"Gyūki, just who was that guy back there?"
Killer B finally noticed something was wrong. Gyūki's condition felt off—he'd even let out a pained cry while retreating. Had he been hit by some kind of technique?
Killer B immediately grew tense.
His relationship with Gyūki was completely different from Naruto and the Nine-Tails. After so many years of cooperation, they were comrades in arms. Otherwise, Gyūki would never have taken the initiative to help him escape.
Gyūki fell silent for several seconds.
Then it spoke in a low, heavy voice.
"That man… is extremely dangerous. He has techniques that directly attack the spirit. My mental energy was blown apart."
"Return to the village immediately. Tell A."
Killer B's expression turned serious.
There was, of course, another possibility Gyūki didn't voice—
If that man truly wanted to kill them, there might not have been a second chance to escape.
Killer B nodded, then said in his usual strange rhythm as he moved toward safety:
"Bee gets it. That guy's bad news. Next time we meet him—no close combat. He can launch mental attacks and strike internal organs at the same time."
Gyūki added solemnly,
"And his speed… is terrifying."
Meanwhile.
Yagyū Souma and the Nine-Tails were already far from Cloud–Lightning Gorge, heading south.
"You really didn't chase them,"
the Nine-Tails said, tilting its head.
"You sure you're done?"
"I got what I wanted,"
Yagyū Souma replied calmly.
"A fragment of consciousness, plus enough chakra material. Chasing further would only alert Kumogakure completely."
The Nine-Tails snorted.
"Tch. Cowardly cow really is useless."
Then, after a brief pause—
"You're not planning to stop with Gyūki, are you?"
Yagyū Souma glanced at it.
"You've already guessed."
The Nine-Tails' eyes narrowed, then slowly curved upward.
"So… Akatsuki?"
Yagyū Souma didn't answer immediately.
He was thinking.
This trip to Kumogakure had confirmed several things:
His current combat strength was already enough to suppress a perfect jinchūriki.His sealing and mental techniques worked even against tailed beasts.Most importantly—
Akatsuki would inevitably become his enemy.
Not in the future.
But soon.
"Akatsuki is collecting tailed beasts,"
Yagyū Souma finally said.
"And I don't like people touching what I've already marked."
The Nine-Tails blinked.
Then—
It grinned.
"Heh. Going after Akatsuki, huh?"
"I like that."
For the first time, its tone wasn't mocking.
"Those guys always treated us like tools and trophies. If you're planning to smash them…"
It leaned closer, voice low.
"…then maybe I don't mind helping a bit."
Yagyū Souma glanced sideways.
"Oh? You're suddenly enthusiastic?"
"Don't get it twisted,"
the Nine-Tails snorted.
"I just hate them more than I hate you."
That was good enough.
Far away, in Kumogakure.
Raikage A stood in the tower, fists clenched, veins bulging.
"A man carrying the Nine-Tails appeared in Cloud–Lightning Gorge,"
he growled.
"And Bee was forced to retreat."
The surrounding shinobi held their breath.
A jinchūriki retreating was already serious.
But a man carrying the Nine-Tails?
That crossed into the absurd.
"Send people to Konoha,"
A said coldly.
"Ask them what the hell is going on. Why is there a monster like that walking around with the Nine-Tails?"
"Yes!"
Orders were issued immediately.
On the road south.
The Nine-Tails suddenly spoke again.
"Kid."
"Hmm?"
"You don't rely on ninjutsu much. Mostly physical techniques, perception, sealing… and that strange power."
It paused, unusually serious.
"That's your biggest weakness."
Yagyū Souma didn't deny it.
True high-level ninjutsu—especially those involving Yin–Yang Release—were still his weakest link.
But—
"That's temporary," he said calmly.
The Bodhi Seed within him was still in its germination stage.
Once it truly grew—
The Nine-Tails understood.
When one path of power was cultivated deeply enough, it would guide the direction of all future evolution.
Like Yagyū Souma's mental energy had already done.
"…You're a scary human,"
the Nine-Tails muttered.
Then it added, half-mocking, half-serious:
"Among all humans I've seen… only the Sage of Six Paths felt like this."
Yagyū Souma smiled faintly, but didn't respond.
Ahead of them—
Chakra signatures clashed violently.
Multiple shinobi were fighting.
The Nine-Tails squinted, staring into the distance.
"That pattern… Akatsuki."
Yagyū Souma stopped.
He had sensed it too.
Two familiar chakra signatures stood out clearly.
One was Kakuzu.
The other—
Hidan.
"They ran into Kumogakure people,"
the Nine-Tails said with interest.
"What now?"
Yagyū Souma's lips curved upward.
"Well," he said lightly,
"looks like an opportunity came knocking."
He stepped forward.
"Let's watch."
"If things go well…"
His eyes gleamed.
"…we'll greet Akatsuki properly."
The Nine-Tails grinned, sharp and feral.
"Heh.
Now this is getting fun."
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