Observing Mei Terumi lying prostrate, her body convulsing uncontrollably, Richard's first consideration wasn't inappropriate—rather, he contemplated whether to plunder her Lava Release and Boiling Release kekkei genkai.
Though less formidable than Wood Release or Sharingan, both Lava Release and Boiling Release represented genuine bloodline limits with considerable combat potential.
Richard's deliberation proved brief. He quickly reached his decision.
Not worth it.
Instead of plundering Mei's kekkei genkai, Richard determined a more valuable objective: acquiring the Three-Tails as his personal summon, essentially transforming the bijū into a "Chakra Power Bank."
Though only perfect jinchūriki could fully harness a tailed beast's power, Richard harbored no intentions of becoming one.
He fundamentally opposed imprisoning a sentient being within his body.
Even though such containment would grant immense power by conventional standards, Richard refused this path on principle.
Besides, even without jinchūriki status, his current capabilities allowed him to traverse the Naruto world with minimal opposition.
Having reached his decision, Richard channeled his magical energy.
A minute sphere of magical power emerged from his right index finger, entering Mei's body and neutralizing the electrical current still coursing through her system.
After completing this process, he addressed her directly: "My intentions remain peaceful, as I've stated. You needn't regard me as hostile."
"Had I wished to eliminate you, you would already be deceased."
Though reluctant, Mei conceded the significant disparity between herself and Richard.
The super speed Richard had demonstrated exceeded any teleportation technique she'd previously witnessed.
Moreover, Richard's velocity immediately evoked specific associations in Mei's mind:
The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.
The Flying Thunder God Technique.
From Mei's perspective, Richard's super speed matched or exceeded Konoha's "Yellow Flash" Minato performing Flying Thunder God—both vastly outpacing conventional teleportation jutsu.
As the intense numbness subsided, Mei regained her footing and addressed Richard directly: "Who are you? What purpose brings you to Kirigakure?"
"I've already provided both answers," Richard replied. "I see no reason to repeat myself."
Though Richard spoke truthfully, Mei's skepticism remained evident in her wary expression.
Neither spoke further, creating a silent standoff as they evaluated one another.
Time advanced gradually.
After approximately five minutes, Mei resumed questioning: "How did you obtain information regarding the Fourth Mizukage's death?"
"Deduction," Richard responded casually.
Naturally, he couldn't reveal the actual source of his knowledge, necessitating improvisation.
Deduction?
Mei's brow furrowed immediately.
Were she not at such a significant disadvantage, she would have immediately apprehended Richard for interrogation by ANBU specialists.
Noticing Mei's consternation, Richard continued: "The Fourth Mizukage's death isn't as confidential as you believe."
"Beyond myself, numerous individuals possess this knowledge."
"I won't identify these other parties."
While Kirigakure certainly classified the Fourth Mizukage's death as sensitive intelligence, they couldn't reasonably maintain complete secrecy.
At minimum, Obito, Nagato, and Konan unquestionably knew about the Fourth Mizukage's demise.
Furthermore, as the Fourth Mizukage had been the Three-Tails jinchūriki, anyone aware of Isobu's current residence in the lake would logically deduce the Mizukage's death.
Following Richard's statement, Mei's vigilance intensified visibly.
After contemplating for over ten seconds, she inquired: "You mentioned having no village affiliation. Does your arrival in Kirigakure indicate interest in potentially joining our ranks?"
As she spoke, Mei's demeanor transformed from cautious to welcoming.
"Are you attempting to recruit me into Kirigakure?" Richard asked rhetorically.
"Firstly, you possess exceptional strength," Mei explained. "Secondly, I can now verify your lack of hostile intent toward me."
"Finally, Kirigakure no longer represents the 'Bloody Mist' of previous eras. Our village now implements peaceful, inclusive policies—welcoming capable individuals regardless of background."
Though uncertain of Richard's identity, Mei recognized his extraordinary value.
Richard had unambiguously demonstrated his capabilities through practical demonstration.
For someone of his caliber, not only Kirigakure—which urgently needed skilled shinobi for revitalization—but even Konoha would eagerly accept his membership, provided he harbored no malicious intentions.
"Regarding village membership, I've grown accustomed to independence and flexibility. I dislike constraints," Richard explained. "However, establishing trustworthy connections within Kirigakure certainly appeals to me."
Though Mei possessed striking beauty and an undeniably attractive figure, Richard maintained his composure. He wasn't so easily swayed by physical appearance alone.
