Let's Cooperate [Seeking Recommendation Tickets]

Chapter 12: Let's Cooperate [Seeking Recommendation Tickets]

Although the Two-Tails appeared beast-like, it didn't mean it lacked the ability to think.

As a Tailed Beast, its intelligence was no weaker than that of humans.

Indeed, just as Toneri had said, it was terrified of dying along with its Jinchūriki, even if it meant being sealed within the Jinchūriki's body for an unknown amount of time.

But at least, it would still be itself!

Fundamentally, Tailed Beasts could be seen as extremely powerful aggregations of Chakra in the world, or rather, they were Chakra with intelligence.

But if it died, even if it could re-condense, would that Chakra still possess its former memories?

Would it still be the original Two-Tails?

It hadn't been tried yet, but it was highly likely that it wouldn't be.

Therefore, the Two-Tails would rather help the original Kumo Ninja Jinchūriki reseal itself than depart with him.

It couldn't afford such a price.

Toneri waved his hand at the Two-Tails, his blood-covered hands propped on the ground as he shakily stood up.

Strangely, the blood from the seemingly gruesome wounds on his body dripped onto the ground but left no trace, disappearing directly.

Toneri's gaze was calm.

Even though he could now stand upright, he couldn't meet the Two-Tails' gaze, but this was the greatest extent he could achieve.

Taking a deep breath, he slowly straightened his back.

Stand like a pine!

"You say I've got you cornered?

In fact, that's not the case!

You know, I've been trying to understand you better during this time, and there's no other reason than two simple words.

Fear of death.

I'm very afraid of dying, and I believe there aren't many people who aren't.

As I've tried to understand you, you should have also gained some understanding of me, and you probably know what kind of person I am.

So... it's not that I've got you cornered, but that I fear you!

But at the same time, I'm learning not to fear you so much!"

Toneri met the Two-Tails' gaze and slowly spoke his truest thoughts.

"I know you desperately crave freedom, and for a time, I even sympathized with your current state, but there's no other way. If you gain freedom, for me, it might mean losing my freedom entirely, or even losing my life..."

Two-Tails: "..."

Listening to Toneri lay bare his true thoughts so unreservedly, the Two-Tails didn't know how to describe the turmoil within its heart.

Anger?

It didn't seem so.

After all, if one doesn't look out for oneself, heaven and earth will destroy them. Especially when it comes to death.

Even it, wasn't it also afraid of dying?

But to calmly accept Toneri's theory?

That didn't seem right either.

"So, Jinchūriki are truly a peculiar existence," Toneri said with a mocking sneer.

He was mocking not only those who created the existence of Jinchūriki but also himself, the so-called Jinchūriki.

"To you Tailed Beasts, we Jinchūriki are cages that imprison you, while you Tailed Beasts are like unattainable powers to us, within reach yet out of grasp.

We mutually fear and hate each other because we are fundamentally contradictory in our interests.

But the laughable thing is, for us to unleash our true strength, we need the Jinchūriki and the Tailed Beast to trust each other, to hold nothing back.

This is a complete paradox!"

The person who created the Jinchūriki might have had good intentions, hoping that Tailed Beasts and humans could coexist peacefully, allowing Jinchūriki to gain power while Tailed Beasts, through the Jinchūriki's influence, could change their views on humans.

Ideals are grand, but reality is harsh.

Jinchūriki who fear and covet the power of Tailed Beasts, and Tailed Beasts who hate and despise humans.

How could the powers of both be fully combined?

The Two-Tails remained silent, but its silence was the best acknowledgment of Toneri's words.

It yearned for freedom!

Ever since being confined by a Jinchūriki, it hadn't seen what the outside world was like with its own eyes for a very long time.

The fragrance of flowers outside, its nose had almost forgotten. The warm afternoon sun, the crisp, refreshing breeze against its face, the continuous, drizzling rain...

So many things, the Two-Tails had no longer experienced.

In its own words...

Spring is beautiful, but it never had the chance to feel it!

