Minato's relationship with the Raikage wasn't bad.
As for A…
Kyoichi felt that once you got on the same wavelength with him, he was actually pretty easy to talk to — straightforward, direct in his actions. But if you weren't on his channel, then even saying a single word to him felt like too much.
Fortunately, Minato's channel could more or less line up with A's. After all, they were both strong. As long as the Fourth Raikage didn't try pulling something absurd like an arm-wrestling contest, Minato could usually manage things smoothly.
Besides…
Minato's Sage Mode was now far stronger than before. It still only lasted a minute or two, but the preparation time was much shorter — an advantage in itself.
When it came to dealing with Ōnoki, letting the old man come to Konoha on his own was fine. But A was a different story — Konoha had to take the initiative and approach him first, and they needed to do it before Ōnoki decided to join the fold.
Because…
You couldn't use common sense to predict the thinking of such a hot-headed brute.
The very next day…
Kyoichi went looking for Minato.
In recent days, Minato had done a great job managing and training the ANBU. Kyoichi was already considering handing full control of the ANBU over to him.
But…
Sometimes, when Kyoichi wasn't around, the ANBU could still function smoothly. Whereas if Konoha lacked his presence, White Zetsu and Black Zetsu would probably walk in and out as they pleased.
So…
It was clear that, at this moment, only Minato had both the ability and the qualifications to go to the Land of Lightning.
It wasn't as if they could send Tsunade-hime herself.
That would be inappropriate…
Not to mention Tsunade's fiery temper — just in terms of administrative duties alone, they couldn't spare her. And it wasn't as if they could put the Third Hokage back in charge as a substitute.
Only Minato could do it.
Kushina had no objections. In fact, she even approached Kyoichi, saying that if there was any way she could be of help, she wouldn't hesitate to step up.
She didn't state it outright.
But…
Her words carried a hidden meaning.
After all, what could Kushina do?
At this stage, she couldn't be sent on missions outside the village. The only things that truly mattered were the Nine-Tails and sealing techniques.
So…
Kyoichi asked her directly:
"How's your relationship with the Nine-Tails these days?"
"Relationship? It's… okay, I guess. It's actually kind of pitiful. I've already loosened part of its seal, and its attitude isn't as arrogant and overbearing as before… Hey, what are you shouting for! Believe it or not, I'll lock you back up!"
"Uh…"
Looked like…
If things kept going this way, either Kushina or the Nine-Tails was going to lose their mind.
Kyoichi muttered silently to himself.
The atmosphere turned a little stiff.
Kushina scratched her head awkwardly and laughed dryly:
"Haha… I know, I know, my temper sometimes just gets the better of me. Hahaha…"
"I understand. But still, with the Nine-Tails — it's really all been a misunderstanding between it and Konoha. Try to get along with it peacefully. If we completely resolve the matter of Uchiha Madara, it's not impossible to let it return to nature one day."
Kyoichi said.
The veins on Kushina's forehead twitched. Clearly, the Nine-Tails was acting up inside again.
She took a deep breath.
"Forget it — why don't you talk to it yourself."
"Fair enough…"
Kyoichi entered the seal space.
The Nine-Tails' treatment here was a bit better than before. At least it wasn't bound by heavy chains, suspended on a giant floating stone. Now it was merely pinned under a massive boulder.
An improvement, but…
Still very limited.
Kyoichi stayed silent for a moment, but before he could even speak, the Nine-Tails blurted out impatiently:
"You really mean it — you'd release me back into the wild?"
"Of course. As long as you don't harm humans or our lands, we're even willing to carve out a sanctuary within the Land of Fire just for you."
Kyoichi answered naturally.
The Nine-Tails' power was immense.
Outside of someone like Madara, almost no one in the shinobi world could truly threaten it. And besides…
If it stayed within the Land of Fire, wouldn't Konoha be able to take it back any time they wished?
The Nine-Tails didn't think that far.
It was too excited.
The boulder on its back rumbled, but it still couldn't budge.
One thing was certain…
The sealing techniques of the Uzumaki clan were truly formidable.
Even without the diamond-hard chains, the Nine-Tails couldn't shake off the seal.
It slumped down, whining:
"Fine! I give up. Just let me out already!"
"Really surrender?"
Kushina appeared.
At first, she hadn't planned to show herself.
She knew her own temper well. Sometimes, she just couldn't hold it back. With Minato she could still manage, but before Kyoichi, losing her cool would be far too disrespectful.
But…
For something like this, she couldn't stay away.
After all…
Kyoichi didn't have the ability to sense good or evil.
"I really mean it! I truly want to work with you. As long as you actually keep your word and let me go in the end."
The Nine-Tails said.
Kushina didn't sense any malice. The beast seemed sincere enough.
She glanced at Kyoichi.
"Let it loose. If it tries anything, you and I can suppress it together in an instant."
Kyoichi smiled.
The relationship between a jinchūriki and their beast was complicated. Even if freed, the Nine-Tails wouldn't choose mutual destruction if it saw hope of release. And besides, the Uzumaki clan's strength lay in their seals — even if the Nine-Tails tried to go down that path, it probably couldn't succeed.
Even if it was the Nine-Tails.
Once Kyoichi lifted part of the restrictions, the massive stone vanished.
This was the projection space of the seal.
The weight was gone — meaning only the thinnest outer layer of the seal remained. If the Nine-Tails really wanted to, it might just be able to break free.
But…
Facing Kyoichi and Kushina, the Nine-Tails didn't dare move recklessly. It simply lay there quietly.
For a moment, silence hung between them.
"If what you say is true, then yes — I'm willing to work with you. I'll even willingly share my chakra with you."
The Nine-Tails finally laid out its condition.
But the premise was…
That Kyoichi was truly being honest, not deceiving it.
It could sense good and evil, but that didn't tell it truth from lies. Even so… it had the strong feeling this man wasn't lying.
"Of course it's true. I've no reason to deceive you. But as I said — your freedom comes with conditions. You cannot leave the Land of Fire. And if anyone tries to harm you, Konoha will step in to protect you."
Since the Nine-Tails was showing sincerity, Kyoichi didn't mince words. He laid his cards directly on the table.
Kurama hesitated for a while, then stretched out its massive paw.
"Deal!"
Kyoichi and Kushina bumped their fists against it. The three of them shared a moment of resonance, establishing a fragile but real understanding.
"Then… how do you intend to deal with Madara?"
The Nine-Tails asked.
One of the main reasons it agreed to cooperate was that man.
Madara was its mortal enemy.
And without Madara, it meant everything to the Nine-Tails.
"First, we need to locate him. That's the hardest part. We know he has the Rinnegan, and likely uses a summoning technique for communication. But tracing him back in reverse… that won't be easy."
Kyoichi admitted.
The Nine-Tails thought it over and said:
"As for the Rinnegan, I don't know much. And summoning techniques, even less. But what you mentioned before… about the nine beasts becoming one… I think that might be true."
Even Kurama wasn't certain.
But after digging through its long memory, it felt there might be something to that — and that such unification could be crucial.
As for the moon… that part it knew nothing about.
"Still, before that day comes… if you're facing Madara, I'll willingly lend you my chakra."