As the light faded, Shukaku's battered, miserable form slowly came into view.
It had collapsed halfway to the ground, barely maintaining its Tailed Beast form. Its eyes were wide open. To put it in chuunibyou terms, it was down for the count!
Qinglong looked at his numb hands and panted heavily.
"Just as I thought! The Kamehameha never disappoints in a beam struggle! Heh!"
Shikamaru hurried over and helped Qinglong up.
"Daijoubu desu ka!? (Are you okay!?)"
"I'm fine!"
Qinglong waved a hand.
Naruto stared at the crater in the distance, eyes wide. He couldn't believe Qinglong had caused all that!
"Gaara!"
Temari rushed over, but didn't dare get too close. She stared anxiously at the battered Shukaku in the crater.
"Let's go over."
Qinglong said, and the others followed, finally daring to approach.
Qinglong walked up beside the listless Shukaku and said,
"I told you, a Jinchuriki is there to protect the Tailed Beast! You didn't believe me, and now look at you!"
Shukaku bared its teeth and struggled to maintain its true form, but it still wouldn't admit defeat.
It was stubborn as a rock. What could you do?
"Naruto, you're up. Use your Talk no Jutsu on him—talk him down!"
Qinglong called Naruto over. Time to let Naruto handle it!
"Huh?"
Naruto walked over, looking utterly confused as he glanced from Qinglong to the towering Shukaku.
"Since Qinglong wants me to say something, I'll say it. I'm not very good with words, but I still want to tell you what I'm thinking."
Naruto walked up to Shukaku's huge face.
"I'm a Jinchuriki too, so I understand the pain and helplessness that Jinchuriki and the Tailed Beasts inside them feel."
"As a Jinchuriki, I want to say something to all of you Tailed Beasts."
"Let's make peace. From