Silence was always the most common atmosphere in this sealed space.

If it weren't for Toneri running into this sealed space every few days for no reason, the Two-Tails would have almost forgotten what noise felt like.

A long time passed...

"Let's cooperate, big beauty!"

Hearing Toneri speak, the Two-Tails looked at him.

His small face showed sincerity, and his eyes were full of openness as he looked directly at the Two-Tails, without any evasion.

Big beauty...

The Two-Tails silently repeated the word in its mind.

This little guy in front of it was truly the first and only person in this world who dared to call it that.

"How do we cooperate? You want to borrow my power? And what will you give me in return?"

The Two-Tails slowly stood up, a fierce aura erupting from its body. As a Tailed Beast, as the Two-Tails that could connect the Yin and Yang realms, its power was terrifying when unleashed without reservation!

Toneri's breathing hitched slightly. In that instant, he felt as if he were facing the god of death.

Death is like the wind, always by my side!

The Two-Tails' injuries...

had almost recovered!

"Freedom!"

Toneri's expression remained unchanged as he firmly uttered the two words.

The Two-Tails' huge eyes contracted instantly.

Freedom...

Such an unattainable word.

The number of Jinchūriki it had experienced was truly uncountable, even to itself. Some lasted longer, like the old man before, while many others collapsed within days, or even on the same day, of becoming a Jinchūriki.

Among all these people, not a single one had ever spoken this word to it.

But soon, the Two-Tails let out a sneer, its voice filled with disdain.

"Freedom? You can't give me that!"

"No, I can give it to you!"

This time, as soon as the Two-Tails finished speaking, Toneri immediately replied.

"I know you might not believe it, but I really do have a way to give you freedom.

While it might not be complete freedom, it's definitely much better than your current state. At the very least... it will allow you to run freely outside, breathe the outside air, feel the outside sunshine, and enjoy a comfortable afternoon!"

To grant the Two-Tails complete freedom would require him to completely give up his own freedom, or even his life, something Toneri couldn't do.

However, if it was about allowing the Two-Tails to achieve freedom to a certain extent, he did have some special ideas.

But the prerequisite for realizing this method was his own survival.

And so, the Two-Tails and Toneri locked eyes again.

Staring each other down...

Because it was too rushed, Toneri couldn't make the Two-Tails trust him more.

He could only rely on his "sincere" gaze!

As long as the gaze was sincere enough...

Actually, the Two-Tails had made some comparisons in its heart.

Rather than being captured and taken back to Kumogakure, having another Jinchūriki, and continuing that pale and boring life...

It was better to trust this little guy in front of it, just once.

He had to admit, he was different from all the humans the Two-Tails had ever met!

He was the first one who could still stand tall even while fearing it...

The Two-Tails turned its head away, giving up on looking at Toneri's so-called "sincere" eyes, which made it slightly nauseous.

It pouted.

"Hmph--"

What a detestable little guy!

Noticing the Two-Tails' movement, Toneri's face lit up. He knew the Two-Tails was tempted.

But... it really acted like a tsundere...

"Then, after we get through this crisis, I'll tell you about my plan!"

I'll go out and wait for you! Hurry up...

"Big Beauty!"

Toneri disappeared into the sealing space.

As he vanished, the dim sealing space fell silent once more.

"Hmph—cocky little brat!"

The Two-Tails lay on the ground, tilting her head as she gently licked her paw, her tongue feeling the texture of her fur.

She had to say, it was absolutely not because Toneri admitted she was beautiful that she agreed to his proposed cooperation!

No, absolutely not!

The reader group Jin Mu built is 1078231973, it's also in the description, everyone is welcome to join and chat.

Not used to Jin Mu's normal request for votes? Then whine and beg for recommendation tickets!

You are all big shots, I'm just a humble little failure, holding out my bowl, whine—asking for everything!

There will be an event announcement later, please pay a little attention!

Guess what method Toneri mentioned? It will probably exceed many people's expectations, prizes for correct guesses!