She paused for a moment, carefully uttering a word: "Three-Tails."
This was a pressing issue for the Hidden Mist to resolve.
The village needed a new Jinchūriki, a "deterrent" at the onset of war.
During the period when they were exerting pressure on Konoha, their initial demand was to acquire "Zabuza" and "Ice Release."
However, they quickly changed their request, hoping Konoha could spare at least one person from a sealing team to assist in sealing the tailed beast.
But this proposal was promptly rejected by Konoha.
Upon first learning about Naruto Uzumaki's arrival, Mei Terumi immediately thought, "Let him help."
After all, according to the Hidden Mist's intelligence, this "Nine-Tails Jinchūriki," who was traveling away from his village, possessed quite an exceptional proficiency in sealing techniques.
The interactions they had just had further solidified her belief, prompting her to voice it now.
"Seal the Three-Tails?" Naruto was a little surprised.
Mei nodded, her gaze firm: "Yes, we will offer a very generous reward."
"The Hidden Mist's research findings on Uzumaki sealing techniques, or any other Hidden Mist secret arts, information you wish to know."
"You can ask for anything. As long as we can fulfill it, we will."
Naruto asked, "Is the Three-Tails causing a lot of trouble for the Hidden Mist?"
Mei was momentarily taken aback: "Trouble?"
She found it somewhat difficult to comprehend the word.
"That is, actions like destroying the village, attacking villagers, or affecting the environment?" Naruto elaborated on the term.
Mei shook her head: "Not really."
Most ninja perceptions of tailed beasts were "ferocious beasts," "natural disasters," and indeed, most tailed beasts were hostile to shinobi, fitting these stereotypes.
But the Three-Tails was an exception among tailed beasts.
Its personality was relatively mild, currently residing in the depths of a lake outside the Hidden Mist.
If left undisturbed, it would not initiate attacks.
"Is that so?" Naruto raised his hand, placing it on his belly, "Then I should ask for its opinion. If it agrees, I can help you create a Jinchūriki."
"It?" Mei found this incredible, "Do you mean the Three-Tails?"
Naruto gave a simple "Mm" in response.
"Why ask for the tailed beast's opinion?" Mei inquired again.
Naruto looked at Mei Terumi, "Doesn't the Hidden Mist know that I'm a Jinchūriki?"
Mei Terumi nodded.
The Leaf Village had once tried to keep this information secret.
However, when Naruto left the village, his identity as the son of the Fourth Hokage was exposed. Coupled with the persistent rumors of the "Demon Fox" within the village, it was not difficult to deduce his identity as a Jinchūriki.
"I made an agreement with the Nine-Tails," Naruto continued candidly, "I won't forcibly use its power in the future."
"I think," he added, "since the Three-Tails has been so peaceful, there's no need to punish it."
"After all, no creature willingly accepts being imprisoned."
"And since I've made such a promise to the Nine-Tails," Naruto paused, then grinned, "how could I turn around and help others oppress its kind?"
"Wouldn't that make my previous promise a joke?"
Mei Terumi stared at Naruto, her eyes filling with disbelief.
This guy.
Could he really be such a person?
"We are willing to offer substantial compensation," she spoke again, emphasizing the word "substantial."
"This has nothing to do with compensation," Naruto replied openly.
Mei Terumi frowned. The situation was developing in an unexpected direction for her.
"Communicate with the Three-Tails, then?" she suggested softly, "Let's give it a try."
"After we eat, I'll take you to it."
"But it is a tailed beast. I really doubt you can communicate with it."
During the meal, Mei Terumi couldn't help but observe Naruto.
She finally understood the feeling of "discord" she always sensed from this blond teenager.
He didn't seem like a ninja at all.
After the meal, Mei Terumi informed the village and, along with two Anbu members, led Naruto to a forest deep outside the Hidden Mist Village.
There lay a vast lake.
The wind stirred, causing ripples to dance across the lake.
Fish swam joyously in groups, yet along the shores, there were few waterfowl or other wildlife to be seen.
"The Three-Tails is here," Mei Terumi declared as she spoke.
Naruto flashed to the lakeside in an instant.
His gaze locked onto a certain area of the lake, where deep beneath the surface, an immense presence of Tailed Beast Chakra resided.
"Nine-Tails, can you call the Three-Tails out?" he asked the fox residing within him.
The Nine-Tails didn't act immediately, instead asking, "If the Three-Tails doesn't want to cooperate, will you truly refuse to help the Mist?"
"Absolutely," Naruto replied firmly, "I'm not a shinobi."
"If the Mist decides to make a move against the Three-Tails now, with the intention to exploit him, I'll stop them," he added.
The Nine-Tails gave a lazy yawn, "In that case—"
"I'll help you this time."
Tailed Beasts have a way of communicating amongst themselves.
They spring from the same source and share a collective consciousness.
