The darkness of the desert was different from the darkness of an endless forest.
With the shining cosmos overhead and the spotlight of the ivory moon, a cold heavenly glow blanketed Sunagakure.
Rasa held a scroll in his hands with a conflicted expression.
'Just who...'
The young man named Amai was a friendly yet ominous existence. With the scroll he gifted, Rasa could improve upon a failing plan.
The Real Mirage Formation was an expenditure that Sunagakure could not afford in the long term. For a time, the village prided itself on the formation. Even going so far as to flex it in front of the other hidden villages.
However...
"Gaara," Rasa looked at his son, curled up at the center of the formation's core.
He did not expect that they would have to keep supplying the formation for so long. The initial plan had been to use the Ichibi's chakra as a mere catalyst. None of Sunagakure's Fuinjutsu users expected the steep chakra requirements to keep it going.
Thus, Gaara had been forced to feed the formation with chakra every day. It was clear that this process allowed him to control Shukaku better.
However, it was also taking a toll on his body.
A squad of shinobi appeared beside Rasa. Cloth masks covered their faces, revealing only their eyes. At a glance, one would be able to identify them as Sunagakure's Anbu.
"Kazekage-sama, we have brought the people you requested."
Rasa glanced at the speaker and then looked past him. He spotted a few old and middle-aged men and women. Each of them had an intellectual shine in their eyes.
"What have you called us here for so late at night, Kazekage-sama?" Their leader was an old man with long white hair and bags under his eyes, looking eternally exhausted.
However, his body radiated power for some bizarre reason — a stark contrast to his actual appearance.
"Have a look at this," Rasa tossed Amai's scroll to the Fuinjutsu masters.
The Fuinjutsu masters put on a skeptical look on their faces as they opened the scroll. However, not a minute later, they all wore grim expressions.
"Kazekage-sama... Where did you get this scroll?" The Fuinjutsu masters asked.
Rasa raised a brow, "That is top-secret information. I just want to know if it is reliable."
"Reliable? It's more than reliable, Kazekage-sama. It's amazing!"
The Fuinjutsu masters began conversing with gusto. They often pointed to certain parts of the scroll, claiming "Genius!" or "Impossible!" each time. The scroll would shock them with every line they read through.
Rasa watched their excitement with a growing conviction.
'... I have a feeling that Sunagakure is going to benefit from this partnership.' His gut feeling was strong.
***
Unbeknownst to Rasa, someone was watching his movements from a distant location. The ethereal gaze lingering near Gaara was impossible to sense.
Suguru just watched as the Fuinjutsu masters proclaimed his proposal as the work of a god. He didn't feel much from their praise. Instead, he was intrigued... Especially with how they could claim their own insights from his work.
'Indeed,' Suguru thought, 'The sciences cannot be done alone.'
If he truly wished to shine, spreading his research throughout the world would be a step towards that. That, or he could simply amass enough chakra to create as many clones as Naruto could.
Then, he would pour all his energy into amassing knowledge. Oh, to become a one-man scientific community...
How hypocritically beautiful would that be?
Suguru shook his head to rid himself of such thoughts. His gaze drifted towards Gaara, curled up and shivering on the cold stone floor.
'Let's see... Shukaku, are you home?'
In the distance, Suguru's eyes shifted. The crimson glow of brown irises died down, and soon they turned blood red. Three, black tomoe swirled around his pupils.
'Sharingan!'
Instinctually, Gaara felt a threat. His eyes shot open, leaving him vulnerable to the ethereal set of eyes that locked him in their gaze.
***
Peering into the world where the jinchuriki and their tailed beast can converse, Suguru slowly manifested his body. In his eyes were the Uchiha's Sharingan as he gazed upon the two figures in front of him.
One had the appearance of a child, curled up into a ball as he was in reality. With red hair and the character, 'love' carved into his forehead, Suguru easily identified him. His breathing was ragged and labored as he fought to stay conscious.
As for the other...
With the strength and overbearing confidence to return Suguru's gaze, a certain sandy tanuki towered over the two measly humans.
"Human," Shukaku's first words were of surprise. "What are you doing here?"
Suguru blinked, feeling the ominous strength looming behind Shukaku's gaze. 'Terrifying... No wonder people fear their village's jinchuriki so much.'
'Well, it doesn't matter. As I am here to ask for a donation, I should act accordingly.'
Suguru bowed.
"Good evening," He started, "My name is Hiryu Suguru, and I have arrived here by accident it seems."
"By accident?" Shukaku laughed, "What kind of coincidence could have caused that?"
Suguru shrugged. His gaze bore a striking inquisitive air.
"Honestly, I don't know. But now that I'm here, I am fairly certain that you are one of those so-called Tailed Beasts. Am I wrong?"
"Hoh," Shukaku chuckled, "You're not wrong, human child. So, what do you want now that you're here?"
"Ack—!" Suddenly, Gaara stirred.
Both Shukaku and Suguru glanced in his direction. They watched the young boy shiver and struggle, seemingly unaware of their conversation.
Suguru felt that Shukaku wanted to continue tormenting Gaara, but his presence seemed to throw the latter off.
"So... Before we talk about business," Suguru blinked, staring straight into Shukaku's eyes once more. "I've introduced myself. When will you do the same?"
"Ha? Why should I do that?" Shukaku scoffed, "Why would a mere human care anyway?"
"Uh," Suguru tilted his head, feigning ignorance, "Because... I need to address you somehow. Isn't that what a name is for?"
Suguru continued, "Plus, I need your name so that I have a valid source of information when I document my findings. How else will I credit you in the future? Should I just write, 'One-Tailed Beast' and be done with it?"
His tone was full of natural innocence, silencing the insults that Shukaku was about to hurl.
"..."
Thus, a silence fell upon the two. Suguru's stare continued unceasingly while Shukaku tried thinking of a comeback.
[]=[]=[]=[]
I'm back! Exams are done. Hello, vacation~!
I appreciate your support on P@treon! Hehe~
Link: pa treon.com/ubemantou
(No space.)
You can read up to 35 chapters ahead!
[]=[]=[]=[]