"Ye... yes, Hinata, your master is here!" Hearing Takeru's words, Miyako reacted and turned to call upstairs.
"Master!" Hinata, who had been playing with Hana, Noa, and the others in her room, perked up at that word. Noa and the others also showed delighted expressions.
"Master!" With an extremely delighted voice, Hinata quickly ran down from the second floor.
Seeing Takeru's familiar face, she quickly threw herself at him, wrapping her whole body around him like an octopus.
"Long time no see. You seem as energetic as ever." Feeling Hinata's excitement, Takeru said with an admiring smile.
"Master!" Soon, Hana and the others also ran down. Seeing Takeru, they showed delighted smiles.
"Is everyone here?" Looking at Hana and the others, Takeru was slightly surprised. He hadn't expected everyone to be gathered at Hinata's house.
Because Takeru usually kept his Observation Haki active, he instinctively avoided looking inside buildings. After all, constantly peeping on others' privacy wasn't a good habit, and it could lead to seeing unhealthy things.
"The final summer training camp is about to start. Is everyone ready?" Looking at the five little ones, Takeru continued.
"Yes!" Hearing this, Hinata shouted excitedly.
"We're ready!" Noa and Koyori quickly nodded.
"In that case, let's set off. I also have a gift for you." Looking at the excited group, Takeru said with a smile.
"A gift?" Hearing Takeru mention a gift, they became even more excited.
"Is it something delicious?" As if thinking of something, Hana involuntarily swallowed.
"Pets and mounts." Hearing Hana's words, Takeru said with a light laugh.
"Eh, pets and mounts? Like Pidgeot or dragons?" Hearing this, Hinata thought of the earlier Pidgeot and flying dragons.
"No. You'll see when we get there." Looking at the excited group, Takeru said mysteriously.
"Okay, Master, let's go quickly!" Hearing Takeru say this, Hinata could hardly wait.
"Yes, then Hoshino-san, please tell your mother that Hinata has been picked up by me." Looking at the urging Hinata, Takeru said to Miyako with a smile.
"Yes, I understand." Hearing this, seeing Hinata and Hana about to leave with Takeru, Miyako felt a little disappointed, but quickly composed her disappointment and nodded seriously.
Then, Takeru disappeared from the spot with the five little ones, directly returning to the castle on the island.
"We're back!" Looking at the familiar decor in the castle, Hinata, Noa, and the others were very excited.
Hana, smelling the faint aroma coming from the kitchen, showed an intoxicated expression.
"Hinata, Hana, Noa, Koyori, Kanon, you're here too. Welcome!" Chelsea and Mjurran, who had just returned to the castle, saw the five little ones and greeted them warmly.
"Good afternoon, Chelsea-nee, Mjurran-nee!" Seeing Chelsea and the others, the five little ones quickly greeted them politely.
"Master, what about the gift?" After the greetings, Hinata eagerly asked Takeru.
"Don't rush. Come with me." Seeing the impatient Hinata, Takeru found it amusing and directly led them outside the castle.
Just outside, the five saw Filolials leisurely walking in the courtyard and became curious.
"So cute!" Seeing the Filolials, Hinata showed a delighted expression.
"Master, are these the pets you're giving us?" Hana quickly thought of something and asked directly.
"No. If you like them, you can, but bringing a Filolial home would be inconvenient. At most, you can ride them here." Hearing her words, Takeru shook his head.
Takeru had thought about giving them Filolials, but quickly gave up. Filolials were too conspicuous in this world.
Although this world had started to accept the existence of monsters and people with abilities, riding a Filolial, which was clearly a monster, down the street was still a bit too high-profile. It would easily cause a stir and trouble.
Hearing Takeru say those weren't the gifts for them, Hana and Kanon were stunned. They had thought the new Filolials were the gifts.
Seeing their surprise, Takeru didn't explain further.
He directly called over Ai, Miu, and Renge, who were training, and also called Ebina.
To their puzzled expressions, Takeru disappeared from the spot with them, arriving at a relatively open area in the middle of the island.
Then, to Miu and the others' surprised gazes, Takeru released several hundred Demonized Slimes.
These were basically fourth generation or later, meaning their strength and abilities were much stronger than the earlier generations.
"So many slimes!" Seeing the area instantly filled with dense slimes, everyone was stunned. Hinata and Noa excitedly squatted down, playing with the cute slimes.
"Choose one you like. I'll help you sign a master-servant contract." Looking at the curious group, Takeru said with a smile.
"Onii-chan, are you giving us slimes as pets?" Hearing Takeru's words, Miu said with surprise.
"Yes. Don't underestimate these slimes. Their abilities are quite considerable." Seeing Miu's surprised expression, Takeru said with amusement.
"Is that so? I see." Hearing this, Miu nodded. She believed Takeru wouldn't deceive her.
"Um, Takeru, can I choose one too?" Looking at the soft, cute slimes around her, Ebina asked nervously.
"Yes. Having a strong pet can help you survive better in this world. And these slimes can transform. In a pinch, they can serve as mounts." Looking at the insecure Ebina, Takeru comforted her.
"Transform? Master, what can they transform into?" Hearing Takeru's words, Ai asked curiously.
"They can transform into many things. Basically, anything they've devoured they can transform into. And these slimes are among the best. What they can transform into depends on what special monsters the one you choose has devoured." Hearing Ai's question, Takeru explained further.
"So, it's a lottery?" Hearing Takeru's words, Miu understood.
"Yes, pretty much. The reason I'm having you choose for yourselves is that sometimes having a connection is more important. As for strength, it can be improved later."
"I see." Hearing this, everyone quickly started looking for slimes they liked. Although all were Demonized Slimes, their colors varied depending on the types and quantity of monsters they had devoured, as well as their growth environment.
Basically, all colors existed. Sometimes, placed among other slimes, you might not even recognize them as Demonized Slimes by appearance alone.
"Master, I've chosen!" After a few minutes, Hinata was the first to raise her hand, holding a brown slime.
"Is that so? Why did you choose it?" Coming to Hinata's side, Takeru asked curiously.
"Because it's been holding onto me this whole time and won't let go." Hearing Takeru's words, Hinata said with a grin.
"Is that so? It seems it really likes you, Hinata." Hearing her words, Takeru nodded understandingly.
"Takeru, I've chosen!" Soon, Ebina came to Takeru's side, holding a slime.
"Okay. You all wait here for a moment." Hearing her words, Takeru nodded with a light smile.
"Master, I've chosen!" Then, Renge raised her hand, a purple-blue slime bobbing on her head, matching her hair color.
"Onii-chan, I've chosen too."
...
About twenty minutes later, everyone had chosen the slimes they wanted to sign. Seeing everyone had decided, Takeru put away the remaining unchosen slimes.
After scanning the slimes everyone had chosen, Takeru manifested some tools and had them each drip a drop of blood into them.
Hearing they had to draw blood, the little ones were a bit scared. But Takeru signaled them not to worry.
He held Miu's arm, and soon a drop of blood slipped from her finger, falling into the special liquid in the plate, mixing together.
Then, picking up the special liquid, Takeru directly dipped a brush in it and drew a circle on the slime Miu had chosen. Soon, a special pattern appeared on the slime's body, then quickly turned invisible.
[Ding! A Demonized Slime belonging to you has signed a contract with another. Its unlimited splitting ability has disappeared. Its potential has increased (Note: The degree of potential increase is related to the master it signed with).]