Watching Kushina leave, the Nine-Tails scoffed, rather looking forward to seeing how that brat would persuade Kushina next.
When Nobuhiko saw Kushina open her eyes, he was just about to ask how things had gone.
Who would have thought Kushina would merely give him a somewhat embarrassed look, then lower her head and ignore him?
Well, Nobuhiko knew what had happened without even thinking.
Such a powerful thigh to cling to, and you actually don't know how to appreciate it!
Just look at how far I, Kihara Nobuhiko, have gone with my bootlicking to cling tightly to the Third Hokage's skinny little thigh.
Even after all that bootlicking, I still worry that one day the Third Hokage will suddenly decide I'm useless and turn around and sell me off for some benefit!
Comparisons really do drive people to their deaths and goods into the trash!
Fuck it, I'm going all in!
Nobuhiko psyched himself up inwardly. Whether for himself or Kushina, he had to cling to this mighty thigh today, no matter what.
"Sister Kushina, can Senior Kurama hear our conversation?"
"Of course he can. Why, Little Brother Nobuhiko?"
Hearing Nobuhiko ask about something she knew, Kushina regained her confidence.
"Then can you keep Kurama from hearing our conversation?"
"Of course I can. It just uses up a bit of chakra!"
Hearing Kushina sound so certain, Nobuhiko winked at her, and she understood instantly!
She formed hand seals with both hands.
"All right, Little Brother Nobuhiko. What did you want to say?"
Nobuhiko scratched his head and began sweet-talking Kushina.
"Sister Kushina, have you ever considered that Senior Kurama has actually been very lonely all these years?"
"He clearly has intelligence that rivals a human's, yet he doesn't even have anyone around to talk to."
"Sister Kushina, think about it. If you lived all alone in the Shinobi World for hundreds or even thousands of years, without anyone around to talk to, what would you become?"
"Is Kurama really that pitiful?"
Kushina's eyes grew a little red.
"Of course, Sister Kushina. Would I lie to you?"
Seeing that Kushina was somewhat moved, Nobuhiko decided to turn up the heat.
"Besides, Sister Kushina, although Senior Kurama used to live a lonely life, he was free."
"But all these years, ever since Lord First Hokage sealed him inside Grandma Mito, he's lost even his most basic freedom."
"Senior Kurama is so pitiful, Sister Kushina!"
Nobuhiko nearly moved himself.
"Yes, yes, you're right, Little Brother Nobuhiko. Kurama really is so pitiful."
Nobuhiko had already moved Kushina to tears.
"So you need to be more tolerant of him in your everyday life, Sister Kushina."
"I want to, Little Brother Nobuhiko, but you don't understand. He really has such a foul mouth, and such a bad temper!"
"I can barely exchange a few words with him before we start arguing. He makes me so mad!"
Nobuhiko was stunned by the sight of Kushina with her reddened eyes and slightly pouting lips.
Wait, how does Kushina manage to look angry and sympathetic at the same time? That's just unfair!
"Ahem, Sister Kushina, you absolutely must keep what I'm about to tell you a secret. You can't let Senior Kurama find out, or your dear Little Brother Nobuhiko will be done for!"
Nobuhiko forcibly suppressed his excitement and solemnly asked Kushina to keep it secret.
"Don't worry, Little Brother Nobuhiko. I'll definitely keep it secret!"
Seeing Kushina so confident actually left Nobuhiko feeling extremely uneasy!
But having come this far, wouldn't it be a shame to give up now?
"Sister Kushina, you could actually just keep Senior Kurama as a pet!"
"Huh?"
Kushina was stunned by Nobuhiko's bold words.
"Isn't Senior Kurama essentially a fox? Since he's a fox, doesn't that mean you can keep him as a pet?"
"Although Senior Kurama has intelligence that rivals a human's and immense strength, isn't he sealed inside you now? Doesn't that basically mean you're keeping him?"
Nobuhiko's utterly confident argument left Kushina deeply bewildered.
"Then how should I take care of this pet?"
Seeing Kushina gradually take the bait, Nobuhiko grew a little more confident.
"Ahem, Sister Kushina, the most important thing about keeping a pet is patience."
"Although Senior Kurama's intelligence rivals a human's, at the end of the day, he's a fox. You have to treat him differently from how you treat people."
"If someone has a foul mouth and a bad temper when talking to you, of course you can't tolerate it. But when you're talking to a clever fox, a clever pet, you have to tolerate these little flaws."
"You have to keep talking to him calmly, and when necessary, you must even learn to admit your mistakes first. Whatever goes wrong, it's all your fault as the jinchūriki. Senior Kurama couldn't possibly be wrong. You must have that kind of resolve!"
Kushina nodded unconsciously, beginning to agree with Nobuhiko's words.
"If Senior Kurama really is wrong about something, don't say it outright. Go along with what he wants first, then after some time has passed, bring it up indirectly. Say you've had another idea and ask Senior Kurama to help you consider it."
"That way, not only can you make Senior Kurama feel your respect for him, you might even satisfy his vanity!"
"You have to understand that, as a venerable and highly respected elder of the Shinobi World, Senior Kurama needs to save face too. We have to take that into consideration."
"Little Brother Nobuhiko, you're right. I really was wrong before. Kurama is already so pitiful. How could I still hold those things against him?"
Kushina felt somewhat ashamed now.
"Next, you need to spend more time with your pet."
"Sister Kushina, think about it. Senior Kurama has always been one person-no, one fox-all by himself. He must be very lonely."
"At times like that, you need to spend more time chatting with him. Whether it's little things from everyday life or difficulties you encounter in training, you can talk to Senior Kurama about all of them, or even ask him for guidance."
"You can also take the initiative to show concern for Senior Kurama's living conditions in the sealed space and ask whether there's anything he'd like improved."
"If there is, you can agree to everything as long as it doesn't affect the seal. Make Senior Kurama as comfortable as possible!"
"In short, once you talk more, won't that bond of trust form over time?"
"Exactly, Little Brother Nobuhiko. You're so right. And Kurama must have developed those bad habits of having a foul mouth and a bad temper because he hasn't talked to people much. I'll definitely spend more time chatting with him from now on and help him break those bad habits!"
Kushina pumped her fist emphatically as she promised Nobuhiko.
Well now, she's even answering ahead of me. Excellent!
Nobuhiko gave Kushina a mental thumbs-up.
"Sister Kushina, you have to remember that you absolutely cannot let Senior Kurama find out what we just talked about, or your dear Little Brother Nobuhiko really will be done for!"
Nobuhiko once again asked Kushina to keep it secret.
"Don't worry, Little Brother Nobuhiko. Even if Kurama really does find out, I'll protect you!"
Kushina boldly patted Nobuhiko on the shoulder as she assured him.
*???*
Do you even hear what you're saying?
Shouldn't you be promising never to let the secret slip right now?
Why are you promising to protect me after it gets out instead?
You really are such a wonderful big sister!
Nobuhiko inwardly ranted like mad.