"...What do you mean, credit me?" Shukaku felt that he had zero control over the conversation. The usual crazed tone he used seemed to hold no power over the small human standing before him.
"Well, it's a matter of trust. See, if I use your name in my research, people will believe it more." Suguru wanted to take out a scroll but he realized that he was technically in the world of one's subconscious.
"Ehem... So, if I say that I learned of the details of a certain event in the past, I can say that you told me. Therefore making me a reliable source of information."
"Uhuh..." Shukaku clearly wasn't following Suguru's logic. "Can you... uh... tell me what you mean by documenting your findings?"
Suguru continued to explain with a patient tone, "Well, I'm an academic! I adore the accumulation of knowledge, and I would like to learn about a few things from you, Sir."
Starting here, Suguru began to spout nonsense.
"I can tell from the markings on your body— you must be proficient in some form of sealing jutsu. Furthermore, I've heard stories of your ability to control sand! These two abilities alone are intriguing by themselves."
Suguru rubbed his hands with a greedy gaze, "I want to discover more about the characteristics of the jutsus you use."
"..." Shukaku still wasn't following. The conflict between his hatred for humans and the respectful tone used by the boy in front of him wasn't a small one.
He didn't know how to act. Even his usual bloodlust didn't manifest.
'It would've been easier if reacted like the others...' He thought as he listened to Suguru's explanation.
After listening to Suguru spout nonsense, Shukaku finally relented. "What do you want me to do, exactly?"
Hearing these words, Suguru's expression became bright. With a smile, he walked over to the tanuki and was about to take out a scroll.
Recalling his predicament, he froze.
Suguru glanced at the shivering Gaara and then back at Shukaku.
"I want an interview." He said.
"...An interview?" Shukaku was seriously having the weirdest experience he'd ever had in his life. "You mean... ask me questions?"
Shukaku was fully expecting to be used as some specimen or chakra battery, just as what had been done to him before. But an interview? Never in his wildest dreams.
"Mhm~ But it's a bit difficult here, with that kid's quivering. Would it be possible to switch locations?"
Shukaku didn't know what to say.
"I think I can give you a bit of my chakra..."
Suguru clapped his hands. "Right! I can be a pseudo-jinchuriki. Yes, that sounds fun. Let's do that."
Still weirded out, Shukaku spoke, "Here, hold out your hand."
Suguru met Shukaku's finger with the palm of his hand. Chakra flowed into the spiritual manifestation of his form. Then, through his Kaisugan, Shukaku's chakra entered his true body several kilometers away.
"Huh?"
Surprised, Shukaku saw how far Suguru actually was.
"What the hell? How did you— Agh, never mind."
Thus, the location of the conversation shifted.
***
Suguru sat cross-legged in a room he had rented out in one of Sunagakure's many buildings. He brought his focus inwards, into the deep subconscious realm where Shukaku could speak to him.
Upon descending there, he noticed Shukaku was waiting for him.
Suguru nodded at the tanuki, and Shukaku awkwardly did the same.
"Shall we get started?"
This time, since it was his own subconscious, Suguru pulled out a mental pen and paper. Sitting down in front of Shukaku, he assumed an impartial demeanor.
"Name?"
"..." Shukaku was silent.
Suguru looked up and tilted his head. "What's your name?"
"..." Shukaku was still silent.
"I need your name, Sir." Suguru pressed on with a steady gaze.
"Alright! Fine! It's Shukaku! My name is Shukaku! I'm the One-Tailed Beast as you humans have called me! Happy?" Shukaku held his head in frustration, screaming out his words in a high-pitched cry.
Suguru covered his ears. "Shukaku-sama... please don't shout inside my head."
After all, Shukaku wasn't exactly sealed within him. The connection between himself and the tailed beast was much closer than that of Gaara, despite the small amount of chakra that Suguru had.
Shukaku choked. He did not expect Suguru to add honorifics.
"...Okay,"
"Good. Thank you. Now, where were we?" Suguru tapped on his lips with his pen. "Right. When was your birthday?"
"A few hundred years ago. I can't remember." Shukaku answered, barely compliant.
Suguru, however, nodded in understanding. "That's fine. Immortals are like that."
He wrote a few notes down before continuing.
"You're good at Magnet Release, and I believe Fuinjutsu as well, yes?"
"Yes," Already dumbfounded, Shukaku allowed Suguru to string him along. 'What a weird guy,'
"Next..."
The interview continued.
***
Suguru gathered a lot of qualitative information from his interview with Shukaku. He also took this opportunity to analyze a Tailed Beast's chakra since Shukaku didn't seem keen on killing him. With his Sharingan and Shinrakugan, Suguru was able to discern a few things.
However, until he stole such chakra and used it for himself, Suguru couldn't be completely confident of his data.
'For now, forming a friendship with Shukaku should be my priority. Luckily, he's the type to soften up to people who are respectful. As long as he isn't triggered, I should be fine.'
Suguru finished up his interview with Shukaku by copying everything he had written down in the special space onto a scroll in reality. While he was writing, he decided to have a little small talk.
"Shukaku-sama," Suguru called out.
"What is it?" Shukaku's reply was short.
"I heard that you usually kill people on sight when Gaara falls asleep. Although I understand the joy in killing... what does it have to do with the moon?"
"I... don't know..." Shukaku ended up falling into deep thought. Why did he feel more energetic when the full moon was up?
"..." Shukaku fell silent for a few minutes.
Hearing about his own behavior from a third party was a jarring experience. Had he known that Suguru's interview would include so many personal details, he would have never expected it.
Nonetheless, Suguru continued his bombardment of questions. It was as if he didn't notice Shukaku's predicament.
"Do you and other Tailed Beasts have taste buds?"
"I—" Shukaku was stunned.
Do the Tailed Beasts eat?
Shukaku was familiar with the process of eating from having seen Gaara and Bunpuku do it. However, he had no recollection of doing the same.
"I don't think so?" Shukaku mulled over Suguru's question, yet found no answer.
"Hmmm,"
Now, it was Suguru's turn to think.
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