Aoshi's words immediately captured the attention of both Kushina and Sarutobi Hiruzen.
If there truly existed a method to control the Nine-Tails' power, it would be an immense benefit—not only for Kushina herself, but for Konoha as a whole.
"Then hurry up and tell me—what's the method?" An impatient Kushina grabbed Aoshi's arm, her eyes shining with urgency.
She no longer wanted to live isolated within the Senju Clan Compound, unable to step outside.
Sarutobi Hiruzen also fixed his gaze on Aoshi, filled with anticipation, hoping that he would once again deliver an unexpected surprise.
"Don't rush. This is my idea." Aoshi spoke calmly and then explained his thoughts step by step.
"As everyone knows, Madara Uchiha once attacked Konoha using the Nine-Tails, but he was ultimately defeated by the First Hokage-sama."
"After that, the First Hokage-sama personally captured the remaining Tailed Beasts and distributed them among the other villages for management. That was how the Jinchūriki came to exist."
"And because of the overwhelming power of the Tailed Beasts, Jinchūriki gradually came to be treated as weapons." At this point, Aoshi paused.
He reached out and gently ruffled the hair of the slightly dejected Kushina.
Seeing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression also softened with a trace of guilt.
"Go on," Kushina said quietly. "I'm not that fragile."
Seeing her resolve, Aoshi continued. "Tailed Beasts are indeed massive and powerful, but they are not mindless beasts."
"They possess intelligence. They can think, speak, and reason just like us. Which means we can communicate with the Nine-Tails."
"And not only that—we can become companions."
The moment those words fell, Sarutobi Hiruzen fell silent.
For generations, Tailed Beasts had been synonymous with catastrophe and destruction in the ninja world.
Fear was the first reaction whenever one was mentioned.
Under such deeply ingrained beliefs, the idea of communicating with a Tailed Beast was almost inconceivable.
Kushina, meanwhile, sank into thought. Companions?
How could she possibly regard that terrifying monster as one? The memory of the sealed space was still vivid in her mind.
From the moment she entered, the Nine-Tails had roared endlessly, threatening to kill her.
It had been completely unwilling to listen. Its chakra was saturated with resentment, malice, and killing intent.
No matter how she thought about it, Kushina could not see even the slightest possibility of communication.
At the same time, deep within her sealing space, the Nine-Tails was also silent.
Although Aoshi had suppressed it, he had neither reinforced the seal nor cut off its perception of the outside world.
As a result, the Nine-Tails had clearly heard everything Aoshi had said.
The beast, which moments ago had been raging over its failed revenge, unexpectedly quieted down.
"Strange human…Hmph." A disdainful voice echoed faintly within the sealed space.
The Nine-Tails lay back down behind the sealed gate and closed its eyes. It was not sleeping. It was listening.
For over a thousand years, the Nine-Tails had encountered countless humans.
Without exception, every single one of them had been driven by ambition, coveting its overwhelming power.
Aoshi was the first human who had ever suggested communicating with a Tailed Beast as an equal.
Of course, this did not mean the Nine-Tails had abandoned its hatred for humans—or for Konoha.
It simply did not mind listening a little longer. After all, it could not cause trouble right now anyway.
"Aoshi, I understand what you're trying to say." Sarutobi Hiruzen finally broke the silence.
"But even if we want to communicate with the Nine-Tails, there's no guarantee it will be willing to communicate with us."
He was not rejecting Aoshi's idea outright. What truly concerned him was whether this approach might instead lead to greater instability—or even disaster.
After all, a repeat of today's events would be unacceptable. As Hokage, Konoha's safety always had to come first.
"Hatred accumulated over decades—or centuries—cannot be erased overnight. That's only natural." Aoshi replied calmly.
"But once Kushina became the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki, she and the Nine-Tails were bound together."
"They are inseparable companions, whether they like it or not, which is precisely why communication is absolutely necessary."
At this point, Aoshi turned his gaze back to Kushina.
"However, while you should proactively show goodwill, you must never act as impulsively as you did today."
"You cannot directly attempt to draw on its power like that again."
"I understand. I won't do it again." Kushina nodded seriously, her apology sincere.
"As long as you communicate with it normally and don't act recklessly, there won't be any problems," Aoshi continued.
"Of course, I'll be by your side. At first, the Nine-Tails definitely won't respond kindly. You'll need patience."
After that, Aoshi began instructing Kushina on how to communicate with the Nine-Tails.
In truth, he had no firsthand experience. He was merely offering guidance based on memories from another life.
There was no guarantee it would succeed—but it was far better than doing nothing.
"Wait." Kushina suddenly interrupted, her eyes widening in surprise. "Isn't it just called the Nine-Tails? Does it actually have a name?"
"The Nine-Tails is just what humans call it," Aoshi replied calmly. "Naturally, it should have its own name."
