Nine-Tails, You Wouldn't Want Other Tailed Beasts to Find Out You Were Bound in a Tortoise Shell Binding, Would You?

"Next, Namikaze Minato."

Having thoroughly petted the fox-dog, Uchiha Gin sauntered out of the Dark Room and mysteriously gave Minato, who was approaching to undergo the trial, an OK gesture.

"Goudan, Grandpa has already smoothed things over for you. Just keep a level head."

"Uh?"

Minato blinked in confusion, but the pitch-black door was right before him. He could only suppress his doubts and resolutely step into the unknown trial.

"Bang!"

As the heavy door slammed shut behind him, Minato felt two terrifying pressures and his heart tightened. A thin layer of sweat unconsciously seeped into his palms.

He cautiously looked around. Other than two Nine-Tailed Beast Dolls placed on a table in the room, he found nothing else.

Just as he frowned and wondered where the pressure was coming from, the two Nine-Tailed Beast Dolls that looked like decorations actually spoke.

"Is this the yellow one?"

One of the chibi Nine-Tails with darker fur curiously looked Minato's little golden head up and down. After a moment, it revealed a hint of satisfaction.

"He'll do."

"May I ask who you are?"

After his brief surprise, Minato gathered his courage and spoke up, while his little mind raced at high speed.

Could these two Nine-Tails plush toys be the terrifying demons Elder Danzo had mentioned?

"Kid, don't pry into matters beyond your station."

Yin Nine-Tails leaped onto Minato's head, picked a comfortable position, and lay down. Instead of answering his question, it asked in an old-fashioned tone, "Tell me your name first."

With Yin Nine-Tails perched on his head, Minato showed no panic. Through careful observation and judgment, he boldly guessed that these two doll-like little foxes were very likely the source of the Konoha Tailed Beast Knights' power—the legendary calamity beast, the Nine-Tailed Beast.

"My name is Namikaze Minato. Please