"It's Obito."
Uchiha Yuzuru stopped walking and said flatly, "How have things been at the ninja academy lately? Are they still calling you dead last?"
Uzumaki Kushina swatted Uchiha Yuzuru's shoulder with a mock glare. "Yuzuru, don't tease Obito. He's no dead last."
Then, smiling, she ruffled Uchiha Obito's hair. "Obito, have you made any new friends?"
"Kushina-nee really knows quality when she sees it."
Uchiha Obito puffed out his chest proudly. "I'm a big shot in my class now. Tons of girls have sent me love letters."
He had never experienced this kind of treatment back in Konoha.
Hearing Uchiha Obito's words, Uchiha Yuzuru wasn't surprised in the slightest.
The so-called "dead last" label was only relative to people like Hatake Kakashi and Might Guy.
More often than not, it stemmed from Uchiha Obito making foolish, low-level mistakes.
Like getting gum stuck in his mouth while releasing Fire Release, or spacing out after a duel had already started...
But compared to most people in the shinobi world, Uchiha Obito's talent was actually quite good.
Most importantly...
Compared to the kids in Kumogakure, Uchiha Obito's looks were fairly outstanding.
Add in his Uchiha clan identity and decent talent, and becoming a popular figure at school wasn't strange at all.
While the three of them chatted, a massive explosion rang out from the distance.
Violent Chakra surged into the sky, and people on the street cried out in alarm.
"Kushina, I'm afraid our date ends here. I'll go check it out."
Uchiha Yuzuru frowned and prepared to head toward the source of the sound.
"I'm coming with you."
"Me too."
Uchiha Yuzuru tucked Uchiha Obito under his arm and said to Uzumaki Kushina, "Let's go together, then."
Unraikyō.
In the midst of rolling mountain ranges lay a massive lake.
The enormous Eight-Tails swung its eight thick octopus tentacles, continuously slapping the lake's surface.
By the time Uchiha Yuzuru arrived, the Third Raikage, A, Mabushin, and others were already standing nearby.
"What happened?"
Seeing Uchiha Yuzuru, Mabushin explained, "According to the ANBU's observations, it seems the Eight-Tails and Bee-sama got into an argument."
"Why?"
"Bee-sama promised the Eight-Tails he'd take it out of the village to have fun, but then he broke his word..."
A clenched his fists in fury and grumbled, "That idiot—how could he make that kind of promise to the Eight-Tails?"
"Father, I'll go stop the Eight-Tails."
The Third Raikage glanced at A and shook his head. "You're no match for the Eight-Tails. I'll handle this."
Though Killer Bee and the Eight-Tails had reached an understanding, that didn't mean the two could always live in harmony.
Once the Eight-Tails flew into a rage, there was no difference between this and an ordinary Jinchuriki going berserk.
To stop it, they would have to use force to suppress the Eight-Tails once again.
This was also the reason they had Killer Bee live at Unraikyō most of the time.
However, just as the Third Raikage braced himself for the coming brutal battle, Uchiha Yuzuru stepped forward. "Let me handle it."
His words barely finished, Uchiha Yuzuru's figure vanished from the spot.
"Roar!"
Seeing the human who had appeared right under its nose, the Eight-Tails howled furiously toward the sky.
Uchiha Yuzuru frowned in displeasure. "Gyuki, quiet down!"
The pattern of the Mangekyo Sharingan surfaced in his eyes, and powerful ocular power brutally invaded the Eight-Tails' mental world.
The next second, the previously enraged Eight-Tails froze in place.
Inside the mental world.
The Eight-Tails stared at Uchiha Yuzuru's Mangekyo Sharingan, its face showing humanlike wariness.
Years ago, Uchiha Madara had used those same eyes to capture it like livestock.
"Gyuki, can you calm down now?"
At those words, the Eight-Tails' eyes—wide as gongs—filled with disbelief. "How do you know my name?"
Even Killer Bee didn't know it was called "Gyuki."
"You..."
Ancient memories surfaced in the Eight-Tails' mind, and it said in shock, "Are you the one the old man spoke of—the one who will lead change?"
"Maybe."
Uchiha Yuzuru shrugged and didn't explain. "The era when humans and Tailed Beasts coexist peacefully isn't far off. Until then, don't cause me trouble."
Gyuki muttered in dissatisfaction, "But I want to go out and play."
"I can satisfy that request. From now on, have Killer Bee communicate with me if anything comes up."
Uchiha Yuzuru smiled.
The Tailed Beasts had lived for so many years, yet in some ways they were still like children.
"Then I understand. I won't easily wrestle control of the body from Bee anymore."
It had already reached an understanding with Killer Bee, and now its wish could be fulfilled as well—naturally, there was no reason to keep making a fuss.
Having received Gyuki's assurance, Uchiha Yuzuru left Gyuki's mental world.
At the same time, Gyuki's massive form disappeared from Unraikyō.
Seeing this, the Cloud ninja who had been on high alert all gaped in shock.
Wait...
The Eight-Tails' rampage was resolved just like that?
"Unbelievable—is this the power of the Sharingan?"
"Thank goodness the Eight-Tails' rampage was solved so easily. We won't have to worry about this kind of thing anymore."
"Our Kumogakure is so lucky to have the Uchiha clan. I feel like writing a thank-you letter to those guys in Konoha!"
"Hahahahaha..."
