Chapter 5: No One Should Oppose This, Right?
"What kind of ridiculous names are those?" The ever-proud yet composed Two-Tails could no longer bear it.
"Enough!! Little brat!!"
The beast exhaled two streams of hot air through its nose, forcefully blowing Toneri off his feet and away from the cage-like barrier.
This little runt was too carefree, acting as if staying behind the bars rendered the Two-Tails powerless.
It was time to teach him a lesson!
As a Tailed Beast, the Two-Tails shared some of its host's thoughts and feelings. It didn't take much effort to sense the boy's situation.
The previous Jinchūriki had indeed been powerful, but he had been on the verge of death, and his skills in sealing were only adequate. The hastily applied seal was far from perfect.
If the Two-Tails hadn't been injured, it could have broken free already. At full strength, it would have overpowered the seal, taken control of Toneri's body, and regained its freedom.
Even now, weakened as it was, it could still influence him.
The boy's small stature and lack of chakra only made him an easier target.
"Want power, little one?" The Two-Tails' voice rang out, tempting and low.
Toneri froze, his eyes briefly glazing over as visions flooded his mind.
In his dreams, he saw himself wielding the immense power of the Two-Tails, obliterating the Cloud Village ninja hunting him, crushing them one by one.
He saw himself rising to the top, standing triumphant. Punching the Third Hokage, kicking the Fourth, and becoming the most powerful existence in the shinobi world.
But then, just as the Two-Tails' fiery energy began to envelop him, Toneri's eyes snapped open.
"Impossible! How?!"
The Two-Tails reared back, its mismatched eyes widening in shock.
It had been so close! Just one more step, and the boy would have succumbed. Just one more push, and the beast would have seized control!
Yet, against all odds, this fragile, powerless child had snapped out of it on his own.
Toneri shook his head, muttering, "I knew it was too good to be true. No way a single Tailed Beast's power could let me punch the Third Hokage and kick the Fourth... ridiculous."
"What did you say?!" the Two-Tails demanded.
"Nothing," Toneri replied casually, looking up at the towering beast.
Even with the beast's massive size, the boy's confidence was unwavering.
"Two-Tails, I admit my situation isn't ideal. I do need power—but if it's uncontrollable, then I'd rather not have it."
His words were clear and firm, carrying a maturity that defied his young appearance.
The Two-Tails loomed closer, its fiery fur crackling. "You'd reject my power? Do you know what you're giving up? My power is not just any power. It is the power of the Two-Tails!"
The beast's voice roared like thunder, shaking the very space around them.
Toneri remained unfazed, calmly meeting the beast's gaze.
"Exactly," he said simply. "Because it's your power. Not mine."
The Two-Tails paused, caught off guard.
This child...
"You—"
Before the beast could retort, Toneri raised his hands, cutting it off.
"I get it, you're powerful, and I mean no disrespect. But right now, you don't trust me, and honestly, I don't trust you either. We can't work together like this."
Toneri's voice softened, almost as if he were scolding a child.
The Two-Tails blinked, momentarily stunned. For the first time, someone wasn't cowering or groveling before it.
"Look, I'll come back and chat with you again later, okay? For now, let's call it a day." Toneri smiled, waving casually as his form began to fade from the mindscape.
"Goodbye, Big Beauty!" he added with a cheeky grin.
And just like that, Toneri vanished, leaving the Two-Tails alone in the dark.
The massive beast lay still for a long moment, its fiery tails swaying thoughtfully.
Finally, it let out a deep, rumbling chuckle, resting its head on its enormous paws.
"What a strange little brat..."
It couldn't remember the last time someone had intrigued it this much.
Most humans were consumed by fear, greed, or arrogance. But this boy... this boy was different.
His calm demeanor, his defiance, and even his playful attitude—it was oddly refreshing.
The Two-Tails stared at its fiery claws, idly licking at its blue fur.
"Hmph. As weird as he is, at least he got one thing right."
The beast's mismatched eyes gleamed in the dim light, its voice softening with rare amusement.
"I am the most beautiful Tailed Beast. No one would dare say otherwise... right?"
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