After a long pause, Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed again.
"Danzo is getting more and more extreme."
"Yeah." Koharu nodded, a trace of worry on her face.
They had known each other since childhood, apprenticed together under the same teacher. Their bond was strong, and seeing Danzo like this genuinely concerned them.
"Let's get ready," Homura said. "Even if we're not going to war, it's better to be prepared. If things escalate, we won't be caught off guard."
Hiruzen nodded in agreement.
"Thank you, both of you," he said.
"For Konoha," Koharu and Homura replied in unison, standing up and leaving.
Hiruzen then turned to Seisui and his companions.
"You've heard everything, right?"
"Yes," Seisui nodded, though his expression carried some confusion.
According to his memory, the Third Great Ninja War shouldn't have started this soon. It would normally begin just before the graduation of Might Guy's class. But now, they haven't even enrolled yet.
"Third Hokage… why would the war start so suddenly?"
"I don't know," Hiruzen replied, shaking his head with a deep sigh. "Everything about this situation is strange."
"There's no apparent conflict, no warning signs… and suddenly, Kumo and Iwa are preparing for war."
He looked at Jiraiya.
"Have you told Seisui about this?"
"Not yet," Jiraiya scratched his head, stepping forward. "I was planning to wait until the Hokage office, but unexpectedly, both advisors and Elder Danzo are here."
Hiruzen nodded and said, "In that case, I'll explain it to you myself."
Standing, Hiruzen handed a document to Seisui.
"War is inevitable, and Konoha will be involved."
"For now, don't leave the village. Stay on alert. If war breaks out, you will be deployed as the vanguard."
"Then why didn't you agree with Elder Danzo's suggestion?" Seisui asked, puzzled as he examined the document.
"Danzo suggested we directly interfere in Kumo and Iwa's conflict," Hiruzen explained. "That's different. If we wait and react, they'll expend some of their strength. If we start the war ourselves, Konoha's resources will be depleted."
Seisui understood—Hiruzen was playing the "wait and watch the tiger fight" strategy.
"When the fighting starts, you'll go to the battlefield. For now, rest and prepare," Hiruzen said with another sigh.
"Yes," Seisui replied, nodding, and left.
Hiruzen moved to the window, watching Seisui's back, murmuring,
"I wonder if it's right to drag you into this war…"
Seisui was the heir of Konoha's Will of Fire in Hiruzen's eyes, a prime candidate for the next Hokage. He was also the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki—a living nuclear weapon for the village.
Sending him to the battlefield made Hiruzen uneasy. But he also knew that Seisui could never grow without experiencing war.
And like a grandfather worrying for his grandson, Hiruzen felt a pang of concern.
I hope war doesn't destroy him…
Yet Seisui himself was thrilled, not afraid in the slightest.
Come on, with the Mangekyo Sharingan and Sage Mode—not to mention the ability to summon Panda Wu—this was terrifyingly powerful.
A twenty-meter panda, impervious to weapons, resistant to genjutsu, unstoppable on the battlefield. Strength limitless, damage healable. Anyone would kneel before it.
Seisui felt no fear. On the contrary, he was excited. This was the first step in realizing his plan. Make a name in the coming war, and the Hokage position would be within reach.
But first, he needed to subdue the Nine-Tails.
Back home, Seisui entered the Red Space. Ever since sealing the Nine-Tails within himself, he could access this space at will.
"You listen to him, he's just a naturally evil brat. Don't believe a word he says."
"No, Seisui's fine!"
"I am you. I won't hurt you. That brat is born evil!"
"I don't believe you!"
"Damn it, you're helping him even after being tricked!"
"Useless fox, I don't trust you!"
"Seisui is nothing like that!"
Arriving in the Red Space, Seisui heard the Nine-Tails misleading the young Nine-Tails. His expression darkened immediately.
"Kurama! Don't trick her!"
Seisui stepped forward, glaring at Kurama.
"Seisui~" the young Nine-Tails excitedly bounced onto him.
"That mischievous fox tried to fool me!"
"But I didn't fall for it!" she said proudly, chest out, as if demanding praise.
"Well done. Don't believe that fox in the future. If he had listened, he wouldn't be sealed here," Seisui said, holding her beneath Kurama.
"Want to go out?"
"You little brat! Forget it!"
"I'll shred you if I go out!" Kurama roared, still glancing at the young Nine-Tails with a hint of envy.
Created by the Sage of Six Paths using Yin-Yang Release, this Tailed Beast had never been treated with such care.
Even the Nine-Tails needs love.
It understood that this little Nine-Tails was not itself but a version from the distant past—a parallel self appearing for unknown reasons. Same chakra, separate existence.
After a while, the little Nine-Tails showed no growth, its chakra fixed. Its recovery rate and characteristics mirrored Kurama's, only its maximum was lower.
"You don't have a name yet, do you?" Seisui said, stroking her chin.
"Mm-hmm!" She nodded vigorously, eyes sparkling.
"How about Little Kurama?"
"Damn human!" Kurama growled, furious at the suggestion.
"You'll die by my hands someday!"
"No!" the little Nine-Tails shook her head. Seisui ignored it; it was just to tease Kurama.
"Which do you like?" Seisui asked, lifting her up.
Though Tailed Beasts had no gender, she felt distinctly female.
"Little Nine! I'll always be Seisui's Little Nine!" she declared, wriggling in the air.
"Fine. You'll be Little Nine from now on!"
"Nine Trumpet works too," Kurama muttered, loud enough for Seisui and Little Nine to hear.
"Big fox, a girl can't have a name like that!" She jumped down and tapped Kurama on the head.
"I told you, I'm you!"
"Call me Nine-Tails-sama from now on!"
"Hmph!"
Watching their interactions, Seisui sat quietly, observing.
After some time, he asked, "Kurama, you really don't want to go out?"
"Don't dream, brat! The Great Nine-Tails won't be anyone's summon!"
"Really?" Seisui looked at him with curiosity.
"I don't believe you," he added.
"Remember, Uchiha Madara once summoned you, right?"
"Roar!"
"Shut up, human brat!" Kurama's temper flared.
"Seriously," Little Nine stomped on Kurama's head. "If you can go out, why don't you?"
Kurama fell silent. He could go out but didn't trust this little brat, especially with those eyes and red hair. It irritated him to no end.
"Seisui, let's go play. Don't pay attention to this big fox!" Little Nine returned to his arms.
"I want tri-colored dumplings, ramen too! Takoyaki's great, and barbecue too!"
"What do I eat first? I want it all!"
Seisui smiled, patting her head.
"Then eat everything."
Then he looked at Kurama.
"If you change your mind, call me, Kurama."
"Get lost!"
Back in the real world, Seisui hugged Little Nine, smiling. He knew Kurama was already starting to crack under the little one's influence.
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100 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter
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