Seishu's words immediately captured the full attention of both Kushina and Hiruzen Sarutobi.
If there truly existed a way to properly control the Nine-Tails' power, it would not only benefit Kushina personally but would also greatly strengthen Konoha as a whole.
Kushina stepped forward without hesitation and grabbed Seishu's arm, her violet eyes filled with urgency.
"Quick, tell me! What is this method?"
She no longer wished to remain confined within the Senju clan compound like a prisoner. Ever since becoming the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki, she had been isolated for safety reasons. Though she tried to act cheerful, the loneliness weighed heavily on her heart.
Hiruzen Sarutobi also looked at Seishu expectantly. Over the past two years, Seishu had given him surprise after surprise. The Hokage hoped this would be yet another miracle.
"Don't rush," Seishu replied calmly. "Listen carefully."
He paused briefly before beginning his explanation.
"As everyone knows, Madara Uchiha once attacked Konoha using the Nine-Tails. Eventually, he was defeated by the First Hokage."
"After that battle, the First Hokage personally captured the remaining Tailed Beasts and distributed them among the other villages. That was how the Jinchūriki system came into existence."
"Because of their immense destructive power, Jinchūriki have always been treated as weapons."
At this point, Seishu paused.
He gently reached out and ruffled Kushina's hair. She lowered her head slightly, and Hiruzen's face revealed a trace of guilt. No matter the justification, Kushina was still just a child forced to carry an unbearable burden.
"Go on," Kushina said after a moment. "I'm not that fragile."
Seeing her determination, Seishu nodded.
"Tailed Beasts are enormous and powerful, yes. But they are not mindless creatures."
"They possess intelligence. They can think, speak, and reason just like humans."
His tone grew firm.
"That means we can communicate with the Nine-Tails."
"We can even become companions."
Silence filled the room.
For generations, Tailed Beasts had symbolized catastrophe and devastation. To the shinobi world, they were natural disasters incarnate. The idea of befriending one sounded absurd.
Hiruzen did not immediately reject the idea—but he found it difficult to accept.
Kushina fell deep into thought.
Companions?
Her memory flashed back to the sealed space within her mind. The moment she had entered, the Nine-Tails had roared furiously, threatening to kill her. Its chakra had radiated overwhelming hatred and killing intent.
How could something like that ever become a companion?
Inside the sealed space, the Nine-Tails was also listening.
Although Seishu had suppressed it earlier, he had not strengthened the seal nor blocked its perception. The beast could clearly hear every word spoken outside.
"Strange human," the Nine-Tails muttered coldly within the darkness.
After thousands of years of existence, it had encountered countless humans. Every single one of them had sought to use its power for their own ambitions.
This was the first time a human had suggested communication rather than control.
The Nine-Tails lay behind the massive gate of the seal, eyes half-closed. It was not sleeping. It was listening.
Hiruzen finally spoke.
"Seishu, I understand your idea," he said slowly. "But even if we wish to communicate, what if the Nine-Tails refuses?"
His concern was not unreasonable. As Hokage, he had to consider Konoha's safety above all else. If something like today's rampage happened again, the consequences could be catastrophic.
"Hatred built over centuries cannot be erased overnight," Seishu admitted. "That is only natural."
"However, Kushina is now the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki. Their fates are intertwined. Whether they like it or not, they are bound together."
"That is precisely why communication is necessary."
He looked directly at Kushina.
"You must show goodwill. But you cannot be reckless like today and forcibly try to draw out its power."
Kushina lowered her head in embarrassment.
"I understand. I won't do that again."
Her apology was sincere.
"As long as you remain calm and attempt normal communication, nothing dangerous will happen," Seishu continued. "Of course, I'll be present in the beginning."
"At first, it won't respond kindly. It may insult you. It may threaten you. You must endure it."
"Be patient."
From there, Seishu explained in detail how Kushina could slowly initiate contact within the sealed space—speaking to the Nine-Tails, asking questions, sharing thoughts.
In truth, he had no firsthand experience. His knowledge came from memories of another life. Whether this method would work was uncertain.
But it was better than fear and stagnation.
"Wait," Kushina suddenly interrupted. "Is it really just called 'Nine-Tails'? Doesn't it have its own name?"
Seishu paused briefly.
"'Nine-Tails' is just what humans call it. It should have a name of its own."
He knew its true name—Kurama—but revealing that knowledge would raise too many questions.
"That makes sense," Kushina murmured thoughtfully.
Hiruzen observed the exchange carefully. Seeing Seishu's cautious and methodical approach, many of his worries faded.
