Chapter 261: Both a Power and a Curse!
In the Konoha camp of the Land of Hot Water, Keisuke had just finished briefing his three team members on the matter of the "new Three-Tails Jinchuriki" when Minato arrived with Kakashi and Rin, bearing new orders from the village.
Keisuke wasn't surprised that the higher-ups wanted Minato's team to be involved in the "Three-Tails Sealing Plan." He was only surprised by the speed of their decision. He had only just tamed Isobu and sent the report back that morning, and by noon, Hiruzen and the others had already made a plan. Their haste made it seem as if they were afraid he was going to "privatize" the Three-Tails.
He had been planning to use the next few days to let his own team get familiar with Isobu's power, but it seemed they wouldn't get a head start after all.
"I was just about to take Shisui, Retsu, and Shizune to see Isobu this afternoon," Keisuke said, openly stating his original plan. "Since the village has already issued its orders, let's just all go together. If we can quickly decide on a new Jinchuriki, it will reduce the risk for everyone on this front."
No matter how you looked at it, Isobu was an immensely powerful Tailed Beast, an unstoppable force for an ordinary ninja. With Konoha's advanced sealing techniques, they could minimize the risk of it rampaging. And for Keisuke, the sooner it was sealed, the less trouble he had to deal with.
"Then we'll be in your care, Keisuke," Minato said with a nod, and then left with his two dispirited subordinates.
With Obito "missing in action," it was only natural for Kakashi and Rin to be dejected. Minato found a quiet corner in the camp to comfort them, while at the same time, pondering the mission Hiruzen had given him.
The mission was simple: Team Minato was to participate in the sealing, and it would be best if one of them became the new Jinchuriki. That "one" could be Minato himself, or Kakashi. One was powerful, the other was talented. In Hiruzen's eyes, both were suitable candidates. As for Rin... Hiruzen hadn't even considered the ordinary medical-nin.
But Hiruzen had his ideas, and Minato had his own. From his perspective, with his girlfriend already being the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, he had no need for the power of the Three-Tails. And as for being a Jinchuriki himself...
"Kakashi, Rin, this mission is an order from the village," Minato sighed. "But the burden of being a Jinchuriki is immense. If you are unwilling to participate..."
"Minato-sensei..." Rin looked at him, her heart filled with unease. She had rarely seen her teacher with such a heavy, complex expression.
In contrast, Kakashi was much calmer. "Sensei, if I become a Jinchuriki, will I gain the power of a Tailed Beast?"
"Kakashi," Minato frowned. "While a Jinchuriki does gain the Tailed Beast's power, with that power comes a... 'curse' that is unimaginable to ordinary people." He didn't know how else to describe it. But having personally witnessed Kushina's journey, he knew exactly what a Jinchuriki had to endure.
"A curse?" Kakashi asked. "Will it shorten my life?"
"I cannot give you a definite answer to that, Kakashi," Minato shook his head. "As far as I know, some Jinchuriki die young for various reasons, but others live a full life."
"That's enough, Sensei," Kakashi said, a new resolve in his eyes. He never wanted to lose anyone ever again. "Since the village has given us this mission, I will carry it out without fail."
"Kakashi," Rin said, her hands twisting the hem of her clothes, her voice both nervous and determined. "I'll complete this mission with you, too."
While Team Minato was having their discussion, Shikaku was in the main tent, reporting the rest of the village's orders to Keisuke.
"Clan Head, the village wants us to transport the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, A's corpse, and the bodies of our other fallen comrades back to Konoha as soon as possible." The Jinchuriki needed to be secured, A's body needed to be studied, and the fallen needed to be buried.
"Then make the arrangements," Keisuke said. He had no immediate desire to keep Killer B for himself. The difficulty of raising a Perfect Jinchuriki was well known. Kumo had lost countless resources to the Eight-Tails' rampages. Unless Hiruzen and the others were completely insane, Killer B would be kept alive for a long time.
He was more concerned with another matter. "Has the village said anything about me going on leave?"
"No!" Shikaku shot down his clan head's unrealistic daydream. "But they did mention that Minato and Kagami will, for real this time, be reassigned to other fronts."
Kumo had suffered a devastating blow. Without the AB Combo, they were a tiger without teeth. With just Keisuke and Kokuō guarding this front, it was more than secure. Hiruzen, therefore, was reassigning his other two trump cards.
He could have left Minato here and sent Keisuke elsewhere, of course. But he was worried about what other "great events" Keisuke might single-handedly orchestrate. His reputation was already sky-high. If he achieved any more glorious victories, Hiruzen was afraid he would be forced to make him the Fourth Hokage.
How can a Nara be Hokage?!
He would keep Keisuke pinned down on this now-quiet front and have Minato go out and earn his merit. That was his plan.
Keisuke didn't know about these behind-the-scenes machinations, he was just disappointed he wasn't getting a vacation. "Shikaku-san," he said, standing up. "I'm going to the Three-Tails. Would you like to come? Maybe you and that big turtle will hit it off."
Shikaku had the feeling his clan head's words were not a compliment, but he had no proof. "I think I'll pass, Clan Head. I have no interest in the Three-Tails." If it were the Five-Tails... but he knew that as long as his "roadblock" of a clan head was around, he would never get a chance to even pet Kokuō's jade-like feet, let alone become its Jinchuriki.
Keisuke didn't insist. He gathered his team, and in a short while, they, along with Team Minato, arrived at the hot spring. Minato, Shisui, and the others looked at the two Tailed Beasts. The pure-white, graceful Kokuō was a familiar sight. But the ugly, ferocious Isobu... the moment they met its gaze, a chill ran down their spines.
My, my. This grey turtle... it does not look like a good turtle.
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