Chapter 1175: Beast Control Shock

At the south gate of Konohagakure Village, two guard ninjas wearing ink-black uniforms were holding their kunai tightly.

The young man standing in front of them, dressed in a gray cloth suit, was flanked by three distinct beasts: a cheetah covered in lightning, a black turtle with rock armor on its back, and a spirit bird with a wingspan of half a meter and feathers shimmering with a glazed sheen. "Outsiders, according to Konoha rules, summoned beasts must be reported in advance," the guard on the left shouted coldly, his eyes fixed on the lightning cheetah. "You three... are not regular summoned beasts at all. You are not allowed in!" The young man was Shangguan Mo, from the "Beast Taming Clan" on the fringes of the ninja world. This clan lacked the skill of hand seals in ninjutsu, but they could forge soul bonds with exotic beasts, using them as blades. He reached up and touched the lightning cheetah's head, saying calmly, "They're not summoned beasts, they're my companions. I came to Konoha to take the Chunin Exams." "You're the one who's got the guts?" the guard on the right scoffed. "You country bumpkin who doesn't even know ninjutsu, you want to take the Chunin exam?" Before he could finish his words, a dark figure suddenly darted out from behind a tree. It was Nara Akira, a descendant of the Nara clan's collateral branch. He crossed his arms and sneered, "Guards, stop wasting time. I'm here to teach this kid the rules of Konoha—without ninjutsu, you're unworthy of surviving in the ninja world." Nara Akira flicked his fingertips, and a shadow wrapped around Shangguan Mo's ankle like a living snake. This was the Nara clan's signature ninjutsu, the "Shadow Binding Technique," which ordinary Genin couldn't break free of. Shangguan Mo didn't move an inch, but simply blew a soft whistle. The Lightning Cheetah, "Thunder Fang," suddenly lunged out, lightning condensing at its claws, splitting the shadow in two. Nara Akira's pupils shrank, and just as he was about to form a seal to perform the "Shadow Imitation Technique," the Black Turtle's "Rock Shield" blocked him, and the rock patterns on its carapace lit up, bouncing back all of his chakra. "How is that possible?" Nara Akira stumbled back. "Your beasts... can counter ninjutsu?" "Not counter, but they're faster and stronger than your ninjutsu." Shangguan Mo had barely finished speaking when the spirit bird, the "Phantom Bird," suddenly flapped its wings, its glazed feathers falling. Instantly, countless phantom cheetahs appeared before Nara Akira's eyes, and he was caught in a genjutsu. "Enough!" A cold shout echoed, and three masked Root members landed. The leader, Kazama, held a poison needle in his hand. "Outsiders, you dare to use genjutsu in Konoha?" Kazama fiercely hurled the poison needle and simultaneously formed a hand seal: "Genjutsu: Darkness Walking Jutsu!" Shangguan Mo's entire body was instantly engulfed in darkness, even the lightning being swallowed. The Root members sneered, unaware that the Phantom Bird's feathers had quietly landed on their shoulders. The next second, screams echoed in the darkness—Raiga's lightning pierced the darkness, accurately biting their wrists; Rock Shield used its carapace to slam Kazama into the tree trunk, and the seal pattern on its carapace illuminated, temporarily sealing his chakra. When Tsunade and Kakashi arrived, they saw this scene: the Root members were tied to the tree trunk, Nara Akira was still rubbing his eyes, and Shangguan Mo was squatting on the ground, combing Raiga's dusty fur. "Your name is Shangguan Mo?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow, her eyes sweeping over the three beasts. "The people of the Beast Tamer Clan are more powerful than the rumors say." Shangguan Mo stood up, and the black turtle automatically curled into a ball. Raiga and Huanque also obediently returned to his back. "I just don't want anyone to look down on Beast Tamers. The strong in the ninja world should not only be limited to ninjutsu." Kakashi pushed his forehead protector, his eyes flashing with interest. "During the Chunin Exam, perhaps we can have a good sparring match—your Beast Tamer is very interesting."

The morning mist dissipated and sunlight shone on the gate of Konoha.

Shangguan Mo led the three exotic beasts into the village, and the guards' awed whispers came from behind him.