Shukaku: Nine-Tails, you must be happy, right?
Shukaku: Because Kitahara... ahem, Master intends to take your other half out of Minato's body.
Shukaku: Then it will become... Hidden Leaf Village's fighting force!
Shukaku: In other words, your other half will gain freedom.
Kurama: Gain... freedom?
Shukaku: That's right.
Kurama: Then won't it take your job?
Shukaku: ...I was worried for a moment, but... I'm a recognized Jonin!
Shukaku: But when you're brought out, Master said the village's territory will expand... so obviously, you'll become a pet guarding the gate.
Shukaku: We are fundamentally different.
Shukaku: I'm a Jonin. You're a pet.
Kurama: ...
Kurama: Nani?!
Kurama: Kitahara Kaede, how dare you!
The Nine-Tails instantly bristled.
Its orange-red fur stood on end.
And then... did Kitahara Kaede not dare?
No.
Kitahara Kaede dared.
Or rather, that was exactly what he intended to do.
"Dark Nine-Tails..." Kitahara Kaede said. "Come out."
"I can release your seal, and all you need to do is serve Hidden Leaf Village for thirty years."
"What kind of joke is that?!" But the Dark Nine-Tails refused. "I'm the Nine-Tails!"
Dark Nine-Tails Guards the Gate, Shukaku Becomes a Jonin! Part One!
The Dark Nine-Tails differed from its other half only in fur color, but its personality, way of thinking, and everything else... were exactly the same.
So it was arrogant.
It possessed the pride of the Nine-Tails, the strongest Tailed Beast.
"So, you're refusing?" Kitahara Kaede asked from outside the gate.
"Of course!" the Dark Nine-Tails said. "I'm the Nine-Tails. There's no way I'll become some watchdog."
"Quite a backbone." Kitahara Kaede nodded.
"Then you're giving up?" the Dark Nine-Tails asked.
It said this because it noticed that Kitahara Kaede had placed his hand on the gate sealing it.
This gate was Minato's seal.
And as long as