Fin stared at the mysterious carving on the stone, his heart pounding. It wasn't just a random scribble; the mark felt alive, radiating a Chakra energy that was incredibly powerful yet harmonious, a stark contrast to the volatile energy he forced into his own body.
The carving consisted of a perfect circle divided into three sectors, each containing a strange symbol.
1.The First Sector: A symbol like an upward-flickering flame, but made of coalesced water vapor.
2. The Second Sector: A symbol like a closed eye, surrounded by a delicate spider's web.
3. The Third Sector: A symbol like the claw of a wild beast, yet it seemed as if it were drawn from shadows.
"A price," Fin uttered, recalling the heavy, ancient whisper. "To form a bond, you must be prepared to give more than you receive."
Knowledge from Fin's past life as an avid reader of fantasy novels immediately surfaced: This mark had to be an Ancient Summoning Formation or a Bonding Seal. And that whisper was clearly demanding some sort of sacrifice or payment.
The First Experiment
Fin's curiosity and determination overcame his fear. After making sure no Genin or villagers were watching, he decided to try his Summoning Jutsu, but this time, he would perform it over the mark.
Fin sat back down on the stone, placing his hand over the carving. The cool, damp sensation was immediately replaced by a steady warmth, and Fin realized something astonishing.
Focusing his Chakra had become significantly easier. The carving acted as a conductor, stabilizing his energy flow.
With a deep breath, he performed the eleven complex hand signs. This time, he could feel it clearly, his Chakra flowed through his hands, was absorbed by the ancient mark, and then radiated back, swirling with the energy from the stone itself.
"Kuchiose no Jutsu!" Fin shouted.
Poooof!
A thick cloud of white smoke exploded outwards, far larger than the pathetic puffs he had produced before. It filled the riverbank. When the smoke cleared, a creature had appeared in the center of the carved circle.
It wasn't a thumb-sized toad. It was a rabbit-sized Aethelgard frog (Akai), with moist, emerald-green skin and large, golden eyes. The creature regarded Fin with a look that was both curious and slightly annoyed.
"Ah, a new Summoner. And you dared to call me, Akai the Third, just to have a look?" The voice resonated directly in Fin's mind, a startling mental communication.
Fin leaped up in excitement. "It worked! I actually summoned something!" "Can you help me train?" Fin asked eagerly.
The frog, Akai, snorted and pointed a tiny foot toward the three symbols beneath him.
"All Summoners must pay a price. You called me using the energy of this stone, which is a remnant of an ancient ritual. To maintain the bond, you must offer blood, or..."
Akai's gaze shifted to the First Sector—the Flame of Water Vapor.
"...Offer something you possess in this world. Do you know any Water Ninjutsu, boy?"
Fin shook his head. "I've only just learned basic Chakra control."
Akai sighed, looking like a weary old man. "Blood, then. It is the easiest currency for a Summoner."
The Price to be Paid
Fin nodded. He had expected this. With a small knife he always carried, Fin sliced his palm. Red blood immediately dripped onto the First Sector of the carving.
The moment his blood touched the stone, Akai the Third suddenly began to glow, and a mysterious power flowed into Fin. It wasn't Chakra, but rather a brief, instinctive knowledge the experience of how Akai moved and leaped.
"Good, that blood is enough to maintain our basic bond for one hour," Akai said, his tone now friendlier. "I will not teach you jutsu; you must learn those yourself. But I can give you practice. Try throwing those shuriken at me."
Fin took out several blunted shuriken. He knew this was a golden opportunity. For one hour, he had a real, summoned creature to train his reflexes and accuracy against, something he could never do alone.
However, in the middle of their training, Fin noticed something unsettling. The light emanating from the First Sector was beginning to dim.
"Akai, why is the light fading?" Fin asked.
"It means your contract of Chakra and blood is about to run out, boy. When the light is gone, I will be forced back to the Summoning Realm, and you will be left utterly exhausted," Akai explained.
Fin looked down at the faintly glowing carving, then felt a throb in his hand from the blood he had sacrificed.
"Alright," Fin said, taking a deep breath.
"One more hour. I'll pay double."
He cut his palm again, this time deeper. Blood dripped onto the Second and Third Sectors. Akai the Third's golden eyes widened.
"Crazy kid! You're giving too much!" Akai yelled, his expression one of shock.
As the carving absorbed his blood, Fin felt a wave of pain, but it was followed by an incredible surge of power and leaping agility, far exceeding the capabilities of his eight-year-old body. Suddenly, he understood. A bond with a summoned creature was about transferring and sharing attributes.
From that day forward, every training session at the Summoning River was a gamble. Fin wasn't just practicing Ninjutsu; he was learning how to pay the "price" to the ancient carving to gain access to his summoned creature, one hour at a time. He understood that to become the strongest Summoner, he had to be the one willing to pay the highest price.