While he wouldn't object to exploring deeper philosophical questions with Mei Terumi, joining Kirigakure directly contradicted his current objectives.
If forced to select a village affiliation, Richard would choose Konoha over Kirigakure.
Despite Richard declining formal membership, Mei's expression brightened upon hearing his interest in Kirigakure connections. She offered a captivating smile.
"I similarly value friendships with amicable individuals," she responded promptly.
As she finished speaking, Richard detected faint footsteps approaching the Mizukage's office.
Though barely audible to normal perception, these sounds registered clearly through Richard's super hearing.
Upon hearing these footsteps, he immediately employed his super vision, examining the corridor outside.
"Ao and Chōjūrō approach with Elder Genji," Richard informed Mei. "I prefer avoiding them presently, so I'll depart."
Without awaiting Mei's response, Richard utilized super speed to exit the Mizukage's office.
Though curious about Elder Genji's business with Mei, Richard maintained no interest in village administrative matters.
After departing the Mizukage's office, Richard quickly abandoned Kirigakure, intending to locate the Three-Tails, Isobu.
Among the nine tailed beasts, the Nine-Tails undisputedly possessed the greatest power.
Beyond raw strength, Richard considered the Nine-Tails aesthetically superior to its counterparts.
Even the relatively conventional-appearing One-Tail and Two-Tails couldn't match the Nine-Tails' distinctive presence.
As for the remaining six tailed beasts, their appearances ranged from peculiar to outright bizarre.
Shortly after leaving Kirigakure, Richard arrived above the lake harboring the Three-Tails.
After confirming Isobu slumbered at the lake's bottom using super vision, Richard unhesitatingly activated his heat vision, causing his eyes to emit crimson light.
Heat Ray!
Instantly, laser-like thermal energy streaked toward the submerged Three-Tails.
Predictably, this action immediately captured Isobu's attention.
Before the heat ray reached the tailed beast, Richard discontinued the attack.
The formerly placid lake surface began churning violently, resembling a turbulent sea.
Soon, the Three-Tails—a massive, turtle-like creature covered with spikes and possessing three prominent tails—surfaced, gazing upward at Richard hovering overhead.
Evidently, Isobu felt considerably displeased about his peaceful slumber's disruption.
After observing Richard briefly, the Three-Tails responded in a manner entirely consistent with its current mood.
Opening its enormous maw, it directed its aggression toward the airborne Richard.
A massive water sphere, several meters in diameter, launched toward Richard with cannon-like velocity.
Upon seeing the Three-Tails open its mouth, Richard initially anticipated a Tailed Beast Ball attack.
This presumption proved incorrect.
The colossal water projectile rapidly closed the distance to Richard.
As the water sphere approached impact, Richard channeled his magical energy.
Blizzaga!
Ice Mirror!
As Richard activated Great Freeze, intensely cold air materialized before him.
Instantaneously, an ice mirror merely millimeters thick formed as a defensive barrier.
Judging solely by thickness, this ice construct might appear fragile.
Reality proved otherwise.
Following Richard's acquisition of the Winter Casket—an artifact from the Frost Giants—his Blizzaga ability had ascended to Level 5, specifically the maximum potential of that tier.
Despite the ice mirror's minimal thickness, it remained impervious to virtually any conventional attack.
BOOM!
The enormous water sphere collided with the instantaneously formed ice mirror!
For ordinary individuals, the Three-Tails' water attack represented devastating force, rivaling high-level water techniques performed by experienced jōnin.
From Richard's perspective, however, this attack seemed trivial.
Even if the Three-Tails had deployed a genuine Tailed Beast Ball, Richard would have emerged unscathed.
Though he hadn't explicitly tested whether his body could directly withstand a Tailed Beast Ball, evading such attacks posed no challenge given his flight capabilities and super speed.
With his evasive potential, Richard could comfortably avoid simultaneous Tailed Beast Balls from all nine bijū if necessary.
Upon impact, the massive water projectile detonated against the ice mirror.
The millimeter-thin barrier remained perfectly stationary, its smooth surface entirely unmarked by even the slightest fracture.
Having witnessed Haku employ the Secret Technique: Crystal Ice Mirrors against Naruto and Sasuke simultaneously, Richard had considered adapting his Blizzaga ability to replicate this technique.
Upon reflection, however, he abandoned complete replication, deciding instead to focus solely on the ice mirror component.
Though he hadn't specifically practiced this application, Richard's mastery of Level 5 Blizzard allowed him to create ice barriers significantly stronger than Haku's Crystal Ice Mirrors without difficulty.
