Looking at Yagura before him, even Kyusei couldn't help but feel a trace of shock at the man's decisiveness and resolve.
If he put himself in Yagura's position, even if the overall situation made the outcome inevitable, it would still take him at least ten days to half a month to truly make such a decision.
Kaoru's expression softened even more.
"In that case, when Konoha is rebuilt, I will personally hold a grand handover ceremony for you."
After all, this was the first of the Five Great Ninja Villages to submit. She needed Yagura to set an example.
A classic case of buying a horse's bones with gold.
"I wouldn't dare."
Now that he had already submitted, how could Yagura still accept being addressed as "Mizukage-sama"?
Before long, even the title of "Kage" might disappear entirely.
With that thought, he took out a scroll from his sleeve and handed it to Kaoru.
"This is?"
Kaoru looked at it curiously.
"A small token of sincerity. Konoha is currently rebuilding and must be in need of funds."
Yagura spoke calmly.
Money meant nothing to him.
The Land of Water thrived on the sea. Its fisheries were abundant, and treasures beneath the ocean were countless. Even a single piece of coral could sell for hundreds of thousands of ryō.
To maintain value, they strictly controlled supply.
Pearls were the same.
And there were many such resources.
If the Land of Fire was the most livable country—
Then the Land of Water was the richest.
But its terrain limited population growth.
"I appreciate it."
Kaoru smiled, clearly pleased.
"However, I do have one request."
Yagura hesitated slightly.
"Go ahead."
Kaoru waved her hand, in an excellent mood.
"There is a child in the village—Terumi Mei. She possesses excellent talent and temperament. I hope the Hokage will accept her as a disciple."
Kaoru fell into thought.
Kyusei immediately understood.
Yagura wasn't just submitting.
He was investing in the future.
By offering up a talented child to become the Hokage's disciple, he was ensuring Kirigakure's continued influence.
A Hokage's disciple—
Had the potential to inherit everything.
Even if Mei didn't become Hokage, her background alone would guarantee her a powerful position.
"…Very well."
After a moment, Kaoru agreed.
Rejecting such sincerity would be petty.
"Then… Mei, come in."
A small girl stepped in timidly.
Reddish-brown hair.
Bright green eyes.
Delicate and adorable.
"G-greetings, Hokage-sama…"
She bowed nervously.
Kaoru nodded slightly.
"I'll accept you as my disciple."
Then—
Kyusei suddenly spoke.
"…She's a Jinchūriki."
Everyone froze.
The Nine-Tails had already told him.
The Three-Tails was inside her.
"Yes."
Yagura admitted openly.
"She has exceptional talent. With the Three-Tails, her chakra reserves will allow her to fully utilize her abilities."
"The Three-Tails had just revived, so I captured it and sealed it within her."
Kaoru looked at him deeply.
This man—
Once he made a decision—
Held nothing back.
—
After Yagura left, Kaoru turned her attention to Mei, who stood awkwardly before her.
"Terumi Mei, right?"
She gently patted her head.
"Yes… teacher…"
Kaoru smiled and pinched her cheek lightly.
"No need to be nervous. You're my first disciple."
"For now, you'll stay in a tent. Is that alright?"
Mei nodded obediently.
"Whatever teacher arranges is fine."
Kaoru felt a hint of pity.
"Kyusei, take her to familiarize herself with the surroundings. And check her seal while you're at it."
"Me?"
Kyusei blinked.
"Then you handle the paperwork."
"…Got it."
Before Mei could react, Kyusei had already dragged her away.
The camp was nothing but tents.
There wasn't much to see.
"Kyusei-sama…"
Mei spoke nervously.
"What is it?"
Before she could finish—
Her stomach growled loudly.
Her face turned bright red.
"Hungry?"
"Let's get you something to eat."
Kyusei ruffled her hair and brought her to the mess hall.
It was already past mealtime, so few people remained.
"Dango-nii!"
A cheerful voice rang out.
A brown-haired girl ran over.
"Rin."
Kyusei smiled.
"…Who's this?"
Rin looked curiously at Mei.
"She's Mei. She'll be one of us now."
"Hello! I'm Nohara Rin!"
Rin grabbed Mei's hand enthusiastically.
Mei, still shy, introduced herself.
After eating, Kyusei took Mei to his tent.
"Don't misunderstand."
"I'm just checking your seal."
Mei knelt nervously.
"Lift your shirt."
Kyusei said calmly.
Mei hesitated, then lifted it, cheeks flushed.
Kyusei sighed.
"…Circulate your chakra."
A black seal appeared around her navel.
Uzumaki sealing technique—
But incomplete.
Without the Three-Tails' relatively calm nature, it would have already broken free.
Kyusei placed his hand on her stomach—
And instantly released the seal.
Mei's eyes widened.
Why wasn't the Three-Tails escaping?
"…Well-behaved."
Kyusei smiled faintly.
"Adamantine Sealing Chains."
Golden chains surged into her body.
The Three-Tails was suppressed instantly.
Then—
"Four Symbols Seal."
Two seals overlapped—
Forming the Eight Trigrams Seal.
Combined with the chains—
This was the same treatment once used on the Nine-Tails.
Kyusei even left a small gap.
Allowing the Three-Tails' chakra to flow steadily—
Becoming Mei's own.
"…Kyusei."
"The Three-Tails wants to see us."
The Nine-Tails spoke.
"Oh?"
Kyusei smirked.
"Then let's meet it."
He patted Mei's head.
The next moment—
They appeared in a golden inner world.
A massive turtle stood before them.
The Three-Tails.
But now—
It was completely restrained.
Chains bound it to the ground.
Weapons pinned them in place.
"Human…"
"You've come."
The Three-Tails spoke.
"Long time no see."
Mei trembled slightly.
"…Kyusei-sama…"
"Don't be afraid."
"It can't move."
She instinctively hid behind him.
Facing such a creature—
That was only natural.
To Read 60+ ahead advanced Chapters, head over to P@treon
patreon.com/DarkVerse146