Proud Tailed Beast

When Hashirama visited, Kyōnosuke was sitting on the veranda with a pot of tea in front of him, the water in the teacup still steaming.

Hashirama stood half a step behind Izuna, his expression not pleasant, his lips pursed, his eyes fixed on Kyōnosuke.

Kyōnosuke picked up his teacup, using the rim to cover half his face, his eyes drooping downwards.

Izuna stepped forward and simply stated his purpose.

After listening, Kyōnosuke put down his teacup and said unhurriedly, "Even if you have urgent business, you should still come to my country for a visit. Besides, wasn't my country your initial destination? Is it really alright not to go now?"

Izuna replied businesslike, "The Five Kage Summit is imminent, so we need to pack up before setting off. Besides, this incident should have come to a successful conclusion, and Kyōnosuke shouldn't have anything urgent that requires us to go to the Land of Whirlpools, right?"

"Why not?" Kyōnosuke leaned forward.

Ban spoke up from the side, his tone curt. "No, we don't."

Kyōnosuke choked for a moment, then gave a pitiful smile, "Izuna, are you really just going to leave like this? You've already given me a solution, can't you just..."

"No." Madara interrupted him.

Kyōnosuke was interrupted for the second time.

He stopped laughing and snorted coldly, "As the older brother, aren't you afraid your younger brother will hate you for being so controlling?"

Ban didn't even lift his eyelids. "Heh, such a crude attempt to sow discord is hardly something you can show off before an expert."

Izuna was listening nearby, raised his hand and gently touched Madara's arm. "Um, Madara-nii, let me explain this part."

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Kyōnosuke a smile.

Provocative.

Spot. "..."

Damn it, you're dead meat.

Izuna looked at Kyōnosuke: "Lord of Uzumaki, although I really want to help you solve your problem, all I can say is what I told Enma before. I only know that doing this is beneficial, but I don't know how to make it happen. You don't need to keep me here like this."

Kyōnosuke looked at him, his expression becoming complicated.

After a long while, he sighed and glanced around at Hashirama, Madara, and Tobirama, who hadn't given him a friendly look since the beginning.

"Now I understand why you protected him so well."

Ban gave a cold laugh.

Izuna looked at them strangely. "What?"

Kyōnosuke withdrew his gaze and looked back at Izuna: "I did want to keep you here. To be honest, I want to now even more. But not because you can come up with ideas."

Izuna: "Why is that?"

"Uchiha Izuna," Kyōnosuke looked into his eyes, "You're too pure."

Izuna paused for a moment, then said, "Oh, you're insulting me."

Kyōnosuke smiled and shook his head, "I was praising you."

"No, you are insulting me," Izuna said firmly.

"Then consider me one." Kyōnosuke shrugged, then his smile faded, and he said in a low voice, "Izuna, you're just too pure. So pure that even we demons who have been wallowing in hell for years can't help but want to reach out and grab you when we see you."

Izuna gazed at him.

She simply gazed at him, her eyes calmly settling on Kyōnosuke's face, her gaze clear and pure.

"So?"

"You need to be careful," Kyōnosuke said. "Not just people like me, but everyone around you needs to be careful. Do you understand what I mean?"

Madara tried to step forward, but Hashirama grabbed his arm.

Kyōnosuke stared at Izuna, trying to detect panic in his eyes.

Izuna looked at him, blinked, and said, "You're talking nonsense. Why should I be wary of someone weaker than me?"

Kyōnosuke was stunned.

Hashirama, Madara, and Tobirama beside them were also stunned.

Is this... really Izuna's idea?

Izuna continued in a serious tone, "Thank you for your kindness, Lord Uzumaki. But I will always trust someone I've just met."

"Because if a leader does not have the magnanimity to trust his companions, he is destined not to win the support of more people."

"While I do not consider myself a leader, I believe I have the Strength to withstand even one betrayal from anyone, so you need not trouble yourself, Your Majesty."

Ban burst into laughter after hearing this.

"That's right, exactly!" He patted Izuna on the shoulder, his eyes crinkling with laughter.

Hashirama sighed helplessly, "Izuna, you're being a bit too arrogant."

"That's how arrogant we should be!" Madara interrupted Izuna, "As expected of my brother!"

Kyōnosuke watched this scene, smiled, and shook his head.

"It seems I was naive. I thought Izuna would be easier to talk to, but I didn't expect that the people of Konoha are all so difficult to deal with."

"Your Majesty, thank you for your cooperation this time. The Barrier Ninjutsu of the Land of Whirlpools was of great help. I will have Konoha formally send a letter of thanks upon my return."

