Autumn gave way to winter, and three months passed in a flash.
A blanket of silver, a heavy snow had turned the ninja world into a vast expanse of white.
Kumogakure.
Yuzuru Uchiha and Kushina Uzumaki walked side-by-side down the street.
Kushina's face was wreathed in a smile, her entire being exuding youthful vitality.
Yuzuru glanced at Kushina and asked, "Kushina, I'm having dinner with Mikoto tonight. Do you want to come?"
Kushina stuck out her pink tongue, a little embarrassed. "Yuzuru, next time. I still have a mission."
To this, Yuzuru could only sigh helplessly.
Ever since coming to Kumogakure, Kushina had completely let herself go. She was immersed in carrying out missions every day, unable to pull herself away, not even wanting to rest for a single day.
However, Yuzuru could understand. Having been locked in a cage for so long, now that she could finally experience the feeling of freedom, she definitely needed to vent.
Seeing Yuzuru sigh, Kushina took the initiative to hold his hand.
"Yuzuru, you're not mad at me, are you?"
"Of course not." Yuzuru poked Kushina's forehead with a smile. "Didn't I bring you out of Konoha so you could live the life you want?"
Hearing this, Kushina's eyes narrowed into slits as she smiled. She affectionately wrapped her arm around Yuzuru's, saying no more.
'No longer being watched at every moment, being able to do whatever I want... This feeling is truly wonderful.'
"Brother Yuzuru, Sister Kushina!"
A cheerful voice sounded from behind them. Yuzuru and Kushina turned to see Uchiha Obito bowing to a white-haired old woman before running towards them.
"It's Obito." Yuzuru stopped and said coolly, "How have things been at the Ninja Academy recently? Are you being the dead-last again?"
Kushina patted Yuzuru's shoulder and chided, "Yuzuru, don't laugh at Obito. Obito is no rookie."
Then, she smiled and patted Obito's head. "Obito, have you made any new friends?"
"See? Sister Kushina gets it." Obito proudly puffed out his chest. "I'm a big deal in class now. Lots of girls have written me love letters."
Back in Konoha, he had never experienced such treatment.
Yuzuru wasn't surprised to hear Obito's words. The so-called "dead-last" status was only relative to people like Hatake Kakashi and Might Guy. Moreover, it was mostly because Obito often made low-level mistakes, like getting bubble gum stuck in his mouth when using Fire Release, or still being distracted when a duel had already begun.
But to most people in the ninja world, Obito's talent was actually quite good.
Most importantly... compared to the other children in Kumogakure, Obito's looks were quite outstanding. Paired with his Uchiha clan status and decent talent, it wasn't strange for him to become a popular figure at the academy.
As the three were chatting, a loud explosion came from the distance.
A violent surge of Chakra shot up into the sky, and the people on the street turned pale with shock.
"Kushina, let's end our date here. I'm going to check it out."
Yuzuru frowned, preparing to head in the direction of the sound.
"I'll go with you."
"I want to go too."
Yuzuru tucked Obito under his arm and said to Kushina, "Then let's go together."
————
Unraikyō.
A vast lake lay cupped between rolling mountains.
The giant Eight-Tails thrashed its eight thick octopus tentacles, constantly slapping the surface of the lake.
By the time Yuzuru arrived, the Third Raikage, A, Mabuma, and others were already there.
"What happened?"
Seeing Yuzuru, Mabuma explained, "According to the Anbu's observation, it seems the Eight-Tails and Lord Bee had a falling out."
"Why?"
"Lord Bee promised the Eight-Tails he would take it out of the village for fun, but he broke his promise..."
A clenched his fists in anger, saying with dissatisfaction, "That idiot! How could he make such a promise to the Eight-Tails?"
"Father, I'll stop the Eight-Tails."
Glancing at A, the Third Raikage shook his head. "You're no match for the Eight-Tails. I'll do it."
Although Killer Bee and the Eight-Tails had reached an understanding, it didn't mean the two could always get along peacefully. Once the Eight-Tails became enraged, it was no different from a normal jinchuriki rampage. To stop it, they could only use force to suppress it once more. This was also why they had Killer Bee live in Unraikyō.
However, just as the Third Raikage was preparing for the impending fierce battle, Yuzuru stepped forward. "Let me handle it instead."
With those words, Yuzuru's figure vanished from the spot.
"Roar!"
Seeing the human who had appeared on its nose, the Eight-Tails let out an angry howl to the heavens.
Yuzuru frowned, displeased. "Gyūki, quiet down!"
The pattern of the Mangekyō Sharingan appeared in his eyes, and a powerful Dōjutsu Power brutally forced its way into the Eight-Tails' spiritual world.
The next second, the enraged Eight-Tails froze in place.
Within the spiritual world.
The Eight-Tails looked at Yuzuru's Mangekyō Sharingan, a human-like apprehension on its face. Back then, Uchiha Madara had used the same eyes to capture it as if it were a mere animal.
"Gyūki, can you quiet down now?"
Hearing this, the Eight-Tails' large, bell-like eyes widened in disbelief. "How do you know my name?"
Even Killer Bee didn't know its name was "Gyūki."
Yuzuru said calmly, "I know everything about you Tailed Beasts, and in the future, I will let you live the lives you desire."
"You..." A distant memory surfaced in the Eight-Tails' mind. It said in shock, "Are you the 'one who will lead the change' that the old man spoke of?"
"Perhaps." Yuzuru shrugged, offering no further explanation. "The era when humans and Tailed Beasts live in harmony is not far off. Until then, it would be best if you didn't cause me any trouble."
Gyūki grumbled with some dissatisfaction, "But I want to go out and play."
"I can grant that request. From now on, have Killer Bee communicate with me about any issues." Yuzuru smiled.
The Tailed Beasts had lived for so many years, but in some ways, they were still like children.
"Then I understand. I won't try to easily snatch control of the body from Bee anymore."
It had already reached an understanding with Killer Bee, and now its wish could be granted. Naturally, it had no reason to continue making a fuss.
After receiving Gyūki's promise, Yuzuru left its spiritual world.
At the same time, in Unraikyō, Gyūki's massive body disappeared.
Seeing this, the Kumo ninja who had been on high alert all stared with their mouths agape in shock.
'Wait... the Eight-Tails' rampage was resolved just like that?'
T/n:
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