their Senjutsu style."
Momo didn't even hesitate. "No," she said flatly.
Renjiro's jaw clenched as he felt his patience start to fray. 'I guess reading Ohashi's memories is my only shot at learning Senjutsu now,' he thought.
His mind flicked back to the memories of Ohashi, the former shinobi from the Kurogane clan who was desperate for his eyes.
If there was something useful in his memories, then maybe—just maybe—he could find a way to control natural energy on his own.
But something clicked in Renjiro's mind. An idea. A plan he hadn't considered before.
"One last question," Renjiro said, his voice taking on a sharper edge. Momo's gaze flickered with curiosity, sensing the shift in his demeanour.
"If I do find a way to handle Nature Chakra—on my own—would you be open to helping me with it?" he asked, eyes locked with hers.
Momo's feathers rustled as she and Tenjin exchanged glances. A long pause followed, the wind whistling through the mountaintop. Finally, Momo turned back to Renjiro.
"If you do," she said slowly, "we will help you. But," she added sternly,
"that will only be possible if you do not involve the other sage summons. We are prohibited from interfering with their practices."
Renjiro's eyes widened slightly, but then a slow smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
'Maybe that will work,' he thought to himself, feeling a new sense of determination rising within him. He nodded slowly.
"Then I guess we have a deal."
Momo's sharp eyes narrowed as she studied him, surprise flickering across her features.
'He's fine with that?' she thought, not expecting him to agree so readily.
She had assumed Renjiro would seek out other summoning creatures, other sources of power. After all, that's what most shinobi would do. But something in his demeanour told her he had another plan.
In truth, Momo had only agreed to this condition because she believed it was nearly impossible for a human to manipulate natural energy without the guidance of a sage summon.
Her kind had long distanced themselves from human affairs, and she was unaware of the clans, like the Kurogane, who had discovered ways to harness nature's chakra, albeit in limited capacities. She didn't think Renjiro could pull it off. But she wasn't about to refuse outright.
Renjiro, on the other hand, felt a surge of confidence. He wasn't sure what he'd find in Ohashi's memories, but if there was even a hint of knowledge about Nature Chakra, he knew he could figure it out. And now, with Lady Momo's tentative promise of help, he had a path forward.
"Well, I guess that settles it," Renjiro said, stepping back slightly, his tone casual despite the weight of the conversation.
"I'll be off for now."
Tenjin, who had remained silent throughout the exchange, tilted his head and fixed Renjiro with a curious gaze. "You are leaving so soon?" the giant eagle asked, his voice deep and rumbling, like a storm in the distance.
Renjiro gave a nonchalant shrug, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. "I've got a ceremony to attend in the village. It won't take long. I'll be back after it's over."
Momo's gaze lingered on him, suspicion creeping into her features, but she said nothing.
With a smirk, Renjiro formed a series of hand seals. "I'll see you both soon," he said. Then, he vanished in a cloud of smoke, leaving only the faint scent of ozone behind.
Momo and Tenjin watched the space where Renjiro had stood, the air heavy with unspoken thoughts.
"He's hiding something," Tenjin murmured.
Momo nodded, her gaze still fixed on the horizon. "Perhaps. But we will see soon enough."
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