"No!"
"Stop right there!"
Before Pakura could even react to Chisuke's insane proposal, the Third Kazekage and Rasa were already shouting in sheer panic.
They didn't believe Chisuke's nonchalant attitude for a second. Let the One-Tails out for some fresh air? Good grief, if Shukaku went berserk right now, who could possibly force it back inside? The Kazekage's injuries hadn't fully healed; he had zero confidence in suppressing a fully unsealed Tailed Beast.
Seeing everyone tense up like coiled springs, Chisuke dropped the playful act and put on a serious expression.
"Kazekage-sama, Pakura-sensei, I'm telling the truth," Chisuke said earnestly. "Just look."
Chisuke stretched out his left arm and spoke to the beast in his mental landscape. Shukaku, cooperate a bit. Show them our good relationship.
Shukaku pursed its giant lips, looking deeply unhappy. Why should I? This Great Lord won't bother with such trivial matters.
Listen, you dumb cat, Chisuke persuaded. According to Sand Ninja tradition, the Jinchuriki is immediately thrown into a high-security prison. If I'm imprisoned, that means you're stuck in a dark cell too.
Chisuke pressed his advantage. If I can prove I'm a perfect Jinchuriki, I'll be granted far more freedom. We can go places together. Who knows, we might even run into the other Tailed Beasts and beat them up together.
Shukaku, being naturally active and bellicose, thought about the agonizingly boring days of being locked in a dungeon. It couldn't help but agree with Chisuke's logic.
Hmph. Fine. This Great Lord will be merciful and help you this once.
In the physical world, a thick swirl of sand rapidly materialized out of thin air, wrapping tightly around Chisuke's left arm. It quickly hardened, taking the form of a giant, patterned tanuki claw.
The Kazekage's eyes widened in absolute shock. "Partial Tailed Beast Transformation! How is this possible?!"
Partial transformation was an incredibly advanced application of a Tailed Beast's power, allowing the host to use the beast's limbs in actual combat. Usually, a Jinchuriki needed years of agonizing, life-threatening training to even attempt this.
Yet Chisuke had literally just received the seal!
The Kazekage furrowed his brows deeply. He stepped forward and firmly placed a palm against Chisuke's chest, closing his eyes to sense the chakra flow.
A moment later, his tense expression relaxed. "The seal is perfectly intact. The Tailed Beast's Chakra is completely calm. There are absolutely no signs of a rampage."
Pakura, however, was far more concerned about her student's mind. "Chisuke, has the beast tried to invade your thoughts? Are you feeling any discomfort or nausea?"
Chisuke shook his head, dissolving the sand arm. "Sensei, I feel perfectly fine."
Rasa stared at the boy, his voice laced with doubt. "Chisuke, what exact method did you use to suppress it?"
Chisuke stood up, looking incredibly proud as he pointed a thumb at himself. "It's all thanks to my overwhelming personal charm, obviously! Hahaha!"
Seeing Chisuke acting so shamelessly smug, Pakura stepped forward and delivered a sharp flick to his forehead. "Speak properly!"
Chisuke rubbed his head, looking aggrieved. "Sensei, I'm telling the truth! I just communicated with Ichibi in my spiritual world and found that it actually has a pretty good personality. We just never bothered to talk to it before."
Chisuke's eyes sparkled with feigned innocence, delivering a speech designed to pull at their heartstrings.
"Sensei, Tailed Beasts are just like humans. They have fragile hearts. As long as we are sincere, we can communicate, understand, and empathize with each other. All I did was remove my false mask and convey my true feelings to its heart."
Bullshit! Shukaku cursed violently inside Chisuke's mind. You literally threatened me with the Rinnegan and bribed me with the chance to beat up the Nine-Tails! Otherwise, I would have eaten you alive!
Hearing Shukaku's curses, Chisuke mentally replied, Shukaku, if the Sage of the Six Paths were here, he would definitely agree with my beautiful words.
Shukaku opened its massive mouth to retort, but recalling the ancient teachings of the Old Man, it realized Chisuke was technically right. It could only huff and turn its head away, ignoring its host.
Meanwhile, hearing Chisuke's flowery speech, the corner of the Kazekage's eye twitched uncontrollably.
Damn it, the Kazekage thought. When that beast goes berserk, all it does is scream like a maniac and slaughter everything in sight! How on earth does it have a 'good personality'?!