"No need for a thank-you letter." Kyōnosuke waved his hand, stood up, and straightened his clothes. "Just stop causing me trouble in diplomatic settings; that's more important than anything else."

Kyōnosuke saw them off.

In May, the mountains of Land of Hot Water are covered with new green leaves, spring colors abound, and flowers bloom in profusion.

The newly planted flags fluttered in the wind, and resilient wildflowers were displayed in the small shops along the street.

Izuna and the others were on their way to the Inari Shrine.

The Inari Shrine was rebuilt with the help of Hashirama.

Bishamonten Shrine was farther from where the storm hit and was not destroyed, but Inari Shrine was completely blown away.

However, the Mokushō Inari God, seemed very happy. In his words, he had wanted a new house for a long time and was even excited to participate in its construction.

And that Torii in front of his door... it's Summoned Creature from Hashirama's Senjutsu Sealing Jutsu, a Sage Technique Gate of the Great God.

Hashirama was strange as he did this, never expecting that his Sealing Jutsu would one day be used as a demonstration for someone else.

That's outrageous.

"We have to release the Three-Tails," Izuna said. "Does anyone know where the Three-Tails used to live?"

Hashirama amused and exasperated. "You're really planning to chat with Tailed Beast?"

"What else? You think I'm joking?"

"Then we don't know where these Tailed Beasts live either."

"It seems the only solution is to call Isobu out and ask him himself."

Hashirama noticed the name: "Isobu? Is that the name of the Three-Tails?"

"Yes," Izuna stroked his chin, "The problem is whether Isobu is willing to talk to us."

Ban scoffed. "If he doesn't want to talk, then beat him until he does."

Hashirama embarrassment. "Madara, how come you're just like Izuna?"

Madara raised an eyebrow smugly. "It's Izuna who resembles me."

Tobirama interrupted them, "We'll discuss the Tailed Beasts back home. The Five Kage Summit be held in ten days. The Land of Iron will arrange the venue. As for guards, each Kage can bring a maximum of two subordinates."

Hashirama looked at Tobirama: "Tobirama, what's your opinion?"

Tobirama hesitated for a moment, then said, "The three of you go; I'll stay behind."

Ban raised an eyebrow. "You actually gave up your spot."

Tobirama explained expressionlessly, "First, I find it troublesome; second, you, Madara Uchiha, are a candidate for the next Hokage; and third, I don't want to clean up my Big Brother's mess."

Izuna: "Pfft."

Hashirama a tearful cat head, said, "Tobirama... are you really that annoying to me...?"

Tobirama calmly, "Yes."

Hashirama, KO!

"Ten days," Izuna calculated. "That's enough time to find one. After we get back, we'll release Isobu first, and then talk to Kurama."

Madara looked at him. "Kurama?"

It's the Nine-Tails.

Hashirama, who was Hashirama, looked up. "Izuna, you really know their names?"

"Isn't this something we've already discussed?" Izuna continued, "Hmm... but just having a name shouldn't be enough to lower Kurama's guard..."

After entering the Torii, they arrived at the Divine Realm of Mokushō.

Once inside, you'll see Mokushō spinning around in the open space, arms outstretched, head tilted back, fox mask facing the sky, looking completely absorbed.

Izuna was stunned by this scene and stopped abruptly in his tracks. "What's wrong with him?"

Madara caught up from behind. "Who knows?"

Mokushō circled around twice, then stopped when he heard footsteps. He waved to them, "Hi~ You guys are here~ Hehe, thank you Hashirama- san for helping me build the house, I love it!"

Hashirama, feeling a little embarrassed by his enthusiasm, scratched the back of his head. "Uh... you're welcome?"

Tobirama crossed his arms and looked around the newly built Shrine.

The wood is of good quality, and the workmanship is solid; it wasn't done in one go, showing that the Hashirama were made with care.

But Tobirama still didn't think there was anything wrong with it, "It's just a house, why are you so happy?"

Mokushō suddenly turned around, the Red Eyes on his fox mask staring straight at him. "You don't understand, this is Shrine that was actually built for me after I came here! This is the highest honor a god can receive!"

Tobirama remained unfazed. "Such a cheap highest honor."

Mokushō: "I won't allow you to say that! Apologize to Hashirama!"

Tobirama was puzzled. "Why should I apologize to my brother? I should apologize to you."

Mokushō: "Because you insulted his feelings?"

Hashirama stood to the side, pointing to himself with a blank expression.

Izuna watched this scene, his lips twitching slightly. "How eerie, it feels like my contacts are haunting me."

Mokushō froze; it was clear he was terrified.

