"You want to learn summoning?" Kakashi was stunned by Ishikawa's sudden request. Could this kid be interested in his ninja dog, Pakkun?
Although Ishikawa was a student whom he acknowledged, this kind of request was not so simple. Pakkun wasn't just a pet—he was a trusted partner Kakashi had worked with for many years.
But before anything else… how had Ishikawa even found this secluded place?
"Tell me this first: how did you find me here? I haven't told anyone about this location." Instead of answering, Kakashi posed his own question, clearly curious and cautious. Am I that easy to track?
A Genin managing to track down an elite Jōnin in a village as massive as Konoha? Outrageous. Could he be a tracking genius?
"I used the Spirit Transformation Technique to possess a stray dog, then relied on its sense of smell to find you." Ishikawa grinned as he casually dropped this bombshell.
"What? The Spirit Transformation Technique?!" Kakashi's pupils shrank, and his body stiffened in shock. He looked at Ishikawa as if he were a ghost.
That was an S-rank forbidden technique! And Ishikawa had already learned it in just five days?
Five days?!
"Don't be so shocked, Sensei," Ishikawa said with a helpless shrug. "I haven't really mastered it. At best, it's still a semi-finished product."
He had actually thought long and hard about whether to reveal this secret to Kakashi. Normally, the fewer people who know about a ninja's trump cards, the better—but this situation was different.
First of all, both the Third Hokage and Kakashi already knew that he had obtained the Spirit Transformation scroll. It wasn't a secret to them.
Second, once he started using the technique more often, Kakashi—along with Rin—would definitely notice. It wasn't something he could keep hidden forever. Besides, he wasn't planning on using it to spy on allies or cause trouble. Why create future suspicion?
Third, if he wanted to properly learn summoning or sealing techniques to store animals, he had to go through Kakashi. And Kakashi would never teach him something like that without a convincing reason. That was a lesson Ishikawa had already learned from watching how cautious Kakashi was with Rin.
And finally, the most important reason—Ishikawa needed to prove his value.
He had no bloodline limit, no prestigious clan, no secret techniques passed down from generations. He was a true commoner—yet now, a legitimate disciple of the Hokage.
What did he have to fear?
Was he worried someone would covet his space-time room? That shabby old house that most people couldn't even sense? What a joke!
Rather than hide and risk suspicion, it was better to shine openly as a rare genius from the common folk.
In a village like Konoha, currently desperate for talent, the Third Hokage would be far more likely to support and cultivate someone like him.
With all that in mind, Ishikawa truly couldn't find any reason to keep it a secret anymore.
"...Semi-finished product?" Kakashi stared at him with a complicated look. If the stray dog did find him, how could it only be a semi-complete version of the technique?
"I'm only sharing this with you, Sensei. Please keep it secret for me." As he spoke, Ishikawa pulled out the small squirrel he had prepared on the way and handed it to Kakashi. Then, he began forming hand seals.
"This is…" The moment Kakashi saw the start of the hand seals, he instinctively lifted his forehead protector—revealing the scarlet, three-tomoe Sharingan underneath.
"The Spiritualization Jutsu..."
Under Kakashi's scrutiny, Ishikawa activated the technique once more. A bluish-white translucent version of his upper body separated from him and shot into the squirrel like a flash of lightning.
Then, Ishikawa's physical body collapsed to the ground—lifeless, eyes empty. If not for the subtle rise and fall of his chest, Kakashi would've thought he was dead on the spot!
At that moment, the squirrel in Kakashi's hand suddenly broke free, dropping to the ground. It blinked up at him—with distinctly human eyes.
"…Ishikawa?" Kakashi immediately asked, not quite believing what he was seeing.
The little squirrel gave a firm nod. Then, as if exhausted, it tilted its head and collapsed. In the next instant, a white-blue flash of spiritual light shot out of the squirrel's body at high speed and zipped back into Ishikawa's motionless body—so fast that even Kakashi's Sharingan couldn't track it clearly.
"Ugh, that hurts…" Ishikawa groaned as he awoke, face pale. Without hesitation, he pulled out a pill and chewed it quickly.
Without this medicine, he would've likely passed out within minutes.
"So this is why you want to learn summoning?" Seeing this entire display, Kakashi finally pieced it together. He had a vague idea earlier—but now it was all but confirmed.
"Yeah," Ishikawa nodded, catching his breath. "This technique can't be used to harm enemies… It only lets me possess animals. So I need summoning or sealing techniques to prepare birds, beasts, fish, and insects in advance—for future intel gathering during missions. As expected of Teacher Kakashi—you saw right through me."
Kakashi nodded in approval, clearly impressed.
"Ishikawa, using a non-combat technique like Spirit Transformation for intelligence work—that's sharp thinking. Not bad at all."
Indeed, had he not witnessed it firsthand, he would've never suspected something like a harmless squirrel of being a surveillance tool.
And unless someone was using a Sharingan or Byakugan at all times, detecting it in real combat would be nearly impossible.
"The blood contract used in summoning could fulfill your need, but keep in mind the number of creatures you can bind is limited. As for sealing living animals—there is a technique for that, but it's a bit advanced for you at this stage."
After thinking for a moment, Kakashi offered a practical solution:
"Here's what we'll do. I'll help you sign a summon contract first—up to three animals. Then I'll seal a few extra animals for you to use as backups. You'll just need to unseal them when necessary."
"As for learning the living creature sealing technique yourself… that can come later, step by step."
Seeing Ishikawa's eyes widen in surprise and joy, Kakashi gave a rare smile.
Ishikawa nodded eagerly in response, unable to hide his excitement. "Understood!"
"Keep in mind, though," Kakashi added seriously, "even though the summoning technique is only C-rank, it still takes practice to prevent mistakes. Now go find three animals. I'll prepare the blood contract ritual."
"Yes, Sensei!" Without wasting a second, Ishikawa turned and sprinted toward the forest.
"…A genius, huh?" Kakashi muttered to himself, watching Ishikawa's back disappear into the trees. "With that kind of technique, he'd be perfect for Anbu assignments…"
But then, after a pause, he shook his head firmly. "No… the Anbu's world is far too dark and ruthless. There's no way I'd send my student into that."
Not suitable… not suitable at all.
—
"Only three summons, huh…" As he ran through the trees, Ishikawa smiled faintly, already weighing the pros and cons and strategizing in his mind.
An eagle for its sharp eyes. A dog for its powerful nose. A snake for infrared sensing and stealth. Among common animals, these three were the most practical for recon—and their presence wouldn't seem suspicious in any environment.
With that decision made, Ishikawa began scanning for creatures of the right size. According to the notes he'd compiled during experiments, medium-sized animals were ideal—they could endure possession without spiritual collapse, meaning they could be reused multiple times.
That meant he needed neutral-bodied, mid-size animals for his three contracts.
Next, he'd also need to prepare a stock of small, specialized animals—like mice, bats, or owls—who could be used for one-time possession in special situations.
Better to be overprepared than underprepared. For the sake of a safer and brighter future, Ishikawa wasn't afraid of a little extra effort.