"Who are you?"
Utakata wore a water-blue robe with a low neckline, leaving his graceful contours fully exposed.
His bangs hung down over half of one eye, and his entire bearing was free-spirited and otherworldly.
"Utakata, the Six-Tails Jinchuriki. You're the ninja who uses bubbles, right?"
Utakata took his favorite bamboo flute from his waist. It was a gift Xuanhui had given him long ago.
In everyday life, the flute could play lingering, lilting melodies. In battle, it let him blow more bubbles at once.
His eyelids lifted slightly, and his dark eyes looked Nagato up and down.
"Red hair... and those unusual eyes..."
I've never heard of a clan in the Shinobi World with both those traits...
"Utakata, those are the Sage of Six Paths' eyes! This guy is strong!"
Saiken's thin, high voice rang out.
In truth, after the Hidden Mist Village's reforms, most Kirigakure ninjas had thrown themselves into rebuilding and restoring Kirigakure, leaving them no time to concern themselves with a jinchūriki.
Utakata's life was quite leisurely, and he didn't particularly hate his tailed beast. The two got along extremely well.
Nagato smiled faintly and leaned casually against a nearby stalk of bamboo.
"Utakata, we of the Akatsuki would like to make a deal with you."
"Sorry, I'm not in the mood to play music today."
"What a shame."
Nagato raised his hand, his Rinnegan gleaming dangerously.
"Banshō Ten'in!"
Utakata felt a powerful suction seize his body, pulling him uncontrollably toward Nagato!
"Water Release: Bubble Technique!"
Despite his lazy, carefree appearance, Utakata actually reacted very quickly.
His flute sounded. One bubble enveloped him, while four others filled with acid shielded him from the front.
If he kept flying forward, the acid would reach Nagato's face before Utakata did!
"Interesting. Just what I'd expect from a jinchūriki!"