Chapter 206: The Nine-Tails
A dizzying sensation overwhelmed Tonari.
This wasn't the first time he had entered a Tailed Beast's sealed space.
Whether it was the Two-Tails inside himself or the One-Tail inside Bunpuku, he had been here before.
But compared to the Nine-Tails' seal inside Kushina, the other spaces felt crude and insignificant.
Tonari's own sealed space was the simplest—a vast, gray void with only a single resting spot for the Two-Tails.
It was a representation of the Two-Tails' freedom—it could leave at any time if it wished.
Of course, the Two-Tails wouldn't do that.
If Tonari lost his Tailed Beast, it would mean his downfall.
And after so many years of cooperation, their bond had grown strong—there was no way the Two-Tails would abandon him now.
Compared to his sealed space, Bunpuku's One-Tail had a slightly better one—a vast ocean, iron chains binding Shukaku, preventing it from moving freely.
Yet, compared to Kushina's sealed space, even that felt rudimentary.
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The Seal Inside Kushina
Tonari glanced around.
The place resembled an underground industrial base—brick walls, rusted pipes running along them, an eerie atmosphere.
But the most striking feature?
Right in front of him—
A massive iron-barred cage.
Inside, an enormous, terrifying beast, its fiery orange fur resembling mountains, exuding an oppressive, suffocating aura.
Two blood-red eyes glowed menacingly, fixated on Tonari and the Two-Tails, which had materialized beside him.
Yet—
The Nine-Tails showed no surprise at their presence.
It simply lay there, forelegs crossed, chin resting atop them, tail lazily flicking.
"So, you've come. Looks like the Two-Tails is getting along with you just fine."
Its voice was calm, indifferent.
The Two-Tails and Nine-Tails had encountered each other several times before due to Tonari and Kushina's interactions.
Though the Nine-Tails was arrogant, it wasn't as loudmouthed as the One-Tail.
And while it didn't like the Two-Tails, it didn't dislike it either.
The Two-Tails, known for its good temper, simply nodded.
"Nine-Tails, let's talk."
Tonari stepped forward, stopping just before the cage, before calmly sitting down.
The Two-Tails remained right beside him, on high alert—
It knew it wasn't strong enough to match the Nine-Tails in a direct fight.
Though, not all Tailed Beasts were as reckless as Shukaku, who ran its mouth and got beaten down by the Nine-Tails every time.
"Talk?" The Nine-Tails snorted, raising an eyebrow. "What is there to talk about?"
It lazily stretched its tails, all nine spreading out like a massive fan.
At that moment—
A suffocating aura filled the space, an overwhelming pressure far beyond what Tonari had ever felt from the Two-Tails.
The sheer malice and power in its chakra made Tonari's expression tighten.
This was different.
This was the Nine-Tails.
The one rumored to contain over half of the Ten-Tails' chakra.
"Fox."
The Two-Tails growled, stepping forward protectively.
Seeing Tonari slightly affected by the pressure, it lowered its stance, ready to pounce.
The Nine-Tails sneered, slowly lowering its tails.
"Hmph. Looks like you've truly accepted him as your partner, Two-Tails."
A moment of silence.
Then, the Nine-Tails closed its eyes, voice slightly softer.
"The Old Man… always said we would eventually find the one who could guide us to our place in the world."
"It seems you've already found yours."
The Old Man?
Tonari immediately understood—
The Nine-Tails was referring to the Sage of Six Paths, Hagoromo Otsutsuki.
Tonari raised a hand, signaling the Two-Tails to stand down.
Then, he turned back to the Nine-Tails.
"I don't think we have any conflicts or interests that oppose each other."
"So why not have a proper conversation?"
The Nine-Tails lifted its gaze, staring down at him.
"You just want me to lend my power to that girl, don't you?"
It scoffed.
"Listen, just because the Two-Tails approves of you doesn't mean I will."
"That girl isn't the one I'm waiting for."
Of course not.
Tonari knew exactly who the Nine-Tails was waiting for.
Its true destined host—
Kushina's son.
But he didn't reveal that.
Instead, he smirked.
"What if I offered you information?"
The Nine-Tails narrowed its eyes.
"What kind of information?"
Tonari's smirk deepened.
He raised one finger.
"Let me guess… The person you fear the most in your entire existence?"
The Nine-Tails' body tensed.
It slowly sat up, its eyes narrowing dangerously.
"…You know something?"
Tonari leaned forward.
"Relax. Kushina isn't listening in—this conversation stays between us."
The Nine-Tails' gaze darkened.
Its mind subconsciously conjured an image—
A man with long black hair, wielding a massive war fan, eyes glowing red with an ominous pattern.
A man that haunted its memories.
Tonari leaned in.
Then, in the softest whisper, as if saying it too loudly would invoke the man himself—
He spoke a name.
A name that shook the Nine-Tails to its core.
Its crimson pupils shrank in shock.
The legendary, untamed Nine-Tails—
For the first time, its face twisted in fear.
"…How do you know that name?"
Tonari smirked.
"That's not important."
"What's important… is that he's still alive."
Silence.
For the first time, the Nine-Tails said nothing.
But its chakra roared, swirling violently.
This was worse than its earlier pressure.
A storm of hatred, rage, and terror churned within its massive frame.
Its voice was low, trembling with suppressed fury.
"…Uchiha Madara."
There it was.
The boogeyman of the Nine-Tails.
The man who enslaved it, who stripped it of its will, reducing it to nothing but a weapon.
A man who treated it like an object.
Tonari's eyes remained calm.
"He still sees you as nothing more than a weapon."
The Nine-Tails' fur bristled, its fangs grinding.
"Enough!!"
It roared—
The sealed space trembled under its wrath.
Tonari, unfazed, stood his ground.
Then—
"This isn't enough for you?"** he said, smirking.
"Fine. Then let's negotiate."
And so—
In the depths of the Nine-Tails' seal, Tonari and the most powerful Tailed Beast engaged in a silent, intense bargain.
A deal only they and the Two-Tails would ever know.
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