Kushina was curious about what role Xin would play in the team dynamics. Would he step in and assert control over the two clan ninjas, or help the civilian ninja gain his teammates respect and integrate into the squad?
Xin chuckled softly.
"I don't know," he said, raising a hand in a resigned gesture. "Looking at things now, the best way to solve the internal issues would be for me to step in. But some things can't be forced together."
"Clan ninjas and civilian ninjas already have so many differences, especially those from prominent families like the Uchiha and Hyuga. Even if I want to help, how would I do it? If I help Aida but neglect Ryoji and Suzune, it'll only deepen the team's divide."
Human emotions are complicated, and Xin didn't want to risk helping one only to alienate the other two. That would just lead to more misunderstandings. Besides, he didn't have much motivation to improve the situation. With such a complex dynamic between an Uchiha, a Hyuga, and a civilian, one wrong move could easily cause everything to blow up.
"Kushina, I need control of your body."
"Get lost!"
What was supposed to be a peaceful moment with Xin was rudely interrupted by the Nine- Tails, and Kushina wasn't about to let it ruin things. Not only did it interrupt her time with Xin, but now it wanted control of her body? Absolutely not.
Her consciousness entered the seal space, and she stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at the massive fox. "Big fox! What are you trying to pull now?"
"I'm warning you! We have an agreement, and if you break it, I won't hesitate to put you in your place!"
"Brat..." The Nine-Tails struggled, trying to rise, but the adamantine chains that bound it restricted its movements. It could only move its head.
Frustrated, the fox let out a roar. "I just want to confirm if Xin really has the scent of a tailed beast on him!"
That scent-it was back. But how? The chakra had a familiar quality, similar to its own but also different. And strangely, it had an alluring fragrance.
"Liar! You're not fooling me," Kushina huffed, crossing her arms defiantly. "There's no way Xin has any tailed beast chakra. You're just trying to trick me."
"I am not lying!" The Nine-Tails howled in frustration. Why wouldn't this girl believe it? Was the only thing on humans' minds their love lives? The fox was being serious, but she refused to listen.
Can't humans and tailed beasts have just a little bit of trust?
"What's going on?" Xin asked, noticing that Kushina had gone still, as if she had been frozen. He reached out and gave her a gentle nudge.
"Huh?"
Snapped back to reality, Kushina left the seal space, fuming. "That big fox is trying to trick me again."