While Sasori was researching how to stop being human and Hidan was soaking in the Blood Pool awaiting a new round of evolution, Simu finally found the time to start studying Shukaku—the first Tailed Beast he had ever encountered.
Of course, taking it for himself was out of the question.
At this stage, Simu still needed the Akatsuki to provide him with intelligence and help in capturing Tailed Beasts. Furthermore, he was quite interested in Nagato's Rinnegan and that Gedo Mazo.
The legendary eyes of the Sage...
According to Simu's research, the genes of the Gedo Mazo contained multiple genetic locks, seemingly hiding some massive secret. However, the materials Simu had obtained from the Gedo Mazo were extremely limited, and he couldn't decode anything for the time being. He could only wait until after handing Shukaku over to Nagato to see if he could "shear more wool" by getting more materials from him.
Before handing Shukaku over to Nagato, Simu's task was to place Shukaku on the operating table for a thorough examination.
Simu turned his gaze toward Gaara, who was lying on the operating table. Ever since escaping the pursuit of the Hidden Sand Village, the boy had remained in a state of deep sleep. It wasn't that Simu was intentionally keeping him unconscious; rather, his own consciousness didn't seem to want to wake up yet. Simu could only use his tentacles to continuously supply Gaara with nutrients to ensure his survival.
Since you don't want to wake up, let me properly study the Tailed Beast inside your body.
Simu pushed his glasses up. A tentacle emerged from the Blood Pool, coiled around Gaara, and brought him into the crimson liquid.
Based on his research into Tailed Beasts and seals back in the Hidden Sand Village, an outsider could enter the interior of Gaara's body in the form of chakra. Shukaku was currently sealed within Gaara in the form of chakra. To ensure he could unleash enough power, Simu had to place Gaara into a Blood Pool Clone that could exert more of the original body's strength.
Once everything was ready, Simu temporarily suspended other experiments and focused his attention on this Blood Pool Clone located in the desert.
As Gaara sank into the Blood Pool, the warm, scarlet liquid enveloped him. Simu could feel Gaara merging into his body. While the description felt a bit strange, it was a merger in a literal sense.
Every drop of blood in the Blood Pool released a massive amount of chakra, surging into Gaara's body through every pore and rushing toward the seal along his meridians.
Consequently, Shukaku—who had suffered being sealed and pummeled in the Hidden Sand Village—once again saw "that man."
"Brat, let me out now!"
The moment Shukaku saw Simu, it struggled violently to break free from the seal on its body.
However, Simu only adjusted his glasses and spoke in a very flat tone, "Mr. Shukaku, it isn't that I want to seal you. Rather, the leader of our organization has specifically requested that you be sealed away."
He spread his hands and sighed. "On one hand, there is you, Mr. Shukaku, as a partner; on the other hand, there is my superior, the leader. This truly puts me in a difficult position..."
Upon hearing this, a burst of killing intent erupted from Shukaku. Even though it knew Simu was being hypocritical, this so-called "superior leader" probably wasn't a lie.
"Boy, who is your leader?" Shukaku asked in a sharp voice.
"Nagato. Have you heard of him, Mr. Shukaku?"
Simu sold out his superior without the slightest hesitation. After all, he was also curious about Nagato's true identity and why he possessed the legendary eyes of the Sage.
Shukaku frowned and shook its head. "I have never heard that name."
"What about the Rinnegan?"
Simu dropped a bombshell.
As expected, Shukaku's emotions became instantly agitated. It said in disbelief, "Rinnegan? Are you saying your leader has the Rinnegan?"
"Precisely. Those are the legendary eyes of the Sage."
Simu nodded slightly, giving Shukaku a definitive answer.
Hearing Simu's reply, Shukaku's first reaction was total denial.
"That's impossible! Aside from the Old Man of the Six Paths, it is impossible for anyone else to possess the Rinnegan!"
Simu's eyebrows twitched. The "Old Man of the Six Paths" in Shukaku's words clearly referred to the Sage of Six Paths. Since Shukaku addressed him so familiarly, did that mean it had some sort of deep connection with the Sage of Six Paths?
"What is your relationship with the Sage of Six Paths?"
Simu stopped guessing and simply asked directly.
Shukaku did not answer. Instead, it countered with a question, "Boy, even if that so-called leader of yours really has the Rinnegan, what does he want to collect the Tailed Beasts for?"
"Well..."
Simu scratched his nose and said with a smile, "That is a secret of our organization. It would be best if Mr. Shukaku answers my previous question before asking me."
The implication was clear: an exchange of information was required.
Shukaku thought it over several times. Considering the key to its potential unsealing was in this person's hands and that it wasn't a vital secret, it spoke out directly.
"Actually, all nine of us Tailed Beasts were separated from the Divine Tree by the Sage of Six Paths."
"Divine Tree?"
Simu caught onto a significant term, but unfortunately, Shukaku was unwilling to continue further. It urged him in return, "Your turn, brat. What is your leader's objective?"
"He wants us to collect the nine Tailed Beasts and seal them away to form a more powerful, ultimate force—one strong enough to deter the entire world and force it into peace."
Simu was smiling. Even when speaking of "peace" and the "strongest power," Shukaku saw no expression of awe on his face.
However, Shukaku's face darkened instantly upon hearing those words. It had already guessed what the other party's leader intended to do based on Simu's explanation. That was something it found very hard to accept. After all, no one wants to give up their freedom and be forced to stay forever with certain guys they detest!
"Boy, help me break the seal! I can agree to any conditions you have!"
A hint of urgency had entered Shukaku's voice.
Simu understood this urgency perfectly and also formed some guesses regarding Nagato's goal. However, he still maintained a look of difficulty on his face.
"Mr. Shukaku, you know, our leader's strength is very great..."
Before he could finish, Shukaku interrupted, "Brat, I can help you deal with that so-called leader of yours!"
Simu raised an eyebrow. It seemed Shukaku was truly terrified of being sealed away by Nagato.
"Mr. Shukaku, are you certain that with the strength of the two of us, we can contend with our leader who possesses the Sage's eyes?"
The scene from thousands of years ago, where the Sage of Six Paths treated the Tailed Beasts like children to be lectured, instantly flashed through Shukaku's mind. Even now, it had not forgotten the power contained in those eyes.
Thus, it closed its mouth.
Simu also narrowed his eyes. To make Shukaku this wary, it seemed the power contained within the Rinnegan was even stronger than he had imagined.
Would you like me to continue with the next chapter to see if Simu manages to extract more information about the Divine Tree from Shukaku?