The Nine-Tails, perplexed, glanced outside the seal and noticed something astonishing: not only had Kushina undone the chains binding it, but she hadn't restricted its ability to extend its tails beyond the seal either.
Nine-Tails: "..."
Is this kid serious?
It had been alive for countless years, growing accustomed to human deceit and manipulation. But Kushina's sincerity, her willingness to loosen its bindings, was throwing the Nine-Tails off balance.
Unbeknownst to the Nine-Tails, Kushina wasn't entirely leaving things to chance. The seal had been subtly adjusted by Shinki to reset itself if necessary. While the chains could be loosened, they could just as easily snap back into place at Kushina's will.
For now, though, Kushina had given the Nine-Tails an unexpected taste of freedom—a deliberate move meant to confuse and disarm it.
Meanwhile, Shinki was making his way to the Hokage's office, oblivious to the psychological battle Kushina was waging with the Nine-Tails. If he had known, he would have laughed himself silly.
After all, the Nine-Tails might be an ancient, powerful being, but it wasn't immune to simple human psychology. A little flattery, combined with a display of trust, could work wonders—even on the most stubborn of tailed beasts.
Sometimes, even a tailed beast needed a gentle reminder that it wasn't entirely invincible.
On his way to the Hokage's office, Shinki encountered Akimichi Torifu, whose already large frame had become downright balloon-like.
If Torifu had previously resembled a sturdy barrel, he now looked more like an oversized boulder, rounder and larger than ever before. Shinki couldn't resist a jab.
"Senior Torifu, I know your clan's secret technique is special and all, but aren't you pushing it a bit too far? You sure your body can handle this?"
Torifu laughed, brushing off the comment. "Heh, I've just been indulging in some good food lately. Don't worry about me."
Shinki grinned. "Alright, but don't forget—if you ever need a checkup, I'm here. Oh, and if you invite me over for a meal, don't forget I've got a few hungry kids at home."
Torifu stared at him, speechless for a moment. "Wait a minute! You don't even have kids! Are you trying to bring your whole neighborhood to my dinner table?"
Shinki laughed, clearly enjoying himself, as they continued toward the Hokage's office.
When they reached the stairs, Shinki tactfully let Torifu go ahead.
Sure enough, Torifu's bulk filled the stairwell entirely, forcing Shinki to trail behind at a leisurely pace. The sight was both amusing and impressive.
By the time they finally reached the office, Torifu had to turn sideways to squeeze through the doorway. His exaggerated effort drew stares from the Third Hokage, Koharu Utatane, and Mitokado Homura.
"Torifu, I get that your clan values size and strength, but this might be a bit much," the Third Hokage said with a sigh. "Remember, eating is important, but so is your health."
Torifu grinned sheepishly, plopping himself onto the floor rather than risk breaking a chair.
Shinki strolled in, taking a seat on the sofa and leaning back casually. He couldn't resist glancing at Torifu with a smirk.
"Comfortable down there, Senior?"
Torifu rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath about cheeky youngsters.
With everyone assembled, the Third Hokage began the meeting. He picked up a scroll and held it aloft, his expression turning serious.
"This is the latest report from Orochimaru," he said. "A group of envoys from Sand Village has requested passage through the Land of Fire. Their destination is the Daimyo's Mansion."
He paused, his tone heavy.
"Orochimaru suspects—and I agree—that they're seeking to negotiate an end to the war. But rather than deal with us directly, they've chosen to bypass Konoha and go straight to the Daimyo."
Koharu Utatane slammed her hand on the table.
"This is outrageous! These Suna ninjas started this war, provoked us at every turn, and now that they can't handle the consequences, they want to negotiate—but not with us? Do they think Konoha is beneath them?"
Her outrage was echoed by Mitokado Homura, though he remained quieter.
The Third Hokage continued, "It's clear that Sand Village is in dire straits. This three-year war has depleted their resources. They want peace, but they refuse to negotiate with us directly, likely to avoid admitting defeat. By involving the Daimyo, they hope to avoid harsh terms."
Koharu scowled. "They're undermining us, plain and simple. The Daimyo supports the village, not the other way around. If they set a precedent like this, it weakens our position."
The relationship between the Daimyo and the village had always been a delicate balance. While the Daimyo provided funding, the village was responsible for protecting the Fire Country. Over time, however, the villages had become increasingly dependent on financial support, giving the Daimyo more leverage.
This situation with Sand Village only highlighted the growing tension between the two powers.
As the discussion continued, Shinki leaned back on the sofa, observing the heated debate with a faint smile. In the back of his mind, he couldn't help but wonder how Kushina was faring with the Nine-Tails.
If I know her, she's probably got that fox wrapped around her little finger.
>>>>>
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A/N: Hey Guys,
I was going over the discount code and saw that it wasn't toggled on for all the tiers. I fixed it now, sorry about that. ;)