Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 92: The Selection of the Three-Tails Jinchūriki

What's going on here?

In the Forest of Death, Rasa looked at the tranquil Three-Tails in front of him, surrounded by a circle of Konoha shinobi. He turned a questioning gaze toward Uchiha Yakumaru.

Yakumaru considered briefly before explaining, "The Hokage is in the process of selecting a Jinchūriki for the Three-Tails."

That was all he said, without elaborating on the selection process.

Rasa frowned. "Selecting? Has Kirigakure not expressed interest in reclaiming the Three-Tails?"

Hearing this, Uchiha Yakumaru gave him a strange look. "Even if Kirigakure wanted to buy back the Three-Tails, why would we sell it? The First Hokage sold the Tailed Beasts to various villages to promote peace, but Kirigakure used them to attack Konoha."

"Agreeing to return even the Six-Tails to them was a reluctant compromise to minimize losses and foster potential cooperation."

Rasa fell silent.

Konoha has changed—become far more assertive.

Never before had Rasa so deeply realized this fact.

In the past, if Konoha had lost a Tailed Beast, Kirigakure would've undoubtedly been able to reclaim it, perhaps by paying some price.

But now, Konoha was treating the Three-Tails as rightful spoils of war, keeping it without question.

Should he start treating Konoha as a greater threat from now on?

There's a massive difference between a strong but passive village and a strong, assertive one.

"Lord Kazekage, it seems they're practicing ninjutsu," Baki noted, his gaze lingering on the scrolls in the hands of the shinobi around them.

"With a living, controllable Tailed Beast here, of course, we'll take the opportunity to experiment with some jutsu," Yakumaru said with a smile.

This was a project overseen jointly by Haneda Fuji, Minato, and Kushina.

The experiments mainly revolved around sealing techniques, particularly one called the Four-Way Barrier Seal Formation. It was a collaborative technique requiring four users, designed to restrain massive chakra entities. Since there had never been a chance to test it in real scenarios, the Three-Tails now provided the perfect opportunity.

As the tests proceeded, the trio, who were deeply familiar with sealing techniques, made continuous improvements. With Kushina—a master of sealing techniques—leading the efforts, and the invaluable presence of a Tailed Beast as the experimental subject, Konoha was adding another potential technique to its Book of Seals.

The value of this sealing jutsu lay in its accessibility.

The technique involved pre-drawn scrolls that supported the sealing process. Even if the users didn't specialize in sealing techniques, they could activate it.

As long as one skilled individual could create the scrolls, they could be mass-produced, serving as a valuable resource for the village.

Haneda Fuji even had plans to simplify the technique further, akin to the practicality of explosive tags.

It was rumored that Tsunade had been inspired by this concept as well, though she hadn't yet acted on it.

"Using a Tailed Beast for research…"

How extravagant.

Rasa cast an envious glance at the calm Three-Tails.

In the past, Sunagakure had also enjoyed a relatively peaceful period with Shukaku, during the tenure of the previous Jinchūriki.

It was during that time that the Second Kazekage managed to develop Magnet Release, thanks to the stability provided by the Jinchūriki.

Now, however, Shukaku frequently caused chaos, leaving Rasa with no time to study its potential power.

"I heard it was your clan leader, Fugaku, who subdued the Three-Tails?"

"Yes, but due to Lord Fugaku's busy schedule, the task of managing both Tailed Beasts has been handed over to me."

Handed over to you?

Rasa looked at Yakumaru, who said this while his eyes gradually shifted into Mangekyo Sharingan. Rasa's pupils constricted, and he instinctively wanted to avert his gaze but forced himself to maintain eye contact.

Looking away would betray weakness.

Baki and another escort stared at Uchiha Yakumaru with grim expressions, shocked to realize that the Hokage's chosen guide had the power to control Tailed Beasts.

They watched as Yakumaru approached the Three-Tails, earning respectful looks from the surrounding Konoha shinobi, and further strengthened his control over the beast.

"Lord Yakumaru, there's still no suitable candidate," said an ANBU member, stepping forward after Yakumaru finished. "Perhaps you or Lord Fugaku should become the Jinchūriki."

