"I originally just wanted to take some compensation and leave," Minato said, his expression impassive as he gazed at the Third Mizukage.
The Third Mizukage's face stiffened. He detected something unusual in Minato's tone. Yet, upon reflection, he realized that despite Minato's aggressive approach, he hadn't immediately resorted to violence.
The absence of open conflict meant there was room for negotiation. Ironically, it was the Mizukage himself who had been trying to corner Minato on moral high ground. Seeing Minato's demeanor, he understood his scheme had backfired.
"But I've changed my mind."
Minato clapped his hands together, then separated them, conjuring a golden Light Sword. "Scum like you, who love stirring up trouble, are better off dead."
"Protect Lord Mizukage!" a ninja shouted as Minato prepared to strike.
The Third Mizukage's heart sank. Just as he was about to respond, Minato materialized behind him, the Light Sword slowly dissipating in his hand.
So fast...
The last vestiges of the Third Mizukage's consciousness still marveled as his vision spun wildly. His head thudded to the ground.
"Lord Mizukage!"
Seeing their leader slain, the surrounding Mist Ninja erupted in a frenzy.
"Damn those Konoha Ninja! They've gone too far!"
"Kill him! Avenge Lord Mizukage!"
"All of you, stand down!"
A voice, full of authority, suddenly rang out. A bald old man, leaning on a cane, shuffled forward, followed by two guards.
The man appeared to be in his seventies or eighties. At his approach, the frenzied Mist Ninja fell silent, parting to create a path.
"Master Yuan—"
"Lord Mizukage he—"
"There's no world where you can scheme against others without them retaliating. Recklessly provoking an enemy you can't handle was Third Mizukage's failure."
Master Yuan shook his head, delivering his verdict.
Leaning on his cane, he shuffled to Minato's side.
"My apologies, young Konoha man. I've caused you trouble."
Master Yuan sighed wistfully. "I lived through the Warring States Period myself and even knew the First Hokage. For his sake, could you spare Kirigakure a path to survival?"
"Kirigakure will offer sufficient compensation for your losses, and I can personally guarantee that such an incident will never happen again."
"You're too kind, old man."
Minato's expression softened slightly. He was, after all, respectful of his elders.
"What kind of compensation do you have in mind?"
"Ninjutsu probably holds little appeal to you. Kirigakure's only real asset seems to be wealth."
Master Yuan looked at Minato. "What do you think, young man?"
"I don't need money. Could I have something else instead?"
Minato shook his head, casting a meaningful glance at the surrounding Mist Ninja.
Noticing the look, Master Yuan shifted slightly. "My apologies. Perhaps we could discuss this in private?"
The two entered a conference room in the Mizukage Building. Minato sat on the sofa and cut straight to the point. "Let's be frank. I'm interested in the Tailed Beasts."
"Young man, you must understand that the Tailed Beasts are the last line of defense for the Five Great Nations," Master Yuan said, shaking his head slightly.
Minato was willing to grant any request for secret techniques, ninja swords, or Bloodline Limits, but he would never give up a Tailed Beast.
Fortunately, Minato wasn't after the Tailed Beasts themselves. "I only need a portion of their Chakra."
In the final arc of Shippuden, Sasuke awakened the Rinnegan with the Sage of the Six Paths' help, while Naruto activated Sage of Six Paths Mode under the Sage's guidance.
This Chakra mode required the user to have mastered Sage Mode, gathered the Chakra of all nine Tailed Beasts, and received the guidance of fate (and a lucky break from daddy).
Having inherited the Chakra of both Ashura and Indra, Minato theoretically possessed the potential to awaken both the Rinnegan and Sage of Six Paths Mode.
Now that the Rinnegan remained dormant, Minato wanted to try activating Sage of Six Paths Mode. Moreover, since the Rinnegan was an extension of the Ten-Tails' power and the Tailed Beasts' Chakra also originated from the Ten-Tails, this might accelerate the Rinnegan's awakening.
"Just a portion of their Chakra—that can be arranged," Master Yuan agreed after a brief moment of consideration.
He didn't know what Minato planned to do, but regardless of his intentions, he was powerless to interfere.
Even if he refused, Minato could simply use force.
"However, Tailed Beasts are notoriously violent. Kirigakure probably won't be able to help you much."
"That's fine."
Seeing Minato's unwavering resolve, Master Yuan didn't press the matter further. He ordered his men to escort Minato to find the two Jinchūriki.
"Master Yuan—are we just letting this go?"
After Minato left, Kirigakure's high-ranking officials immediately approached Master Yuan.
Some were displeased with his decision. "Letting some brash kid storm in and kill the Third Mizukage? What will happen to Kirigakure's reputation if this gets out?"
Master Yuan glanced at the man and replied calmly, "Very well. Then you go kill him."
"I—"
The official fell silent, his face turning pale.
Me? Fight Namikaze Minato?
"This matter ends here," Master Yuan declared. He tapped his cane lightly on the floor, the sound echoing in the hearts of the assembled officials. "We provoked this conflict first. Even if he had annihilated Kirigakure, we'd have no grounds to complain. The fact that he's letting this matter rest is already a sign of his restraint."
"Issue an order: while Namikaze Minato remains in the village, no one is to provoke him in any way. Any violation will be treated as treason against the village."
"Yes, sir!"
Meanwhile, Minato met with Kirigakure's two Jinchūriki.
The Three-Tails Jinchūriki was a boy of about fifteen or sixteen, while the Six-Tails Jinchūriki was a woman in her early thirties.
A person's reputation precedes them.
Minato was already a renowned ninja, having recently slain the Third Mizukage. Knowing he was about to meet with him, the two Jinchūriki couldn't help but feel a sense of apprehension.
This caution stemmed more from their inability to control the Tailed Beasts' power. With the Uzumaki Clan still intact and no sufficiently powerful Sealing Techniques available, they remained confined to the Sealing Squad's barriers.
"A pleasure to meet you both," Minato said. He raised his fist, then turned to the Three-Tails Jinchūriki. "Care for a fist bump?"
The Three-Tails Jinchūriki looked at him in confusion but, being perceptive, raised his own fist in response.
As their fists collided, a surge of Yin Release power erupted, instantly transporting Minato into the Three-Tails' sealing space.
In the vast, empty space, a massive, iron-gray turtle lay quietly before Minato.
The giant turtle's body was covered in menacing spikes, and it possessed a single eye that bore a striking resemblance to the Rinnegan.
Black curse seals floated in the air around it.
This was Kirigakure's Tailed Beast sealing. Minato glanced at it and noticed the sealing was crude and shallow, far inferior to the Uzumaki Clan's sealing techniques.
"Hmm? This Chakra..."
Noticing Minato's arrival, the turtle's massive eye turned toward him. "Little brat, what's your relation to Senju Hashirama?"
"None," Minato replied, shaking his head.
"And Uchiha Madara?" the turtle asked again.
"Also none," Minato answered, shaking his head once more.
The turtle stared at Minato, lost in thought. After a long silence, it nodded slightly. "Hmm... I remember both those guys were male. You couldn't possibly have been born from them."
Minato: "————"
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