Natsuki wasn't surprised at all. "You've really decided?"
Sasuke stood and, to Natsuki's surprise, bowed deeply. "I have decided! Please help me!"
Natsuki nodded. "Alright. I'll help you."
Sasuke exhaled in relief, even showing a rare smile. "Thank you, Natsuki. Really, thank you."
Natsuki just waved it off. He had always wanted to respect the destiny of the so-called "Savior," but since one of them had come to him for help—and was also a friend—he had no reason to refuse.
Besides, without using Orochimaru's cursed seal power, Sasuke might only be able to gain real strength through a Tailed Beast.
This was the conclusion Sasuke had come to himself. He hadn't gone down an extreme path or turned fully dark—that alone was already rare.
If Natsuki refused, Sasuke would still go after it himself, but given his current strength, it was unlikely he would succeed. Worse, the Akatsuki might notice, and that would give them an opening.
So, it was better to help him directly and ensure he succeeded. That way, Konoha would have two jinchūriki, making it easier to face the Akatsuki.
And maybe, Uchiha Itachi would even turn against them—after all, the Akatsuki would try to capture his younger brother, tear the beast out of him, and let him die. No matter his circumstances, Itachi wouldn't just stand by and watch that happen.
"By the way, do you plan to keep this from Tsunade-sama and Kakashi-senpai?" Natsuki asked.
"Yes. They probably wouldn't agree. I want to act first and explain later," Sasuke admitted, clearly conflicted.
He was grateful to Kakashi—truly seeing him as a teacher who had helped and taught him a lot—but this was something he wanted to be stubborn about.
Becoming a jinchūriki would give him the power he needed, and Itachi would come to him on his own. There was no better plan.
So no one was going to stop him.
And he knew Natsuki was more rational and would support him—that's why he'd come here. And as he expected, Natsuki agreed without hesitation.
Having such a friend, Sasuke considered himself lucky.
Natsuki thought for a moment. "Alright then. I'm planning to investigate that spiral mask guy, and I'll take you along as my helper. Tsunade-sama will approve. Then we can take down the Three-Tails first—it shouldn't take long."
Since the masked man had the Sharingan, bringing Sasuke might reveal something.
Sasuke nodded. "That's a good plan. I'll follow your lead."
Natsuki asked, "How's your fūinjutsu? Sure, I can help you seal it, but if your own sealing skills are solid, you'll be able to control the beast's power better."
Sasuke smiled with confidence. "Shishō Fūin (Four Symbols Seal) and Hakke Fūin (Eight Trigrams Seal)—I wouldn't say I've mastered them completely, but I've trained them well."
"Good. With those conditions, this should succeed. Go prepare yourself—I'll ask Tsunade-sama for the mission tomorrow."
"Alright. Still… thank you, Natsuki."
Sasuke didn't linger. He finished his cup of red tea—manners were manners—and then left.
As Natsuki watched him go, his peripheral vision caught a figure hiding nearby. He instantly recognized Sai, and his gaze turned cold.
Not at Sai, but at Danzō.
That old vulture still hadn't learned to stop. He'd sent Sai to spy on Sasuke—when the Uchiha clan had only one surviving heir left—and after stealing the dead clan members' Sharingan for himself. Just how far was he planning to go?
And now he had spies outside Natsuki's own home? Did he really think young people were easy to push around?
Natsuki considered whether he should give Danzō some trouble—like leaking the fact that he and Hanzō the Salamander had conspired to kill Yahiko to Uzumaki Nagato and Konan. Wouldn't they drop everything to kill Danzō? Even if they didn't, they'd surely come after him specifically during any attack on Konoha.
One way or another, the old man deserved death. Without him, the shinobi world would be much more peaceful.
Closing the door, Natsuki met Tenten's worried gaze.
"About Sasuke… are you sure this is alright? I understand he wants power, but becoming a jinchūriki sounds too risky and extreme. You know Naruto has always had trouble controlling the Nine-Tails, and Gaara's One-Tail goes berserk too."
Tenten genuinely cared for her comrade. She understood Sasuke's reasoning, but she didn't really agree with it.
Natsuki patted her head. "Everyone has their own choices. I think the fact that Sasuke didn't go to Orochimaru for power is already admirable. Now he just wants to become a jinchūriki—why not? It gives him strength not only for revenge but to protect his comrades.
"As for Naruto and Gaara… first, they were too young to control their beasts. Second, neither of them knew fūinjutsu."
At that, Natsuki decided to explain the power of sealing techniques to Tenten.
He pulled her into his lap, resting his chin on her small shoulder. "Fūinjutsu is an amazing thing. The very first jinchūriki in shinobi history was the First Hokage's wife, Uzumaki Mito. She came from the Uzumaki clan—not only with enormous chakra reserves, but also incredible sealing skills. She sealed the Nine-Tails so completely that it had no temper at all.
"She became a perfect jinchūriki, able to wield the Nine-Tails' full power."
Tenten's eyes lit up. "The Nine-Tails' full power? That must be terrifying."
"Of course," Natsuki confirmed. "Uzumaki Mito became Konoha's unshakable pillar. Even after the First Hokage died, even after the Second Hokage died, even during the Great Shinobi Wars, the flames of battle never reached the village—because every other village feared her strength."
Tenten nodded. She loved hearing about legendary kunoichi like that.
But… Uzumaki? The First Hokage's wife had the surname Uzumaki?
Could she be related to Naruto?
Natsuki didn't answer, instead continuing, "That's why fūinjutsu is so important—it's the right way to deal with Tailed Beasts. Sasuke knows the Shishō Fūin and Hakke Fūin, so becoming a jinchūriki won't be dangerous for him—certainly safer than Naruto or Gaara."
"Alright then. If you say so, let's help Sasuke," Tenten said, trusting Natsuki completely.
She also understood this needed to be kept secret. She didn't want Sasuke to go through what Naruto had.
Even if villagers' gossip couldn't physically harm someone, it could wound their heart. Hatake Sakumo had been driven to death by public opinion. Naruto had suffered both cold violence and outright bullying as a child—his childhood was tragic.
If Sasuke were met with the same cold stares and scorn, given his mental state, he might truly turn dark.
And if that happened… no one could save those ignorant villagers.
(End of Chapter)
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