Land of Lightning.
Inside a bustling small town, a constant stream of pedestrians moved back and forth on the streets.
There were families of three, with husband, wife, and child, out for a stroll, merchants traveling in convoys, leaning back in their carriages, and workers standing on scaffolding, repairing houses—a scene of prosperity, harmony, and flourishing growth.
"Come, come, take a look! Cloud Town's number one takoyaki! Even the Daimyo says it's good!"
A vendor with a towel around his neck stood behind his stall, waving his hand and shouting loudly.
The cutting board in front of him was piled high with steaming, golden-brown takoyaki, constantly emitting an enticing aroma.
"Boss."
A figure wearing a straw hat, with their face obscured, appeared in front of the stall, and a gentle voice emanated from beneath the hat.
"Two servings of takoyaki, please."
"Coming right up!"
Seeing a customer, the boss immediately stopped shouting, swiftly picked up the takoyaki, sprinkled it with seaweed flakes and dried squid, and finally inserted a toothpick before handing it over.
"Six hundred ryo, thank you for your business."
"Alright."
Looking at the freshly made takoyaki in his hand, Ren's eyes, hidden beneath his straw hat, subtly brightened, and he subconsciously swallowed.
Opening the box, raising the toothpick, spearing a piece, and putting it into his mouth—all in one smooth motion.
"Mmm~"
The burst of flavor that exploded after the bite instantly filled his entire mouth, and at the same time, a look of satisfaction appeared on Ren's face.
Although the Soldier Ration Pill had been improved and didn't taste bad, that was only an option when he had no other choice.
Being in a bustling city, Ren was more willing to try the local delicacies of the Land of Lightning.
Thus, Ren leisurely strolled down the street, eating as he went, looking around, and curiously approaching any novelties he hadn't seen before.
He continued walking and browsing until a sign for a hot spring inn appeared in his line of sight, and only then did Ren stop.
"Welcome!"
As soon as Ren entered, the attendant sitting behind the counter noticed him, quickly stood up, bowed slightly, and said with enthusiasm.
"Please help me book a room for three days."
As he spoke, Ren's gaze had already swept over the price list on the wall.
He took out several banknotes from his person, placed them on the counter, and said softly, "I like quiet, thank you for your trouble."
"Certainly, please wait a moment!"
Upon seeing the banknotes, the attendant's smile became even more enthusiastic.
While registering the check-in, he swiftly collected the banknotes from the table.
A moment later, he stood up, handed a set of keys to Ren, and said respectfully, "Welcome, please feel free to come here if you have any questions."
"Alright."
After watching Ren go upstairs and leave, the attendant returned to his seat, and his smile deepened as he looked at the extra income in front of him.
Meanwhile, upstairs, Ren had already found his room.
With a soft click, the dim room instantly became brightly lit.
"Not bad."
Ren took off his straw hat and casually placed it aside.
He walked around the room; the decor and cleanliness were good, and it was very quiet around, so the tip wasn't wasted.
After throwing himself onto the bed, Ren closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into his body.
When he opened them again, Chomei and Isobu Bro appeared before him.
"Brother Chomei."
Ren, with practiced ease, settled onto the top of his head, looked at the helmet-like face, and said, "I'll trouble you to contact Saiken's side."
"Leave it to me."
Chomei's wings on his back gently flapped, and his steady voice slowly resonated.
"Mm."
After receiving the reply, Ren exited the mental space.
When he opened his eyes again, he realized that the sky outside had already darkened at some point.
"It's getting dark."
Ren sat up from the bed, walked to the balcony, and saw the still bustling street below.
The vendors had turned on their lights, illuminating the street as bright as day, and the current foot traffic was no less than during the daytime.
"How lively."
After glancing for a moment, Ren withdrew his gaze, turned back into the room, picked up his key, and walked out.
Five minutes later, as a door slid open, Ren, with a white bath towel wrapped around his waist, slowly walked into the room.
"Hmm, this is more like it."
Looking at the steaming hot spring pool before him, Ren nodded in satisfaction.
He walked closer, untied his bath towel, placed it aside, and then immersed himself in the water.
"Oh~"
As soon as he sat in, a look of blissful satisfaction instantly appeared on Ren's face; the warmth spreading through his entire body was simply too comfortable.
Just then, Chomei's voice came from within his body.
"Alright Ren, I've already notified Saiken's side."
"Thank you for your trouble, Brother Chomei."
Ren opened his narrowed eyes slightly, speaking with a hint of laziness.
"Hey, Brother Chomei, Isobu Bro, do you want to come out and soak in the hot spring, get some fresh air?"
"Hm?"
At these words, the two beasts within him were instantly bewildered.
They looked at each other, exchanging confused glances.
If they were to come out for some fresh air in their current state, wouldn't they collapse the entire street?
"Of course, I'm not asking all of you to come out."
Noticing the confusion of the two beasts within him, Ren began to explain.
"Just like last time, I'll cooperate with you to draw out your Chakra, and it should be fine to solidify it outside, right?"
After speaking, Ren quickly added, "Of course, just use a portion, don't mobilize all of it."
He was a Jinchuriki, after all.
If the two beasts accidentally extracted all their Chakra, wouldn't he be finished?
After a brief explanation, the two beasts immediately understood Ren's meaning.
Chomei turned his head to look at Isobu Bro and said, "You go first."
"Mm."
Isobu Bro didn't refuse.
After nodding, he began to mobilize the Chakra within Ren's body, and under the latter's guidance, it began to flow outward.
From the outside, Ren's body was constantly emitting dark blue Chakra, which paused in the air for a moment before all converging onto the marble beside the hot spring pool, solidifying together and slowly taking shape.
In a short while, the Chakra flow from Ren's body stopped.
He slowly opened his eyes and turned his head to look at the side of the pool, where he saw a strange, small creature.
Familiar gray armor covered its body, tiny spikes dotted its entire form, and its single eye blinked at Ren.
"Bro… Isobu Bro?"
Looking at the creature before him, Ren was first stunned, then spoke with some hesitation.
"It's me."
Isobu Bro waved his three small tails behind him in response.
"…"
Ren's mouth twitched twice.
Looking at the miniature Isobu Bro before him, some memories instantly surfaced in his mind.
The other party in his childhood form; he hadn't expected it could be restored like this.
Suddenly, Ren's eyes lit up.
He looked down at his abdomen, a curious expression on his face.
Since Isobu Bro could revert to his childhood form, then Chomei…