Hearing Shikamaru's comment, Kaito gently set Ino down and grinned. "Yo, Shikamaru, Chōji, Asuma-sensei—you're still here?"
The three of them exchanged looks. "...Are we that easy to ignore?"
"Alright, no need to say anything. I'll have a Shadow Clone escort you back," Kaito said, raising a hand to stop Shikamaru before he could reply.
An hour later, the group stood before the familiar gates of Konoha. Even after experiencing Kaito's speed before, the journey still left them stunned.
"You three stay here," Kaito said casually. "I'll take Ino in first." Without waiting for an answer, he led Ino through the gates.
After spending three peaceful days at home with Ino and the other two girls, Kaito was on the road again—this time toward Kirigakure territory, aiming to bring the Three-Tails, Isobu, under his command. Since Yagura's death and Terumi Mei's rise to leadership, Isobu had been lingering in a massive lake near the village, free but still watchful.
One hour later Kaito arrived at the lake, his sharp sensory abilities locking onto the tailed beast instantly. The water was so clear he could see the pebbles near the shore, and deep below—an immense, shadowy form drifted.
The Three-Tails resembled a massive turtle, its entire shell covered in jagged spikes. In terms of raw combat power among the tailed beasts, it was on the lower end. In the ocean, it was more formidable, but overall, it was simply… adequate. If Kaito had found a better tailed beast or a strong Lightning Release user, he wouldn't have considered Isobu at all. But as a summon, it was still far stronger than most creatures—at least in Kaito's eyes.
He stepped onto the surface of the lake, standing as if the water was solid ground, and called out, his voice amplified by chakra: "Three-Tails! I know you're down there! I'm Ayanami Kaito, and I'm here to make you my summoning beast!"
The thunder-like voice rolled through the water, echoing deep below. From the darkness of the lakebed, two lantern-like eyes snapped open. The water churned violently, the surface boiling as the massive form below rose. Waves surged outward as Isobu emerged, its scarlet maw opening wide.
Roar!
A high-pressure jet of water, thick as a tree trunk, blasted toward Kaito. The attack was as deadly as any Uchiha Fire Release—powerful, precise, and destructive.
Kaito didn't even flinch. He shifted slightly, letting the water jet pass by, the stream slicing through the air before exploding in the distance into a glittering curtain of droplets. A rainbow shimmered briefly before fading.
Kaito smirked. "Trying to make the scenery pretty for me?"
Isobu growled, its massive eyes narrowing. Chakra swirled in its open mouth, the air chilling rapidly as deadly ice arrows formed—each one sharper and stronger than steel, capable of freezing anything they pierced.
"You underestimate me," Kaito said with a faint smile. "If you're going to be my summoning beast, I'll show you why it's worth it."
His hands blurred through hand seals, chakra flooding his body. "Fire Style: Great Fire Annihilation!" A roaring sea of crimson fire erupted from his mouth, the heat instantly raising the air temperature. The flames spread across the sky like a blazing sunset.
The moment the ice met the fire, the arrows melted into steam, shrouding the area in thick mist. The battlefield looked like something out of a dream, but Isobu's glowing eyes flickered with caution.
"Speak, kid," the tailed beast rumbled. "Why are you bothering me? I've been here quietly since Yagura's death. I haven't harmed anyone."
Kaito's expression stayed calm. "You know as well as I do that a free tailed beast is seen as a threat. It's only a matter of time before someone tries to seal you again. If you become my summoning beast, I can guarantee you a safe home in Konoha. I'm not talking about making you a Jinchūriki—that's a completely different situation."
Isobu's eyes closed for a moment. It wasn't stupid—it could weigh the risks. Being sealed inside a human again meant a life of imprisonment and darkness. The promise of safety was tempting… but was it real?
After a long pause, the beast asked quietly, "Is what you're saying true?"
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