"I wanted... to meet the Nine-Tails.
Would that be possible?"
"Meet the Nine-Tails?"
The gentle expression on Mito's face stiffened slightly, and an extremely complicated emotion flashed deep within her eyes—an understanding and instinctive wariness accumulated from living alongside the ferocious beast within her for so long.
She did not refuse immediately. She merely frowned lightly and fell silent for a moment before slowly speaking.
"Kumoi, it is not that your teacher's wife does not trust you.
It is just that... meeting the Nine-Tails directly is no small matter. It carries enormous implications.
Can you tell me, what exactly is your purpose in wanting to meet it?"
Her gaze was like a still, deep pool as she looked directly at Kumoi, waiting for a reason that could convince her.
Kumoi met her eyes without the slightest evasion, his voice clear and steady.
"This time, the Four Great Ninja Villages went so far as to join forces and raid the Land of Whirlpools. Their core objective was to search for and seize Sealing Jutsu and secret methods capable of effectively controlling and utilizing the power of the Tailed Beasts.
That is an unmistakable signal.
Teacher's wife, I have a strong premonition that in the near future, the Tailed Beasts—
These beings with the power to shake heaven and earth will no longer be merely legends or symbols of disaster.
Instead, they will be drawn into the conflicts and wars of the Ninja World in more direct and frequent ways, becoming a decisive force in determining victory or defeat."
He leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharp.
"Passive defense is never the best strategy.
Rather than waiting for our enemies to master methods of using the Tailed Beasts against us, we should take the initiative to understand them, approach them, and perhaps even...