The colossal body of Three-Tails Isobu surged up, dragging a tidal wave from the lakebed. Before it even broke the surface, half the woods around the lake were already flooded.
"Rokubi (Six-Tails)!"
Three-Tails Isobu let out a low, hoarse bellow.
At the same time, the massive turtle body breached the water, lifted its head, and stared toward the source of that earlier power.
Silence.
Aside from sheets of water sliding off the gargantuan carapace on Isobu's back, the whole world seemed to go quiet.
"Yo, long time no see, Three-Tails!"
Yuto grinned and waved nonstop at the beast, afraid it might miss him.
Boom!
The lake exploded again. Three-Tails Isobu plunged back beneath the surface even faster than before, bolting into the depths.
Damn it! Damn it!
Wasn't that guy sealed back then? Which bastard let him out?!
Run!
As for revenge or resistance—Three-Tails Isobu had no intention of either.
He'd picked this island not only because it was comfortable, but because there was a channel on the lakebed that led straight to the sea.
Right now, Isobu had only one thought: reach the ocean—only there was there a sliver of hope not to be caught by Yuto.
Lake shore.
Watching Three-Tails Isobu dive again at blinding speed, Yuto's waving hand froze in mid-air.
"Looks like I'm not very welcome."
He dropped his hand and sighed, helpless.
Still… you're not getting away today.
Kongō Fūsa (Adamantine Sealing Chains)!
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Three thick chakra chains burst from Yuto's body and speared into the largest lake.
Splaaash—
Three-Tails Isobu, sprinting for dear life along the lakebed, suddenly heard a clanging, chain-on-chain clatter behind him and couldn't help but glance back.
The next instant, his already frantic speed somehow kicked up another notch.
Too bad—the three thick chakra chains shot to his side even faster and wrapped him tight.
No matter how Isobu thrashed, he couldn't break the grip of the Adamantine Sealing Chains.
The chains began to retract, dragging the hulking Three-Tails back toward Yuto. Only Isobu's ragged, miserable roars echoed where he'd been.
It didn't take long before Three-Tails Isobu lay before Yuto.
Yuto stepped up, happily patted Isobu's massive head, wearing the pure joy of seeing an old friend.
Isobu sprawled obediently, unmoving, staring at Yuto from under his eyelids.
Even though Yuto was close enough that one snap could swallow him whole, Isobu didn't dare.
Best to behave, or take a beating.
After a moment, Yuto noticed Isobu lying there without saying a word and couldn't help but chuckle.
If anyone else saw this, they'd be stunned. Since when were tailed beasts this well-behaved?
"Alright then, let's talk."
Yuto shrugged and smiled at Three-Tails.
He'd expected to trade blows with Isobu first and discuss terms after.
But clearly there wasn't going to be a fight. He couldn't just punch the guy for no reason.
——
Mist Village.
Utakata sat on a thick branch, sulking, blowing bubbles now and then.
Before, no one ever came here but him—peaceful and quiet.
Since Yuto-sama arrived, though, people kept showing up.
First Kimimaro, then Ranmaru, then Ameyuri and the others.
And now Zabuza and Haku, too.
This place was turning into a gathering spot for the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
"You're up there?"
Yuto looked up at Utakata on the branch and waved.
Hearing Yuto's voice, Utakata blinked and peered down. He'd been lost in thought a moment ago.
But he hadn't even noticed when Yuto arrived.
Utakata moved, dropped from the branch, walked to Yuto's side, and greeted him respectfully:
"Yuto-sama!"
Yuto nodded slightly, glanced around in curiosity, and asked, puzzled, "Where are those guys?"
"They're all in the training field out back."
Utakata, knowing exactly who Yuto meant, answered softly.
Yuto nodded and turned to head for the training field, then suddenly remembered something and looked back at Utakata:
"Hold onto this one for me for a bit."
As he spoke, Yuto lifted a palm-sized turtle from his shoulder and tossed it to Utakata.
Utakata blinked at the tiny turtle and reached out one-handed to catch it. But just as his fingers touched it—
His face changed. He abandoned the one-handed catch for both hands, and the instant his body took the turtle's weight, he buckled.
Heavy!
Palm-sized, yet absurdly heavy.
"What is this?" The weight forced Utakata's face bright red. He couldn't help asking.
By then, Yuto didn't see Utakata's strained expression—he'd already turned and started toward the training field the moment he tossed the turtle.
"Three-Tails."
The faint reply drifted into Utakata's ears.
To Yuto, Three-Tails was basically a reserve battery. Since Isobu knew how to behave, Yuto couldn't be bothered to draw him fully into his body.
After all, having another will riding along inside felt awkward.
In Yuto's view, keeping Three-Tails perched on his shoulder wasn't much different from sealing him—tailed beasts were chakra to begin with, and he could draw on that anytime.
On the other side, upon hearing Yuto's voice fade,
Utakata stared at the palm-sized turtle in his hands and suddenly went rigid, cold sweat breaking out all over.
Sensing Yuto's aura vanish, the previously quiet Three-Tails Isobu slowly lifted his proud head and looked Utakata up and down with open disdain. "Kid, put me down."
Utakata flinched, quickly set Isobu on the ground, and sucked in a few deep breaths. Palm-sized or not, it was terrifyingly heavy.
This was the legendary Three-Tails. Even though Utakata was a jinchūriki, that didn't mean he felt no fear toward other tailed beasts.
Set down, Three-Tails Isobu looked satisfied. He gave Utakata a once-over, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
Didn't expect this brat to be the jinchūriki of that guy Saiken.
Maybe I should say hi to Saiken, Isobu thought with a mischievous little thrill.
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