A Tailed Beast gives a village immense deterrent power—sometimes even more than the Kage who leads it.
In terms of sheer destructive potential, a Tailed Beast stands above any human. Even the One-Tail, Shukaku—just one Tailed Beast Ball from it could annihilate a village if no Kage-level ninja were there to intervene.
And even Kage-level shinobi don't always have a way to stop a Tailed Beast Ball. That is how important these creatures are.
"No matter whose body the Tailed Beast resides in—as long as it returns to the village, that's enough," Mei Terumī said, slowly sitting down as her sharp gaze fell upon the former Jinchūriki—Utakata.
"Killing your master, defecting from the village... As a Jinchūriki of Kirigakure, you will face judgment for your actions."
Only now did Utakata seem to notice her presence. His eyes flickered, calm yet defiant.
"Are you the new Kage?"
Mei nodded. "That's right. I am the Fifth Mizukage—Mei Terumī."
Utakata clenched his fists. "My master wanted to kill me and take the power of the Tailed Beast, I—"
Ao cut him off sharply. "Your master never intended to kill you. He only wanted to separate you from the Tailed Beast—to free you from the curse of being a Jinchūriki!"
Utakata froze. "Impossible…"
He wanted to retort that such a thing couldn't be done. Yet here he was—alive and well—even after losing the Six-Tails.
If he thought carefully… just as Shigure had once said, not everyone could withstand the power of a Tailed Beast. Without the proper body or will, that power only consumed.
Could it be… his master hadn't wanted his death, but his freedom?
"No… no, that's not true… He only wanted to take the Tailed Beast's power for himself…"
Even now, Utakata refused to admit it. His pride would not allow it.
Shigure sighed inwardly. He'll never accept the truth—not even at the end.
"Ao. Take him away."
The sudden command made Ao blink. Since when did a Genin give him orders? He was a Jōnin!
But he didn't argue. Shigure's strength was already far beyond that of a Genin, and Mei herself had chosen to groom him as her successor. Moreover, Shigure was now the Six-Tails' new Jinchūriki.
That fact alone tied him inseparably to Kirigakure. If any other village tried to claim him, it would be an act of war—a spark for the Fourth Great Ninja War.
"…Understood. I'll take him away."
Two Mist-nin escorted the still-dazed Utakata out.
Shigure looked at Ao helplessly. "You can go too."
Only then did Ao realize Shigure wanted to speak privately with the Mizukage. If he had said so earlier, Ao wouldn't have lost face in front of everyone.
When the room fell silent, Mei turned to him. "What is it you wanted to discuss?"
"The Six-Tails has been secured and returned to the village," Shigure began. "Now, it's time to deal with the Three-Tails."
Mei nodded slightly. With the Six-Tails stabilized, recovering the Three-Tails seemed like the natural next step.
But still…
"About the Three-Tails," Shigure continued, "there's no suitable Jinchūriki candidate right now, is there?"
Mei's lips curved into a faint, weary smile. "Of course not. Finding a compatible host isn't easy."
"Then let me do it," Shigure said firmly. "Make me the Three-Tails' Jinchūriki."
Mei froze. For a moment, she thought she had misheard. Her eyes narrowed, studying the boy before her.
"You… want to become the Jinchūriki of two Tailed Beasts?"
Such a thing had never happened before. It was unthinkable.
"That's madness," she said slowly.
"No one has ever survived hosting two Tailed Beasts at once. Do you realize what kind of chaos that could unleash?"
Shigure smiled calmly.
"The current Hidden Mist has too many problems. The people have lost their faith in the village. Maybe… it's time someone did the impossible to change that."
"At a time like this, the more shocking the event, the more it will stir the people's hearts. The village will be revitalized!"
There was truth in Shigure's words. If the people learned that Kirigakure possessed a Jinchūriki capable of controlling two Tailed Beasts at once—
Not only would it electrify the citizens, but it would also send shockwaves throughout the entire Shinobi World.
Mei Terumī thought deeply. The idea sounded insane, but perhaps it wasn't impossible. Still, could Shigure truly endure the power of two Tailed Beasts within one body?
"Do you really think you can withstand the power of both?" she asked, her voice calm yet probing.
Shigure stood up slowly, his gaze unwavering.
"The Six-Tails' power puts no strain on me at all. Adding the Three-Tails will be no problem. Don't worry, Lady Mizukage—I never take on something I'm not confident about."
He placed his hand over his chest.
"After becoming the Six-Tails' Jinchūriki, I've studied Tailed Beast chakra extensively. I already know how to perfectly synchronize it with my own. The fusion process isn't an issue anymore."
He smiled faintly, a quiet confidence radiating from him.
"Not just two—if all the Tailed Beasts were sealed within me, I could still handle it."
His words were arrogant—domineering even—but Mei didn't immediately react. She watched him carefully, weighing every possibility.
"…Let's find the Three-Tails first," she said at last.
Shigure nodded.
"As for the Three-Tails' location," he continued, "there should be some leads in a few days."
Mei looked up, eyes narrowing slightly.
"You've already sent people to search for it?"
"That's right," Shigure replied confidently.
"And bringing back the Three-Tails may also allow us to reclaim a powerful ninja for Kirigakure. Someone whose return could help reshape the village's future."
Mei frowned. "Who?"
If it was an outsider, Kirigakure wouldn't easily accept them.
"A missing-nin," Shigure said. "One of our own."
Her expression darkened. "A missing-nin?"
Shigure could tell her hesitation wasn't out of personal disapproval—it was the village's deeply ingrained hostility toward deserters. Among the Five Great Ninja Villages, none were stricter about missing-nin than the Hidden Mist.
He sighed softly.
"Isn't capturing the Three-Tails enough to atone for his past crimes?"
Atone for sins?
That concept was almost unheard of. What missing-nin had ever tried to earn redemption through service to the village?
Seeing her silence, Shigure smiled faintly. "Judging from your reaction… it means this idea can be tried."
Mei didn't answer right away. She didn't approve, but she didn't reject it either. That was enough.
"At worst," Shigure continued, "we can let him live under supervision. Give him punishment later if necessary. But the village could use another strong hand."
Mei sighed. "Earning the village's trust after desertion is harder than you think. You might even be rejected yourself for supporting him."
Shigure smiled as he turned toward the office door.
"As a Jinchūriki of two Tailed Beasts, being rejected is nothing new."
He paused at the doorway, glancing back. "When someone becomes strong enough, fear replaces hatred. And fear… becomes awe."
With that, Shigure left the Mizukage's office.
Outside, the wind carried the scent of salt and sea.
Far above the ocean, from the direction of Konohagakure, a messenger eagle soared swiftly toward the Hidden Mist Village…
...
TN:
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