"Tell us everything. No games."
Nine-Tails floated onto Naruto's head, narrowed his eyes at Zero-Tails, and spoke lazily.
Nine-Tails's authority seemed even more overwhelming than expected. At the sight of him, Zero-Tails reluctantly opened his mouth. "My... my master..."
Zero-Tails seemed caught in a fierce internal struggle, looking thoroughly conflicted.
But his hesitation did not last long. Perhaps it was because of Nine-Tails's earlier "heart-to-heart," or perhaps Zero-Tails had realized that Naruto possessed the means to erase him completely.
Still, Zero-Tails clung to one final principle.
"I will tell only thee and Boss Nine. No other living beings..."
"If you tell me, can't I just tell my friends whenever I want? What's the point?"
Naruto looked at him as though he were an idiot.
Yet Zero-Tails seemed to regard this as his bottom line and refused to yield any further.
"Then I'll wait over there, Boss Naruto."
Shikamaru knew when to take a hint. With his hands in his pockets, he walked aside, not interested in wasting time on this strange creature.
As for the possibility that Zero-Tails was deliberately sending everyone else away so he could attack Naruto and escape...
Shikamaru figured that if Zero-Tails really came up with that idea, there was something seriously wrong with his brain. Even Lady Tsunade probably could not save him.
"...My master is the supreme being who brought me into existence. His voice is like that of a god who awakens wisdom, and his figure is as majestic as the sun..."
Listening to all these descriptions, Nine-Tails said impatiently, "Get to the point."
"Yes, yes, the point. But..."
Zero-Tails nodded hurriedly, only to freeze a moment later. "That is the point, is it not?"
"I want to know who your master is."
Naruto pressed him.
"But am I not describing my master...?"