"Achoo!"
Though it was early autumn, sneezing was highly unusual for Hakken. His daily sword-swinging training continued without pause, each swing further strengthening his body. Catching a cold was simply impossible for him.
Still, there was a faint sense of emptiness in his body. His spiritual pressure was still recovering. The Cero Oscuras he had unleashed that day had taken a heavy toll. After all, it had been a full-powered strike—Hakken was certain that even Madara Uchiha's complete Susanoo would have cracked under it.
This sneeze... probably meant someone was talking about him.
Lying on a recliner, he startled the maid, Kitten, who was serving beside him. She froze, clearly frightened by the sudden sneeze, wondering if she had somehow failed in her duties.
Well, she wasn't entirely wrong. In early autumn weather like this, there was really no need for her to fan him.
"Carry on."
Hakken waved his hand dismissively, unconcerned. He was resting for now. Once his body recovered, he would move on to the next phase of his plan.
The sneeze might have felt satisfying, but Kurama—lounging nearby while munching on three-colored dango—looked visibly displeased.
Were these dumplings even edible now?
Human sneezes might not be as intense as those of a Tailed Beast, but it was still somewhat disgusting.
Licking his lips, Kurama fell into thought.
The maid beside him, and the Two-Tails residing within her, also lapsed into silence.
Holy crap. Was that really the Nine-Tails?
"Don't doubt it. It truly is," said the Two-Tails in awe.
When had that ferocious and prideful Nine-Tails become such an obedient fox? And even voluntarily stepped in to help a human? Was this really the same Nine-Tails? No way—it had to be fake!
"Don't you dare say a word, Matatabi!"
Just as the Two-Tails was still reeling in disbelief, Kurama's voice echoed directly in her mind.
The Nine-Tails and the One-Tails never got along. Kurama always measured strength by the number of tails—a truth that was, admittedly, hard to argue with. Still, the One-Tail wasn't exactly weak. If it put in the effort, it could probably charge up and fire a Tailed Beast Ball within a day or two. After all, it even knew ninjutsu.
But the Two-Tails had no interest in such rivalries.
As a female Tailed Beast, she had no desire to argue over strength or pride. Overall, her relationship with the Nine-Tails was actually quite decent.
"I just didn't expect that Kurama would be so quiet."
Matatabi shook his head in disbelief.
"No choice. You're a Tailed Beast too—you should know that if I fought him, I'd probably die miserably," Kurama said indignantly.
"You think a Tailed Beast willingly lets a human pet it? This is forced labor! Otherwise, there'd be no snacks!"
And that gourd hanging from that kid's waist—the medium-spicy liquor inside burned like fire, yet it was strangely satisfying to drink.
If he wanted those things, there was only one condition: behave.
Kurama lowered his head and nudged Hakken's arm lightly. Understanding the signal, Hakken calmly tossed the liquor gourd to him.
Back when they were in Kushina's sealing space, he had told Kurama, "We should have a drink sometime. Talk a little. That's what life should be like."
"Well, it's a bit humiliating, but I have to admit—being free like Matatabi feels pretty good," Kurama muttered. "Besides, this kid doesn't seem that bad right now, so this old man will let him off."
Trying to play it off, he took a deep swig of liquor and said,, "Don't look at this old man like this. When he starts pushing me around later, I'll blow up and beat him so bad even his mother wouldn't recognize him."
"Huh?"
Yugito gave a cold snort and suddenly leaned close to Hakken's face.
Tailed Beasts could talk to each other, and a Jinchūriki could hear every word clearly.
"Master, the Nine-Tails just said it's going to rebel!"
Without hesitation, Yugito sold out the Nine-Tails for the sake of her future comfort.
"I'll fight you to the death!"
Kurama, who had been squatting on the ground drinking, flew into a rage. Just as he lifted a paw to pounce on Yugito, Hakken grabbed him by the ear and hoisted him into the air.
"Rebellion?"
Hakken looked at him calmly and snatched back the liquor gourd.
To him, keeping a Tailed Beast was much like raising a dog—though this dog was far smarter. And it ate even more.
It had only been out for a few days, and its face was already getting rounder.
"I wouldn't dare," Kurama said instantly, his tails clamping together as he cowered. Then he glared at Yugito with a fierce look.
"Matatabi, when this brat grows up and tosses your Jinchūriki onto the bed to do those disgusting things, remember to send me a little movie."
"I'll make it public for everyone to see!"
"Huh?"
"Huh."
Yugito's face flushed a deep red. Suddenly, writing her report didn't seem possible anymore.
"Then we'll trade. I'll give you the one with Hashirama Senju—the so-called God of Shinobi—and the Fourth Hokage."
"Disgusting!"
Yugito's face turned scarlet all the way down her neck. The hand gripping her fan went pale; she was clearly furious.
Secret filming?
She didn't even know Tailed Beasts could do that.
And that wasn't the worst part.
Who decided that maids were supposed to end up like that? Who made that rule?!
Yugito screamed internally.
"Looks like you won't escape it anyway," Matatabi said sympathetically. "Once he grows up, after you've been his maid for all these years, it'll be hard for you to find another home. Probably no one would want you."
Yugito's glare met Kurama's, sparks flying between them as Hakken stared, bewildered.
He couldn't hear their conversation, but just from their looks, he could tell something wasn't right.
Ah well. Who cared?
Kurama still looked pretty cute, and petting him occasionally wasn't so bad.
Hakken's eyes flickered as an idea came to him. He grabbed Kurama by the scruff and lifted him up to eye level.
"Let's make a deal. One that benefits you, me, and this village."
A deal?
Given this kid's usual style, shouldn't he be threatening me instead?
The Nine-Tails narrowed his eyes, instincts telling him something was off.
"Minato-sensei was known as the Yellow Flash, but the current Yellow Flash is missing something," Hakken said evenly. "And Naruto too—without the Nine-Tails, he's also lacking something."
"I'll ask you this: do you want to beat the crap out of Madara Uchiha—the one who controlled you?"
Beat up Madara Uchiha?
Kurama's eyes lit up. He really wanted to. But he couldn't win.
"And do you want the people of this village to call you 'Lord Nine-Tails'?"
Gripping Kurama's round chin, Hakken's voice turned low and persuasive.
But the sheer pressure in his tone made Kurama's fur stand on end—he nearly lost control of himself out of fear.
"What exactly do you want this old man to do? Spit it out."
"I'll send you into the body of someone who truly understands you. The difference is, you'll still be free to come and go as you please. I have a way to make that happen."
...
NEW FIC : Parallel Ninja World: Which Naruto Will Leap Through Time Today?