If explaining it weren't so troublesome, he would have directly told her that the Nine-Tails' name was Kurama.
"That… actually makes sense." Kushina nodded thoughtfully.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, watching from the side, could see that Aoshi's plan was measured, cautious, and well thought out.
Most of his worries faded.
He had feared that Aoshi might rely too heavily on his overwhelming strength and underestimate the Nine-Tails, leading to catastrophe through carelessness.
Fortunately, that was not the case.
"Then, Aoshi, I'll leave Kushina in your care," Sarutobi Hiruzen said.
"I still have matters to attend to. I'll take my leave first."
After the Hokage departed, ninja were immediately dispatched to repair the heavily damaged Senju Clan Compound.
At the same time, Tsunade, having received the news, rushed back from the research base.
She was deeply worried that something might have happened to Aoshi or Kushina. After all, they were the only two family members she had left.
Although Mai also lived in the Senju compound, her bond with Tsunade was nowhere near as close as the one she shared with Kushina, whom she had raised since childhood.
"That's a relief… you're both safe." Tsunade let out a long sigh.
After such an incident, she no longer had the heart to return to her research.
At the same time, News of the Nine-Tails incident at the Senju Clan Compound spread rapidly through Konoha's streets and alleys.
Because the damage was contained within the compound and did not affect daily civilian life, most people treated it as mere after-dinner gossip.
"Lord Aoshi is incredible! He even suppressed the Nine-Tails—he might be stronger than the First Hokage!"
Ordinary villagers did not truly understand the power of Tailed Beasts or high-level ninja. Their judgments were based on rumors and impressions.
But there was one thing they were not wrong about. Aoshi's strength was truly terrifying.
After learning of the incident, the heads of Konoha's major ninja clans all reached the same conclusion.
Their conviction grew even stronger—that the Fourth Hokage, after Sarutobi Hiruzen, would undoubtedly be Hirakawa Aoshi.
For a time, his name once again became the hottest topic in the village.
"Hmph. I really don't know what everyone's so excited about."
"It's just suppressing a rampaging Nine-Tails. With our Sharingan, we could do it too—probably even more easily!"
"If we awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, we could even turn the Nine-Tails into a summoned beast!"
Unsurprisingly, these words came from the rebellious faction of the Uchiha clan. In their eyes, only the Uchiha were truly powerful.
Only the Sharingan was invincible.
It was precisely this belief that gave them the confidence to clamor endlessly for power—and for reclaiming the Hokage position they believed belonged to the Uchiha.
As clan head, Uchiha Fugaku firmly rejected such rhetoric.
He held one unshakable belief: A single Uchiha clan could never stand against all of Konoha.
A coup d'état was absolutely not the answer. Survival through indirect means was the correct path.
With his foresight, he had already ensured that Uchiha Mikoto became Aoshi's wife.
Thus, the stronger Aoshi became and the greater his reputation grew, the happier Fugaku felt.
"Fugaku, dinner's ready." A gentle voice sounded from behind him.
It was his girlfriend, Uchiha Ruine, a Jōnin who had awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan.
Only someone with such strength and beauty was worthy of becoming the clan head's wife.
The two were currently in the sweet phase of their relationship and would officially marry in another two or three years.
---
Meanwhile—
Within the Hyūga clan.
Hyūga Hiashi, head of the main family and clan leader, was seeking his younger brother's opinion.
"Hizashi, what do you think of Hirakawa Aoshi?"
"Clan Head," Hizashi replied calmly, "Hirakawa Aoshi is undoubtedly a genius among geniuses. In just two years, his fame has reached incredible heights."
Hiashi's expression remained composed, but disappointment stirred deep within him.
Once, they had been inseparable brothers. Now, Hizashi wouldn't even call him "brother."
And all of it stemmed from the Caged Bird Seal. From the cruel divide between main and branch families.
For a moment, Hiashi questioned those ancient rules. But he lacked the courage to overturn traditions that had endured for centuries.
In the end, he could only sigh inwardly. "Then do you think we should choose a side?"
Unlike the restless Uchiha, the Hyūga had always stood firmly behind the Hokage. They were a steadfast Hokage faction.
Under normal circumstances, they would never rush to align themselves.
That was why, when Aoshi first began rising two years ago, the Hyūga had shown little reaction.
"I am dull-witted and lack insight," Hizashi replied. "Such an important decision should be made personally by the Clan Head."
His answer disappointed Hiashi once more.
In the past two years, Orochimaru had all but vanished from public view. Meanwhile, Hirakawa Aoshi had repeatedly achieved astonishing feats.
Coupled with Sarutobi Hiruzen's unmistakable favoritism, the choice was already clear.
Hiashi had made up his mind.
Deep within Konoha Prison—
Danzo also learned of the incident. "Damn that Hirakawa Aoshi… When will Orochimaru finally make his move?"