Izuna chuckled and asked, "Mokushō, is the Three-Tails still with you?"

"Yes." Mokushō calmed down and pointed to the back of the Shrine. "The Amber Purifying Pot is in the back hall. Do you want to see it now?"

Izuna nodded. "Release the Three-Tails; I want to talk to it."

Mokushō led them around the main hall and towards the back.

The newly built Shrine has a well-organized layout, with the main hall, side halls, and rear hall arranged in a row. The huge willow tree in the middle of the courtyard sways slightly in the sunlight, making a rustling sound.

When the door to the back hall was pushed open, the light inside was dim, and a half-person-tall Amber Purifying Pot stood in the corner.

Izuna stared at the Amber Purifying Pot, stroking his chin. "Hmm... I remember the Jade Purifying Bottle has a setting that the contents will dissolve if kept inside for too long, right?"

"Don't worry," Mokushō waved his hand, "Tailed Beasts have thick hides and aren't so easy to digest."

"Anyway, let's release him as soon as possible."

The group arrived at the beach.

Izuna stood on the pier, looked at the gray-blue sea, and then looked back at the empty dock on the shore.

The ships that were originally moored there were either swept away by the storm or burned to charcoal by the Chakra of Kinkaku and Ginkaku, leaving not even a single intact plank.

These boats were all built overnight by shipwrights driven by the prospect of huge profits.

"Let's rent a boat," he said.

Tobirama frowned. "Why rent a boat? Can't we just swim there?"

"Standing all the way to the destination is too tiring," Izuna said righteously, then took out a few silver coins from his sleeve and waved them at an old man mending fishing nets by the dock.

Upon seeing the money, the old man immediately untied the mooring ropes of his small fishing boat and pushed it towards them.

Izuna jumped onto the boat, patted the gunwale, and nodded in satisfaction.

Then his eyes turned red, Chakra surged out, and a blue Susanoo rose from behind him. A huge skeleton assembled in mid-air, and a hand reached down and grabbed the entire ship along with the people on board.

The ship was suspended in mid-air, the sea breeze blowing in our faces, and the loosely tied mooring lines on the ship crackled and popped.

Tobirama stood on the deck, expressionless, and glanced at Izuna: "You already Susanoo, why are you renting a boat? Is it just a waste of time?"

Izuna solemnly held up one finger. "You don't understand, this is called style. A sea without ships is incomplete."

Tobirama: "..."

Ban didn't quite understand either, but as long as her younger brother was happy, that was all that mattered.

Susanoo carried the boat several miles away, stopping it on the open sea far from the coast, and placed it steadily on the water.

The boat rocked twice, splashing up a ring of white waves.

Izuna stood at the bow of the ship and stretched out his hand to Mokushō: "Bottle."

Mokushō picked up the Amber Purifying Pot and handed it to Izuna.

Izuna took the bottle, slammed it onto the deck, and uncorked it.

"Come out, Three-Tails."

A ball of dark red Chakra surged from the bottle's mouth, landing on the sea surface and splashing waves.

The Chakra surged and gradually solidified, transforming into a gigantic figure.

It has a grayish-white carapace, thick limbs, and three tails covered in scales that slap across the sea surface, creating a mist.

Its head peeked out from under its shell, its two small, round eyes conveying a somewhat unhappy expression.

Three-Tails, Isobu.

It landed in the sea, flicked its tail, and stirred up the surrounding water, causing the boat to rock twice.

Izuna squatted at the bow of the boat and waved at it.

"Yo."

Isobu's small eyes slowly turned, staring at the people on the ship for a long time, and a low gurgling sound came from his throat.

"... who?"

"Uchiha Izuna." Izuna pointed to himself, then to the others behind him, "Hashirama Senju, Madara Uchiha, Tobirama Senju. There's also a masked guy named Mokushō; you don't need to worry about him for now."

Isobu was silent for a moment, its tail swaying slowly in the water.

Why did you let me out?

"Let's chat," Izuna said. "Where did you used to live? We'll take you back."

Isobu's eyes darted around, seemingly surprised by the question, "Take me back?"

"Yes." Izuna nodded. "You're not one of ours. Someone else did it, it has nothing to do with us. If you want to go back, we'll send you back to your original waters."

Isobu stared at him for a long time, his small eyes revealing a hint of distrust.

"You Ninjas, don't you capture Tailed Beasts just for use?"

"Others are others," Izuna said. "I am me."

Isobu's tail slapped the water, splashing water onto the boat and wetting Tobirama's sleeve.

Tobirama took a half-step to the side, his face expressionless.