Ragnar lay on his bed, thoroughly exasperated by the little slug's bizarre behavior.
This maverick summoning creature had nearly killed itself through sheer gluttony. Could anything be more absurd?
"Lord Ragnar," the little slug squird in front of him, rolling occasionally to secrete mucus that supposedly helped digest the massive al in its stomach, "why do I sense malice emanating from you?"
Ragnar ignored the question, staring blankly at the tent ceiling. He had clearly been overthinking earlier—too paranoid. The idea that Uchiha Mikoto might have been brainwashed by her clan and sent to poison him... there were such cases in the world, yes. But Mikoto didn't fit that pattern.
Still, the little slug's comnt caught his attention.
"You can sense malice? What ability is that?"
The little slug, simple-minded and without guile, answered readily:
"This is a special ability of summoning beasts. Generally speaking, we can sense human emotions and intentions. The degree varies by species, of course. The slug clan's perception is among the best in the ninja world." It wiggled the tiny antennae on its head. "See these? Through them, we can sense conditions within several miles. Slugs also transmit information and intelligence through these antennae."
"I see." Ragnar glanced at the creature.
"Lord Ragnar..." the little slug asked tentatively, "were you thinking sothing bad just now?"
Ragnar stared at it expressionlessly. His voice dropped to sothing cold.
"I've noticed you've been very active lately. I'd like to introduce you to a new friend."
The little slug tilted its head cutely, its plump body rolling with curiosity. "Making friends? Slugs love making friends! Lord Ragnar, who is it?"
"Toad. Frog. Bufo."
With each word, the little slug's face paled further. Cold sweat erupted across its slimy surface. Goosebumps—if slugs could have such things—covered its entire body. It trembled violently.
"Lord Ragnar... slugs don't... we don't make friends with frogs or toads! They'll eat !" Its voice had beco a pitiful stamr. Liquid fear continued pouring from its body until it resembled lting ice cream.
"That depends on your behavior."
Judging by its reaction, the little slug possessed the ntal developnt of perhaps a three-year-old child. Ragnar felt no psychological burden about intimidation.
"I'll behave! I'll definitely behave, Lord Ragnar!" The little slug vowed fervently.
Toads were the natural enemies of slugs. Slugs were soft-bodied creatures, rich in nutrients and protein—a great delicacy.
In the summoning beast world, the toads of Mount Myoboku constantly prowled the borders of Shikkotsu Forest. Those big toads were thoroughly wicked—not only did they smoke and act like hooligans, they used slugs to make sake. Simply inhumane.
The Slug Sage had once visited the Toad Sage to protest this treatnt.
But the Toad Sage was an ancient creature himself, full of slippery excuses and crooked logic. Every argunt was t with nonsense.
Even the Slug Sage couldn't prevail.
Thus, the slug family's splitting ability had evolved into an essential survival skill. Any slug caught alone by a toad had to split and flee imdiately.
Their acid secretion ability had been strengthened generation after generation as well—though so toads possessed such strong acid resistance that even this offered limited protection.
Long ago, snakes had also been slug natural enemies.
But slugs' evolutionary abilities—particularly their acid—had eventually made snakes despise them, viewing them as ferocious beasts instead of prey. One natural enemy lost.
Toads, however, remained the slugs' lifelong opponents—requiring constant battle of wits and courage.
So yes, the little slug was terrified at the prospect of being handed over to a giant toad.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Footsteps approached the tent.
The sound was exceptionally gentle—like a light feather touching water without disturbing its surface.
The little slug, displaying remarkable situational awareness, dove under Ragnar's bedding and froze completely. Motionless. Indistinguishable from dead.
The person who entered was Uchiha Mikoto. Ragnar didn't need to look—the faint fragrance drifting through the air identified her instantly. Every girl in the bloom of youth was like a beautiful flower, constantly releasing her unique scent.
Uchiha Mikoto glanced at the bowl from lunch—the ran and egg she had brought earlier. It was completely empty. Not a drop of soup remained. The bowl shone as if freshly washed.
Joy suddenly rose in her heart.
Lord Ragnar might seem cold on the surface... but he still ate everything I carefully prepared.
Warmth spread through her chest. Unconsciously, the corners of her mouth turned upward. Happiness radiated from her expression.
Ragnar glanced at her and caught that weird smile.
"Mikoto." His voice was flat. "What are you doing?"
In his eyes, that heartfelt smile looked... strange. Suspicious.
Mikoto startled, suddenly aware she had lost composure. A blush crept across her cheeks.
"R-Ragnar-kun! I ca to bring your dinner." She gestured at the lunch box in her hands. "I see you finished your lunch ran... how did it taste?"
She looked at him with an expectant expression.
"Well..."
How did it taste?
Ragnar's eyes flickered toward the little slug pretending to be dead in the corner. The plump body trembled under his gaze, sensing the death waiting in those dark eyes. Cold sweat erupted anew.
Oh no. Is this why Lord Ragnar suddenly wanted to introduce to a toad?
I ate his food?
Oh goodness, what have I done? How could I commit such an inhumane act?!
The little slug repented internally, begging for Ragnar's forgiveness with every fiber of its being.
But even as it trembled, it couldn't help rembering that delicious ran. It tasted so good.
Ragnar hadn't eaten any ran at all. But noticing Mikoto's expectant dark eyes, he answered casually:
"It tasted good. Thank you."
"Ehehe~"
Mikoto's heart sang.
Lord Ragnar praised her. She felt like a happy little girl being complinted by soone she admired.
Ahem.
Ragnar coughed twice at her "weird" expression.
Mikoto quickly collected herself. She produced the dinner lunch box and handed it to him, cheeks still flushed.
"This is dinner, Ragnar-kun!"
"Thanks."
Ragnar thanked her again. He was genuinely hungry—hadn't eaten in a full day, thanks to a certain slug.
He tried to move, to reach for the food. But his body's weakness made even this simple action difficult.
He looked at Mikoto, a hint of difficulty in his voice.
"Mikoto... would you mind feeding ?"
"...?"
Uchiha Mikoto's eyes went wide.
(End of Chapter)
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