Raikage A glanced at Killer B, then continued, "The Falls of Truth is not within the borders of the Land of Lightning."
"It's on an island."
He paused for a moment, his tone becoming more sincere.
"Please, Uzumaki-sama, believe me when I say that what I'm about to tell you is the truth."
"That island moves; its location is never fixed. The Cloud Village has stationed ninjas on the island, maintaining communication to track its exact position."
"So."
"If Uzumaki-sama wishes to set foot on the island, we will need to dispatch ninjas from the Cloud Village to guide you."
Naruto nodded, seemingly deep in thought. "It moves?"
"An unusual landscape?"
"Or..."
"Some kind of special creature?"
In his mind, the image of the Three-Tails flashed by, followed by the unusual toads of Mount Myoboku.
A strange look passed through Raikage A's eyes as he replied honestly, "It's an exceptionally large sea turtle."
But internally, he was muttering.
Was he worried that Naruto might think this was a lie he had made up? As soon as the thought arose, he met Naruto's half-smiling gaze.
His body trembled involuntarily as the sense of helplessness from that day surged within him again, consuming his already numb body.
He glanced at the others nearby out of the corner of his eye.
Their eyes were all clear, serious, and solemn.
Clearly, none of them had the same thought as he did.
Alarm bells rang in Raikage A's mind.
He immediately understood that it wasn't that Naruto didn't care, but rather that he had no need to care.
This man...
He was powerful, and a member of the Uzumaki clan, known for their sealing techniques.
The "medical ninjutsu" he used on Karin that day, even though Raikage A only caught a brief glimpse of it, was enough to confirm its high level of expertise.
The only thing Raikage A wasn't sure of was how adept Naruto was at genjutsu.
However... since C was instantly killed by him, it was clear that this ability wouldn't be lacking either.
Uzumaki Naruto was an all-around powerful ninja.
The words Naruto had just uttered echoed again in Raikage A's ears.
"I gave you all a chance as well."
Raikage A took a deep breath.
He might not care, but his people needed to care a lot.
If Naruto mistakenly believed that they harbored ill intentions towards him, the Cloud Village wouldn't be wiped out, but the people in this room would likely face utter disaster.
He adjusted his expression to appear as harmless as possible. "Uzumaki-sama, whenever you're ready, you can select the personnel you need, and we can set out at any time."
Naruto nodded slightly.
Raikage A raised his left hand, gesturing.
Mabui, with her deep skin and white hair, pushed a cart carrying dozens of scrolls.
"These are the techniques Uzumaki-sama requested," she began introducing them. "They contain the sealing techniques knowledge acquired from the Uzumaki clan."
"And the research results from the Cloud Village on these techniques."
"As well as information on the Heavenly Transfer Jutsu, Lightning Release Chakra Mode, and Lightning Release Armor."
As she continued, Raikage A's expression became increasingly difficult to maintain.
These techniques were among the most secretive within the Cloud Village, yet now they had to be handed over as compensation.
After Mabui finished listing all the techniques, Raikage A managed to force out a smile and asked, "Uzumaki-sama, is there anything else you need?"
Naruto took the scroll labeled "Heavenly Transfer Jutsu" and shook his head with a smile, "No rush, let's let the tailed beasts have a chat first."
Raikage A was startled.
Tailed beasts?
Chat?
Did he intend to fully transform into a tailed beast?
Or was the Nine-Tails going to say something?
But...
Naruto merely unrolled the scroll and began reading, without saying another word.
Raikage A didn't dare interrupt, lowering his head and observing the Nine-Tails lying on the table.
In the shared consciousness world of the tailed beasts:
"Kurama, what do you want to tell us?" Gyūki and Matatabi stood opposite the Nine-Tails.
Matatabi, in particular, was baring its teeth, flames flickering on its body, looking as though it were bristling.
"It's that kid Naruto who asked me to inquire," Nine-Tails began, raising its voice and emphasizing the point, its tone serious as if it truly wanted the other two tailed beasts to believe it.
Gyūki and Matatabi snickered.
"He's come up with a method to release us from our jinchuriki," Nine-Tails continued, "So, would you be willing to let him perform this technique on you?"
"Release us?" Matatabi's voice was somewhat excited.
This was something all tailed beasts longed for. Even those with good relationships with their jinchuriki couldn't resist the appeal of freedom.
Gyūki's tone was heavy, "Will this hurt B?"
"Gyūki, you've really fallen," Nine-Tails sneered mockingly, "You're worrying about a mere human, to the point of sacrificing your own freedom?"
Gyūki shook its head, "B is no ordinary human, he is my partner."
"And besides, Kurama..."
"You seem to have changed your attitude towards humans as well."
"What right do you have to say such things?"
Nine-Tails turned its head slightly, "I only cut off your horn, not your brain."
"Think carefully."
"If this technique had any negative impact on the jinchuriki, do you think Naruto would be bouncing around like he is now?"
Gyūki nodded, "As long as it doesn't harm B, I'd gladly accept this technique."
