Before long, Uchiha Gen arrived at Kushina's house.
He knocked on the door, and soon, the courtyard gate swung open.
"Xuan! You're here!"
Kushina beamed as she threw herself forward, wrapping her arms around Uchiha Gen in excitement.
At that moment, Kirlia (Kirulian) swiftly levitated into the air, dodging Kushina's enthusiastic hug with practiced ease.
Clearly—
This wasn't the first time.
But Shukaku?
He didn't know.
Caught completely off guard—
SMACK!
Kushina's arm swept him aside, sending Shukaku flying across the yard.
"I swear!"
Shukaku tumbled midair before using his Magnet Release to stabilize himself, floating back angrily.
"Who the hell are you?! Didn't you see me standing here?"
"Eh?"
Kushina blinked in confusion at the unfamiliar voice.
Her eyes landed on the small floating tanuki and, after a moment of silence, she blurted out—
"Who are you?!"
"…And why are you so ugly and cute at the same time?"
PFFT!
Uchiha Gen stifled a laugh—
But inside Kushina's mind, the laughter wasn't suppressed at all.
Nine Tails—who had sensed another Tailed Beast's presence—had opened a window within the seal to see what was going on.
And when he saw Shukaku…
And then heard what Kushina said…
He lost it.
"Pfft—!"
Nine Tails burst into laughter at the sight of his fellow Tailed Beast.
Even Uchiha Gen could barely hold back a chuckle.
Shukaku's ears twitched in irritation.
Inside the seal, Nine Tails smirked.
"Oh! Isn't this little Shukaku?"
"Weren't you always boasting about being the strongest Tailed Beast?"
"What happened?"
"Why do you look so pathetic now?"
"Did you shrink?"
"Oh wait, don't tell me… are you someone's pet now?"
Nine Tails mocked with pure delight in his voice.
Shukaku's face darkened instantly.
"You're the pathetic one!"
"Your whole family is pathetic!"
"I'm just sealing away most of my chakra voluntarily, so I can move around outside freely! Unlike you, you… overgrown fox!"
Kushina: "???"
Wait.
Was she just insulted?
She stood there, utterly confused.
Uchiha Gen simply smiled, patted her head, and said, "Let's talk inside first."
Then, he took Kushina's hand, led her inside, and closed the door behind them.
Once they were seated, he finally explained—
"It wasn't directed at you," he assured her.
"Shukaku was talking about Nine Tails inside you."
Kushina's eyes widened.
"Wait, what?! This is One-Tail?!"
"Yeah," Uchiha Gen confirmed.
"And… he's my little pet now."
Shukaku puffed out his chest—
But then Uchiha Gen turned to him, glared, and said—
"Watch your mouth."
"This is my girlfriend you're talking to."
"If you ever insult her again…"
"…I'll lock you in a dark room for a month."
Shukaku's expression froze.
It finally clicked.
Oh.
Oh crap.
This was the girl Uchiha Gen warned him about before they left the house.
And he had just insulted her.
Shukaku's survival instincts kicked in.
"S-Sorry! My mistake! Won't happen again!"
He immediately floated up to Kushina and bowed deeply in apology.
Nine Tails clicked his tongue inside the seal.
"Tsk. You're embarrassing us, Shukaku."
"A Tailed Beast bowing down to a human?!"
"Might as well just leave the group."
Shukaku turned red with shame—
But Uchiha Gen's voice suddenly echoed inside the seal.
"Kurama."
"Do you want me to come in there and beat you again?"
Nine Tails froze.
Uchiha Gen continued—
"Shukaku is my pet now."
"That means he's under my protection."
"So don't bully him."
Shukaku's ears perked up in surprise.
Did… did Uchiha Gen just defend him?!
Shukaku's eyes glistened with emotion as he quickly nodded.
"Yeah! That's right! Say something else, Kurama! I dare you!"
Nine Tails: "…"
He had never been this speechless in his life.
After a moment, Nine Tails scoffed.
"Then what about me?!"
"I'm sealed inside Kushina, so technically, I'm also yours, aren't I?"
Uchiha Gen smirked.
"You?"
"You're just a lazy bum mooching off Kushina."
Nine Tails exploded.
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING A LAZY BUM?!"
Shukaku, meanwhile—
Laughed so hard, he started rolling midair.
"HAHAHAHA! FAT NERD!"
"KURAMA, YOU'RE A FAT NERD! HAHAHAHA!"
Nine Tails: "…"
This was the worst day of his life.
"You think I want to be here?!" Nine Tails roared.
"If you're so strong, then set me free!"
Uchiha Gen tapped his chin thoughtfully.
"Hmm. That's not impossible."
Nine Tails and Kushina froze.
"Wait… what?"
Nine Tails narrowed his eyes.
"Are you serious?!"
"If you release me, Kushina will die!"
Kushina's expression shifted slightly.
She wasn't against being a Jinchūriki—
But if she had a choice, she'd rather live a normal life.
Nine Tails, sensing her thoughts, muttered—
"Traitor."
Kushina suddenly looked at him.
"You just thought something mean about me, didn't you?"
Nine Tails: "!!!"
"N-NO! I SAID NOTHING!"
Uchiha Gen chuckled.
"It's possible to set you free without harming Kushina."
"But it won't be full freedom."
"It'll be like what I did with Shukaku."
Nine Tails' ears perked up.
"You mean… I can have a body outside while still being linked to Kushina?"
"Exactly."
"You'll be able to leave, but you'll also have the option to return anytime when needed."
Nine Tails' eyes widened.
"This… this is perfect!"
Kushina also looked hopeful.
Uchiha Gen turned to her.
"What do you think?"
Kushina hesitated for a moment—
Then smiled softly.
"I'd like that."
Nine Tails grinned.
"Alright then! Let's do it!"
Finally.
FREEDOM....
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