Three-Tails Sealed, Mini Three-Tails Appears

The high temperature from the rocket launcher explosions scorched Three-Tails Isobu.

The metal shrapnel within the rockets whittled away at its thick shell, and the defense of its carapace began to crack under the constant bombardment.

Under another volley of rocket fire, the cracks widened, allowing the intense heat to penetrate the turtle-like shell and reach the beast's body.

Three-Tails Isobu let out a pained howl as the impact on its shell caused the Tailed Beast Bomb, which it hadn't yet fired, to detonate inside its own body.

The resulting shockwave and vibrations caused severe internal damage, leaving its body, already pinned down by the Torii, unable to resist.

Waiting for exactly this opportunity, Uzumaki Shori stepped forward as the smoke from the rocket bombardment began to clear.

He stood before the head protruding from Three-Tails Isobu's shell, their eyes meeting.

"Three-Tails Isobu, how about working under me? I can let you out of the seal for some fresh air from time to time."

Three-Tails Isobu knew that the rockets appearing in the sky had been launched by this human, but now it could only lie weakly upon the earth.

Not wanting to look at him any longer, it closed its eyes. Uzumaki Shori reached out and stroked the beast's large nose.

If it could be tamed, it would definitely be a great asset to the Land of Whirlpools; it was a pity, but for now, he would proceed with the sealing.

But what could serve as a suitable vessel to properly seal the Three-Tails? He rummaged through his sealing scrolls, only to pull out a rice cooker.

He scratched his head; for now, this would have to serve as the vessel.

His original store of sealing knowledge was insufficient to use a rice cooker for such a task.

However, having been rewarded with +1 to Sealing Jutsu previously, he could at least give it a try with his current abilities.

He formed hand seals.

"Enhanced Eight Trigrams Seal!"

Two Four Symbols Seals appeared on the left and right sides of Three-Tails Isobu, and sealing runes gradually covered its entire body.

With a massive surge of chakra, Three-Tails Isobu was pulled directly into the rice cooker. The two Four Symbols Seals merged, and a complete Eight Trigrams Seal manifested upon the surface of the appliance.

In the distance, seeing that Three-Tails Isobu had been sealed, Raiga Kurosuki immediately stopped feigning illness, grabbed his oars, and began to row with all his might.

Jinin Akebino, who had been rowing diligently, was filled with confusion as he watched the injured Raiga Kurosuki rowing away at high speed.

A few minutes later, the smoke dissipated and Tsunade arrived at the scene, where everyone was gathered, anxiously observing their surroundings.

Uzumaki Shori looked at them in confusion; hadn't Three-Tails Isobu already been sealed?

Why was everyone still looking for something?

Tsunade and the others reached Uzumaki Shori's side and asked with immediate caution.

"Where is the Three-Tails? Why can't we find it?"

Finally understanding the source of their confusion, Uzumaki Shori smiled and pointed to the side.

Tsunade looked at the rice cooker before her; was he hungry? She cast a sidelong glance at Uzumaki Shori.

Uzumaki Shori slapped his forehead, realizing he had forgotten to introduce it.

"This is the Three-Tails that was just wreaking havoc here; I've sealed it inside this rice cooker."

Uzumaki Ashina's expression shifted. He had originally assumed they would drive the Three-Tails back into the deep sea and use the time to flee by ship.

He had never expected his son to be capable of sealing the beast.

He carefully observed the seal on the rice cooker; it was clearly an Eight Trigrams Seal.

How could an Eight Trigrams Seal possibly use a rice cooker to contain the Three-Tails?

Yet, upon closer inspection of the runes, there were subtle differences.

He hadn't expected his son's sealing prowess to be this formidable; truly, the student had surpassed the master.

Tsunade also stepped forward to take a look, but the rice cooker suddenly jumped, giving her a fright.

She stepped back, bumping into Uzumaki Shori; surely the Three-Tails was about to break the seal.

Uzumaki Ashina was also startled; he had just been happy and wanted to praise the innovation in the sealing technique, but it had suddenly turned into a moment of alarm.

Seeing everyone's shock, Uzumaki Shori laughed instead.

The lid of the rice cooker suddenly popped open, and the head of a miniature Three-Tails Isobu poked out.

It waved at Tsunade, who was standing nearby, and then Uzumaki Shori placed his hand on the head of Three-Tails Isobu and gave it a firm rub.

"I've modified and enhanced the Eight Trigrams Seal. The Tailed Beast can leak a small amount of chakra through the vessel, and the amount can be adjusted. The beast doesn't have to stay trapped in a prison; now, it can even communicate with people."

Tsunade also reached out to touch the head of the Three-Tails, feeling the soft texture beneath her palm; there was likely no one else in the entire ninja world who could pet a Tailed Beast like this.

Three-Tails Isobu stretched its head further out of the rice cooker, and its limbs emerged from the bottom as well.

Feeling the warmth of the sun, it seemed as though the recent battle had already passed, and it became lazy and lethargic.

However, as one person after another came to stroke its head, it opened its mouth as if to bite them.

Tsunade looked at the miniature Tailed Beast trying to bite people, and hearts appeared in her eyes; it was just too cute.

Uzumaki Shori spoke to his father.

"I had originally intended to subjugate the Three-Tails directly, but even after I defeated it, there was no effect."

"I have no choice but to seal it honestly, hoping that the improved seal will allow for more effective communication between us."

Uzumaki Ashina thought to himself that if Tailed Beasts could be subjugated simply by being defeated, the First Hokage would have already tamed all nine of them long ago; there would be no turn for you to do so.

"Your current approach is quite good. If the hard way doesn't work, try the soft way. Can you find out where the Three-Tails came from?"

Although he did not fully understand, he had made a rough guess, and Uzumaki Shori pointed toward the east.

Uzumaki Ashina looked into the distance, but he could not see very clearly; he only spotted a small boat rapidly disappearing from his field of vision.

Could it be that the people on that small boat released the Three-Tails? He turned around and said to Uzumaki Shori.

"Since you have already discovered the culprits, why not go and capture them?"

"We have already achieved victory over Kirigakure, but we have also suffered significant losses. If we wait for them to return and report, we can demand war reparations from them."

Uzumaki Shori scratched his head, finding it difficult to say that the others had already fled far away and that he could not catch them on the open sea.

It was fortunate that he could say something to save face, otherwise, he would have lost all dignity.

Uzumaki Ashina pondered for a moment. After all, the Land of Water had a large population, and Kirigakure was one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages; perhaps negotiation was the most advantageous path.

"There are currently over two thousand people from the other side being held on the island. If they continue to invade regardless of the cost, these people will be our key leverage."

"Negotiation is merely a tactic, and it can also buy us time. The equipment of the Land of Whirlpools can be upgraded during this period. Even if they pay the ransom for those two thousand people, we will still have the capital to contend with them."

Uzumaki Shori clearly pointed out the problems they were currently facing and replied.

Hearing this, Uzumaki Ashina could only sigh inwardly.

If the Land of Whirlpools were strong enough.

They would already be sailing warships toward the Land of Water to launch an offensive.