Not far from Hidden Mist Village lay a gigantic lake. Lush trees surrounded it, and abundant aquatic plants filled its waters, making it an ideal habitat for countless living creatures.
Yet such a place was exceptionally quiet. There was not even a trace of other creatures nearby. Even passing beasts would swiftly flee without daring to linger for a moment, as though they feared something.
At that moment, faint footsteps sounded as a fair and handsome youth slowly approached.
He looked around eighteen or nineteen years old. His smooth black hair draped over his shoulders, and though he was male, his features were even gentler and more beautiful than a girl's.
Smiling, he walked to the lakeside and called out, "Little Grey!"
As his voice fell, the lake surface suddenly trembled. Amid splashing waves, a massive figure slowly rose from the lakebed.
It was an enormous turtle covered in spikes, with three tails. Its body was colossal, clad in a thick gray shell, and its single eye glimmered with a scarlet light. The sight alone was enough to make one's heart pound.
This giant beast was one of the Nine Tailed Beasts—the Famous Three Tails Isobu, whose defenses were the strongest among all the Tailed Beasts.
Yet the youth seemed utterly unafraid. He waved his arm and called again, "Little Grey!"
Isobu turned its enormous body and slowly lowered itself before the youth.
The youth smiled and raised a hand to stroke the Three-Tails' oversized head. "Have you been doing well lately?"
At his question, the Three-Tails let out a soft snort. Damp mist burst from its nostrils and sprayed directly onto the youth's face, like playful banter between friends.
"Haha, stop messing around..."
The youth laughed, seeming to enjoy this life immensely.
He still remembered returning here two years