Chapter 157: Search Call

Towards evening, when the sun disappeared behind the horizon, Shikamaru finally crossed the border and set up camp near the seashore. From this place, a wonderful view of the dark waves opened up. The climate in these places was still consistent with the Land of Fire, so even at night, Shikamaru didn't really need warmth. The fire was more likely to be used for cooking and just for lighting. Flames gleamed beautifully on the splashing waves, sometimes touching the glitter of the night stars.

Shikamaru sat down on the sand and peered into the distant horizon. Somewhere in the north were the islands of the Land of Hot Springs, and before reaching them, a little west, was the Land of Waves, which never built a bridge to the continent. Not far from them, a little to the east, there was another important territory - the Land of the Maelstrom. Shikamaru planned to visit her as soon as he completed the case elsewhere. West ...

The guy turned his head and stared at the bright moon. It was on that side that the Land of Water was located, the territory of the Hidden Village in the Fog. Of course, Shikamaru did not even plan to meet with the Mizukage now, the strength can and allowed to resist many, but it would be better not to shine with abilities there. He mainly looked for traces of the three-tails. From memories, he knew about Yagura and what happened to him. So it's worth guessing the location of the huge tailed monster is somewhere in that area. It would not be very wise for him to break into neighboring countries. Although, it would still be wiser to simply hide in the ocean away from the shinobi. As you know, he acted differently, grimacing in some lake ... Most likely it happened near the Land of Fire, and maybe somewhere else. This is what you need to find out, and on the way back to visit Uza.

"Well, let's get started ..." Stretching, Shikamaru cast a quick glance at the flaring fire, and then walked away from the shore. The last days he trained a lot, especially after meeting with Tsunade. Then he decided to improve his skills in Taijutsu. The clones helped in this as well as possible. In addition, he worked on the elements. Only now he had another thought, he finally decided to start the call. In the past, he postponed these trainings as he was busy with other jutsu, but while there was time he decided to start doing this too. At least another couple of years before the exam, you can get distracted.

Basically, in the past, the Third talked about how the summoning process takes place, he even tried to teach Shikamaru how to call monkeys, but at that time the guy still doubted choosing his own contract animal - he had enough strength. Now he was thinking not only about training his present abilities, but also about better using future ones. For example, Senjutsu would have helped in battle, so it made sense to master it. In addition, there was Jugo's genome on the horizon, and this is a very useful thing if you curb it, as Kabuto would once do. In the past, Shikamaru has made mistakes largely due to not achieving full awakening. And remembering how he gave the dangerous pill to Chоji is also a rather ridiculous action. He really did not think about some of the consequences, but he tried ... Now it only caused him a smile, nothing more.

Basically, he had long ago decided which way to lead the development path, which is why, after receiving Senju and a complete understanding of his personality, he decided to postpone special enhancements. Jugo's and Mangeky's genomes are one of those. Although, in his own improvements, he did not have time to make mistakes. Senju, Uchiha and Hyuuga are quite worthy purchases, and so are the others. From them he decided to make a start. Now is the time to start the next stage in development, one might say - an intermediate one. If he wants to equalize the forces with the Kage, he must take the first step now.

Therefore, Shikamaru decided to start simple - to use Search Call. Simply put, he was going to use the forbidden technique of his own sending to another space, associated primarily with the natural chakra. Naturally, the guy learned this technique from Hiruzen. True, Shikamaru himself has never personally used it. According to the old man, this should be done only as a last resort, only because of the inability to find a contract creature. It was not for nothing that Hiruzen was called a real master in Ninjutsu, because he created a lot of them too. In particular, his favorite techniques were the tracking or searching jutsu. This is how he invented Search Call Ninjutsu. The basis was the search for a specific area with a rich natural energy, where many animals were most often based. Naturally, there were many more hidden places in the world like Mount Myёboku, Ryuichi Cave, Shikkotsu Forest. Rather, these three territories were noticeably closer to the Land of Fire. Therefore, they were singled out in the original story. In the vast world, there are much more animals capable of using natural energy. The same goes for Sage and Sage Beasts. Naturally, there is a reason why no one uses other modes. The same Hiruzen simply could not master it because of his body, and also concerned most people in this world. Moreover, it is not only a matter of the risk of simply turning to stone, but also of the nature of the animals. Toads by nature are not quite hostile creatures, but the same cannot be said about proud monkeys or ruthless snakes. In any case, everything needs to have not only a connection with these beings, but a strong body, chakra and tremendous courage with determination. Of course, first of all, the approval of the sage's beast is important.

Shikamaru pulled out a crystal ball, then took out a fuyin seal and attached it to the base of the blue sphere. He acted on the instructions of the Third. The seal was nothing special, Shikamaru made it himself. It is needed here only to maintain the integrity of the ball due to the introduced chakra. Of course, he used chakra, only rebuilt to search for huge places with natural energy. Simply put, this ball was a kind of radar for finding the right place with summoning creatures. Whether he is ready to share wisdom with a person or even agree to conclude a contract is another question. The ball is needed here for contact and determination of the path. As long as the other side allows, Shikamaru will be able to enter their world. In the same place, the risk increased even more. After all, it was not so easy to go back. On this score, you need to rely only on your own strength. In them, he was absolutely sure.

Naturally, there was another option, just to follow the path laid inside the crystal ball. Many places can also be reached along hidden paths. But, this option is the longest. It's even easier to just use a non-contractual call and move to the nearest lands of natural creatures, only this time without their consent. Many people, in general, conclude their contracts. Only in this case, the risk is quite high, who knows what the beast will be like ... Usually, the Academy is taught not to do such stupid things.

- Well, let's see if this thing works ... I'll spend a lot of chakra, it's not for nothing that he called it forbidden, - concentrating, Shikamaru grabbed the edges of the ball and introduced the chakra through his fingers into special recesses. The next moment, he removed his palms and folded his fists together, then began to fold his hand seals. In just a second, he folded more than a dozen and immediately brought his hands back to the crystal sphere. The next moment, the inactive emptiness inside the ball suddenly changed, immediately a yellowish fog appeared there, quickly acquiring some shape ...