"No. The Jinchūriki must come from the younger generation," Yakumaru replied, adopting the demeanor of an elder.

"With the illusion space I've created, you can communicate with the Three-Tails. If someone gains its acknowledgment, Konoha's next generation will surely produce a strong shinobi. That's far better than merely enhancing our current strength."

Konoha was already strong enough. The focus now should be on strengthening its foundation and fostering the younger generation. Further bolstering the current fighting force served little purpose.

The ANBU member understood this logic but looked troubled. Was there truly a suitable young candidate?

Yakumaru, noticing his hesitation, added, "Have you tried the ANBU members yet?"

"You mean Kakashi?" The ANBU member suddenly realized. But then he frowned, recalling Kakashi's still-developing mastery over his Sharingan. "He hasn't fully mastered his eye yet. Is it really possible?"

If Kakashi had already mastered the Mangekyo Sharingan, he would undoubtedly be the best candidate in the current generation.

"There's no harm in trying. With the Three-Tails' power, even if Kakashi isn't a perfect Jinchūriki, he'll still grow significantly stronger."

Yakumaru dismissed the matter with a wave of his hand and walked back toward Rasa.

Despite his young age, Kakashi had already been promoted to jōnin, possessing talent that arguably surpassed both himself and Haneda. He was Konoha's most promising shinobi.

However, Kakashi's perpetual Sharingan use drained his chakra, leaving him frequently exhausted.

Yakumaru had heard from Haneda that Kakashi, frustrated by his inability to wield the Mangekyo's power effectively, had even considered replacing his Sharingan and refocusing on the White Fang's sword techniques.

But this was the Mangekyo Sharingan they were talking about!

Yakumaru chuckled as he recalled the respectful looks directed at him by the surrounding shinobi. Letting Kakashi give up such a power would be a tremendous waste.

If Kakashi could harness the Three-Tails' strength, chakra would no longer be an issue. With Konoha's resources, there was no reason to let such a talent go untapped.

Combining the Three-Tails' power, the White Fang's techniques, the Mangekyo Sharingan, and Kakashi's own lightning jutsu—along with his unyielding resolve born from Obito's "return" and Rin's death—would likely create a monster.

Yakumaru smiled faintly and turned to Rasa. "Apologies for keeping you waiting, Lord Kazekage."

"No, it's nothing. To witness the power of the Mangekyo Sharingan was well worth it."

Rasa shook his head, casting one last glance at the serene Three-Tails before following Yakumaru, a heavy weight settling in his heart.

Yakumaru continued to lead Rasa and his guards around various parts of Konoha.

With every visit, every encounter with Konoha's top-tier shinobi, and every glimpse of the village's overwhelming strength, Rasa grew increasingly dazed.

By the time he returned to the Hokage's office, finding Haneda Fuji standing behind Minato, the pressure he felt earlier came flooding back.

The gap between them… was enormous.

"Lord Hokage," Rasa began, "I've considered your earlier proposal. Sunagakure and Konoha are allies. Naturally, we will stand together. However…"

He hesitated, seeing Minato's calm expression, before finally stating his concern.

"Our village lacks a suitable Jinchūriki for our Tailed Beast. Shukaku frequently goes berserk, and I'm the only one who can keep it in check."

"If it happens again while I'm attending the Five Kage Summit, Sunagakure could be destroyed!"

"What are you suggesting, Lord Kazekage?"

"If my village lacks a solution, I may have to forgo attending the Five Kage Summit."

Rasa sighed deeply. "Would Konoha be willing to provide Sunagakure with a means to contain Shukaku? If so, I assure you that Sunagakure will fully support Konoha during the summit."

Minato remained composed, his gaze briefly shifting toward Haneda Fuji, though he couldn't help but smile inwardly.

Strike where it hurts most.

The Kazekage's reaction had been exactly as Haneda predicted.

After witnessing Konoha's strength and potential, cooperation was inevitable. But, of course, Rasa wouldn't pass up the chance to secure a benefit for his own village.

Unfortunately for him, the solution he sought had already been placed clearly in view, thanks to Haneda's careful planning.

(End of Chapter)

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