The Three-Tails, Isobu, was the most unique existence among all the Tailed Beasts.
Not because of his strength.
But because, among all current Tailed Beasts, he was the only one who was free.
According to Isobu's own account, his luck was rather rotten:
During the Third Great Ninja War, Kirigakure used him as a time bomb, sealing him within a Konoha kunoichi. The plan was to release his seal after she returned to Konoha, letting him vent his fury upon the Konoha ninja. But the young girl refused to comply, even at the cost of her life, and committed suicide…
And then…
He died.
Later, after finally reviving, it wasn't long before people from Kirigakure came looking for him again. This time, his luck was a bit better; his Jinchuriki was the Fourth Mizukage of that time. Just when he thought he wouldn't have to die again…
The Fourth Mizukage was controlled by genjutsu…
That's right, the dignified Mizukage of Kirigakure was shamefully controlled by genjutsu…
Consequently, he didn't escape either and spent several more years in a daze.
One day, he was astonished to find that the genjutsu had been dispelled!
Furthermore, his own Jinchuriki had been beaten half to death. Although Isobu didn't know the reason, having only recently revived, he had no desire to experience death again. He immediately broke free from the Jinchuriki's seal.
Taking advantage of the ninjas' moment of stunned surprise…
He ran.
He ran to a remote little island.
It wasn't that he was timid; it was just that the sealing ninja окружающих, who were eyeing him covetously and poised to strike, were simply too terrifying.
Fortunately, those ninja seemed to have suffered heavy losses in their battle with the Fourth Mizukage and didn't pursue him.
That was how he became a free beast.
"Isobu, did you ever see that guy's face?" Naruto asked.
A significant reason he had sought out Isobu first was because of this matter.
A formidable individual capable of controlling a Kage and a Tailed Beast…
"No, that guy wore a spiral mask, only revealing one Sharingan," Isobu said helplessly.
"Was it a Mangekyo?" Naruto had also done in-depth research on the Sharingan.
After all, the Nine-Tails had also been controlled by the Sharingan back then.
The similar experiences of Kurama and Isobu couldn't help but make him wonder: were Tailed Beasts weak to the Sharingan?
The Mangekyo Sharingan was powerful, that was certain; it was, after all, the ultimate manifestation of the Uchiha clan's evolving kekkei genkai.
But it couldn't be that outrageously powerful.
After all, in Uchiha history, there had been quite a few ninja who had awakened the Mangekyo.
If it could so easily control beings as powerful as the Tailed Beasts, the Uchiha would have unified the ninja world long ago.
"That ocular power… it was definitely a Mangekyo," Isobu nodded slightly.
Hearing this, Naruto fell into deep thought.
The known Mangekyo Sharingan wielder in the ninja world was Uchiha Itachi, the destroyer of the Uchiha clan…
But based on the timeline, when Isobu was being controlled, Uchiha Itachi was still alive and well in Konoha.
Which meant there were other Mangekyo Sharingan wielders in the ninja world.
"This mystery just keeps getting deeper…" A glint of excitement flashed in Naruto's eyes.
A Mangekyo Sharingan user… I'm really looking forward to facing such a powerful opponent… he thought to himself.
"We're here!" Isobu's four feet landed on the continental shelf, and he slowly climbed up.
Boom!
Isobu's massive form suddenly burst from the water's surface, creating countless waves. Amidst them, a large number of sea fish were swept up by these waves and left the ocean along with them.
Naruto seized the opportunity, making several swift moves. In no time, he had gathered enough ingredients for the day's meals.
Following a river channel, Isobu finally reached his destination: a vast lake.
"Isobu, why don't you choose the ocean as your dwelling place?" Naruto asked.
Even if Kirigakure was one of the Five Great Hidden Villages, it would be impossible to find a Tailed Beast in the vast, boundless ocean.
"The seawater is too salty; I don't like it." After placing Naruto on land, Isobu's enormous body slowly sank into the lake, leaving only half of his head exposed.
"…" Naruto's mouth opened and closed a few times. Thinking of Isobu's massive, turtle-like body, he didn't know what to say.
I thought you were a sea turtle, but it turns out you're a freshwater turtle.
"How long have you been staying here?"
"How long?" Isobu blew a large number of bubbles on the water's surface. "Ever since I escaped the seal, I've been here."
"Right, hold out your hand."
"What is it?" Naruto asked, extending his hand.
"You're my first human friend. This is a gift for you," Isobu said, controlling his tail to gently touch Naruto's hand.
Suddenly, from the point of contact, a massive surge of chakra flowed continuously into Naruto's body.
The chakra was so immense that it even manifested as a projection in his mental space.
Kurama looked up at the grey chakra sphere above and couldn't help but scoff.
That little bit of chakra? Who do you think you're kidding?
"You think I'm you?" Isobu retorted, seemingly sensing his thoughts.
"Thanks, Isobu," Naruto said gratefully, feeling the sudden influx of chakra within his body.
"You're welcome." Isobu slowly retracted his tail.
His recovery speed wasn't like that bastard Kurama's; giving away so much chakra would require a long period of recuperation.
"Take this." Naruto handed him a scroll.
"What's this?"
Isobu manipulated a stream of water to take the scroll.
"Proof of identity for the Dragon Heritage," Naruto said with a smile. "If you encounter danger, crush this scroll."
During their conversations in the mental space, Isobu had already agreed to join the Dragon Heritage.
Part of Naruto's reason for seeking out Isobu was also to meet up with a fellow organization member.
"Oh, okay." Isobu just shook his head slightly, and ripples spread across the lake's surface.
"You rest up first. I'm going to Kirigakure to take a look."
Ever since learning about the masked man, Naruto had wanted to meet this person. He wanted to know what the man's purpose was in controlling the Kage of a village.
To rule Kirigakure? To satisfy some personal, twisted amusement? A private grudge?
Or something else entirely.
"That guy should have left Kirigakure by now," Isobu said.
"There's a very strong kunoichi in Kirigakure. My previous Jinchuriki was defeated by her."
"Finding the masked man is just a side objective. I'm more interested in seeing what the former 'Village of the Bloody Mist' looks like now," Naruto said.
"Be careful. That woman is very strong." Hearing this, Isobu didn't say anything more.
Border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind.
A massive contingent of ninja forces faced each other.
A Konoha ninja quickly rushed from the rear to the very front of the formation.
"What are the village's orders?" Kakashi asked, tilting his head slightly.
When the Sunagakure ninja forces had pressed towards the border, he happened to be on a mission near the Land of Fire's border and was thus drafted to the front lines as a temporary commander.
"If Sunagakure initiates an attack, Kakashi, you have full decision-making authority," the messenger ninja relayed the village's exact words.
"…I understand." Kakashi nodded, pushing up the forehead protector that covered his left eye, revealing the crimson Sharingan beneath.
Through the Sharingan's powerful vision, Kakashi could clearly see the face of every Suna ninja opposite him.
Further back, at the temporary command post.
"Are we going to have to fight on the battlefield too?" Sakura asked nervously.
Kakashi wasn't the only one who had been conscripted; all ninja squads on missions near the border had been drafted.
"You can rest assured on that point." Shikamaru glanced at her, then at the equally nervous Ino, and said reassuringly, "Given our lack of strength and experience, the village has conscripted us primarily to help transport supplies at most."
Assuming the situation remains stable… Shikamaru added inwardly.
If the border defenses were breached, the Suna ninja wouldn't care whether they had experience or if they were just brats fresh out of the Ninja Academy.