Kumogakure Hospital.
The Third Raikage glared intensely at the chakra conduction formula Ji had dictated from his hospital bed, now written on paper.
"You became like this just for this useless formula?"
"Yes, Lord Raikage. Even if we don't attack Konoha now, we can still develop gradually."
Ji's words made the Third Raikage furrow his brow.
Even if the other side had regained consciousness a month or two earlier, it still wouldn't have altered the current situation.
What difference would having this formula make?
Actually creating something from it would take at least three to five years.
By that time, Konoha's technological level would definitely far surpass Cloud Village's preliminary research results.
"What about conducting both research and war simultaneously to slow down Konoha's progress?"
After thinking for a moment, Ji gave his opinion: "It's feasible, but considering Konoha's current strength..."
"I understand," interrupted the Third Raikage, knowing what the younger man was implying about the harsh reality.
The secret units composed of six factions had silently vanished without a trace.
It had been almost two months already, yet they still didn't know exactly how many casualties Konoha had suffered.
"After attacking the Hot Water Country, the Land of Earth will likely become very interested in the Land of Grass."
The Third Tsuchikage certainly wasn't someone who wouldn't recognize his intentions, given the same ambitions.
The next morning, Shen arrived at the Uzumaki clan compound.
"Grandma Mito, these are all my latest works. They're especially suitable for you to watch."
Receiving a large stack of discs, Mito kindly reached out and patted his head, "You child, giving me so many TV series. When will grandma ever finish watching them all?"
"Only about a month if you watch nonstop... cough cough. I mean, Grandma Mito will surely fall in love with these new shows and end up watching them nonstop." Shen awkwardly corrected himself within less than a second.
He'd always been a troublemaker, so even as an adult, he couldn't help being cheeky now and then.
Fortunately, the elderly Mito, having matured and become more reasonable, didn't pursue the matter.
Otherwise, the Konoha Troublemaker's victim list would surely gain yet another prominent name.
The old woman and young man chatted for a bit before Shen once more – for what felt like the hundredth time – activated his Sharingan to enter the Sealing Space.
"Nine-Tails, I'm not here to negotiate!"
A giant paw instantly tore through his chest.
Several seconds later, he reappeared inside the sealing space.
"Kid, have you been coming here for the past month just to clown around?"
Ignoring Kurama completely, Shen constructed numerous discs and a 400-500 meter-long movie screen before turning to face it.
"Nine-Tails, experience pain!"
Just before vanishing, he hit the play button.
As Kurama watched, the dark screen suddenly lit up.
Following that, hundreds of sound devices used for [EDM Festival] emitted sounds one after another.
"Just some brat's prank," muttered Kurama, yet he still turned over to face the screen directly.
*"Sorry, I Love You"?*
Still puzzled, Kurama gradually became captivated by the storyline.
"Just some orphan? What's the big deal to watch?"
After watching two or three episodes, Kurama closed its eyes.
But the constant chatter kept dragging its attention back in.
"I've lived for thousands of years! You really think you can scare me now!"
Switching back to Mito's perspective, Kurama realized how naive it had been.
A mighty jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails was actually watching the exact same show it had just viewed, continuing right along with the storyline.
"Cursed brat! So you dare play psychological games with me!" Kurama immediately figured out exactly what Shen was up to.
Based on its understanding of the Uchiha Clan, especially that particular man, it was obvious the opponent was also an extremely proud individual.
Considering that Shen could create objects within the sealing space, making an entire airplane or some ropes wouldn't be too difficult at all.
But if he used such methods, he would essentially admit outright that he wasn't Kurama's equal.
Likewise, forcibly controlling it with the Sharingan would only worsen their hostility toward each other.
Therefore, Shen decided the best route was a fair duel—to replace the lock on the Sealing Gate.
Though Kurama didn't know his exact plan, this dull match was perfect for killing time anyway.
Once the open confrontation turned into a hidden psychological war, it couldn't afford to stick to its original mindset anymore.
"If I end up falling asleep and lose, then that brat wins."
Throughout thousands of years, Kurama had certainly experienced failure before—except for that man more than twenty years ago who defeated it single-handedly, no one else had ever beaten Kurama one-on-one.
Now, a thirteen-year-old boy arranged a so-called "fair" duel—an underhanded psychological game that even robbed it of peaceful sleep.
"This old man will definitely win this long-term battle!" Kurama returned to the sealing space and began staring intensely at the big screen again.
It also declared that after living this long, nothing could possibly last longer than it.
Meanwhile, having exited the Uzumaki clan compound, Shen once again curved his lips into a sinister smile.
"One month? Two maybe? Sheesh." He had slipped in some personal touches with the content.
In his previous life, though he'd seen plenty of tear-jerker dramas, he'd never sat through two in a row.
After barely surviving the torment of one tragic drama, why would anyone willingly watch another already known to end in tragedy?
That very night, Kurama—who felt somewhat stirred inside—finished watching the first major masterpiece.
"[Fengshen Bang] (Chronicles of Divine Ascension)? What kind of thing is this?"
The next morning, it began feeling a certain empathy toward Daji Su's tragic plight.
"Tch! She was simply following orders. How did she become the villain!"
Kurama remembered how, back in its youth, it used to roam freely across the land. Then all of a sudden, groups of humans would ambush it.
These so-called ninja blamed it for chaos and destruction, then chased and beat it mercilessly.
It's the strongest of all the Tailed Beasts! Get it mad during a fight and it'll wipe everyone out.
After clashing with ninjas for millennia, Kurama was finally brought back to Konoha by that man twenty years ago. In the end, it was mysteriously sealed within a woman.
"The beast clans have done nothing wrong! They're only trying to survive—why does everyone become the villain?" Having finished watching the finale, Kurama flared up, roaring furiously.
"Filthy Uchiha brat! Do you really think this will unsettle me?!" After calming down slightly, it opened its mouth again. "Dream on!"
At that moment, the giant screen in the Sealing Space dutifully switched over to Episode Three.
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