He had feared Seishu's overwhelming strength might lead to arrogance. But instead, the young man displayed prudence beyond his years.
"Very well," Hiruzen said at last. "Seishu, I will leave Kushina in your care."
"I have other matters to attend to."
After the Hokage departed, shinobi were dispatched to repair the damaged Senju compound.
Not long afterward, Tsunade rushed back from the research base upon hearing the news.
Her heart pounded anxiously. Kushina and Seishu were her only remaining family.
When she saw them standing safely before her, she let out a long breath.
"Thank goodness you're both alright!"
The tension drained from her shoulders.
After such an incident, she had no desire to return to her experiments.
Meanwhile, news of the disturbance spread rapidly throughout Konoha.
Since the damage had been limited to the Senju compound and daily life remained unaffected, villagers discussed it casually.
"Lord Seishu is incredible!"
"He even suppressed the Nine-Tails!"
"Maybe he's stronger than the First Hokage!"
Ordinary civilians lacked a true understanding of Tailed Beast power. Their judgments were based on rumors and emotion.
But one thing was certain—Seishu's strength was undeniable.
Within the major clans of Konoha, leaders reached similar conclusions.
Many quietly began to believe that after Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Fourth Hokage would undoubtedly be Hirakawa Seishu.
His name once again became the center of discussion.
However, not everyone was pleased.
Within the Uchiha clan, hawkish voices scoffed.
"Hmph! What's so impressive about suppressing a rampaging Nine-Tails?"
"With our Sharingan, we could do the same—maybe even better!"
"If someone awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, we could control the Nine-Tails directly!"
Their pride ran deep.
To them, the Sharingan was supreme. The Uchiha were destined to lead.
It was this very belief that fueled whispers of reclaiming the Hokage position.
But Uchiha Fugaku, the clan head, rejected such dangerous talk.
He understood reality.
The Uchiha alone could not oppose all of Konoha.
A coup d'état would only lead to annihilation.
Fugaku had chosen a subtler path.
By allowing Uchiha Mikoto to marry Seishu, he had already tied the clan's future to the rising star of Konoha.
The stronger Seishu became, the more secure the Uchiha's position would be.
"Fugaku, dinner is ready."
A gentle voice interrupted his thoughts.
It belonged to Uchiha Ruine, a jōnin who had awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan. Strong and elegant, she was worthy of becoming the clan head's wife.
They were in the early stages of their relationship and planned to marry in a few years.
Elsewhere, within the Hyuga clan compound, a quieter discussion took place.
Hyuga Hiashi, head of the main family, asked his younger twin brother, Hyuga Hizashi, for his opinion.
"What do you think of Hirakawa Seishu?"
"Hirakawa Seishu is undoubtedly a rare genius," Hizashi replied respectfully. "In just two years, he has achieved remarkable fame."
Hiashi maintained a calm exterior, but inside he felt bitter.
Once, they had been inseparable brothers.
Now, Hizashi addressed him only as "Clan Head."
All because of the Caged Bird Seal.
Because of the division between main and branch families.
Hiashi questioned the system privately, yet he lacked the courage to overturn centuries of tradition.
"Should we choose a side?" Hiashi asked.
Unlike the Uchiha, the Hyuga had always supported the Hokage.
They rarely involved themselves in factional struggles.
"I am not wise enough to judge," Hizashi answered carefully. "Such matters require the Clan Head's decision."
Hiashi sighed inwardly.
Over the past two years, Orochimaru had faded from public view.
In contrast, Seishu had repeatedly proven himself.
Coupled with Hiruzen's open favoritism, the future seemed clear.
Hiashi quietly resolved that the Hyuga would support Seishu.
Deep within Konoha's prison, another man received the news.
Shimura Danzo's expression darkened.
"Hirakawa Seishu…"
His fingers tightened around his cane.
"When will Orochimaru finally make his move?"
Unlike Hiruzen, Danzo did not see Seishu as hope.
He saw him as an obstacle.
A threat.
And as Seishu's reputation continued to rise, so too did the tension brewing beneath Konoha's peaceful surface.
Unbeknownst to many, the path toward the next Hokage was already being shaped—not only by strength, but by ideology, alliances, and ambition.
And at the center of it all stood one young man proposing the unthinkable:
To turn hatred into understanding.
To turn a weapon into a companion.
Whether this ideal would succeed or shatter under reality remained to be seen.
But one thing was certain—
The winds of change had begun to blow through Konoha.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)