After deflecting the water sphere with his impenetrable ice mirror, Richard descended to the lake's surface, standing atop the water as though on solid ground.
Despite cultivating chakra for merely half a month, Richard's chakra control already matched or exceeded any Kage-level shinobi.
While Richard's chakra acquisition remained relatively recent, his magical control had reached extraordinary levels.
Though magic and chakra represented fundamentally different energies, their control mechanisms remained analogous—at least from Richard's perspective.
Having landed before the Three-Tails, Richard addressed the bijū directly: "I present you with two options."
"First: sign a summoning contract with me immediately, becoming my personal summon."
"Second: I'll incapacitate you through force, then compel you to become my summon regardless."
Summoning represented the most accessible and widespread space-time ninjutsu in the Naruto universe.
Compared to the Flying Thunder God Technique, learning basic summoning required virtually no specialized aptitude.
Other space-time techniques—Kamui, Amenotejikara, Totsuka Blade, Amenominaka, Yomotsu Hirasaka—typically required kekkei genkai or kekkei tōta, placing them beyond most shinobi's reach.
During his half-month residence in Otogakure, Richard had mastered numerous ninjutsu, including the Summoning Technique.
Upon hearing Richard's ultimatum, the Three-Tails responded with decisive action.
Opening its massive jaws once more, Isobu began compressing and mixing tailed beast chakra at a precise 8:2 ratio.
Under Richard's observation, the Three-Tails' chakra rapidly condensed and rotated at tremendous velocity. Within mere seconds, it formed a purplish-black energy sphere approximately one to two meters in diameter, containing extraordinarily dense tailed beast chakra.
Tailed Beast Ball!
Realizing ordinary water attacks proved ineffective against Richard, the Three-Tails immediately escalated to the S-rank technique exclusive to tailed beasts and their jinchūriki.
For unsealed tailed beasts, the Tailed Beast Ball represented their ultimate offensive capability.
For jinchūriki, beyond the Tailed Beast Ball, the additional Tailed Beast Transformation provided even greater destructive potential.
As the Tailed Beast Ball compressed from its initial one-to-two-meter diameter to less than one meter, the Three-Tails swallowed the concentrated energy sphere.
Subsequently, the bijū reopened its maw, launching the Tailed Beast Ball with artillery-like propulsion.
Observing the Three-Tails condensing its chakra, Richard anticipated the impending attack.
Rather than intervening, however, he allowed the process to continue.
In fact, his expression reflected eager anticipation as an idea most would consider suicidal materialized in his mind:
Withstand the Tailed Beast Ball directly with my body!
Since awakening the Superboy-Prime template, Richard had never comprehensively tested his defensive capabilities.
The Three-Tails' attack presented a perfect opportunity for assessment.
If he could endure a Tailed Beast Ball without injury, similar attacks from other tailed beasts would likely prove equally ineffective.
Furthermore, if even a Tailed Beast Ball—powerful enough to obliterate multiple mountains simultaneously—couldn't harm him, few offensive techniques in the Naruto universe would pose genuine threats.
As the Three-Tails launched its attack, Richard channeled his magical energy, enveloping himself in a light blue aura. This magical barrier provided comprehensive protection, similar to a jinchūriki's tailed beast cloak.
Within moments, the Three-Tails' Tailed Beast Ball reached Richard's position.
BOOM!
The purplish-black sphere collided violently with Richard's magical barrier, detonating on impact.
A tremendous explosion resonated across the landscape as a hemispherical fireball erupted skyward.
Simultaneously, the resulting shockwave violently shook the surrounding terrain.
Everything within the Tailed Beast Ball's blast radius—lake water, soil, even massive trees along the shoreline—instantly disintegrated.
The explosion and subsequent shockwave dissipated relatively quickly.
As calm returned, the lake's water level had noticeably declined while its surface area had significantly expanded.
The Tailed Beast Ball's destructive potential remained undeniable.
Nevertheless, this immensely powerful technique failed to eliminate Richard.
Just as before, Richard stood upon the substantially lowered lake surface, his body still radiating a light blue aura.
Witnessing Richard emerge completely unscathed after directly confronting the Tailed Beast Ball, the Three-Tails' expression reflected distinctly human-like astonishment.
Though the Three-Tails rarely verbalized while in bijū form, Isobu—like all tailed beasts—possessed speech capability and independent consciousness.
"Since you've selected the second option," Richard addressed the distant Three-Tails calmly, "I'll reciprocate accordingly."
"Rest assured, however—this confrontation will conclude swiftly."
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