After Natsuki finished speaking, all the Bijū fell silent.
They indeed disliked humans and didn't want to cooperate (Chōmei excluded). But compared to being fused into the Jūbi (Ten-Tails) and dying, working with humans to stay alive sounded… less bad.
They were a bunch of stubborn personalities though—getting a clear "yes" wouldn't be easy.
After a long pause, only Chōmei spoke up. "Fū and I already understand each other. She can use all of my power—but she's not strong enough yet. Please protect her."
Fū answered at once, "Don't worry, Chōmei! I'm really well protected. I did get captured once, but Natsuki came just to rescue me. Now I'm in Konoha and everyone treats me great, so nothing will happen!"
"I see. That's good," Chōmei said, clearly relieved.
It had seven tails, but in practice it wasn't the strongest. Even with Fū as a perfect Jinchūriki, her overall power was just so-so—hard to stand up to top-tier enemies.
Thankfully, there were other humans to protect Fū. Otherwise, she'd be an easy target.
Natsuki wasn't worried about the Seven-Tails side. His eyes moved across Shukaku, Isobu, and Kurama, saw them still hesitating, and knew he needed one last push.
"I forgot to mention—our enemy has the Rinnegan (Rinnegan). You all know what that is. You were taught by the Rikudō Sennin (Sage of Six Paths). He told you to watch over this world. Yes, the ninja world became what it is, and your resentment grew from endless human wars—especially after being sealed—but you still remember his teachings and his wish.
"These friends of mine are good people. If you get to know them, you'll connect; then we can guard the ninja world together and fulfill the Sage's wish. Wouldn't that be best?
"I've said my piece—think it over."
He stepped aside and fell silent. He'd said all that needed saying. If they still refused to cooperate, there was nothing more to do.
If they preferred death over cooperation, more words were pointless.
Shukaku, Isobu, and Kurama sank into another long silence—still wavering, but their expressions softened.
After all, the Sage's teachings were unforgettable.
Help humans…? Ugh, really don't want to…
At that moment, Sasuke walked up to Isobu. Meeting the turtle's wary gaze, he spoke with sincerity.
"Isobu, I sealed you for power before—that was my decision alone. I'm sorry. But I will not use the Rinnegan (Rinnegan) to control you. I promise."
Isobu wavered. Maybe this Uchiha wasn't so bad.
As for being sealed—it wasn't the first time. Not worth harping on.
Sasuke continued, "Like Natsuki said, the enemy possesses the Rinnegan. I'm not his match yet, and I might not resist capture alone. So let's work together against him. In the future, if there's a way to release you, I swear I'll set you free. I keep my word—I swear it by the name of Uchiha."
An oath on one's clan name—that was as solemn as it got.
Especially for a proud Uchiha.
Isobu no longer hesitated. It extended a claw. "In that case, I'll trust you this once. I don't want to die either."
Sasuke smiled, bumped fists to claw, and said with confidence, "I won't stain the Uchiha name. I'll keep my vow."
Watching Sasuke, Natsuki nodded.
Sasuke really had grown—no extremism, genuine sincerity.
He understood that only sincerity could move a Bijū. No flowery speech needed—just let them feel it.
As long as the beast wasn't being contrarian for sport, it'd usually agree.
Fū clapped and beamed, then darted over and thrust out her fist between Isobu and Sasuke. "It's great we can be friends—count me in!"
Isobu reflexively glanced at Chōmei, expression complicated. Is your Jinchūriki always this bubbly?
Chōmei didn't mind. That bright personality was exactly why it liked Fū, and Fū loved being close friends with it. Nothing wrong with that.
Seeing Sasuke succeed, Gaara wanted to try.
He walked to Shukaku and hesitated. "Shukaku, I…"
Shukaku cut him off. "Enough. Shukaku-daiya knows what you're gonna say, and I don't want to hear some sappy speech. If you want me to agree, make it fun. Otherwise, forget it."
Fun?
What kind of condition was that?
Gaara floundered. "Uh… these years, the most popular thing among shinobi is the Ninja Kill card game. Want to try it?"
Shukaku's eyes lit. "Ninja Kill? Details?"
Gaara quickly explained the rules, and the fun-loving Shukaku was hooked.
Truth was, Shukaku hadn't been warped much by the world's resentment—it was just bored out of its mind from being sealed and unable to play. With Bunpuku, it could at least chat; Bunpuku reminded it of the Sage, so it had patience then.
After Bunpuku died, boredom only worsened, so the occasional rampage came naturally.
It understood Gaara's situation by now and didn't really reject him—just… bored. If there was a game to play, that sounded nice.
"Fine. Shukaku-daiya will try this 'Ninja Kill.' If it's not fun, don't blame me for losing it!"
Agreeing to play cost Shukaku no hesitation.
If it had fun, cooperation would be easy.
This was a mindscape. They couldn't bring real objects in—but could create cards by thought.
Gaara formed the deck, and he and a mini-sized Shukaku launched into a one-on-one match. True to its playful nature—and its solid knowledge of human ninjutsu—Shukaku picked it up fast and got more hyped the longer they played.
The only problem—it was loud, and its mouth was foul.
Every time Gaara chipped its life total, Shukaku would bellow some new string of trash talk.
Still, that was normal Shukaku—meaning it was having fun at last and not bored anymore.
Fū drifted over with Chōmei; Sasuke noticed Isobu's curiosity and joined too. A cluster of kids and colossal beasts huddled around the game—it felt… downright cozy.
(End of Chapter)
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