The blade in Renji's hands was clearly not the same sword Sasuke once wielded in the original story.
Its sheath was pitch black, the cord pure white. Carved upon it was the form of a beast. The tsuba was black, marked with intricate patterns. The hilt wrapping was a woven white texture, and within the fittings gleamed an ivory-like grip, as if carved from bone. At the pommel rested a piece of dark chakra metal, etched with a single character: 羽 (Feather).
Renji turned to his teammates. "This sword isn't the legendary Kusanagi. Its name is Domu-Feather, once the blade of a warrior long ago. The sword itself told me this. As for this scroll, it must be the summoning contract of the Hellhound Clan."
He unrolled the scroll. It bore names, all of them ancient and unfamiliar. He bit his finger, pressed his blood, and signed his own name.
The moment he finished, the scroll vanished as if reverse-summoned. The chamber trembled, walls splitting and stone falling. When the quakes ceased, they stumbled out, only to find the landscape changed.
The statue was gone, and they now stood outside. Across the gorge they could see Eagle Head Peak, along with their teammates and the Uzumaki pair, though no one on the other side seemed able to see or hear them.
Retsu shouted, "Yan! Can you see us? We're over here!" But his voice went unheard, as if they existed in another world.
Then a massive hound appeared behind them, speaking in a low rumble. "Don't bother, whelps. This is the Summoning Realm, a space separate from your own. Come. Our master wishes to see you."
It sniffed the air, suddenly snapping its gaze toward Renji. Its eyes locked on the sword in his hand, and it gave a nod before striding off.
They followed across a vast prairie, where countless dogs played. The instant they noticed the newcomers, the pack stilled, eyes fixed, escorting them silently to a towering mountain. The peak was so high it pierced the clouds.
And then the mountain moved. It sank lower, slowly, and the truth was revealed. What they thought a mountain was a colossal dog, its head the summit itself. Its massive body bore four eyes that glared straight at Renji.
The beast lowered itself, jaws opening wide. From its maw emerged a lion-like white hound, fur flowing like a mane, eyes bright blue. The surrounding dogs prostrated themselves in reverence.
The white hound spoke. "You have taken the blade. According to the pact, you may sign with the Hellhound Clan. Our duty is to guard this entrance. That is why most of our strongest cannot leave. I am the leader of this branch. My name is Roxy.
This prairie holds my descendants, and we are only one division of the Hellhound Clan. The great hound behind me is from another branch. Its role is to link our kind across the realms."
He howled into the sky. The ground shook as more hounds gathered, filling the plain. Ten massive ones stepped forward, their howls vibrating with a strange resonance.
It was a ritual. One by one, the pack merged into the ten, their forms dissolving, until the beasts fused into three-headed giants.
The ceremony ended. Roxy faced Renji. "Choose one. It will be your eternal guardian. You may summon Hellhounds from this world, and a full clan will follow you back to the mortal realm. They will dwell in the valley linked to this shrine. Each one represents a bloodline. The choice is yours."
Renji stepped forward and laid his hand upon a jet-black, three-headed hound. Its three pairs of eyes gleamed with darkness. The beast let out a thunderous cry, scattering the gathered pack until only a few remained.
The three-headed hound bowed low, signaling for Renji to place his hand upon its central head.
When his palm touched it, a surge of connection seared through him. It was as if a new thread bound his very soul. The beast turned and roared to the heavens.
"My lord has descended!"
The plain erupted in howls, the words echoing like thunder.
Roxy stepped forward again. "You may now return. Should you face danger, summon the hounds of the valley. They will fight for you. Their leaders guard the gateway to this world. Through this shrine, the path remains open."
Led by the three-headed hound, they returned. Where once had been a pond now stood a temple, a sacred gate.
The beast rumbled, "Master, unless our clan enters war, I am bound to this temple to guard the gate. But should you call, I will come to fight by your side. Every hound here will charge for you.
The place we came from is the Realm Between Realms, the passage to the true Hellhound Clan. This valley, centered around the temple, is now your own Summoning Realm. Our branch serves you as your clan's summoning beasts."
Renji nodded in understanding. "I still don't know your name. Or rather, your clan's."
The beast laughed, three mouths echoing as one. "There is no we. There is only me. This is the gift of the Hellhounds: Fusion. Only those with true talent may merge with their kin, once in a lifetime.
Should I suffer mortal wounds, I will split apart. From one comes two, from two comes more, until my life is gone. As for my true name, it is long and in a tongue you cannot speak. Give me a name, Master."
Renji thought deeply. "Then I'll name you Meiji, Silent Darkness. Also, you saw the two Uchiha with me. Could your clan form single contracts with them, too? If our clan could summon Hellhounds, our strength would soar. We would fight side by side."
Meiji bowed. "It is possible. The entire clan answers to you. But the weak cannot contract us. I feel your eyes are unique, tied to the soul. It is the same with us. Only those with awakened talent, like you, may form bonds. Without such strength, both summoner and hound would die.
Know this. If ever your clansmen raise a hand against you, we will break their contract. Your life comes before all."
Retsu and Duantian were overjoyed. This journey had not been wasted. The Uchiha would gain new power, their strength rising beyond measure. They could hardly wait to sign a contract.
Renji too was thrilled. Before him was the chance to change the fate of the Uchiha.
The game of Hokage politics had only just begun.
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