Chapter 108: Miss Nekomata
"As I said, Miss Nekomata, I'd like to have an open and honest talk with you."
"Humph~" The little Nekomata swayed its tail, scratched Ling's clothes a few times, and then nestled down in a more comfortable position. "I don't think there's anything worth talking about with humans, but I'm bored right now, so I'll just listen to what you have to say—though you humans really have a lot of nerve. You know what? I'm a Nekomata!"
"So what?" Ling chuckled softly. "They say that after a Nekomata lives with a human, it will gradually become similar to that person and finally take their place. But there's nothing for anyone to take from an ordinary blind guy like me, right?"
"Humph~ How daring you are to say that, when you have a chakra amount that humans should be proud of." The little Nekomata licked its paw. "So, what do you, this brave human, want to talk to me about?"
"Miss Nekomata, since you were targeted and sealed by the Uzumaki clan, you must have something extraordinary... You've seen my situation. I really need a summoned beast right now. I wonder if Miss Nekomata has any intention of becoming a summoned beast?"
"… Although I've said it more than once, you humans really have a lot of nerve." The little Nekomata put away its idle attitude and slowly sat up straight. "And I thought you'd be more tactful when talking about this kind of thing. Aren't humans good at being hypocritical?"
"Well, yes, but since I want us to be companions, it's better to be more honest, right? After all, a companion obtained through deception won't be reliable on the battlefield."
Ling tilted his head slightly. "And if you're not interested, we can part ways early and avoid some unnecessary discomfort."
"Humph~ Although I have to appreciate your frankness, I don't intend to be a companion with a creature weaker than me."
"I've gotten a flat - out rejection," Ling laughed softly. "I was thinking that having a summoned beast that can't be detected would be very advantageous on the battlefield... What a pity."
"Humph~ I thought you'd try to persuade me some more?"
"I do want to try, but Miss Nekomata might not know this," Ling's smile turned helpless. "When the Uzumaki clan carries out missions like capturing summoned beasts, they usually seal the target completely and then take it back to the clan.
Whether they treat it as a collection or a teaching material, throughout their clan's history, no one has ever heard of them letting go of a captured summoned beast.
But Miss Nekomata managed to escape with a seal on. A summoned beast with such skills can't be an unknown one, right?
If I forced you to do something when you're weak, but failed to eliminate the root cause, I really don't dare to imagine what kind of trouble I'd get into later, considering how vengeful cats can be."
The little Nekomata's interest grew stronger. "As a human, you're quite likable."
"So, does that mean Miss Nekomata has changed her mind?"
"What a pity, there isn't any—" The little Nekomata looked up and stared at Ling's chin. "But after you figured all this out, you still dared to point it out... Aren't you scared?"
"Well... I'm still a bit scared and on guard," Ling lowered his head slightly. "But Miss Nekomata should be able to sense that I have no hostility towards you. Besides, even when you had the power, you didn't harm humans randomly... And from another angle, a summoned beast that could be sealed by the Uzumaki clan is worth taking this risk.
But the most irresistible thing is that at heart, Miss Nekomata is a cat. Who wouldn't want a cute and charming creature like a cat?"
"Hehehe~ What a sweet - talking boy~"
"Thank you for the compliment." Ling smiled and reached out again to ruffle that incredibly soft fur. He secretly regretted and thought, "Since our goal can't be achieved, then we should part on good terms... Hmm?"
As Ling let out a confused grunt, a puff of white smoke suddenly erupted in mid - air, and that somewhat noisy voice came from it—
"Gahahaha, I told you this reverse summoning couldn't stop me! Gahahaha—!"
"What, it's Sanshu?" Ling said with a smile, and his fingers subconsciously stroked the little Nekomata's chin. "It's really awesome that you learned reverse summoning so quickly."
"Gahahahaha, of course I'm awesome!" Sanshu unceremoniously perched on top of Ling's head. "When I get back, I'm gonna laugh my ass off at that grumpy white cat! Gahahaha!"
"Oh dear... Are you talking about Yukimaru?" Ling picked up his staff sword again and shook his head helplessly. "Yukimaru and Hiro have really influenced each other a great deal... But did Sanshu use reverse summoning to come here for something urgent?"
"Ga, Yakuki said he made an important discovery and must tell you," Sanshu flapped his wings and landed on the arm where Ling was holding the staff sword. "The stuff is in the bird's backpack."
"I see... Thanks for your hard work," Ling retracted his hand from petting the cat and fumbled to open the bird's backpack on Sanshu's back. After taking out the things, he looked troubled. "This is... a short message and a bag? Um... Can Sanshu read now?"
"Ga, I still don't get it, but I've memorized the pronunciation! Reading it should be okay!"
"That's great. Let's see what Yakuki wants to... Hmm?" Ling turned his head to his left forearm to feel the weight on it, and his smile turned helpless. "Miss Nekomata is really curious."
"Humph~ Anyway, I'm just a harmless cat. It's okay to take a look, right?"
"Then let's look together, but Miss Nekomata, don't spread it around later."
The little Nekomata thought the angle on the arm was bad, climbed up to Ling's shoulder in a few moves, and leisurely licked her paws. "I'm not a gossipy human."
Ling let out a few chuckles as he felt the [Sealing Tag] attached to the short message. Just as he was about to untie it, he heard Sanshu's voice. "Ga, is this ugly cat your new summoned beast, Master?"
The little Nekomata's eyes narrowed instantly. "… Are you, this crow, talking about me?"
"Caw - caw - caw, hahaha — Is there any other cat here besides you?" Sanshu flapped his wings and took off, circling above Ling. "You're so ugly! Whether it's your blue - and - black fur that looks like burning flames or your heterochromatic eyes, both are disgustingly ugly. And you even have two tails?
You're a complete freak! Caw - caw - caw, hahaha — Your chakra fluctuations are so weak. You're just a useless cat, caw - caw - caw, hahaha —"
The little Nekomata watched the crow circling above, sticking out her pink tongue to lick her sharp teeth. "Humph! What an annoying bird!"
"Enough, Sanshu. Don't say such things. I'm sorry, Miss Nekomata. I'll apologize on Sanshu's behalf. But..." Ling smiled and raised his hand to rub the little Nekomata on his shoulder. "Fur like burning flames? It really sounds like a wonderful sight to behold."
"Humph~ Kid, how about I give you a suggestion?"
"What is it?"
"If you kill that crow, I'll sign a temporary summoning contract with you and help you out three times. How about that?"
"Oh... This is really a generous offer," Ling shook his head slightly, looking helpless. "But it's a pity, Miss Nekomata. Sanshu is an important partner of mine. I won't abandon him. However, if you're really angry, I can let Sanshu go back after reading the letter. I'll summon him again after we part ways."