After a week of training, Kakashi only barely achieved the first stage of Jinchuriki status—the Tailed Beast Cloak.
Much of this was thanks to Kurama's persuasive skills, convincing Gyuki to reluctantly lend some of his chakra.
Although it was only a portion, it was still several times more than before.
Moreover, besides increasing his chakra, the red-hued Tailed Beast Cloak functioned as a continuous buff.
Speed, strength, healing ability—all had improved.
Kakashi's strength had practically skyrocketed overnight.
The only pity was that he couldn't achieve Tailed Beast transformation.
Although full transformation wasn't possible, Kakashi could now extend tentacle-like limbs from his body to attack or block.
Since the Eight-Tails resembled an octopus, as a Jinchuriki, having several extra limbs was completely natural.
And they were fully responsive—just like his own arms.
A bold idea suddenly struck Kakashi.
Obito's Susanoo gave him an idea.
Craft a few forty-meter-long swords for the Eight-Tails to wield.
Next time they fought Obito, things wouldn't end up so messy.
Haruki appeared at the Kurama Ecological Base.
He found the following sight before him.
Kakashi sat by the riverside with his eyes closed.
From his tailbone extended a white tentacle, submerged in the river.
An expression of confusion crossed Haruki's face.
Only a week had passed—how did your style change so drastically?
We're the main storyline.
You shouldn't be messing around with tentacles like that.
"Kakashi, what are you doing?" Haruki walked behind him and couldn't help but ask.
"Teacher."
Kakashi opened his eyes and answered solemnly. "I'm fishing."
"Fishing?"
Haruki really wanted to ask, Are you serious? Using the tail of Gyuki to fish?
"Yeah. If I can control Gyuki's tail to approach and grab the fish in the river, I think I'll be one step closer to truly merging with the Tailed Beast."
Kakashi explained.
"…"
Although what he said was slightly different from what Haruki understood, it didn't sound like a bad idea… Not really.
I told you to reach a consensus with Gyuki, not fuse with it.
Haruki felt something must've gone wrong somewhere.
"Do you understand the methods of Jinchuriki training now?"
"I've basically learned them all."
Kakashi nodded and said, "That's all thanks to the help from Senior Sister Kushina and Yugito."
"Keep up the good work. One day, you'll achieve Complete Tailed Beast Transformation."
Haruki encouraged him.
As long as he learned it properly, that's fine.
What happens after that isn't my problem.
"When are you planning to go to the Land of Lightning?"
Haruki asked again. "If you're going now, I can send you there using the Flying Thunder God Technique. Or if you want to experience the sensation of flying, you can take Kurama's Ride."
Beside them, Kurama immediately snarled and bared its fangs.
Kakashi is the Jinchuriki of the Eight-Tails.
Does carrying him also mean carrying the Eight-Tails itself?
Where does that leave my dignity as the eldest of the Tailed Beasts?
Even though I've become a beast used for transportation, I still have pride.
At the very least, I won't let myself be disrespected by the younger ones.
Kakashi sensed a deep malice and hatred.
Now that he had become the jinchuriki of the Eight-Tails, his perception abilities had greatly improved, allowing him to clearly sense Kurama's emotions.
Inside him, Gyuki voiced resistance.
It wasn't fear of the Nine-Tails—it was more the concern that their next meeting might be awkward.
"Then I'll trouble you, Teacher."
Considering the strong bond among the Tailed Beasts, Kakashi decided to follow Gyuki's suggestion.
"Teacher, can I bring Yugito with me to the Land of Lightning?"
"Yugito?"
Haruki heard this and looked at Kakashi in surprise.
Could it be that he's finally opening up?
In the original story, Kakashi remained single all the way until Boruto's time.
"Yes. Since I only have basic knowledge about jinchuriki now, I hope to let Yugito guide me for a while before returning."
"Be honest."
Haruki shook his head, thinking to himself, I know you too well. This formal speech is so rehearsed—wonder who you learned that from.
Kakashi scratched his head uncomfortably. "Guess I can't pull one over on you, Teacher. Actually, Yugito wanted to visit her hometown, so she asked me."
"I see."
Although Haruki didn't hear the answer he had imagined, this reason sounded reasonable enough.
Since Yugito had been captured by him, she hadn't returned to Kumogakure at all.
Wanting to go back was understandable.
He glanced toward Yugito, who was listening in from afar. She looked anxious and hopeful until she caught his gaze. Then she let out a haughty sniff and tilted her chin up defiantly.
Truly, she was as proud as a peacock.
"You may take her if you like."
Haruki turned his gaze back to Kakashi. "But remember, she isn't a Konoha ninja. If she tries to escape, it'll be your responsibility to bring her back, understand?"
"I understand."
Kakashi couldn't help smiling. "She definitely won't run away."
Haruki patted his shoulder and said earnestly, "That's just wishful thinking. But if you truly have the skill to keep both her heart and body here, then naturally she won't flee again."
Kakashi hesitated slightly.
As a ninja whose mind was filled entirely with duties, and having never experienced love before, he completely missed the deeper meaning in Haruki's words.
"So you're saying I should get her to fall for Konoha, right?"
Well, that explanation went right over his head.
Upon hearing this reply, Haruki sighed inwardly but chose not to elaborate further.
After all, he wasn't some matchmaker to start playing Cupid.
"Something like that."
Haruki answered briefly before calling Yugito over, preparing to send both of them off to the Land of Lightning.
"Teacher, I also want to go."
Kushina gazed at him pitifully.
It had been quite a long time since she last saw Minato.
Speaking of which, Haruki really wanted to complain about Minato—having the Flying Thunder God Technique yet still obediently waiting instead of sneaking over once at night?
"Alright."
Haruki thought for a moment and agreed to her request.
Konoha's international flights were now running smoothly.
Especially after developing unarmed versions designed solely for speed, the new air fortress significantly reduced the need for Kurama. He wasn't as indispensable as initially thought.
Kushina no longer needed to keep a constant watch.
Having brought the three people directly before Minato, Haruki turned his gaze toward Kurama.
"?"
The diminutive version of Kurama immediately showed caution, taking two steps back while asking in a trembling voice, "What do you want? I've always been working diligently. Besides occasionally playing League of Legends, that's only during after work hours."
"Nothing much."
Seeing its reaction, Haruki couldn't help but smile.
Where was the overbearing aura of the Nine-Tails now?
Once again, it proved that those arrogant and powerful-looking guys had never experienced the harshness of society.
He remembered a saying from his past life: Before eighteen, one would say, 'My fate is in my hands, not heaven's.' After twenty-eight, it becomes, 'Please, Lord, have mercy on me.'
How bitter it all was!
After leaving, Haruki returned to Konoha Ninja First School.
Time passed.
About a month later, Haruki received news from Obito.
Madara Uchiha, after completing his final tasks, departed from this world into slumber, awaiting the Rinnegan's awakening to usher in his second life.
Unfortunately for him, Haruki would soon make him understand just how hard it was to defy fate.
Come to think of it, after Madara's death, would his soul meet the Sage of Six Paths in the Pure Land?
Haruki pondered for a moment before concluding they must meet.
After all, the Sage of Six Paths actually ruled over the Pure Land.
At the same time, Madara's death signified that Indra's chakra was about to be reborn.
And as his rival, Asura's chakra would soon be reborn as well.