Chapter 37: Nine-Tails: What? More Conditions?
"Don't go!"
"Let's talk some more!"
Nine-Tails was anxious. It was genuinely afraid that Uchiha Nan would just leave like that.
The most terrifying thing wasn't the darkness that seemed to stretch on forever, but seeing a glimmer of light in the darkness, only for that light to vanish in an instant.
Any creature in the abyss, as long as it sees hope, will display unparalleled endurance.
What was a few more decades inside Mito Uzumaki? It could endure, it could endure.
A bright future was waiting for it!
Nine-Tails cheered itself up inwardly. The chance to regain its freedom was right in front of it, and it absolutely couldn't miss it.
"Have you thought it through?"
"Can you accept it?"
Uchiha Nan sneered inwardly. This big fox had finally taken the bait.
"I can accept it!"
"It's just another decade or so of waiting. I can handle it!"
Nine-Tails patted its chest, indicating that it was still strong and could overcome this small problem.
Uchiha Nan nodded. Now that Nine-Tails had started to yield, it was time for him to push his advantage. The upper hand in the negotiation was now his.
If he didn't set conditions now, when would he?
"We'll make a three-chapter agreement. I guarantee your freedom after Mito Uzumaki dies. In return, you'll live near Konoha as a guardian Tailed Beast."
"Of course, Konoha will provide you with corresponding protection and living guarantees!"
Uchiha Nan couldn't just release Nine-Tails and let it become a wild Tailed Beast.
Even if he became Hokage, he couldn't just release the strongest Tailed Beast in the ninja world. The other high-ranking officials in the village wouldn't agree. This would shake the very foundation of Konoha's survival.
Maybe as soon as he released Nine-Tails, it would disappear and be caught by Madara Uchiha hiding in a cave to be his beast mount again.
In any case, Uchiha Nan felt he was thinking for Nine-Tails' sake, but he didn't know if Nine-Tails would understand his good intentions.
"What?"
"Still have to stay in Konoha?"
"That wasn't the condition before!"
Nine-Tails was a little exasperated. How could there be another condition? That damned evil Uchiha!
"What did I say before?"
"I did agree to release you from Mito Uzumaki and give you freedom. I'm doing you such a big favor, and you won't give me anything in return?"
"That's not very nice of you. You're not as stingy as One-Tail Shukaku, are you?"
"If that's the case, I'll respect your opinion. I guess I misjudged you."
Uchiha Nan pretended to be displeased, looking like he had made a mistake. His words implied that Nine-Tails had done something terrible to betray him.
Especially since Uchiha Nan had mentioned One-Tail Shukaku. Among the other eight Tailed Beasts, it didn't get along with Shukaku, and they often fought.
It couldn't accept being lumped in with Shukaku!
It was the strongest Tailed Beast, and it would rather die than be reduced to Shukaku's level.
Thinking about it, living near Konoha wasn't so bad. The surrounding vast forests were no different from where it used to live.
As for protecting Konoha, Nine-Tails subconsciously ignored it. It could slack off!
Releasing two Tailed Beast Balls as a token would suffice. Enemies who couldn't withstand Tailed Beast Balls usually couldn't reach Konoha anyway.
Enemies who could easily withstand Tailed Beast Balls were probably beyond its capabilities too. Releasing two Tailed Beast Balls in the face of danger would be enough to repay Uchiha Nan.
If it didn't run away then, its years of imprisonment would have been for nothing!
In any case, it had to agree first. It needed to get out of the dark room inside Mito Uzumaki. Nine-Tails couldn't remember the last time it rolled in the grass under the sunlight.
The rest could wait!
Thinking this, Nine-Tails suddenly felt the world was vast and its mind was free.
As long as it waited for the right opportunity and kept a low profile, the day would come when it would be like a bird soaring into the sky or a fish swimming in the sea!
Ah, it was so clever! Nine-Tails thought the two phrases it had just come up with were so cultured. It had to recite them on the day it escaped!
"For your sake, I might agree!"
"I, Nine-Tails, am not an ungrateful Tailed Beast!"
Nine-Tails had a sly smile, its prideful demeanor overwhelming. Uchiha Nan was delighted. This big fox was quite easy to deal with.
"Then we'll make a three-chapter agreement. Let's seal it with a fist bump!"
Uchiha Nan wanted to imitate Naruto Uzumaki. He had heard that it could connect with Tailed Beasts, but he didn't know if it was true.
He had a clean heart and no bad intentions towards Tailed Beasts. By the time Mito Uzumaki died, many years would have passed.
Maybe he could extract the Rinnegan by then. What would he need Tailed Beasts for?
"Fine!"
Nine-Tails extended its fist, which was larger than a human, and bumped fists with Uchiha Nan. Unfortunately, there was no special reaction, no telepathy. It was probably because the bond wasn't strong enough yet.
Uchiha Nan didn't care. He had achieved his goal, and it was time to talk about serious matters.
"Kurama, how do you plan to help me?"
Uchiha Nan asked seriously. After following the Sage of Six Paths for so many years and living for thousands of years, Uchiha Nan didn't believe Nine-Tails had no trump cards. Mito Uzumaki wasn't Madara Uchiha or Hashirama Senju, who could overpower Nine-Tails with sheer strength. Nine-Tails must have ways to influence her.
"Hmph, I've been trapped inside Mito Uzumaki for so many years, constantly eroding the seal with my chakra. But the amount of chakra is very small, almost undetectable."
"But I have plenty of time. Constant dripping wears away the stone. Mito will eventually grow old and weak. Once the seal weakens, I'll have my chance..."
Nine-Tails smiled slyly, looking mischievous. Uchiha Nan nodded. He hadn't misjudged Nine-Tails.
Foxes were always cunning.
Uchiha Nan gave Nine-Tails a thumbs up, praising its perseverance.
Nine-Tails was a little smug and continued:
"When you go out, I'll mobilize all the chakra that's been eroding the seal. The seal will weaken, and I'll do my best to reclaim the chakra that Mito Uzumaki stole."
"Mito Uzumaki will be fully occupied with suppressing me and won't be able to maintain her Tailed Beast form. You know what to do next, right?"
"Give that bitch Mito Uzumaki a good beating!"
Nine-Tails grinned, clearly having no good impression of Mito Uzumaki. She and Hashirama Senju were two of a kind, not treating Tailed Beasts as people.
"No problem!"
Uchiha Nan readily agreed. He was very good at kicking someone when they were down. To establish his authority, he had to pick the toughest target.
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