That Year I Was Seven, I Suppressed the Strongest Tailed Beast in History with One Hand

Rather than rushing to study the newly acquired ninjutsu, Chiba Genichi followed Kushina once again to the Senju Clan Compound.

"Pardon the intrusion, Lady Mito." Genichi greeted her politely as he stepped inside.

The elderly woman before him still appeared youthful due to her practice of the Yin Seal. She possessed the signature red hair of the Uzumaki Clan, styled into two buns adorned with crown-like ornaments. A purple diamond-shaped mark rested on her forehead, and charms resembling spirit talismans hung from her hair, all set against a white kimono.

"You must be Genichi. Come, sit down. Don't be so formal; just call me Grandma Mito, like little Kushina does. Let me introduce you—this is Tsunade, whom you've met before."

"Lady Tsunade." Genichi continued to greet her with courtesy.

"This is Nawaki. He's at the ninja academy just like you, two years your senior," Mito continued the introductions.

"So you're the one who saved Kushina from those enemies? Then you've got yourself a friend in me! If anyone gives you trouble at school, just drop my name," Nawaki replied with a goofy grin.

Uzumaki Mito had long since learned the full details of the incident from Anbu records. She had also reviewed Chiba Genichi's file, knowing he was outstanding in every regard and that his strength far surpassed that of the current Nawaki.

She had previously thought her grandson was obedient and sensible, but looking at him now, she wondered if he was becoming a bit mischievous and neglecting his studies.

The more she thought about it, the more convinced she became: "Tsunade, hurry and find a teacher for Nawaki. Even though he hasn't graduated yet, I think some training should start as soon as possible."

"Huh? (x2)"

Uzumaki Mito turned her head and said kindly, "Genichi, I heard from the Monkey that you're interested in sealing jutsu? I happen to have some insights in that area. I'm quite bored staying in my room alone, so if you don't mind, feel free to come keep this old woman company."

"Thank you, Grandma Mito." Genichi couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement; the person before him was arguably the greatest master of sealing jutsu in the current ninja world.

Uzumaki Mito noticed the book Genichi was carrying, Lightning Release: From Entry to Burial: "Tobirama wrote this? In the early years when the village was founded, most of the Senju Clan's collection was donated to serve as the village's foundation, but some remained. If you're interested in these, feel free to take a look."

"If these books that have been gathering dust in the house can help the children of the village once more, Hashirama would surely be very happy to know it."

"Thank you, Grandma Mito. I won't let the Hokage down." Genichi felt today's harvest was immense; for a moment, he didn't know what else to say besides expressing his gratitude.

Uzumaki Mito looked at the polite, good-natured child before her, feeling more satisfied the longer she watched. Thinking of Kushina, her heart stirred, as if she had made a certain decision: "Genichi, come with me."

The Nine-Tails, which her husband Hashirama could suppress with a single hand, was an absolute natural disaster to everyone else—a beast filled with destruction and ruin.

Relying on her superior strength, the constitution of the Uzumaki Clan, and excellent sealing techniques, Mito had suppressed the Nine-Tails for decades. She was confident that even until her dying breath, the Nine-Tails would not be able to stir up any trouble.

But Kushina was different. She was still too young. After her country fell and her family was lost, she had come to Konoha alone, forced to face the most brutal beast in the world. Even though she didn't want to, she had to accept this cruel reality.

Mito only had to imagine the loneliness and repression that followed to feel as if she were suffocating.

Yes, Kushina was still too young. Her heart was not yet strong enough to bear this chakra filled with malice.

She had to become the vessel for the Nine-Tails... but before the Tailed Beast was settled, she needed to fill her heart with love first.

Genichi, you have already walked into Kushina's life. So, are you willing—or rather, are you capable—of facing this cruel reality alongside her?

With a thousand thoughts racing through her mind, Uzumaki Mito finally spoke: "Genichi, have you heard of the Tailed Beasts?"

"Are you referring to the Tailed Beasts that the First Hokage distributed to the various villages to maintain peace?" Genichi thought for a moment before stating the information available in the public domain.

