"You… what are you?"
A hint of fear seeped into Isobu's face as he took a massive step back, barely restraining the primal urge to flee.
The man before him was not like the sages he had met in the past.
Where those sages felt Wrong, in a sense. Not wrong in corruption… but wrong in how impossible he was.
As if someone had fused human and nature through sheer will and talent alone.
That was how Isobu's father did it. That was how every human he had ever seen did it as well — forcing nature to cooperate.
But Kyojiro was different.
Natural energy responded to him. Welcomed him. Bent to his call like loyal flames obeying their master.
His aura flickered faintly, a trace of fire ready to ignite the world around him.
he wasn't like them..
If Isobu had a word for him- he would call him the Son of Nature
Isobu understood instantly the magnitude of what he had sensed.
A human sage.
His voice trembled. "You are… a human sage."
But Kyojiro shook his head. "Not yet. I am still incomplete."
He extended a hand toward the beast. "Right now, I'm held back by my chakra. But with you—"
He stepped forward again, coming face-to-face with the colossal turtle-like creature.
"With you, I will be stronger than ever. Now… Isobu, will you trust me this once?"
.
.
.
Kakashi stood frozen, his mind still reeling.
A war… Sage of the Six Paths… the Ten-Tails… it was all true?
His eyes had widened to the size of saucers without him even realizing.
He stared at Kyojiro's back, seeing the moonlight gleam against the blindfolded man as though it recognized him — as though the man himself was a mystery deeper than Kakashi had ever imagined.
Suppressing the storm of thoughts in his head, he turned toward the Three-Tails again.
And then came the voice — deep, ancient, raw.
"Human… I have looked through your memories. The future anguish meant for my siblings and me."
In Kakashi's eyes, the Three-Tails no longer felt like an imposing beast.
It felt old. Intelligent. A survivor of eras.
"Normally… I do not trust humans. But something about you makes me want to root for you."
Isobu lowered his massive head, nudging closer to Kyojiro.
"So I will agree. However… I must first understand your intentions."
Kyojiro nodded. "Of course. I have only a few conditions."
He stepped forward, placing his hand against the beast's snout.
"First — I wish to be your jinchūriki. But only for a few months at most, maybe less."
He lifted a second finger. "Second — I will create a safe haven, like the Sage Lands, for you and your siblings."
A third finger rose. "And third — I ask all of you to stop harming innocents out of rage."
Isobu's deep voice rumbled with reluctant amusement. "At this point, human… I am done being shocked by your sincerity."
He nodded once. "Go on, then. I am ready."
For the first time since the meeting began, Kyojiro smiled.
He turned toward Kakashi.
"Kashi… use that kunai of yours. Bring Minato here."
Kakashi's eyes narrowed before realization clicked. "You're actually doing it now."
His voice was flat, but concern seeped through.
Still — he didn't hesitate.
His hand dipped into his pouch until his fingers brushed the cool metal of the three-pronged kunai.
Emotions flashed through him — uncertainty, tension, trust.
Then he exhaled.
I trust them both. Now or never.
Blue chakra surged through his hand, igniting the seals engraved into the kunai.
.
.
.
Minato sank into the warmth of Kushina's embrace, his hands sliding across her back as they held each other quietly in the moonlit night.
The silver-blue light painted their bodies as they lay together — bare, warm, tangled.
Ever since the war had neared its end, the two of them had grown closer than ever.
Most nights ended the same way — their protests dissolving until they surrendered to each other's warmth.
Kushina's fingers traced gentle circles across Minato's cheek, her thumb moving with soft affection.
Minato gave her a real smile — not the polite Hokage smile, not the dutiful one he gave everyone else.
But something true. Something born from love.
Then, suddenly, his eyes narrowed.
Kushina reacted instantly. "Minato? What happened?"
His voice was urgent. "Kakashi… he just signaled the kunai I gave him. I need to go, Kushina."
She stared at him for a heartbeat before leaning in and pressing her lips to his.
"Go. Now."
That was all he needed.
The Yellow Flash grabbed his Hokage cloak, strapped on his equipment pouch, and without another word — vanished.
I'm coming, Kakashi.
.
.
.
But reality, as always, defied expectation.
The moment he arrived, his chakra plummeted — nearly one-tenth gone. A significant drop even for him.
His eyes darted across the scene.
A lake… Kyojiro… Kakashi… and—
His gaze froze.
A tailed beast.
He instantly prepared to teleport both men away.
But a single voice cut through everything.
"Minato… stop."
Kyojiro's deep, calm tone halted the Hokage mid-motion.
The fiery-haired man turned.
"I called for you. We're not in danger, so don't worry."
Minato blinked twice.
No danger?
His voice edged with concern. "Kyojiro… do you not see the tailed beast behind you?"
Then embarrassment smacked him.
Right. Of course he can't see. I'm an idiot.
But Kyojiro just chuckled softly. "Isobu, say hi to Minato. He's one of the good ones."
Isobu huffed loudly. "I am not saying anything to any puny human."
His booming voice shook the water and the shore alike.
And Minato?
He just stood there, staring, completely overwhelmed.
What in the hell is happening?