Two-Tails, Three-Tails, Four-Tails, Five-Tails, Seven-Tails, Eight-Tails, Nine-Tails.
Seven tailed beasts in all gathered on the bank of the Naka River Reservoir, surrounding Uchiha Minamoto.
"Only that stinking tanuki is left!"
"And the slug!"
"Then we'll all be together again!"
The tailed beasts' eyes burned with eagerness.
The stinking tanuki referred to One-Tail Shukaku.
The slug was Six-Tails Saiken.
Although the tailed beasts liked calling one another nicknames,
that did not affect the deep bonds they had shared for over a thousand years.
And the meaning in the looks they gave Uchiha Minamoto was simple.
Minamoto, you've already unsealed us, so hurry up and bring One-Tail and Six-Tails over!
"Six-Tails Saiken is still sealed in Kirigakure. I'll speak with Kirigakure about unsealing him later."
Uchiha Minamoto took the hint and immediately explained to the tailed beasts.
He had originally planned to reopen the discussion of ownership of the tailed beasts at the Five Kage Summit.
But plans could not keep up with changing circumstances.
The Fourth Kazekage had died suddenly, and Sunagakure's One-Tail Jinchuriki had also been abducted by the Akatsuki.
Uchiha Minamoto had intended to use the Five Kage Summit as a venue to "discuss" ownership of the tailed beasts with Sunagakure and Kirigakure, but that plan had fallen through.
He could only find another time to discuss it specifically with Mei Terumi...
"One-Tail Shukaku, however, really is a problem..."
Uchiha Minamoto shifted the subject, bringing up Sunagakure's Little Panda, whose whereabouts remained unknown.
"Sunagakure's One-Tail Jinchuriki was taken away by Orochimaru. We don't know where he's been hidden."
Hearing Uchiha Minamoto's words, the tailed beasts showed no concern at all and kept laughing and joking.
"That slug will be back soon too!"
"That stinking tanuki! Hmph! He was the first to be sealed, and he's still the last to