Nine-Tails then looked at Matatabi.
The cat's face showed some hesitation, "If it doesn't harm the jinchuriki, what about us tailed beasts?"
"Kurama, you seem to have split into two."
"Is it because of this technique?"
Nine-Tails reprimanded, "Stupid cat! How can you be even dumber than the ox?"
Matatabi, deep in thought and puzzled, asked, "Then why did you split into two?"
"Don't ask such pointless questions!" Nine-Tails, embarrassed and annoyed, slapped its paw down hard. "Even in this mental realm, I can still beat you black and blue!"
It paused and awkwardly changed the topic, "I assure you, this technique will not harm us."
"It's just... being harmless to both sides means that we still can't stray too far from our jinchuriki."
"We will still be connected by chakra."
Matatabi muttered and nodded, "Is that so?"
"It's not entirely unacceptable."
"Partial freedom is still freedom."
Gyūki's attitude remained unchanged.
Seeing that both of them agreed, Nine-Tails coughed twice and shook its fur uneasily. "Aside from that, Matatabi, I have something I would like to ask of you."
Matatabi looked at it in surprise.
A request?
Nine-Tails, taking the initiative?
What the hell, and without issuing an order—how astonishing.
"Separate a portion of your chakra and give it to Naruto," Nine-Tails said, trying to keep its voice calm.
Matatabi shook its head, "Give my chakra to him?"
"He wants to conduct some research on chakra," Nine-Tails continued. "I think Tailed Beast chakra would be a great subject for study."
Gyūki roared in fury, "You damn fox!"
"Is that why you attacked me so viciously the other day?"
"You even cut off my horn!"
Nine-Tails stretched its body, "Cutting off your tail was indeed for Naruto."
"But your horn—that was my trophy."
Matatabi sat down, tilting its head in thought, "Since you say so, Kurama, I'll agree."
Nine-Tails grinned and conveyed the message to Naruto.
In the conference room, Naruto was reading a scroll, with Karin occasionally leaning in, chatting with him in low tones.
But the people from Cloud Village were all sitting upright, not daring to breathe too loudly, afraid of causing a disturbance.
They remained tense like this, growing increasingly nervous.
After more than ten minutes, Naruto put down the scroll and looked at the two jinchuriki, "Nine-Tails says it's all set."
"Then let's proceed."
Raikage A was baffled.
All set?
What was said?
Why didn't I notice anything?
He turned to look at the two jinchuriki from his village.
Both of them had serious expressions as they stood up, evidently knowing what Naruto meant.
Killer B caught A's gaze and explained, "Nine-Tails and Gyūki said that Uzumaki has mastered a technique that allows the Tailed Beast to leave the jinchuriki's body and move freely within a certain distance, without harming either the jinchuriki or the Tailed Beast."
"Now..."
"Uzumaki is going to use that technique on us."
Raikage A suddenly understood.
So that's why Nine-Tails could appear independently of the jinchuriki?
But letting a "former enemy" unseal the Tailed Beast within the jinchuriki's body—this is far too dangerous.
Instinctively, he wanted to refuse.
But...
Almost instantly, he suppressed that instinct.
If Naruto really wanted to harm the jinchuriki, he could have killed them without any hesitation that day; there was no need to make this request now.
Cloud Village doesn't have the power to resist him, nor the ability to change his mind.
This is inevitable.
Raikage A remained silent, not saying a word.
"Let me be the first," Yugito Nii stepped forward, her attitude calm. "Matatabi is eager to come out."
Naruto didn't rush to perform the technique.
His method was based on the Four Symbols Seal.
Cloud Village's seal on the Tailed Beast was a technique called the "Iron Armor Seal." Although different from the Four Symbols Seal, it also originated from the knowledge of the Uzumaki Clan.
With a few modifications, it didn't take long.
The two Tailed Beasts were released, their small bodies standing on the table just like Nine-Tails had.
"This is the scent of freedom." Matatabi stepped on the table, the cold and hard texture not to its liking.
It looked up at the blond boy in front of it, its voice pleased, "Uzumaki Naruto, is it?"
"You're a good person."
"This portion of chakra will be left for you."
Matatabi then turned and tore off a piece of chakra from itself, tossing it in front of Naruto.
Without hesitation, it leaped out the window.
Yugito Nii's face changed slightly.
She could sense that once the Tailed Beast was unsealed from her body, she lost complete control over the Tailed Beast chakra. It would now be difficult to forcibly draw on its power; she would need Matatabi's permission to use the Tailed Beast's power.
Gyūki jumped onto Killer B's shoulder, "I won't be giving you any of my chakra."
"Nine-Tails has already taken enough from me."
Naruto sealed the chakra in front of him.
Raikage A stared in the direction Matatabi had run off, and seeing Yugito Nii shake her head, his expression grew heavy.
Cloud Village's control over the Tailed Beast had weakened.
But there was nothing he could do, so he continued to discuss compensation with Naruto.
~~~
Two Tails was kind of cute.
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