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"Excellent. Your attitude pleases me greatly. Although I confess, I much prefer you when you're proud and untamable." The mighty Nine-Tails, virtually trained into an obedient oversized dog – Kazuki was extremely pleased with his results. Wasn't this far more impressive than Madara Uchiha's method of brute-force control?
The Nine-Tails' tails wagged even more furiously, but it didn't dare lift its head. Obediently, it allowed Kazuki to seal it within his own body. Finally, it was over. The moment it was sealed, the Yin Nine-Tails nearly wept tears of joy. It couldn't begin to describe its ordeal within that interrogation space. It was a nightmare. No, it was far more terrifying than any nightmare. This Uchiha Kazuki was the devil incarnate!
"What the hell..." The Yin Nine-Tails, believing it had finally found release, had practically accepted its fate. Wasn't it just being sealed? Bring it on! Make it ten thousand years! Just so long as I never have to face that terrifying Uchiha Kazuki again! Sealing? I couldn't care less! If I, the mighty Nine-Tails, so much as frown, then my name isn't Kurama! The Nine-Tails was indeed sealed, but the manner of its sealing was somewhat... unconventional.
Just as the Yin Nine-Tails breathed a sigh of relief, before it could even properly relax, its fox-like face instantly turned green. Because it had a neighbor. Kazuki hadn't simply sealed the Yin Nine-Tails inside his body. Instead, utilizing the power of his Mangekyo, he sealed the Yin Nine-Tails into a very special, unique space. Here, the Yin Nine-Tails would have a companion, ensuring it wouldn't grow too bored.
"I... what the hell..." Gazing at the massive, mountain-like giant wreathed in golden flames standing not far away, the Yin Nine-Tails wanted to weep but had no tears left. What kind of damned place was this?! Where was the promised sealing space?! Let me out! LET ME OUT RIGHT NOW!!!
"That... that's it? It's over?" If not for the lingering marks gouged into the ground by the Nine-Tails, and the fact that its chakra hadn't fully dissipated yet, Minato would have thought he'd just had a dream. A dream where Kazuki had trained the Yin Nine-Tails into an obedient big dog, and the Nine-Tails, utterly unresisting, simply allowed Kazuki to seal it away.
What happened to your temper, Nine-Tails?! During the night of the Nine-Tails attack, weren't you incredibly arrogant?! Where is your arrogance now?! Show some defiance, damn you! Minato felt as though he had been thoroughly played. On the night of the attack, the Nine-Tails had been as ferocious as ferocious could be. And now...
"What else would there be? Surely no one actually thinks the Nine-Tails is all that powerful, right? Right?!"
"..." Minato desperately wanted to hit someone. I've clearly only been dead for a few years, so why does it feel like ages have passed, leaving me utterly unable to keep up with the times?
The Nine-Tails power bank was officially installed. Kazuki wouldn't follow the conventional rules of sealing the Nine-Tails. Otherwise, if the Yin Nine-Tails were ever extracted, he would be finished. Previously, Kazuki hadn't even entertained such an idea. It was only when he discovered he could use his Mangekyo to enter a certain special, unique space that he began scheming regarding the Yin Nine-Tails.
Reach an understanding with the Nine-Tails, become its partner, and unlock Nine-Tails Chakra Mode? Forget it. No interest. Just directly control the Nine-Tails, forcibly utilize its power, and be done with it. Why go through all that trouble? What Kazuki needed was a large-scale power bank, not a so-called "partner" that would cause trouble within his body. His plan had been a resounding success. The large power bank was now installed. Kazuki raised his hand, and a massive amount of the Nine-Tails' chakra was drawn out. It felt just like using his own chakra – completely natural, without the slightest discomfort. A dark golden cloak draped itself over Kazuki's form. The Nine-Tails chakra shrouding him began to shift and transform, gradually turning a brilliant gold.
"..." What kind of operation was this?! Everyone present was stunned. Kazuki casually flicked his wrist, and a Tailed Beast Ball condensed in the palm of his hand. With a nonchalant gesture, he hurled it out of the village. "BOOOOOOM!!!" Though the Tailed Beast Ball wasn't large in size, its power was anything but small.
What the hell... Minato swallowed hard. He truly felt like an antique, utterly unable to keep pace with the advancement of the era. After sealing the Nine-Tails, one could also become cloaked in shimmering golden light?!
Within the special space, the Nine-Tails was forced into bitter, relentless labor, allowing Kazuki to draw upon its chakra without restraint. It desperately wanted to resist, but it was completely powerless, utterly beyond its control. What was even more terrifying was the massive Susanoo beside it, wreathed in golden flames, seemingly ready to stomp on it at any moment. Being treated as a power bank was one thing, but to also suffer constant, potential abuse... this existence was simply unbearable.
"It seems becoming a perfect Jinchuriki isn't particularly difficult after all," Kazuki remarked casually as he returned to his normal state. His words sent a pang of sourness straight through Minato's heart. A perfect Jinchuriki... not particularly difficult?! If any of the previous Jinchuriki throughout history heard this, they'd surely cough up mouthfuls of blood! I'm so done. Let it all be destroyed. I've already died once anyway. Deeply, profoundly struck, Minato decisively began to mentally check out.
"Lord Advisor... Fourth Hokage... I may not be able to sustain the Impure World Reincarnation much longer," Orochimaru announced, appearing somewhat strained, as if the effort had cost him greatly. Kazuki was rather speechless. This guy really knows how to put on an act. Still, dispelling it is for the best. Kazuki had no desire to stand around making small talk with Minato. Minato could obediently return to the Pure Land and rejoin his wife, Kushina. Now that the super power bank has been acquired, you, Minato, can go back to wherever you came from. Minato wasn't stupid. He understood Orochimaru's implication perfectly. He also knew Kazuki wouldn't try to keep him here.
"In that case... I shall take my leave then. I hope there may yet be a chance to meet again someday," Minato said, a decisive man to the end. Kazuki turned and began to walk away, his entourage following.
"Orochimaru, hold on for a bit longer. Let Kakashi have a moment to catch up with Minato."
"Ah... this..." I want to go claim my rewards! I don't want to just stand here like an idiot watching other people have a heartfelt reunion!!! Unfortunately, Kazuki's orders were not something Orochimaru dared to defy.
"It seems Lord Orochimaru is quite fearful of Kazuki," Minato observed, a hint of schadenfreude coloring his smile. This was the first time he had ever seen Orochimaru so thoroughly cowed. In his memory, Orochimaru was never so agreeable, nor was he someone just anyone could control. Not even the Third Hokage could manage it. Who would have thought that Orochimaru actually had someone he feared?
Orochimaru shot Minato a cold, sidelong glance and sneered, not bothering to dignify the remark with a response. Standing to the side, Kakashi seemed more than happy to share some amusing anecdotes with Minato: "After Lord Orochimaru defected, he joined an organization called the Akatsuki. He was ordered to infiltrate the village and target the Advisor. But the moment they met, he was instantly trapped by the Advisor's genjutsu. After that, he obediently returned to the village."
It was THAT dramatic?! I never knew this side of you, Orochimaru. Minato's jaw nearly hit the floor. This was the ultimate black history.
"SHUT UP!" Orochimaru rarely cursed or displayed open anger. Even when seething with rage, he would typically bury his fury deep within, a smile still plastered on his face, rather than exploding on the spot.