"The Fifth Mizukage, Terumi Mei, has sent word. She'll be coming to Konoha in a few days for a diplomatic meeting. What a friendly interview," Tsunade muttered, her teeth clenched, frustration etched across her face.
"Terumi Mei? Is she supposed to be the babysitter?" Kushina's voice grew cold, her expression darkening.
Kakashi, Shikaku, Choza, and the other veteran jōnin lifted their eyes toward the roof of the Hokage building, as though something far more appealing might be up there.
Some of the younger shinobi, especially those who hadn't fought in the Third Great Ninja War, began whispering among themselves.
"What's going on? The Mizukage seems to have a grudge against Hokage-sama and Kushina-senpai."
"Quiet! You'll learn soon enough. Don't speak of it now!" an older ninja whispered sharply.
The chatter irritated Tsunade. Slamming her hand on the desk, she barked, "Enough! Quiet down!"
Her eyes shifted to Shikaku. "Shikaku! Terumi Mei will be arriving, and you'll be in charge of this matter. See to it that she's handled properly!"
"Yes, Tsunade-sama. You can count on me," Shikaku replied with a strained smile, the corner of his mouth twitching bitterly.
Kakashi and the others gave him sympathetic looks. Poor man, they thought. He'd been given the short end of the stick.
"Very well. This meeting is over. Everyone is dismissed—except Kaito and Kushina. You two stay and give me the mission details," Tsunade ordered.
Just as everyone turned to leave, Kaito's voice rang out. "Wait. There's something else I need to say."
The sudden interruption drew everyone's attention.
"I've made the Three-Tails my summoning beast. According to our agreement, it requires a safe sea territory. From now on, it will live peacefully under Konoha's protection."
The room fell silent. Eyes widened in disbelief, shock written on every face.
Even though Kaito's strength was already widely acknowledged, hearing that he had turned the Three-Tails into a summoning beast was staggering.
Only legends like Uchiha Madara had ever managed to control tailed beasts as summons, standing alongside the First Hokage himself.
Now, Kaito had achieved the same. Did this mean his power rivaled that of Madara?
Although the Three-Tails was not on the same level as the Nine-Tails, it was still a tailed beast.
Gasps rippled through the younger shinobi as the weight of his words sank in. The respect in their gazes toward Kaito deepened, and more than a few turned envious eyes toward Tsunade. To have such a disciple… it was a dream.
Feeling the attention, Tsunade straightened her posture, pride swelling within her.
Cough, cough. Tsunade cleared her throat. "Where do you want it to reside?"
"It needs to be far from the villagers, at the edge of Konoha territory, with plenty of water," Kaito explained.
"Shikaku!" Tsunade called.
"I know a place," Shikaku said after a moment of thought. "Near the Valley of the End, there's a small sea area. It's not very large, but it should be enough for the Three-Tails. The only issue is that it's a bit far from Konoha."
"That's fine," Kaito replied calmly. "If space is a problem, it can shrink itself."
"Then it's settled," Tsunade confirmed.
"Don't worry. It's my summoning beast now. It won't cause destruction or harm anyone, so long as it isn't provoked," Kaito reassured, sensing the unease in the room.
At his words, many of the shinobi relaxed. With his guarantee, there was no reason to fear.
The next day, sunlight sparkled across a wide river. The water was so clear that pebbles on the bottom and fish darting about could be seen with ease.
Hovering in the air, Kaito surveyed the area, satisfaction glinting in his eyes.
He bit his thumb, formed hand seals, channeled chakra, and slammed his palm down. "Summoning Technique!"
Not far away, Kakashi led Team 7, Kurenai led Team 8, Asuma with Team 10, and Guy with Team 3—all watching silently.
As teachers, they'd seen much, but this was something even they felt compelled to witness firsthand.
"Look! It's coming!" Asuma murmured, his students watching with wide eyes.
The woods filled with shinobi from different squads, all crowded together to see the spectacle.
A thunderous roar split the air. The ground trembled beneath their feet.
From the surge of chakra that followed, an oppressive pressure spread outward like a storm. Trees swayed violently, leaves tearing from their branches.
"This… this is the power of a tailed beast?" Kiba whispered, his face pale. Akamaru collapsed under the sheer pressure, legs trembling.
Shikamaru exhaled sharply. "Incredible." His gaze drifted briefly toward Naruto.
"Pathetic," the Nine-Tails sneered from within Naruto's mindscape. "A tailed beast reduced to a mere summoning beast."
Yet, deep down, it ignored the fact that it had been the first to endure the same fate.
"Enough!" Kaito's voice boomed as he faced the massive form of the Three-Tails. "From this day forward, this will be your home. No one will disturb you here. Live peacefully."
The great beast rumbled in response. "It's too small."
"Then shrink yourself. Don't pretend you can't. All tailed beasts can freely adjust their size." Kaito crossed his arms.
The Three-Tails froze, one massive eye narrowing suspiciously. This was a closely guarded secret among the tailed beasts themselves. How could this human know?
"You nine are chakra incarnations. Of course you can change size. Only fools would believe otherwise," Kaito replied with a smirk.
The Three-Tails regarded him silently, a newfound respect mixed with unease flickering in its gaze.
______
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