It was pretty calm and peaceful with massive trees with thick, intertwining branches stretched toward an endless sky. Hanging comfortably from one of the sturdiest boughs was Son Goku, the Four-Tails.
"You came to see me so quickly," Son Goku's voice echoed through the mindspace.
Kaien stood on a thick hanging branch below, looking up. Back in the real world, his words would have stammered but here in the mindspace he had no issue. "Well, you accepted being sealed without causing a ruckus. I figured I owed you a visit."
The ape let out a low grunt, adjusting his grip on the branch. "Well, the Raikage was strong. I simply didn't want to deal with him. Besides, that man is old and will be dead in twenty years anyway; time is nothing to a Tailed Beast. I can always just break free of you when your clock runs out. If anything, my only regret was being separated from my siblings. I was always put so far away from Kok—" Son Goku paused and caught himself, huffing in annoyance. "Silly me, I blurted out his name. The Five-Tails. Though distance means nothing to tailed beast. We can talk anytime, oops again."
Kaien smiled faintly, crossing his arms. "You're quite smart, aren't you?"
"Didn't I mention it before?" Son Goku retorted, his crimson fur shifting as he looked down at the young shinobi. "I know exactly what you want from me. It is always the same thing with you humans."
"Yes, that's true," Kaien admitted openly and there was no point in lying. "But I'd be lying if I said I am entirely different from the humans you've encountered before. I want strength. However, I can guarantee you one thing: if I consider someone as my own, I will never abandon them."
Son Goku narrowed his eyes, peering deep into Kaien's conscious. The beast could glance into his memories. "Darui, is it? Didn't you hate him?"
Kaien's expression softened. "I did. At some point over the past three years, I blamed him for trauma and the suffering I had to face. But he is still a comrade, he willingly risked his life for me, and I couldn't bear to just stand by and watch him fall. We humans... we are capable of holding multiple, conflicting emotions at the very same time."
Seeking to steer the conversation away from his own vulnerabilities, Kaien looked around at the towering forest. "By the way, do you wish to change the scenery? I assumed apes would like living among big trees, but if you prefer a different landscape, let me know. I know what it feels like to be captured, and I don't want this place to feel like a cage to you."
Son Goku looked around the green expanse. "Well, let's see. I don't really have a preference. However, I want the scenery to change every day. Watching the exact same thing will get too boring."
"I can make that happen," Kaien replied smoothly. Then, he added a casual afterthought. "By the way, do you like bananas?"
Son Goku, who had been speaking with the calm dignity, completely lost his composure as his veins throbbed on his temples. In a flash of terrifying speed, his massive form vanished from the branch and reappeared directly in front of Kaien.
Before Kaien could even blink, a massive fist connected with his chest. The force sent Kaien flying backward, tumbling through thick branches and crashing violently through the underbrush.
Son Goku stood tall, huffing steam from his nostrils as he roared, "I am not a monkey! I am an ape! And... I prefer nuts!"
Kaien slowly pushed himself up from the branch, dusting off his clothes. He looked up at the furious Son Goku and gave a sheepish smile.
"Well... I will keep that in mind," Kaien muttered, before pulling his consciousness back into the real world.
~~
Deep within the secluded walls of the Uchiha compound in Konoha, Fugaku Uchiha sat in the dim light of his private study in his house, a scroll unrolled before him. These specific documents had been appearing mysteriously within the clan's borders. After analysing the scroll, the origin was undeniable: Kumogakure was reaching out to them. [A/N: Renga has been teleported the information scrolls around Uchiha compound.]
Fugaku's black eyes scanned the scroll, as it read:
"In the last three attacks, while Konoha was fully occupied dealing with the Raikage, you, the Uchiha, seized the opportunity and began covertly sending Uchiha civilians to Kumo. We have successfully arranged secret and secure quarters for them. The Uchiha can now begin sending the children to the Valley of the End just like how we picked your the Uchiha civilians, and your shinobi should start requesting long-term missions. You can officially report any absences as 'missing in action.' or delay in missions.
Once the Uchiha children are safely in our custody, we shall launch one more attack. The Uchiha clan can help us thwart Konoha's defenses while your remaining clanmates can make a clean retreat."
Ten-year-old Itachi Uchiha broke the silence in the room. "What does the scroll say, Father?" Itachi asked quietly. "How are our clanmates? Did they reach the destination safely?"
Fugaku looked up, the heavy lines on his face softening just a fraction. "Yes. They are safe. Now, it is time for the children to move. I want you and Shisui to lead this phase." He rolled the scroll shut. "Plan carefully. Coordinate long missions with the other kids to get them out of the village perimeter. Meanwhile, you and Shisui must continue taking short, high-visibility assignments here. It will throw Konoha's attention off our trail and keep them from becoming suspicious for a short while. They already have eyes on both of you."
Fugaku stood up, walking over to the window to look out over the compound. "Know this, Itachi: our time in Konoha was always fleeting. If we want our clan to be respected... if we want to survive... we must do this for the sake of our family. We cannot stay in a village that plots behind our backs, waiting for the right moment to eliminate us. It could happen to anyone we love. To Shisui, to Sasuke... to Izumi."
"Shisui, your grandfather, Kagami-san, is currently being controlled by Danzo. You know how the situation is at the very top of Konoha's leadership."
Shisui Uchiha stepped forward from the shadows of the room, his expression deeply troubled.
Shisui took a sharp breath, his voice tight with desperation. "Do you truly believe this is our only answer, Fugaku-sama? Is there really no option left for us to peacefully coexist within Konoha? I could attempt to use my secret ability... the Kotoamatsukami. I can alter the Hokage's mind, forcing a peaceful resolution and ensuring the Uchiha's safety."
Fugaku turned around, looking at Shisui with pity. "Can you? You know exactly how deeply distrustful Danzo is. Is there ever a moment where he is not surrounded by those sensor brats from the Hyuga clan? The moment you attempt to weave your visual prowess, they will notice the chakra disruption around your eyes. They will immediately know you are putting Danzo under a Genjutsu, and it will trigger the very slaughter we are trying to avoid."
~~
A/N: So, Kaien becomes a jinchuuriki and Son Goku doesn't like being treated like a monkey, he is a Great ape and he likes nuts.
Uchiha's asylum has finally started, Danzo will surely notice things and Hyuga is on his side... and he is slow getting control of konoha.
Upto 20 Advance chapters available @ patreon.com/aizenDuchiha0