"Huh? I'm not that kind of person!"
Hashirama looked confused by Tobirama's suggestion to inspect the Tailed Beasts, his honest nature not understanding why anyone would doubt him.
"Well, it wouldn't hurt to double-check," Byakuren said, following Tobirama's lead.
The other Kage nodded in agreement. None of them truly believed Hashirama would deceive them, but since the suggestion was on the table, verifying the beasts seemed prudent.
The group retrieved the sealed scrolls, ready to inspect the beasts one by one.
"Hold on," Tobirama said, surveying the room. "Even though they're sealed, the beasts are massive. If we release them all at once, this room might not be big enough. Let's release them one at a time."
The Raikage gave a curt nod and was the first to release the Two-Tails.
The Two-Tails took up half the hall, but there was no violent outburst. Thick wooden restraints—Hashirama's Wood Release—kept the beast subdued, preventing any chakra from leaking.
"A dual-layer seal?"
The Kazekage, Retto, muttered in amazement. Though confident in his village's sealing techniques, he hadn't expected Konoha to use such a complex method.
Byakuren, however, scoffed. This is just another way for Konoha to show off. While Kirigakure didn't excel in advanced sealing, they could still handle Tailed Beasts.
After the Raikage inspected the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails, Byakuren released the Three-Tails and Six-Tails, confirming both were genuine. Hashirama's sealing was so thorough that even the mucus on the Three-Tails' body was suppressed.
When it was the Tsuchikage's turn, he inspected the Four-Tails and Five-Tails—both authentic as well.
Finally, it was Ruri's turn to inspect the Seven-Tails. A strange unease settled in his chest. While the others had focused solely on the beasts and scrolls, Tobirama's gaze had lingered on him the entire time.
Didn't Tobirama never have a wife or children in the original story? A strange and unsettling thought flickered through Ruri's mind, but he shook his head to banish it.
The Seven-Tails, Chōmei, was an insect-like Tailed Beast, a fusion of a beetle and a dragonfly with wings that allowed it to fly. As Ruri retrieved the scroll labeled "Seven," Hashirama's face suddenly changed.
"Wait! Don't—"
But it was too late. The moment Ruri released the seal, the Seven-Tails burst forth, its overwhelming chakra filling the room. Unlike the other beasts, the Seven-Tails hadn't been bound by Wood Release.
"Damn it!" Hashirama cursed.
The Seven-Tails was the last beast he had captured, and with the summit approaching, he hadn't had time to apply the second layer of Wood Release restraints. He had intended to seal it properly after the summit before delivering it to Taki Village.
But Ruri's unexpected presence—and the shift from a Five Kage to a Six Kage summit—had complicated matters. Distracted by the summit's proceedings, Hashirama had overlooked the incomplete seal on the Seven-Tails.
"Wood Release—"
Hashirama began forming hand seals to subdue the beast, but Tobirama stepped in, blocking him.
"Brother, isn't the Taki Kage proficient in Wood Release?"
Hashirama hesitated, then lowered his hands. If Ruri truly possessed Wood Release, he should have no trouble containing the beast. And as one of the Six Kage, Ruri had his own pride—he wouldn't want anyone else interfering.
Ruri immediately understood what Tobirama was trying to do—he was testing him. After all, Wood Release was known to be particularly effective against Tailed Beasts. If Ruri refused to use it now, it would raise suspicions.
But there was a problem: The only Wood Release jutsu I know builds houses!
Meanwhile, Chōmei flapped its wings, trying to ascend. The wooden walls of the house suppressed its chakra just enough to keep it grounded, but the beast would soon find a way to break free. Ruri needed to act fast.
What the hell am I supposed to do? Build another house for it to live in?
Suddenly, a familiar sound echoed in his mind:
[Congratulations, Host! You have gained recognition from the Five Kage and successfully participated in the Six Kage summit. Your reward has been issued—please check your inventory.]
The timing was perfect—just like the cheat system of a protagonist.
Ruri almost knelt down to thank the system. He opened his system space eagerly... only to find it empty except for the Truth-Seeking Orbs.
Tch. Where's my reward?
[Your reward has been added directly to your mind—please check there.]
In my mind? Ruri thought, searching his memory. To his surprise, a new sealing jutsu had appeared there.
[Nine Phantom Dragons Seal]
Ruri's heart sank. That jutsu? It's useless unless I have ten people and the Gedo Statue!
[System Note: This is a modified version of the Nine Phantom Dragons Seal. It can use any object as a vessel and requires only jōnin-level chakra to seal a wild Tailed Beast. Even extracting chakra from a jinchūriki only requires elite jōnin-level chakra.]
Ruri blinked in disbelief. A modded version? What's next, a modded Sexy Jutsu?
Shaking his head, he refocused on the task at hand. The modified Nine Phantom Dragons Seal was powerful and far more practical than the Truth-Seeking Orbs in this situation. Killing the Seven-Tails would be easy, but capturing it alive was the priority.
If Ruri failed to subdue the beast and bring it back to Taki Village, his accomplishments at the summit would be meaningless. He needed the Seven-Tails to solidify his position and increase the village's strength.
Without wasting another second, Ruri began gathering his chakra.
"Nine Phantom Dragons Seal!"
As Ruri performed the technique, dark spectral dragons erupted from his hands, winding through the air toward Chōmei.
The Seven-Tails screeched, flapping its wings frantically as the ghostly dragons wrapped around it, draining its chakra and suppressing its movements. The beast thrashed and roared, but the spectral dragons were relentless.
In a matter of moments, Chōmei's chakra was sealed into a small jade talisman that appeared in Ruri's hand. The beast itself shrank, becoming a harmless wisp of chakra locked within the talisman.
The room fell silent as the other Kage watched in awe.
Even Tobirama, who had been observing Ruri with suspicion, couldn't hide his astonishment. A space-time jutsu user with Wood Release... and now a sealing technique this powerful? This guy is dangerous.
Hashirama grinned. "Well done, Taki Kage-dono!"
The other Kage nodded grudgingly. Ruri had not only proven himself but also demonstrated that Taki Village could stand among the great nations.
Ruri slipped the jade talisman into his sleeve, feeling a wave of relief. With the Seven-Tails secured, he had achieved everything he set out to do at the summit.
Just as the tension began to ease, Tobirama crossed his arms and smirked.
"So... what other surprises are you hiding, Taki Kage-dono?"