"Isobu, it's been a while," the Nine-Tails greeted, addressing the creature beneath the water.
Softly, the Nine-Tails continued, "This vessel of mine wishes to speak with you."
"So, it seems you have met a decent person?" the Three-Tails smiled, "What does he want to discuss with me?"
The Nine-Tails shook its head, "I can't say what exactly that kid is thinking."
"But—"
It flipped its tail, "For now, I suppose you could say he's a rather decent human."
"He has assured me he won't lay a hand on you."
"Then I suppose I owe you one," the Three-Tails agreed, its voice falling silent within the shared mindscape.
Back in reality.
The lake roiled as if boiling, waves pounding against the shore.
Two Mist ANBU advanced, flanking Mei Terumi protectively, while Karin stepped back. Though not afraid, with Naruto standing before her, she was merely concerned about the spray soaking her dress.
A gigantic form emerged from the lake, slowly approaching the shore.
It was a turtle-like creature, its massive body clad in silver-grey armor, bristling with spikes, and three flat, similarly armored, spiked tails swished behind it.
The Three-Tails really appeared.
Mei Terumi looked up at it and took a deep breath.
Could communication really be possible?
It extended its head onto the shore, opening only one eye. Its golden pupil scanned everyone, finally settling on Naruto Uzumaki: "You're the kid the Nine-Tails talked about?"
"What do you want with me?"
Naruto turned to glance at Mei Terumi: "The people of the Mist Village hope to harness your power."
"Jinchuriki, huh?" the Three-Tails spoke, its tone displeased.
It had a poor impression of "jinchuriki."
However, unlike the negative feelings the Nine-Tails had, its aversion stemmed from personal encounters.
The first time it became a jinchuriki was inside a young girl.
Before they could even get acquainted, the jinchuriki was killed, causing it to "die" along with her.
Tailed beasts are immortal.
Death was merely a temporary loss of consciousness.
After a while, as chakra reassembled, it would be reborn.
But... the experience was far from pleasant.
Its second jinchuriki experience was comparatively better, but near the end of that person's life, an evil eye inexplicably controlled him, along with itself.
That feeling was truly terrible.
"Mei Terumi, don't you have something to say?" Naruto turned back, gesturing towards the woman with the reddish-brown hair.
Mei Terumi bypassed the Anbu to approach: "The Mist really needs your strength right now."
"I have some impression of you," the Three-Tails remarked.
"You, and that man with a Byakugan, broke the illusion on Yagura."
Karin was surprised and widened her eyes.
She'd overheard some incredible information!
Was Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage, once under someone's control?
"Lord Yagura mentioned he enjoyed interacting with you," Mei Terumi took a deep breath, glancing at Karin and Naruto.
They were now aware of this news.
Oh well, it was so long ago that even if people knew, it wouldn't matter—Mist had survived that disaster.
For now, convincing the Three-Tails was most crucial.
It feels a bit strange.
The scenario I imagined for "sealing the Three-Tails" involved using my voice, but not in this way.
The Three-Tails responded quietly, "The days with Yagura were indeed not bad."
"But will the next jinchuriki be Yagura?"
Mei Terumi spread her arms, "I can become a jinchuriki, and I will be like Lord Yagura."
Being a "jinchuriki" is both a power and a responsibility, though it's not necessarily a good thing.
However, it is the duty of a "Kage".
The Fourth Mizukage once chose to do so.
Although she is not yet a real "Mizukage", she has no hesitation.
"Life here is quite nice." The Three-Tails shook its head, expressing refusal, "Being sealed within a jinchuriki is a painful matter. I'd rather not."
Mei Terumi opened her mouth slightly.
The Three-Tails retreated back into the lake, eyeing Naruto, "That Nine-Tails brat, you promised us that you wouldn't touch me."
Naruto nodded with a smile.
Mei glanced at Naruto, sighed softly, and cast a sidelong glance at the Anbu behind her.
Now is not the time to make a move.
She called out, "Can I come visit you during my free time?"
The Three-Tails hesitated, "Human female, you're quite odd."
"I admit my goal is to borrow your power and become a jinchuriki," Mei Terumi said plainly, "I promise you, like Naruto, I won't force you."
"I just hope we can understand each other."
"The Mist needs the power of the tailed beasts."
The Three-Tails glanced at Naruto, but the blond little brat showed no reaction.
"If you don't bring too many people, I might consider seeing you." After pondering, the Three-Tails replied.
Mei Terumi breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.
Splashing water, the Three-Tails' body sank back into the lake, only leaving its head above water, as it looked at Naruto, "You're another good person I've met after Yagura."
"The Nine-Tails was right."
"You're quite a good person."
The shimmering water rippled as it retreated back into the lake.
Deep within the inner world, the Nine-Tails bristled with indignation, "It's talking nonsense! I never said anything like that!"
(End of Chapter)