Moonwheel Bat · Sealed Form!
To Shiraishi's surprise, the name that appeared in the Summoned Beasts interface was not the previously encountered Dream-Eating Bat, but an entirely different bat-type species. Judging from its classification, however, it was still a purple-grade summoned beast.
The Dream-Eating Bat and the Moonwheel Bat belonged to the same race, yet their temperaments were completely different.
The Moonwheel Bat was far gentler by nature and disliked conflict. That said, when faced with a genuine threat, it would still awaken its unique illusionary talent—devouring the opponent's mental energy without mercy.
Its wings were a blend of deep violet and muted gold. Compared to the ferocious appearance of the Dream-Eating Bat, the Moonwheel Bat gave Shiraishi a sense of nobility, as though it were a sacred beast that commanded the power of moonlight itself.
A third eye rested on its forehead, currently sealed—this was the so-called Moonwheel Bat's sealed state. According to the system's description, as the summoner's strength increased, the Moonwheel Bat would undergo continuous self-enhancement, eventually unlocking its Third Eye form.
Unlike conventional summoned beasts—such as the Desert Blood Wolves, whose growth depended on massive consumption of flesh—the Moonwheel Bat required no physical sustenance. As long as it resided within Shiraishi's mental world, it could continue to grow and evolve.
Its purple rank was merely its sealed state.
Once unsealed, its true combat strength would directly rise to gold-grade.
At present, the system categorizes ranks as:
White → Green → Blue → Purple → Gold → Supreme Red
Except for red-grade cards, Shiraishi had already collected abilities from every other tier. If the Moonwheel Bat truly possessed gold-grade potential, then its skill set alone…
Soon, the talent list finished generating.
Five innate abilities appeared:
Dark Burst
Shadowlight
Moonlight
Hypnosis
Dream Devour
Compared to the blue-grade Desert Blood Wolf, it possessed two additional innate talents.
Shiraishi was already familiar with Moonlight, Hypnosis, and Dream Devour.
As for Shadowlight, the system described it as a bizarre, special-type light that could ignore enemy traits altogether.
Judging from the skill classification alone, Shadowlight belonged to the same gold-grade tier as Azure Flame.
Unfortunately, innate talents could not be directly used by the summoner, and from the data shown, Shadowlight appeared to consume an enormous amount of energy even for the Moonwheel Bat itself.
The second ability, Dark Burst, was a blue-grade skill. It unleashed an explosive surge of dark energy, obscuring vision and severely reducing enemy perception—a highly versatile offensive technique.
The blood-colored explosions previously used by the Dream-Eating Bat were likely a mutated application of Dark Burst.
In terms of skill learning, the Moonwheel Bat had exceptional adaptability. Even techniques Shiraishi commonly used—such as Black Mist or Spiral Wind Blade—could potentially be mastered by it.
Yet above all else, its greatest strengths lie in hypnotic illusion techniques and dream devouring, making it the perfect amplification partner for Shiraishi's genjutsu.
"Summoning Technique."
As Shiraishi completed the hand seals, the Moonwheel Bat emerged from his mental world.
A gentle, melodious wave of sound spread outward as its violet wings unfolded. In that instant, the surrounding space itself seemed to twist.
Though the moonwheel-shaped third eye on its forehead remained closed, it radiated a powerful sense of unreality. The music it emitted was elegant and soothing, as though any listener would gradually sink into slumber beneath its rhythm.
Cold. Aloof. Noble.
Within the mental realm, seven peculiar mirrors appeared. Each reflected fragments of memory—different moments, different scenes. From the first mirror to the last, Shiraishi himself appeared, as though he were standing inside a surreal cinematic hall.
The Moonwheel Bat looked at the human before it and gave a slow, dignified nod.
Although Shiraishi was its summoner, the memories of its previous incarnation—the Dream-Eating Bat being destroyed by Azure Flame—still lingered within it.
Close… but never submissive.
A summoned beast with a very strong personality.
Still, Shiraishi could clearly sense that the Moonwheel Bat's mastery of illusion techniques far surpassed that of its former self.
Although the surrounding environment appeared unchanged, he had already been drawn into an illusion. There was no hostility in it—but it allowed Shiraishi to gain a clear understanding of the Moonwheel Bat's true level.
With the Moonwheel Bat at his side, Shiraishi's resistance to genjutsu would increase dramatically. Against future opponents wielding dōjutsu or high-level illusion techniques, this companion would be invaluable.
At present, the ninja world was steeped in undercurrents.
Iwagakure continued reinforcing its troops along the Enlightenment Mountains, locking horns with Sunagakure.
Meanwhile, Konoha strengthened its positions at Kikyo Pass and along the Kannabi Bridge front.
A three-way conflict between Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Konoha had fully taken shape. According to Konoha's strategic priorities, however, defeating Sunagakure first was critical.
After the first wave of reinforcements arrived, Konoha dispatched elite members from multiple clans.
Among them was the current head of the Nara clan, Konoha's chief military strategist—Nara Shikagawa—who personally arrived at the front lines to command operations.
His son, Nara Shikaku, arrived soon after, forming the Ino–Shika–Chō trio with his teammates.
Compared to Orochimaru's earlier unilateral maneuvers, Konoha's elite deployment this time revealed the terrifying foundation of the world's strongest ninja village. Whether in Kage-level combatants, elite jōnin, secret techniques, or clan-based forces, Konoha held overwhelming superiority.
"This time, you will serve as commander of the Assault Recon Unit."
Sunagakure's Assault Recon Unit specialized in battlefield scouting, intelligence gathering, and rapid strikes. With the puppet forces operating independently, the unit's temporary leadership was assigned to Shiraishi.
Hoshino Mai, Nagase Bizen, and Morimoto Ryōji—along with a group of elite chūnin—became his core members. In truth, the unit was composed almost entirely of students from Shiraishi's academy.
Shikasa was appointed captain of the Second Puppet Unit, while Maki was assigned to the medical corps.
The three-person team was forced to separate—an unavoidable reality with a major war approaching.
"Even if you're not on the front line, be careful."
At the camp entrance, Shiraishi was still uneasy about Maki's safety. He handed her a specially prepared bento and repeatedly reminded her of battlefield survival methods.
"Don't worry. I'll protect myself," Maki replied softly.
"But you need to be careful too, Stone."
The Assault Recon Unit was highly mobile and often operated deep behind enemy lines, making encounters with Konoha forces extremely likely. Maki's concern was genuine.
Especially now that Nara Shikagawa had appeared.
This legendary tactician—the true brain behind Konoha's wars—had once orchestrated countless decisive victories during past conflicts. His presence alone placed immense pressure on Sunagakure.
Even someone as proud as Orochimaru had relinquished part of his command authority after Shikaku's arrival, allowing Konoha's foremost strategist to dictate the overall layout.
Konoha Camp.
A man with the Nara clan's trademark spiky hair stood before the map of Kikyo Pass, his sharp, hawk-like eyes locking onto the terrain.
"Father…"
Nara Shikaku approached respectfully, handing over his proposed battle plan.
Shikagawa glanced at it briefly.
"The feasibility is good," he said calmly,
"But it's missing several key elements."
For Shikagawa, nurturing his son's abilities was of utmost importance. Using the Kikyo Pass campaign as a live battlefield classroom, he intended to personally guide Shikaku, preparing him for the future inheritance of the Nara clan.
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