In the summoning realm-
After Cee departed, Charles unsealed the items brought back from the scroll.
"Ding! Detected rechargeable items. Would you like to recharge?"
"Recharge!"
Recharge successful. Obtained 21,000 gold coins!
Charles frowned slightly upon hearing this number. He had expected at least 26,000 coins, which meant a shortfall of 5,000 gold coins compared to his minimum estimate.
Opening the recharge records, Charles investigated further. He discovered that some of the 23 items yielded as little as 500 coins, while others provided 1,000.
This batch of 084 items seemed to have lower energy levels than expected, leaving him feeling slightly cheated.
Shaking his head, Charles turned his consciousness to the system interface.
A month had passed since the last monthly limited-edition recruitment, and the featured ninja lineup had been refreshed. He wondered if any powerful ninjas had appeared.
Glancing at his current gold coin balance of 174,930 coins, he noted he had more than enough for the moment.
Upon opening the limited-edition recruitment interface, Charles was taken aback.
"Is this a Jinchuriki-themed recruitment?" he exclaimed.
The interface displayed three ninjas: Shukaku's Jinchuriki - Gaara (Possession Form), Matatabi's Jinchuriki - Yugito Nii, and Naruto Uzumaki in Four-Tails Form.
Charles was amazed. While all three were classified as B-rank, they each possessed Kage-level power:
Gaara, capable of complete Tailed Beast transformation.
Yugito Nii, an almost perfect Jinchuriki.
Naruto in Four-Tails form, who had crushed Orochimaru.
These were unquestionably powerful ninjas. Even at the price of 19,800 coins per ninja, Charles considered it a worthwhile investment.
Spending 59,400 coins, he added all three ninjas to his collection.
Exiting the limited-edition recruitment screen, Charles opened his ninja roster, where the portraits of the three new recruits were now illuminated, ready for summoning.
His attention first turned to Gaara (Possession Form).
Clicking on Gaara's portrait, Charles viewed the details:
B-Rank: Gaara (Possession Form), Fragments 40/40. Recruit now?
"Recruit!"
Ding! Congratulations to Charles Doyle for successfully recruiting a two-star B-rank ninja, Gaara (Possession Form).
The next moment, a scene unfolded before Charles: Gaara stood in his Possession Form, partially transformed into Shukaku, his expression fierce and terrifying.
Looking at Gaara in this form, Charles marveled, "So this is Shukaku's Jinchuriki. This period should correspond to the start of the Chunin Exams and the Konoha Crush Plan."
Charles then opened Gaara's detailed stats to review his abilities.
Gaara (Possession Form): B-Rank Ninja
Star Level: Two-Star
Passive Skill: Sand-based attacks enhanced by partial Tailed Beast transformation.
Basic Attack: A sand-based strike with the Tailed Beast-enhanced left arm.
Substitution Jutsu: Standard wooden substitution.
Special Techniques:
1. Sand Waterfall Assault: Gaara uses his transformed left arm to grab the ground and charge forward. Upon catching the enemy, he hurls them into the air, leaps up, grabs them midair again, and smashes them into the ground.
2. Sandstone Rain: A devastating ground-pound using his transformed arm, creating five deadly spheres that rain down on enemies. The spheres can be controlled to fall individually for multiple damage instances.
3. Tailed Beast Transformation: Wind Release - Drilling Air Bullet: Fully transforming into Shukaku, Gaara fires high-density air blasts in rapid succession before ending with a massive smash to obliterate enemies.
Charles appreciated the intricacy of the techniques but found most of them secondary to his interest in the Tailed Beast transformation itself.
Gaara's abilities, coupled with the lack of sleep-induced limitations, marked his evolution into a near-perfect Jinchuriki.
Charles summoned Gaara, instantly increasing his chakra reserves by 5 units, now totaling 482 units.
Alongside this, Gaara's ninjutsu knowledge seamlessly integrated into Charles's mind.
But as Charles examined his inner body through his enhanced senses, a startling discovery emerged.
"Wait… what's this in my body?"
Inside his chakra network, Charles found Shukaku, the One-Tailed Beast, sealed within him.
This wasn't entirely unexpected—previous summons of Jinchuriki like Naruto in his One-Tailed state only provided a chakra connection without a physical presence.
However, Gaara's full Tailed Beast transformation seemed to have brought the entire entity into Charles's body.
Realization dawned: by summoning all nine Jinchuriki and acquiring the Gedo Statue (the Ten-Tails husk), Charles could directly become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki.
This shortcut would save him from the immense cost of acquiring all nine Tailed Beasts separately, saving him millions of coins.
Excited, Charles projected his consciousness into the seal where Shukaku was confined. Before him loomed the massive iron gates sealing the enormous beast.
"Shukaku!" Charles called out.
The beast's massive eyes glared at him.
"Who are you? Why am I inside your body?" Shukaku roared, its tone laced with confusion and frustration.
Charles raised an eyebrow. Unlike other summons or beasts, Shukaku seemed unaware of Charles's identity.
"How do you know my name?" Shukaku snarled, unleashing a fierce gust of chakra-infused wind that shook the sealed space. A portion of this force leaked past the gate, rushing toward Charles.
Charles remained unfazed, standing calmly as though enjoying a gentle breeze.
"You don't know who I am?" he asked, perplexed.
"Should I?" Shukaku retorted, its voice dripping with disdain.
Charles frowned at the beast's arrogance. Without hesitation, he waved his hand, and the seal confining Shukaku vanished.
The Tailed Beast's laughter echoed through the chamber.
"Hahaha! You actually broke my seal? Foolish human! I'm getting out of here!"
"I'll consume your will and make your body my own!"
Shukaku considered its options. It could choose to leave Charles's body and manifest as its full Tailed Beast form, though this would result in the vessel's death.
Alternatively, it could take control of Charles's form and fully transform into the One-Tail without sacrificing its host.
This option was more strategic, especially if there were formidable threats outside that might reseal it.
Shukaku was somewhat curious about why the person who opened the seal directly knew his name.