Though Uchiha Yuzuru and Gyuki had chatted for a while in the mental world, in the real world it had only been an instant.
In the eyes of the Kumogakure crowd, Uchiha Yuzuru had simply teleported in front of the Eight-Tails, barked "Quiet!" once, and the Eight-Tails obediently returned to Killer Bee's body.
This was something that had never happened before.
Even the Third Raikage had to fight the Eight-Tails to exhaustion every time just to barely suppress it.
And if the Eight-Tails used a Tailed Beast Bomb during the battle, the village might suffer massive losses.
But now...
Uchiha Yuzuru had resolved the Eight-Tails' rampage with ease, leaving the Kumogakure ninja who had been standing at the ready feeling as if they were dreaming.
Watching Uchiha Yuzuru walk over, A couldn't help but ask, "How did you do that?"
Uchiha Yuzuru pointed to his own eyes and said seriously, "There's nothing these eyes can't do. Their power far exceeds your imagination."
Recalling the scene of his battle with Uchiha Yuzuru that day, A's emotions churned.
No wonder even his father could only compromise in the face of Uchiha Yuzuru.
Just how much power did this Mangekyo Sharingan still hide?
The Third Raikage shoved A aside and clapped Uchiha Yuzuru hard on the shoulder, booming, "Good brother! With you here, we won't have to worry about the Tailed Beast going berserk anymore."
Hearing this, Uchiha Yuzuru shook his head. "Third Hokage, I can't keep an eye on Killer Bee every second. If you want to keep the Tailed Beast from rampaging, constant suppression won't work."
"Let Killer Bee leave the village on missions from time to time. Treat the Tailed Beast as a trustworthy companion, not just a weapon."
The Third Raikage paused, somewhat conflicted. "But... if other villages learn the Jinchuriki is out, we could run into big trouble."
"Let A and Killer Bee go together. The strength of those brothers is enough to handle most situations."
Hearing Uchiha Yuzuru's words, the Third Raikage finally nodded. "Then we'll do as you say. I'll allow Killer Bee and A to leave together on missions."
"But I'll have to arrange two ANBU squads to protect them in secret."
"You can handle those arrangements."
Uchiha Yuzuru waved dismissively. "By the way, the Uchiha clan's jutsu and the Uzumaki clan's sealing jutsu have been mostly compiled. I'll have someone send the copies over shortly."
"Reinforcing some seals should at least help prevent Tailed Beast rampages."
At this, the Third Raikage's face lit up with joy. "Excellent! I'll arrange someone to coordinate right away. Kumogakure's secret techniques will be delivered to your clan compound today as well."
"Good."
This straightforward style was one of the reasons Uchiha Yuzuru had chosen Kumogakure.
Back in Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others had guarded their powerful forbidden techniques and secret jutsu like treasures, never willing to share them easily.
Onoki of Iwagakure was probably no different.
As for Sunagakure...
He didn't think much of them at all.
"Well then, want to grab a drink?"
"I'm not an adult yet. The three shinobi taboos—"
"What kind of bullshit shinobi taboos? Our village doesn't care about that stuff. Tonight we're not stopping until we're drunk! A, you're coming too!"
"Yes!"
Forcibly dragged away by the Third Raikage, Uchiha Yuzuru could only wave helplessly at Uzumaki Kushina. "Kushina, please tell Mikoto for me."
Uzumaki Kushina smiled and nodded.
No matter where he was, Yuzuru was always the most brilliant presence.
At the same time, she couldn't help but feel a bit grateful.
If she hadn't left Konoha and really become a Jinchuriki, her situation would probably be even worse than Killer Bee's now, wouldn't it?
How could she live happily like this, going on missions freely, doing whatever she wanted without anyone watching over her...
Meeting Yuzuru truly was the luckiest thing in her life.
Beside her, Uchiha Obito's eyes shone with longing as he slipped his goggles over his eyes. "Wow~ Yuzuru-niisan is so cool! He's exactly what I dream of being!"
"Kushina-nee, when you and Yuzuru-niisan sleep together, you've gotta put in a good word for me and get him to teach me some tricks."
Hearing Uchiha Obito's words, Uzumaki Kushina's face flushed red from her neck to her ears.
She grabbed Uchiha Obito's ear and snapped furiously, "What nonsense are you spouting, you little brat? Come with me to find Mikoto right now."
"Ow ow ow! Kushina-nee, can I take care of something first? I promised an old lady I'd go hiking with her..."
The two gradually walked away, while Kumogakure's ANBU ninja quickly gathered around Killer Bee.
After a long moment, Killer Bee came to, groggily rubbing his head. "Ow~"
Seeing Killer Bee wake up, one ANBU said earnestly, "Bee-sama, you lost control again just now and nearly brought disaster to the village. Fortunately, Yuzuru-sama stopped you in time, or you'd definitely have been confined again, and the villagers would surely be disappointed in you."
Seeing the fear and alienation in the eyes of the ANBU, Killer Bee stood up and waved his hands. "Yo~ The Eight-Tails' power can make Kumogakure even better; fearing collateral damage just means you're too weak. Why not listen to the great Killer Bee's rap teachings? Keep nagging and I'll dunk all of you in the lake for a bath~"
"Bakayaro, konoyaro!"
After finishing his rap, Killer Bee spun around, flipped the middle finger at everyone present, and left with flair.
If you don't like me, then I'll just isolate you instead.
Hmph!
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