The Three-Tails' attitude was surprisingly calm, exceeding Minato's expectations.
"You were probably captured by the First Hokage and sold to Kirigakure, weren't you?" Minato asked.
The Three-Tails nodded. "Hmm—That's why I don't like that guy."
You're actually quite nice!
The sight of such a monstrous beast acting so docile and honest inexplicably struck a chord with Minato's sense of moe.
"How about this: give me some of your Chakra, and within twenty years, I'll set you free. Sound fair?"
As he spoke, Minato raised his fist. "You should be familiar with this method of communication, right?"
At these words, the Three-Tails silently raised its massive claw and gently lowered it toward Minato.
Through the Chakra Connection between man and beast, Minato clearly sensed the Three-Tails' emotions: a curious lack of malice, and a natural affection for its own child.
The Three-Tails, in turn, sensed Minato's emotions: a pure and sincere closeness without any deception.
Though unsure if Minato could actually fulfill his promise, it was willing to trust him this once.
"So your name is Namikaze Minato?" The Three-Tails gazed at Minato with wide, unblinking eyes. "How amusing—that you'd find me cute."
"It's such a contrast," Minato said. "You're so massive, yet your personality is so gentle."
Minato smiled. "And despite being an intelligent species, you were all captured without question. I've always felt you Tailed Beasts were quite pitiful."
Isobu nodded. Through their Chakra Connection, it could sense that Minato wasn't just saying that; he genuinely felt pity for the Tailed Beasts.
"You're Isobu, right? I'll remember that."
Minato's voice was warm. "You've given me your Chakra, so we're friends now."
Isobu nodded, its three tails swaying gently behind it. "Speaking of which, why are you collecting Tailed Beast Chakra?"
"I plan to unite the power of all nine Tailed Beasts and become a being like the Sage of the Six Paths."
"Hmm."
Minato continued frankly, "I'm already quite strong, but I have a premonition that I'll face even greater enemies in the future—a catastrophe that threatens the entire Shinobi World, including the Tailed Beasts themselves. So... would you help me when that time comes?"
Isobu tilted its head, seemingly lost in thought.
After a long pause, it nodded gently. "Alright, I can help you."
"Thank you very much!"
Minato smiled, surprised by how approachable the Tailed Beast was.
Not all Tailed Beasts are as temperamental as that arrogant fox.
Leaving the Three-Tails' sealing space, only a few seconds had passed outside.
Minato once again established a Chakra Connection with the Six-Tailed Beast Jinchūriki and entered the Six-Tails' sealing space.
Unlike the Three-Tails, the Six-Tails was a massive slug, but not in the traditional form of the Slug Sage. Instead, it had limbs and a round, endearing head, giving it a charmingly cute appearance.
"Hmmmm—"
"Hello, it's nice to meet you," Minato said politely.
"Hmm—nice to meet you, kid," the Six-Tails replied in a high-pitched voice. "It seems Isobu gave you some of its Chakra."
"Yes, and I hope to receive yours as well," Minato nodded. "In exchange, I'll free you within twenty years at the latest."
As he spoke, he raised his fist toward the Six-Tails.
Seeing this, the Six-Tails stretched out its arm, only to find it too short to reach. It then lowered its body and gently pressed its hand onto Minato's fist.
"Your personality is really good."
The Six-Tails' antennae twitched. "This is the first time I've met a human who doesn't feel the slightest bit of negativity towards me. No wonder Isobu was willing to give you his Chakra. That guy always did have a soft spot for children."
"Your personality is great too," Minato said with a smile.
"I just have a decent relationship with Isobu. It's no trouble to do him a favor."
The Six-Tails said sharply, "Remember this, my name is Saiken. Don't ever forget it, Namikaze Minato~"
"Right!"
Minato nodded firmly. "Thank you, Saiken."
"Oh, and one more thing—"
Saiken warned, "Now that you have both my and Isobu's Chakra, you can contact us anytime through Chakra Connection. This will make it easier to communicate with other Tailed Beasts. But remember this: the Nine-Tailed Beast is an exception. That guy has a terrible temper and won't even give us Tailed Beasts the time of day.
"Most importantly, it's the strongest among us. Never underestimate it. Even if Isobu and I teamed up, we wouldn't stand a chance against it."
"Mm, I'll keep that in mind," Minato said, smiling warmly at the giant slug before him. He hadn't expected such a thoughtful reminder.
Looking at the massive slug, Minato suddenly had an idea. "Speaking of which, Saiken, you're male, right?"
"Tailed Beasts don't have genders. In nature, slugs are hermaphrodites, but if I had to define myself, I'd say I'm male." Saiken nodded.
"I see—"
Minato grinned. "I know another slug—the Slug Sage of Shikkotsu Forest, one of the Three Great Sacred Places. It's my Summoning Beast, and I suspect its self-perception is female. I was thinking of introducing you two."
Saiken's tail swayed slightly, a flicker of exasperation in its eyes.
Setting up a date between Tailed Beasts?
You're something else, Minato!
"Well... I don't have many friends. I suppose I could meet them if the opportunity arises," Saiken said after a moment's thought. Tailed Beasts live for millennia, so making a new acquaintance wouldn't hurt.
Though neither Tailed Beasts nor slugs had true genders, having a companion with similar existence would be nice.
Since they were both slugs, the other would probably enjoy living in damp, acidic environments too, right?
The thought made it restless, and it began to wiggle with delight.
Minato couldn't help but smile at the sight.
After bidding farewell to Saiken, he withdrew from the Sealing Space.
"Alright, thank you both for your cooperation. Please inform Master Yuan that this matter is concluded."
Minato said indifferently, "I won't hold Kirigakure responsible this time. But if they dare to provoke me again, the next time I come, I'll scramble their eggs and split their earthworms vertically."
Without waiting for their grim expressions, he used the Flying Thunder God Technique to depart Kirigakure.
Meanwhile, Master Yuan quickly learned of Minato's departure and let out a long sigh, his aged face looking even more withered.
"Has the announcement been sent out?"
"As you instructed, it's been sent to all villages except Kumogakure."
His subordinate bowed slightly. "However, this incident has severely damaged our village's prestige. Mission volume will likely plummet for some time—"
"Don't panic. He didn't just strike us alone."
Master Yuan chuckled. "Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Kirigakure have all suffered defeats in succession, while Kumogakure remains unscathed. Wouldn't that be unfair?"
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