"That's right. And the most ferocious of them, the Nine-Tails, is right here in Konoha. Would you like to see it, Genichi?" Uzumaki Mito pressed a finger to Genichi's brow.

The scene shifted, and Genichi arrived in the sealing space of the Nine-Tails.

As the seal loosened slightly, a vast, evil chakra poured out. Genichi immediately felt his entire body turn cold, a sense of despair enveloping his heart.

It was like standing on the edge of a cliff, fearing a fall; or standing beneath a boulder, fearing it might crush you.

The desire to flee from danger was a biological instinct.

However, Genichi's memories from his past life provided a filter for the Nine-Tails; he knew it was a sentient life form with its own independent thoughts, not merely the beast of destruction described in the legends of this world. Moreover, Uzumaki Mito was capable of perfectly sealing the Nine-Tails, so he knew he wouldn't be harmed at this moment.

It was like riding a roller coaster: his instincts sensed danger, but his reason convinced him he was safe, allowing him to experience the thrilling alternation between life and death.

Genichi finally overcame the unease in his heart and looked up to observe the legendary demon beast closely.

Uzumaki Mito, who had been observing from the side, held back her words of comfort and encouragement, finding it incredible that he had suddenly stopped being afraid.

"You wretched old hag! I'll kill you! When I get out, I'll definitely kill you! And Konoha, I will destroy it!" As the seal loosened, the Nine-Tails' roar echoed from within the cage.

Ignoring the wails of the defeated, Uzumaki Mito said to Genichi, "Child, are you not afraid?"

Genichi smiled and shook his head: "I trust that Grandma Mito would never let me be harmed. Besides, no matter how powerful a Tailed Beast is, if it's sealed away, it shouldn't be able to hurt me. I'm not just unafraid; I even want to pat its head."

Mito felt the sincerity in Genichi's words, and seeing that his heart was completely devoid of fear or hatred toward the Nine-Tails, she finally set her mind at ease. She had never worried about Kushina's talent, only that her heart wouldn't be able to bear the loneliness of being a Jinchuriki.

If it were this child, he would surely be able to fight alongside Kushina. No matter what problems they encountered, if the two of them were together, they could overcome them. In this regard, the power of love was infinite.

In high spirits, Uzumaki Mito pulled the Nine-Tails closer, further tightening the power of the seal to force the beast down until it lay flat on the ground, then said kindly:

"Come, Genichi. Since you want to pat this fellow's head, go ahead and try."

"What! You wretched old hag, you're going to let this brat pat my head? Absolutely not! No one but the old man is allowed to touch my head!" The Nine-Tails' reaction was even more intense upon hearing this.

"Stay away from me!"

Ignoring the Nine-Tails' inner turmoil, Genichi placed a hand on its forehead and said with a smile, "Nine... Nine-Tails fox, don't be so tense. Things like this only happen zero times or countless times. I'll come visit you again when I have the chance."

After thinking it over, Genichi knew how much the Tailed Beasts valued their names, so he still didn't call the Nine-Tails by its true name.

The Sage of Six Paths had originally taught people how to extract chakra because he discovered that chakra could convey the emotions within a person's heart. He hoped that by understanding one another, people could coexist harmoniously and maintain world peace.

At this moment, it was not Genichi's physical body that had entered the sealing space, but rather his consciousness carried by a small portion of his chakra.

As the human and the beast made direct contact, the Nine-Tails clearly sensed the calm, slightly excited heart of the boy—there was no hatred, no fear, and no greed.

How long had it been since it encountered someone like this? Kurama recalled the past thousand years in a daze. Because its power was too great, it had been coveted by humans, tasted the bitter fruits of war, hatred, and betrayal, and had itself become a collection of resentment and pain.

Thinking of this, it stopped resisting the child before it, closed its eyes, and sighed.

"Sigh, over a thousand years... Old Man Six Paths, where exactly is the person you spoke of who could lead us toward a future without the need for merging?"