Terumi Mei glanced at Karin and lowered her voice: "We hope to hire little Naruto to help us seal…"
She paused for a moment, then solemnly uttered a word: "Sanbi (Three-Tails)."
This was a pressing issue for Kirigakure.
The village needed a new Jinchuriki—a "deterrent" in times of war.
Back when they were trying to pressure Konoha, their initial demand was to obtain "Zabuza" and "Ice Release," but they quickly changed it, asking instead for reinforcements from Konoha's sealing team to help seal the Tailed Beast.
But this proposal was swiftly and firmly rejected by Konoha.
As soon as Terumi Mei heard the news of Naruto's arrival, the idea of "asking him for help" formed in her mind.
After all, according to Kirigakure's intelligence…
This wandering "Nine-Tails Jinchuriki" was known to possess a notably high level of skill in sealing techniques.
Her recent interactions with him only strengthened her determination—leading her to voice the request now.
"Seal the Three-Tails?" Naruto was slightly surprised.
Terumi Mei nodded firmly. "Yes. We'll provide generous compensation."
"Research results on sealing techniques from the Uzumaki Clan, Kirigakure's secret jutsu, or any intelligence you want…"
"You can make any request. If it's within our power, we'll agree to it."
Naruto asked, "Has the Three-Tails caused major trouble for Kirigakure?"
Terumi Mei was taken aback. "Trouble?"
She seemed not to fully understand the term.
"Like destroying the village, attacking civilians, or disturbing the environment?" Naruto clarified the meaning.
Terumi Mei shook her head. "Not at all."
Most ninja viewed Tailed Beasts as "monsters" or "natural disasters," and indeed, most Tailed Beasts were hostile toward shinobi, fitting that stereotype.
But the Three-Tails was an exception.
Its personality was comparatively gentle and it currently resided deep within a lake outside the village.
If left undisturbed, it didn't attack.
"Is that so?" Naruto raised his hand and placed it over his stomach. "Then I need to ask its opinion. If it's willing, I can help you make a Jinchuriki."
"It?" Terumi Mei looked incredulous. "You mean the Three-Tails?"
Naruto hummed in affirmation.
"Why ask the Tailed Beast's opinion?" Terumi Mei asked.
Naruto looked at her. "Kirigakure should know I'm also a Jinchuriki?"
Terumi Mei nodded.
Konoha had tried to hide that fact.
But once Naruto left the village, and his identity as the Fourth Hokage's son was revealed—combined with longstanding rumors of the "fox demon"—it wasn't hard to deduce that he was a Jinchuriki.
"I made a promise to the Nine-Tails," Naruto said frankly, "I won't forcefully use its power anymore."
"I think…"
"Since the Three-Tails has been minding its own business, there's no need to punish it."
"After all, no living creature wants to be imprisoned."
"Also, I already made that promise to the Nine-Tails," Naruto paused slightly and smiled, "so if I now go help someone imprison one of its kind…"
"Wouldn't that make my promise a joke?"
Terumi Mei stared at Naruto, disbelief slowly solidifying in her eyes.
This guy…
Is actually this kind of person?
"We're willing to pay a great price," Terumi Mei repeated her request, stressing the words "great price."
Naruto was calm: "It's not about the reward."
Terumi Mei frowned.
Things were not progressing as she had expected.
"Communicate with the Three-Tails?" she asked softly, "Then let's try."
"After the meal, I'll take you to it."
"Though it's still a Tailed Beast—I really doubt you can talk to it."
During the meal, Terumi Mei kept sneaking glances at Naruto.
She finally realized what the "sense of discord" she had been feeling from this blonde boy was.
He didn't act like a ninja at all.
After the meal—
Having informed the village, Terumi Mei brought along two ANBU and went with Naruto into a forest outside Kirigakure.
There was a vast lake here.
The wind rippled across the surface.
Fish swam joyfully in the water, but on the shore, there were few birds or wild animals.
"The Three-Tails is here," Terumi Mei said.
Naruto flash-stepped to the lake's edge.
He stared into a certain part of the lake where he sensed an immense amount of Tailed Beast chakra deep underwater.
"Nine-Tails, can you call the Three-Tails out?" he asked the fox inside him.
The Nine-Tails didn't act right away, instead asking, "If the Three-Tails refuses, will you really not help Kirigakure?"
"Of course," Naruto replied. "I'm not a ninja."
"If Kirigakure tries to make a move on the Three-Tails while I'm here, I'll stop them too."
The Nine-Tails yawned. "Well then—"
"I'll help you this once."
Tailed Beasts had their own way of communicating.
