----
The Akatsuki had always claimed to pursue world peace. However, after Yahiko's death, Nagato lost his way and manipulated into a dead-end ideology.
In the beginning, Yahiko believed that disputes should be resolved through negotiation. In its early days, the Akatsuki travelled tirelessly across battlefields, mediating conflicts and hoping that their reputation would encourage others to cease fighting.
Typically, the weaker party was willing to accept their plea for peace, while the stronger side would at least consider their perspective.
However, if the dominant force insisted on continuing the battle, then fine Akatsuki would declare their support for the weaker side.
"You want to fight? Then we'll fight alongside them."
This was strikingly similar to how the Red-Haired Shanks intervened during the Marineford War offering a simple choice: either respect their request and let the matter go, or refuse and deal with the consequences.
Conveniently, the Akatsuki possessed the power to tip the scales of war, enabling them to halt conflicts and facilitate negotiations repeatedly.
As a result, their reputation grew, attracting more and more people to their cause.
However, this also painted a target on their backs.
Danzo wanted other nations to exhaust each other in war, as it would grant him greater control over Konoha's affairs.
Meanwhile, Hanzō of the Salamander saw the Akatsuki as an unstable force. Despite most of their members being from the Land of Rain, they did not serve Amegakure's interests.
Instead, they sometimes even hindered its operations. If left unchecked, they could become a threat to his rule.
When the Akatsuki grew too powerful to be eliminated through a simple purge, Hanzō and Danzo collaborated, pretending to negotiate peace while setting up an ambush.
They surrounded the Akatsuki and took Konan hostage, forcing Nagato to make an impossible choice kill Yahiko or watch all three of them die.
In the end, Yahiko took matters into his own hands, impaling himself on the kunai held by a devastated Nagato to save his friends.
Traumatized, Nagato lost control. His abilities surged, and he summoned a colossal creature, slaughtering all of Hanzō's subordinates.
From that moment on, the Akatsuki's ideology changed forever.
---
"And this is how the Akatsuki transformed," Minato explained. "What we must concern ourselves with now is their current leader Nagato. He possesses the Rinnegan, and the giant summoning creature he controls is called the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. Its true nature is the husk of the Ten-Tails."
"The Ten-Tails?" The room stirred at the mention of this unfamiliar term. "Are you saying there's a tenth Tailed Beast?"
"The Nine-Tails and the other eight-Tailed Beasts were originally part of the Ten-Tails," Minato clarified. "The Sage of Six Paths separated its chakra into nine entities, while its body was sealed away on the moon. However, someone with the Rinnegan can summon it back."
A solemn silence filled the room as the implications sank in.
"If Nagato succeeds in gathering all nine Tailed Beasts," Minato continued, "then the Ten-Tails will be resurrected."
Raikage narrowed his eyes. "And what kind of power would that grant him?"
Minato's voice was heavy with warning. "The Ten-Tails possesses an infinite supply of chakra, capable of unleashing natural disasters. Its strength far surpasses the combined power of all nine Tailed Beasts. Whoever controls it will gain power comparable to the Sage of Six Paths himself."
"That's absurd, Hokage!" Raikage challenged. "How can we be expected to believe such an ancient legend?"
Onoki nodded in agreement. "Exactly. What proof do you have? Even ancient texts can't be trusted blindly."
Minato sighed, knowing what he was about to say would be difficult for them to accept. "The Tailed Beasts themselves can confirm it."
Onoki blinked, then frowned. "The Tailed Beasts? Are you joking?" His expression made it clear that he thought Minato had lost his mind.
To the common understanding, Tailed Beasts were nothing more than wild monsters weapons of war and sources of destruction. Expecting them to provide testimony was ridiculous.
But Minato remained firm. "For centuries, we humans have misunderstood the Tailed Beasts. We fear them, hate them, and covet their power. But we've never truly tried to understand them."
Onoki scoffed. "And just how do you suggest we do that?"
While the old Tsuchikage remained sceptical, the Tailed Beasts, listening in through their Jinchuriki, felt something stir within them.
It was rare, perhaps even unprecedented, for a human leader to say such words in a serious setting.
Even when Jinchuriki treated them kindly, it was never enough to change the perception of others. This, however, was different.
"Oi, stinky fox," Shukaku called out telepathically. "Is that Hokage guy being serious?"
Kurama snorted. "I've lived for centuries. Do you really need me to tell you if he's lying?"
Shukaku, Isobu, and Chomei all had the same feeling it was like waiting for a prophecy foretold ages ago to finally come true.
Kurama watched Minato speak, then shifted his gaze to Naruto, who was grinning brightly. He couldn't help but think that this entire development was because of that reckless little brat.
Come to think of it… Naruto wasn't really a little brat anymore, was he? Perhaps it was time to retire that nickname.
Minato and Onoki debated for a while longer, but the Hokage quickly realized how difficult it was to change ingrained prejudices.
Finally, he turned his attention elsewhere.
"Naruto!" he called toward the upper floor. "Come here!"
"Coming!" Naruto responded cheerfully, leaping down.
Some of the guards instinctively tensed at the sudden movement, but seeing that none of the Kage reacted, they remained in place.
Minato smiled with pride. "This is my son. He's a Jinchuriki, but he has done something we never managed to accomplish something we never even considered. He has truly befriended the Tailed Beasts and communicated with them."
Naruto waved casually. "Yo! Nice to meet you all!" His enthusiasm was unfiltered, and despite meeting some of them for the first time, there was an unmistakable sense of familiarity.
Minato turned back to his son. "Naruto, would you ask him to come out and speak?"
The room fell into stunned silence.
Kurama? Speak? To them?
But Minato knew the truth only through conversation could they gain understanding. Only through understanding could they build trust. And only through trust could they form an alliance.
Naruto entered his mindscape. "Hey, big fox, you heard all that, right? Want to come out and talk?"
Kurama exhaled sharply. "Fine."
Naruto blinked. "Wait, what? You're agreeing just like that?"
Kurama nodded. "Transfer control of the body to me."
Naruto hesitated. "Can't you just use a small clone?"
"No." Kurama huffed. "I have my pride. If I'm going to show myself, it'll be properly. I won't let Shukaku and the others laugh at me."
"Oh. Well, alright then." Naruto relinquished control.
Before everyone's eyes, Naruto's pupils sharpened into vertical slits, and a powerful, overwhelming chakra filled the air.
The Nine-Tails had arrived.
----
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