The other elite Sand Ninjas were equally speechless. Usually, they considered themselves lucky just to survive a glimpse of the One-Tails. Empathy? Communication? What a load of garbage!
Regardless, the Kazekage confirmed that the sealing ceremony was an unprecedented success.
"Chisuke, next we need to conduct a thorough medical examination," the Kazekage said formally. "By protocol, we must still confine you temporarily. Sorry for the trouble."
Chisuke put on a mature expression, showing a strong sense of the bigger picture. "I understand. I will fully cooperate with the village. I only have one request: please make the three meals a day more abundant! I'm starving!"
At a time like this, you're only worried about food? Rasa thought, shaking his head.
The Kazekage, rendered entirely speechless, pointed at Pakura. "Don't worry. Your sensei will be in charge of guarding you. She won't let you suffer."
Chisuke happily clapped his hands together. "That's perfect!"
As Pakura led Chisuke away, the Kazekage stared at the boy's back. His gaze slowly shifted toward the distant horizon, in the direction of the Leaf Village.
Once Chisuke can wield the One-Tails' power smoothly in combat, we will immediately launch an assault on Konoha! the Kazekage resolved darkly. Those damn Leaf shinobi took advantage of our weakness to covet the Ryūmyaku. They must pay the price.
Although the Ryūmyaku technically belonged to the Land of Wind, and the Sand Ninjas had no actual way to harness its power, the Kazekage had already made his decision.
The status of the Five Great Shinobi Villages was forged in blood. If they didn't dare to start a war when provoked, they weren't worthy of their title. They could afford to lose a war, but they could never afford to be cowards.
After a full day of exhausting medical examinations, a very full Chisuke entered his comfortable holding cell and immediately went to sleep without a single complaint.
Seeing this through the cell bars, Pakura couldn't help but sigh deeply. She felt that Chisuke had truly grown up, shouldering an impossible burden for the village. A deep sense of guilt washed over her.
Chisuke, you have sacrificed too much for us, Pakura thought, clenching her fists. I will not let you down. I will definitely become the Kazekage to protect you!
Little did she know, deep within the shared dreamscape, the boy who had "sacrificed too much" was currently laughing his head off, ruthlessly mocking the Sand Ninjas.
"Hehehe! Those Sand Ninja idiots! They look at me with either total fear or deep pity. They think I'm suffering day and night from Shukaku's torment, but they have no idea we completely stole their ultimate weapon!" Chisuke gloated.
Kyosuke clenched his fist in excitement. "Wow, so this is the power of a Tailed Beast's Chakra! Chisuke, hurry up and learn Shukaku's Magnet Release and Sealing Jutsu. We'll be invincible!"
Mishu snorted from the side. "Idiot. Even if he learns it, only Chisuke can use it in the real world. We can't use Magnet Release because we have absolutely no way to explain how we got a Kekkei Genkai."
Kiichiro stroked his double chin, a cunning, capitalistic smile spreading across his face. "Actually, I can use it. After all, I don't belong to any Shinobi Village. I'm a rogue businessman. I don't need to explain my abilities to anyone."
Ooka Shin immediately poured cold water on the idea. "Sure, you don't need to explain it to civilians. But the moment you expose a rare Kekkei Genkai, the Great Shinobi Villages will capture you for horrific research and dissection. You're better off just focusing on making us money."
"Hehehehehe!" Kiichiro laughed like a laying hen, his fat cheeks jiggling. The sound was so unsettling that it genuinely creeped Kyosuke out.
Kyosuke nudged Chisuke's shoulder, looking at Kiichiro uncertainly. "Is that... chicken pox?"
Chisuke looked deeply relieved. "Oh, it's just chicken pox. Thank goodness, I thought he had rabies."
Seeing everyone teaming up to tease him, Kiichiro suddenly stood up, clapping his hands together like a strict academy instructor. "Class is in session! Everyone, pay attention!"
Kyosuke and the other three immediately knelt in a neat row, backs straight and heads held high, instantly transforming into perfect, obedient students.
Kiichiro paced back and forth, hands behind his back. "Ahem. Do you idiots know what the most profitable businesses are during wartime?"
The four "good students" shook their heads in perfect unison. "We don't know, Sensei~"
Kiichiro nodded solemnly. "Of course, it's military supplies, medical care, and grain."
"Oooooh!" The four students gasped in exaggerated realization.