"Matatabi?"
Isobu had no idea why he had suddenly brought this up.
"Of course, that crazy cat who only knows how to breathe fire... You know her?"
"More than that. Matatabi is my contracted summon now."
Uchiha Minamoto spoke in an even tone.
"I released Matatabi from her Jinchūriki's body. She's completely free now.
"Matatabi is staying in the Empty District near Konoha now, sunbathing, catching fish, and playing with my other ninja cats every day."
Uchiha Minamoto's words sounded perfectly ordinary.
But to Isobu, they were like a bomb going off beside his ear.
"Free!?"
Isobu's single eye flew wide as he stared at Uchiha Minamoto in disbelief.
"You're lying! How could ninja ever let us go free? You only ever treat us as weapons of war!"
"What would I gain by lying to you?"
Uchiha Minamoto curled his lip as he looked at the ugly giant turtle.
"Your ugly face? Your one eye?"
"You!"
Isobu's enormous body lurched, making the sealing chains around him clank.
What's wrong with this ninja?
How did this conversation turn into personal attacks-no, turtle attacks?
Have you ever even seen a turtle?
This is what true strength and majesty look like!
Look at this armor, these spikes, this shell...
Am I not much better-looking than that feeble Two-Tails, Matatabi, who can only meow?!
An innately evil Uchiha, just as expected!
"All right, quiet down and listen."
Uchiha Minamoto's attitude toward Isobu was nowhere near as gentle and easygoing as it was toward Matatabi.
"Here are the terms of my deal-
"I'll undo the seal here before Karatachi Yagura dies and give you true freedom.
"In exchange, you'll sign a Summoning Contract with me and follow my orders."
"Sign a contract... with you?"
Isobu snorted coldly.
"I don't trust you! Humans are all liars!