Chapter 48: Shukaku's Request
"Rather than you and I, I think the next Jinchūriki and Shukaku will have a much harder time."
The red-haired young man rested his chin on his hand, analyzing the situation with a detached attitude.
His personality truly had many components that were unacceptable in modern society, but here, he felt like a fish in water. Having had his change of heart pointed out by Sakaki Tatsuma, Hiiro Rinko really didn't feel like his life was hard.
"The vast majority of Jinchūriki have the Tailed Beast sealed into them as children, right? For a child, the Tailed Beast that stole their normal life is more like an enemy."
"Of course, the same is true for the Tailed Beast, trapped inside the Jinchūriki's body. With such a twisted starting point, it's just too difficult to build a good relationship."
"It is as you say. After all, Shukaku's temper was never very good. This old monk also struggled greatly in his youth."
As a monk who had purely studied Buddhism, Bunpuku had not mastered any strange jutsu. How he managed to resist Shukaku with only that crude sealing jutsu and his fledgling training was a story that probably couldn't be dismissed with a simple smile.
But today, all that was just a passing shadow for Bunpuku.
'Hey! Even if you say that, I'll still get mad!'
After all, these days, the most the big Tanuki did was 'whine' like this in his consciousness.
Bunpuku pressed his palms together and smiled without a word.
'But Bunpuku, ask this brat if he can come in. I've got something to say to him.'
'Oh? Can this old monk not relay it for you?'
'Shut up! I'm telling you to ask because you can't!'
In his mind, Shukaku crossed his arms, pata-pata, stomping in the water.
"Eh, alright… Young man, Shukaku says he wants to meet you. Is there a way for you to do that?"
Although Bunpuku could communicate with Shukaku in his own mindscape, he couldn't pull others in.
"? I can try. Here, Master Bunpuku, give me your hand."
Though curious, Rinko didn't refuse. He took Bunpuku's offered hand, pressed his fingertips to the monk's thin palm, and then wrapped his spiritual power in Yin Release Chakra, sending it into Bunpuku's body.
Perhaps due to a combination of his constitution and abilities, Rinko was quite adept at using Yin Release, but he was surprisingly untalented when it came to genjutsu.
Compared to interfering with others, he was better at Yin Release's 'creation' aspect. If he were to use his spiritual power for a jutsu, he leaned more toward offensive applications, like a 'Mind Crush' or something.
So, to be safe, he chose to use his more precisely controlled Yin-nature Chakra, which was already integrated with some physical energy, as a 'slow-release capsule.'
The Yin-nature Chakra gradually dissipated, and then—
His consciousness submerged.
A boundless pool of water stretched into the darkness. Yet, despite the lack of a light source, it did not impede his vision.
"Hm… You're quite impressive looking."
Standing on the surface of the water, Hiiro Rinko let go of Bunpuku's hand and turned to look up at the massive Tailed Beast behind him.
The One-Tails, Shukaku, could be roughly described as a sand-colored Tanuki (or raccoon dog), covered in dark blue cursed-seals. Its most prominent feature was its single, massive tail, which looked like countless tails gathered into one.
It had to be said, any creature blown up to this size would be incredibly intimidating, not to mention Shukaku's face wasn't exactly 'gentle.'
"But are you a Tanuki or a Raccoon? You don't have rings on your tail… so you're a Tanuki?"
No matter how knowledgeable he was, Rinko had his weak subjects. He'd done some research into bionics, but taxonomy? Forget it. To give an example, he was in his twenties before he learned that mushrooms weren't plants. His geographic knowledge was just as skewed. He knew what minerals and gems were produced where, and the properties of different woods, but nothing else. Oh, at most, he knew some Feng Shui, but that was just stuff he'd learned from Shintoism and mountain ascetics.
Pragmatism. What can you say?
"How the hell should I know?!"
Shukaku, who had something to ask Rinko, was immediately derailed by the string of questions and couldn't hold back, roaring in annoyance.
His good temper was reserved exclusively for Bunpuku. No one else got that privilege.
But, perhaps because he'd found Rinko's earlier words agreeable, he didn't do anything else.
"Red-haired brat! You said you were here to handle the seal, right?"
Cutting off Rinko's questions, Shukaku slowly lowered his body, almost burying his massive face in the water to get as close to eye-level as he could, as if to show sincerity.
"If that's the case, then hurry up and reinforce my seal!"
At this, both Bunpuku and Rinko understood why Shukaku hadn't let Bunpuku speak for him.
If he were sealed more securely, then Bunpuku could leave this prison and see the outside world again.—Even if Shukaku didn't say it, his childish and direct thought was clear to both of them.
But this was something Bunpuku would never have been willing to relay.
"...That's probably a bit difficult."
Rinko dug a finger in his ear and sucked in a breath.
"Didn't you just say you were sent to reinforce the seal?!"
Hearing this answer, Shukaku shot up from the pool with a splash, roaring in displeasure.
"Hey, hey, hey, what are you getting so worked up for? I said it was 'a bit difficult,' not 'impossible'."
Rinko, now dripping, wiped the water from his face and shot a "You gonna get your kid?" look at Bunpuku.
"What do you say, Master Bunpuku?"
"Namu."
What could Bunpuku say? He didn't want to gain his freedom at the cost of Shukaku's sacrifice, but Shukaku had already asked Rinko directly. Did his agreement even matter?
Rinko was here representing Sunagakure; he had a mission. No matter what Bunpuku said, he'd be putting someone in a difficult position.
That being the case, he would just remain silent.
"Fine. I'll work on a design. It will probably take three to six months to get an optimal plan. You've been alive this long, you should know how long this stuff takes to design."
Seeing Bunpuku's reaction, Rinko took the mission.
He'd get paid by 'Vegeta,' get to debate philosophy with Bunpuku, and he could ask Shukaku about ancient secrets. He was making a killing on this deal.
"Oh, right, you still haven't answered me. Are you a Tanuki or a Raccoon?"
"What do you care what I am?!"
Perhaps because he was embarrassed about making the decision on his own, Shukaku didn't want to stay in front of Bunpuku any longer. He slammed his tail, sending up a huge wave of water and 'flushing' Rinko right out of the mindscape.
"Ah… got kicked out."
The red-haired young man opened his eyes and clicked his tongue, a look of "it's not over yet" on his face.
This Tailed Beast was way cuter than a Special Grade Cursed Spirit—in both looks and conversation.
"In your eyes, am I a 'transparent' person?"
Calculating the time, it was about time to leave. Rinko looked at Bunpuku and asked his final question.
"...In this old monk's eyes, you are not transparent at all. On the contrary, you are a person of deep, profound desire."
"Haha, is that so?"
Rinko didn't take this as a pejorative. In fact, for the him of right now, that was a high compliment.
"I'll be back to visit, Master Bunpuku. And you too, Shukaku. I'll bring some snacks next time. The Kazekage Tower cafeteria isn't half bad."