"It's certainly gloomy enough in here."
Kiyoshi took a few moments to survey his surroundings. Every Jinchuriki possesses a mental space within their body, serving as a conduit for communication between the Tailed Beast and its host. Usually, the Tailed Beast's consciousness is sealed within this very spot.
"You... you actually managed to break in?"
Yugito Nii's face was a mask of utter astonishment. Never before had anyone successfully invaded her mental space. Usually, if someone dared to cast Genjutsu on her, the massive chakra of the Tailed Beast would simply surge and disperse it, resolving the issue instantly.
In that heartbeat, Yugito realized Kiyoshi was far from simple. She focused her gaze: Kiyoshi's left eye held three tomoe, while his right held only two. Yet, facing him, she felt a crushing weight in her chest. She had fought Uchiha with three-tomoe Sharingan before, but none were as peculiar as him.
'Is it because he integrated the lineage of the Yotsuki clan?' Yugito wondered inwardly, watching Kiyoshi with heightened vigilance.
Compared to her wariness, Kiyoshi appeared remarkably composed. This was a mental space; the worst possible outcome was merely being expelled.
"Brat... the chakra on you... makes me very unpleasant."
A voice echoed from the dark depths. It was discernibly female. Among the nine Tailed Beasts, there is no explicit gender, but their voices possess distinct characteristics. For instance, the Two-Tails and Five-Tails lean toward feminine tones, while the Nine-Tails, Eight-Tails, and Seven-Tails are clearly masculine.
A massive flaming cat stood behind Yugito Nii, its two tails swaying rhythmically.
The Two-Tails, Matatabi!
"Is that so?" Kiyoshi smiled.
It was only natural for Uchiha chakra to feel cold and dark. In fact, an Uchiha with "warm" chakra would be the true anomaly.
"Have you met other Tailed Beasts?"
Kiyoshi's calm, self-assured attitude caught Matatabi's attention. Since the passing of the Sage of the Six Paths, humans had grown increasingly fearful and covetous of them. They feared their destructive power, yet greedily sought to control it.
Over the millennia, countless ninjas had dared to challenge them. Eventually, Tailed Beasts became synonymous with calamity and omens of misfortune.
"Indeed. I've met the Nine-Tails," Kiyoshi stated.
When Kushina had lost control, he had dealt with the Nine-Tails alongside her. He had even entered her mental space, which was slightly more pleasant than this one. Kushina's personality was cheerful and positive, whereas Yugito was arrogant and prideful. In reality, such arrogance was often a mask for deep-seated insecurity.
"I also know your name. Matatabi, right? Or should I call you Nekomata?" Kiyoshi said indifferently.
In the myths of the Shinobi world, cats were said to understand human nature and distinguish between good and evil. When a cat's tail splits into two, it becomes a Nekomata—a symbol of evil.
The lore of the Two-Tails often appeared in the "Night Parade of a Hundred Demons," claiming she would transform into a charming young girl or a kind old woman to lure travelers and devour them. In truth, this was nonsense—just as ridiculous as calling the Nine-Tails a collection of pure hatred or a naturally occurring disaster.
During the Fourth Great Ninja War, Naruto would perceive the Ten-Tails through Sage Mode and realize it was a conglomerate of natural energy. In fact, all Tailed Beasts are manifestations of natural energy.
The God Tree absorbed natural energy from the earth, and as derivatives of the God Tree, the Tailed Beasts were inevitably affected. This was why they were immortal; even if their physical bodies were destroyed, they would slowly reform over time.
"!"
The Two-Tails, Matatabi, let out a low feline hiss, her ghostly blue fur bristling. Her true name... was a secret! Aside from the host she acknowledged, Yugito, Matatabi had never told anyone her name. Had another Tailed Beast leaked it? No, impossible.
Matatabi dismissed the thought. She was among the most even-tempered of the nine. The other, more arrogant beasts wouldn't divulge such secrets. All Tailed Beasts were waiting for a promised moment. Only the youth from the Sage of the Six Paths' prophecy was supposed to be qualified to call them by their true names.
"Descendant of the Sage... of Indra?" Matatabi murmured.
"Matatabi, what are you talking about? Help me deal with Kiyoshi Uchiha!" Yugito snapped, realizing she was completely lost in the conversation. She knew of the Sage of the Six Paths from legends, but who on earth was Indra? The ancestor of the Uchiha, Indra Uchiha?
Yugito felt frustrated. Did the Tailed Beasts harbor secrets she knew nothing about? But now was not the time for questions; she just wanted to bring Kiyoshi back. Everything could be answered once they were back in the village.
"No, Yugito. Calm down for a moment." Matatabi waved a paw, signaling her host to wait.
"Matatabi, you..." Yugito was genuinely flabbergasted. Was her Tailed Beast really defecting in the middle of a fight? What had her years of grueling training been for? 'Damn, evil Uchiha!' Yugito glared at Kiyoshi. She would see exactly what these two had to discuss.
"Descendant of Indra, I wonder for what purpose you have come here specifically." Matatabi's voice was gentle, showing none of the malice found in common myths.
"You should ask Yugito. She's the one chasing me, not the other way around," Kiyoshi replied. The ocular power in his eyes surged, his crimson Sharingan spinning slowly. If Matatabi showed any sign of teaming up with Yugito to take him down, he would strike first.
Matatabi fell into silence. The brat before her was interesting. Having spent all her time inside Yugito, she was aware of the outside situation and knew why Yugito wanted to capture him.
"Your home is in the Cloud. Why not return?" Matatabi's voice softened further. Given the millennium-old promise between the Sage and the beasts, she couldn't afford to be anything less than cautious.
"Then there's nothing left to discuss." Kiyoshi's tone turned cold. If Yugito remained stubborn, he would have to make her "fly." Literally.
Kiyoshi formed a single-handed seal, pushing his Sharingan to the limit as a massive wave of invisible ocular power radiated outward.
"Wait!" Matatabi interjected suddenly. "I have no interest in the squabbles between humans. How about this: the two of you compete. Whoever's spiritual strength prevails, wins. If Yugito wins, you go with her. If you win, you are free to go."
Matatabi proposed the trial. The fact that Kiyoshi knew her name was too anomalous. She wanted to see the truth behind it. If Kiyoshi really was the "blue-eyed boy who calls the names of the nine beasts with a smile," it would be disastrous to ruin their relationship prematurely.