Kazuyama Gekkō shot Shukaku a glare.
"Do you think lying to you would get me a meal?"
"I've already fought that guy several times and even killed one Rinnegan user, but I'm sure those eyes were reclaimed."
"Next time we meet, we'll probably be facing another one."
Shukaku fell silent at Kazuyama's words.
If it really was Rinnegan combined with Wood Release... damn it, the Tailed Beasts didn't stand a chance.
After all, back then, Hashirama Senju alone had beaten every Tailed Beast using just Wood Release—even that damned Nine-Tails wasn't spared.
"Hahahaha! Big raccoon cat! What's wrong? Scared?"
"Where's that feral tanuki who used to pick fights with anyone that annoyed him?"
"Come on! Keep going!"
Chōmei clearly enjoyed provoking him, throwing out taunts without hesitation.
Hearing that voice and seeing him flutter about, Shukaku exploded with anger.
"You damn insect! You're begging for it!"
"Eat sand! Catch this!"
Unable to stomach the mockery, Shukaku hurled massive clumps of sand one after another.
Well, Tailed Beasts were nothing if not powerful—those sand projectiles could crush a man in an instant.
But Chōmei wasn't fazed. His six wings acted as natural shields, each flap deflecting the sand effortlessly.
"Enough, you two."
"Is this really the time to fool around?"
Kazuyama sighed, watching the scene with visible irritation. Were these really Tailed Beasts? They looked more like two overgrown children—particularly the kind that deserved a smack.
At his words, the two beasts stopped and exchanged awkward looks.
"Hey, brat," Shukaku grumbled, "if what you're saying is true, then we've got no way to resist."
"The First Hokage alone could suppress us all. Add the Rinnegan to that, and we'd just be reduced back into the Ten-Tails' power again."
Kazuyama spread his hands.
"If you want to surrender to fate, go ahead. I won't."
"You've seen it yourself—I'm the Seven-Tails' Jinchūriki. If Chōmei's extracted, I'll die too."
"So I don't intend to let that happen."
"My Senjutsu training exists for that exact reason."
Shukaku glanced at Kazuyama's crystal-lined, translucent torso and fell silent once more.
He could feel the overwhelming energy inside him—pure Sage chakra. It was so vast and dense that Shukaku began to wonder if this was even a human standing before him or another Tailed Beast in human form.
"Even with Senjutsu, it's foolish to challenge the power of the Six Paths. You have no idea how strong that force really is."
Wrong again.
If anyone in the ninja world understood the power of the Six Paths best right now, it was Kazuyama.
After all, he was the one who had read the original story.
"My understanding of the Six Paths isn't any less than yours."
"I know about Yin–Yang Release and the Truth-Seeking Orbs, but all of that requires becoming the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki first."
"But what if he fails to do that?"
A confident smile tugged at Kazuyama's lips. He wasn't planning to die this time around.
Shukaku wanted to mock him, but when he saw that certainty in Kazuyama's eyes, the words caught in his throat.
"What are you planning?"
Hearing Shukaku's tone soften, Kazuyama smiled faintly.
That was what he'd been waiting for. Shukaku had a temper that could rival the Nine-Tails, but once he let down his guard, there was room to talk.
"Unite all the Tailed Beasts and face the enemy together."
"But you know most of the Tailed Beasts are sealed inside their Jinchūriki."
"That's why I came to Gaara. Compared to the monk Bunpuku, Gaara can draw out your power far better."
"He already has Magnet Release, plus that automatic sand defense formed from his mother's chakra."
"As long as you don't harm him, he can grow into a powerful shinobi in his own right. That's the biggest advantage we have."
Shukaku scoffed, unimpressed. He didn't think much of Gaara.
A kid who cried every time something went wrong? What could he possibly accomplish?
"Don't doubt it. That kid has limitless potential."
"Why else do you think I took him as my disciple?"
In response, Shukaku shamelessly jabbed a finger at himself and said something that left both Kazuyama and Chōmei speechless.
"Isn't it because of me, this great lord?"
"I'm Shukaku, the One-Tail! In this desert, I'm invincible!"
Invincible?
Kazuyama and Chōmei exchanged a look.
Kazuyama raised his right hand, and a terrifying chakra gathered rapidly. Under the moonlight, a transparent spear radiating immense energy formed in his grasp.
"Sage Art: Crystal Release—Spear of Oblivion."
At the same time, Chōmei's six wings flared open, the Seven-Tails' chakra condensing at an astonishing speed.
The rate at which the Tailed Beast Ball formed left Shukaku gaping.
"What the—Chōmei, did you take something?!"
"Since when could a Tailed Beast Ball form that fast?!"
"Damn it! And you, brat, put that spear away!"
"Fine! I won't brag anymore!"
Hearing Shukaku's surrender, Kazuyama and Chōmei dispelled their chakra.
With the barrier formed by the Crystal Release Sage Art, Kazuyama didn't worry about any chakra leaking out.
"Hmph, Shukaku, I wasn't joking."
"If you can come to an understanding with Gaara and work with him from now on, I'll train him properly."
"I'll make him strong in no time—you'll be proud of him."
Shukaku nodded grudgingly. The idea of cooperating with a kid annoyed him, but what could he do?
Kazuyama's chakra was terrifying enough to make even a Tailed Beast uneasy. When that spear had formed earlier, even the air and sand had begun to crystallize. He didn't want to lose another arm anytime soon.
"Fine, fine. I'll talk to the brat."
"But if he doesn't listen, that's not on me!"
Shukaku slumped down into the sand with a sigh.
Couldn't win in a fight, couldn't win in an argument—being a Tailed Beast just wasn't easy these days.
Seeing him finally relent, Kazuyama smiled. Exactly the outcome he'd wanted.
"Don't worry. I'll make sure Gaara accepts you."
"After all, the fastest way for a Jinchūriki to grow is through harmony between human and beast."
"Alright, Shukaku. Go on. Starting tomorrow, Gaara's officially your Jinchūriki."