Shikigami Summoning in Konoha

Chapter 74: Katsuragi's Strength

Moreover, after shrinking, the gourd might even serve as a surprise weapon—after all, while many might expect shurikens or kunai to be thrown, who would think of a gourd as a hidden weapon?

"Next, let's test the so-called Fury and Howl abilities."

Katsuragi then began studying these two crucial skills—one could triple his strength, and the other transformed into ghost sake, although he was unsure of the healing effects.

"By the way, what exactly is battle spirit?"

Katsuragi suddenly felt confused. Although the skill description mentioned concentrating battle spirit, he wasn't clear on what this 'battle spirit' actually was.

"Could it be momentum?"

Katsuragi manifested his fox ears and tails, trying to gather his own momentum, but it was futile; he didn't feel any change in strength. Frustrated, Katsuragi decided to return to the courtyard to seek advice from Shuten-doji.

Upon reaching Shuten's room, he found him clutching his gourd, drinking sip by sip, his face flush as if slightly drunk.

"Shuten-doji, Shuten."

Katsuragi approached and softly called out twice.

"Red Red Leaf you are so beautiful."

Shuten mumbled drunkenly, "Why don't you like me when I'm so powerful?"

""

Katsuragi watched Shuten-doji with a speechless expression, questioning internally whether this person could really stand at the pinnacle of the ghost clan and rule as the Ghost King. Then he whispered into Shuten's ear, "Well, if Red Leaf doesn't like you, there's still Tsuchigumo."

"Tsuchigumo?"

Shuten suddenly sat up, startled, and scanned around before relaxing and continuing to mutter drunkenly about Tsuchigumo being annoyingly clingy.

"And also he…"

Just as Katsuragi was curiously awaiting the secrets about his relationship with Tsuchigumo, he discovered that Shuten had fallen asleep, leaving him frustrated by the half-finished story.

However, Katsuragi didn't wake Shuten-doji, knowing that disturbing him might only lead to a barrage of curses. To maintain harmony in the courtyard, Katsuragi figured it wouldn't hurt to ask later and decided to study more on his own for now.

Leaving Shuten's room, Katsuragi went to where the three-tailed fox was, who was laughing and chatting with Enenra. Upon seeing Katsuragi enter, her expression flipped immediately—faster than turning a page in a book.

"Uh"

Katsuragi noticed the three-tailed fox's swift change in demeanor, puzzled whether foxes were really so vengeful. Moreover, with just four Shikigami in the courtyard already showing signs of conflict, he wondered how to manage if the number of Shikigami increased in the future.

Thinking about the continuously expanding courtyard, Katsuragi felt it might be necessary to start assigning areas for the Shikigami.

"Fox sister, are you still mad?"

"Hmph."

The three-tailed fox turned her head away, clearly holding a grudge, which made Katsuragi chuckle inwardly. Although he hadn't asked, he felt that among the Yokai, the three-tailed fox must be one of the younger ones.

"I'm sorry, fox sister," Katsuragi coaxed as if speaking to a child, "I was wrong before. Isn't an apology enough?"

"Fine." The three-tailed fox wasn't genuinely angry. Seeing Katsuragi, her master, apologizing sincerely, and considering the disapproving looks from Enenra and the giggling Yuki-onna, she gracefully accepted the apology.

"Katsuragi, weren't you busy?" Enenra changed the subject as she saw the two reconcile.

"Yes, I need some help from you and Yuki-onna."

Katsuragi theorized that 'battle spirit' might relate to actual combat, so he planned to test this by battling with the three-tailed fox and Yuki-onna in the courtyard.

After explaining the situation to the three women, they gathered under the cherry tree where Enenra, hesitating, asked, "Are you sure you want all three of us at once? Maybe let Yuki-onna and the three-tailed fox start?"

"No worries, all of you go ahead," Katsuragi insisted, serious for once. He had never defeated the trio when they teamed up, and with Shuten's enhancement, he wondered if he could succeed now.

As suspected, battle spirit was linked to his combat state; he immediately felt a surge of power. Not only did it boost his physical strength, but his chakra also tripled. Moreover, he experienced a rush of exhilaration and aggression, a confidence that he could defeat any opponent.

"Blizzard."

As the three-tailed fox charged to engage him in close combat, Katsuragi unleashed Yuki-onna's ultimate move. The howling wind and a flurry of snow instantly enveloped the vast courtyard with piercing cold.

"It's also tripled."

Excited by the effectiveness, Katsuragi quickly dissipated the technique. Though harmless, the entire courtyard remained frozen for a time, and he didn't want to overdo it during a mere spar.

Even though he canceled it quickly, the spell still interrupted the three-tailed fox's approach, her movements slowed by the enhanced chill. However, Yuki-onna, with her similar powers, and Enenra, who could vaporize, weren't much affected.

Watching a large snowball thrown by Yuki-onna, Katsuragi chose to vaporize. With the enhanced speed from Fury, he transformed into a wisp of smoke faster than Enenra and reappeared beside Yuki-onna.

Fox ears and tails manifested, and Katsuragi struck Yuki-onna with "Red Fury," marking her defeat even though it caused no harm. Then, turning to intercept Enenra's sneak attack, he threw a snowball back at her.

The accelerated snowball caught Enenra off-guard, hitting her directly and signifying her defeat, leaving only the three-tailed fox. Katsuragi easily overcame her as well.

"Ha, I finally won."

After defeating the three women, Katsuragi was elated. It was his first victory against them, and with Shuten's tripling power, he felt invincible.

"Next, let's turn battle spirit into ghost sake."

Using the Howl ability, the exhilarating and aggressive feelings vanished, replaced by calmness. Katsuragi mused, "While Fury brings a boost in strength, it seems to affect emotions as well."

A stream of red energy flowed into the gourd. Weighing the palm-sized gourd, Katsuragi realized only a fraction of ghost sake had been brewed, and it seemed to be evaporating continuously.

"It's a pity we can't get injured here in the courtyard; I wonder how effective this really is."

Katsuragi opened the gourd and sniffed, the rich aroma of sake wafting up. It seemed different from what Shuten-doji had been drinking.

"Could it be that the sake brewed from different people's battle spirits varies?"

After pondering, Katsuragi sipped the sake, finding it quite pleasant. Then, seeing the three-tailed fox eyeing it curiously and swallowing her saliva, he passed the gourd to her with a smile, "Fox sister, would you like a taste?"

End of chapter 74