They shared the same origin and mental space.
"Isobu, long time no see," the Nine-Tails greeted the creature underwater in that space.
"Oh, Kurama! It has been a while," the Three-Tails replied. "What's up?"
The Nine-Tails said softly, "This brat who's my Jinchuriki wants to talk to you."
"Looks like you've found a decent person?" the Three-Tails chuckled. "What does he want to discuss?"
The Nine-Tails shook its head. "I don't know what's on his mind."
"But—"
It flicked its tail. "For now, he can be considered a relatively decent human."
"He promised me he wouldn't attack you."
"Then I'll do you this favor," the Three-Tails agreed, and its voice faded from the mental space.
In the real world—
The lake began to boil and churn as waves surged.
The two Kirigakure ANBU stepped forward to guard Terumi Mei, while Karin stepped back—not out of fear, since Naruto was in front of her, but because she didn't want her skirt getting splashed.
A massive form rose from the lake, slowly swimming to shore.
It was a turtle-like creature, covered in silver-gray armor with spikes all over, and three flat, armored tails swayed behind it.
The Three-Tails had truly appeared.
Terumi Mei looked up and took a deep breath.
Could this really work?
The creature lowered its head to the shore, keeping only one golden eye open. Its gaze swept over everyone before settling on Naruto.
"You're the brat Kurama mentioned?"
"What do you want from me?"
Naruto turned to glance at Terumi Mei. "Kirigakure wants to borrow your power."
"To make a Jinchuriki?" the Three-Tails said, displeased.
It didn't have a good impression of "Jinchuriki."
But unlike Kurama's hatred, its dislike came from bad experiences.
The first time it became a Jinchuriki, it was sealed in a young girl's body. Before they could bond, she was killed—and it "died" with her.
Tailed Beasts are immortal.
"Death" is just a temporary loss of consciousness. After some time, their chakra re-forms and they return.
But… it's not a pleasant process.
Its second Jinchuriki experience was better, but in that person's later years, they were mysteriously controlled by a sinister eye, and it too became enslaved.
That was awful.
"Terumi Mei, don't you have something to say?" Naruto called the red-haired woman forward.
She walked past the ANBU: "Kirigakure urgently needs your strength."
"I remember you," said the Three-Tails. "You and the man with a Byakugan broke the genjutsu on Yagura."
Karin widened her eyes in shock.
Had she just heard something huge?
Yagura—that was the Fourth Mizukage, right? He had been under someone's control?
"Lord Yagura said he got along well with you," Terumi Mei said, glancing at Karin and Naruto.
They knew now.
Oh well…
It had been long enough that revealing this truth wouldn't have much impact. Kirigakure had already survived that disaster.
Right now, persuading the Three-Tails was most important.
Though it felt a bit weird—
Her idea of "sealing the Three-Tails" involved using her words—but not like this.
The Three-Tails responded softly, "Living with Yagura was indeed pleasant."
"But will the next Jinchuriki be Yagura?"
Terumi Mei spread her arms. "I can become the Jinchuriki. I'll be just like Lord Yagura."
Being a Jinchuriki was both a power and a responsibility—not a good thing.
But it was the "Kage's" duty.
Once, the Fourth Mizukage made that choice.
Though she wasn't Mizukage yet, she didn't hesitate.
"Life here is pretty nice," the Three-Tails shook its head, refusing. "Being sealed in a Jinchuriki is painful—no thanks."
Terumi Mei opened her mouth, speechless.
The Three-Tails began retreating into the lake and stared at Naruto. "You promised not to attack me."
Naruto nodded with a smile.
Terumi Mei looked at Naruto and sighed, glancing at the ANBU behind her.
Now wasn't the time to act rashly…
She called out: "Then may I come visit you from time to time?"
The Three-Tails paused. "Human female, you're strange."
"I won't deny I hope to borrow your power and become a Jinchuriki," Terumi Mei said frankly. "But I promise, like Naruto, I won't force you."
"I just hope we can understand each other."
"Kirigakure needs the power of a Tailed Beast."
The Three-Tails looked at Naruto again, but the blond boy gave no reaction.
"If you don't bring too many people," the Three-Tails said after a moment of thought, "I might be willing to meet you."
Terumi Mei exhaled in relief and smiled.
Water splashed as the Three-Tails sank back into the lake, leaving only its head above water. It looked at Naruto: "You're the second good human I've met after Yagura."
"Kurama was right—"
"You're not a bad person."
The lake shimmered as it vanished beneath the surface.
In his mind, Kurama was fuming: "It's spouting nonsense! I never said that!"
(End of Chapter)