The words still came from the old monk's mouth, but both the tone and timbre had changed.
The old monk's voice was modest and steady, while this voice was sharp and arrogant.
It was the One-Tail, Shukaku, sealed inside the old monk's body.
In other words, the old monk before him was the One-Tail Jinchuriki.
Moreover, judging by Shukaku speaking through the old monk's body without going berserk, this guy was also a Perfect Jinchuriki.
Unfortunately, outsiders didn't know this.
They only knew Shukaku was sealed inside the old monk and often heard the old monk making Shukaku's sounds, so they thought he was possessed by Shukaku and imprisoned him as a monster.
To put it bluntly, it was just vulgar prejudice.
Hearing Shukaku's words, Ryuji couldn't help but sigh. "What's the big deal? You don't need to eat anyway. What's wrong with finishing some leftovers?"
"It's not about needing to eat or not; it's a matter of respect."
"Fine, don't eat then. I'll take the leftovers with me."
At this point, Ryuji changed the subject. "Old monk, I've now become part of Sunagakure's high command and have significant influence. After I return from my mission, I'll have them release you."
"Hah, are you humans that kind?"
The old monk couldn't help but sneer. The next second, his expression became peaceful again.
Clearly, the previous words were Shukaku's.
"It's better to forget it. This old monk is quite comfortable here."
"But here, you have no freedom at all."
"If your heart is free, you are free everywhere."
"Stop, stop, stop..." Ryuji made a stopping gesture. "Don't talk Buddhist philosophy with me. I don't understand it at all. I only believe in what I see, hear, and feel."
"Yes, people only believe in what they see, hear, and feel." The old monk sighed deeply. "People in the village see me as a monster. Even if I'm not, that's what they think."
"So, you care about others' opinions?"
"Yes." The old monk nodded. "If I go out, they will be fearful and afraid. But if I stay peacefully in prison, they will feel at ease."
Ryuji didn't speak.
He squatted down, looking directly into the old monk's eyes.
The old monk met his gaze frankly.
After a while, Ryuji sighed. "They never care about your feelings, yet you always think for them. Old monk, you are a good person."
"Amitabha!"
The old monk chanted a Buddhist invocation and picked up his chopsticks to eat and drink.
Ryuji's eyes sharpened, and his consciousness entered the seal space inside the old monk's body... Under a full moon, a vast desert. A massive tanuki monster with lavender patterns all over its body stood between the sky and land.
"Yo, little tanuki!"
Ryuji smiled and greeted it.
The tanuki, looking up at the moon, glanced sideways at the sound, then looked back at the sky.
"You look at this boring moon every day. Isn't it dull?"
"Hah, if it weren't for you humans, would I be bored enough to look at this boring moon every day?"
Ryuji rubbed the tip of his nose. "It was other person who sealed you, not me."
"Same difference." The tanuki sneered. "When the old monk is about to die, the next one to seal me will be you, right?"
"Probably will!"
Ryuji said somewhat uncertainly.
In the original work, it was Chiyo who performed the seal, but Sunagakure's situation is somewhat different now.
With him around, Sunagakure will inevitably flourish in the future, with excellent young successors emerging endlessly. They won't let an old person continue working at an advanced age.
"However, I will give you freedom."
"Hah, a bet is a bet. I promised to give you Chakra and won't go back on my word. No need to say contradictory things to flatter; it insults my intelligence."
At just seven years old, Ryuji was already a famous puppet designer in Sunagakure.
The theories and design concepts he often proposed benefited all the village's puppeteers.
Given this tremendous contribution and Ryuji's early wisdom, the village invested more in his growth than anyone in history.
All kinds of research materials… almost anything he asked for.
Even when Ryuji proposed wanting to research Tailed Beast Chakra, after considering for a month, the Third Kazekage personally took him to meet the old monk.
After a brief conversation, the Third Kazekage brought Ryuji's consciousness to this seal space for the first meeting with Shukaku.
At that time, Shukaku didn't acknowledge Bunpuku and was full of hatred for humans.
Not only did he refuse the child's request for Chakra, but he also viciously threatened to eat him.
But the child didn't mind. Instead, he responded with jokes and provocations, eventually making a bet.
'You who hate humans will inevitably also acknowledge humans, acknowledge your host.'
'I who hate humans will continue to hate humans forever.'
The two made such a bet.
If the child lost, Shukaku could kill him. If Shukaku lost, he had to promise to provide Chakra assistance when the child needed it.
Then, Shukaku lost.
He acknowledged Bunpuku, thinking he was the person the Sage of Six Paths spoke of.
Although the other party denied it, Shukaku still acknowledged the old monk.
Thus, he became Ryuji's Chakra battery.
The Chakra needed for various weapons and puppets all came from Shukaku.
Otherwise, with his standard Chunin-level Chakra Reserve, he wouldn't even have enough to supply Gin's needs.
"I'm telling the truth." Ryuji gently shook his head. "Tailed Beasts are seen as strategic weapons because of their massive Chakra. I cannot change this perception."
"Then that's that."
"But what if massive Chakra is no longer exclusive to Tailed Beasts?"
"You mean those rare items in the world?"
"Indeed, there are things in this world with Chakra comparable to or even surpassing us Tailed Beasts, but they are rarer than Tailed Beasts and even harder to control."
"Eventually, you humans will still turn your targets back to Tailed Beasts."
"I'm not talking about those things."
"Then what?"
"Chakra Generators..." Ryuji looked up at Shukaku. "Through researching the nature of Chakra, we create devices that produce Chakra. As long as we can develop such a thing, you Tailed Beasts will no longer be unique."
Shukaku silently stared at Ryuji, then suddenly scoffed.
"I thought you were going to say something. Is that all?"
"You think I can't make this thing?"
"If by 'Chakra Generator' you mean creating Chakra from nothing, then yes, that's what I think."
"Then shall we make another bet?"
Shukaku's heart skipped a beat, with a sense of foreboding. He felt this scene was eerily familiar.
"Bet on what?"
"Bet on whether I can create a Chakra Generator."
"What's the wager?"
"If I cannot research and develop a Chakra Generator within twenty years, I will release you before Bunpuku dies."
"And if you succeed?"
"If I succeed, you follow me until I die, then I'll set you free."