"System… if I became the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki, would there be any side effects on me?"
Ash asked while advancing through the sky using Moon Step, heading back toward the Akatsuki base.
Ding~!
"The host's body would not suffer major negative effects from becoming the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki. However, the system does not recommend it. The host's current power does not require a volatile time-bomb such as the Nine-Tails sealed inside the body."
"That's true…" Ash muttered.
"Even though this is only the Yin half of Kurama, its strength still shouldn't be underestimated. At minimum, it can match the Eight-Tails. A full Nine-Tails would be even more terrifying."
The more he considered it, the more Ash agreed. Instead of burdening himself with becoming a Jinchūriki, it was far better to treat the Nine-Tails as a summonable creature, a beast linked to him through his ocular power.
After all, with his Sharingan, he didn't need to become the Nine-Tails—he could simply control it, just like a half-tamed Kurama stored away safely under his command.
Three Days Later…
Ash returned to the Akatsuki and resumed his previously peaceful, enviable life—until one person ruined that peace entirely.
"I'm telling you, Konan, this is not going to work. Stop following me like this."
Ash sighed helplessly as he walked down the corridor.
Because of the Senzu Beans (Fairy Beans), Konan had become glued to him like stubborn brown sugar. Ash had originally intended to hand some to Nagato, but Konan insisted on buying them—with money, no less. As if Ash would sell priceless life-saving items for a handful of Pokédollars.
Hearing Ash's frustration, the other Akatsuki members shook their heads from their rooms. Every one of them found Konan's behavior absurd. Who tries to buy a miraculous healing treasure with money?
Even Nagato thought Konan was being unreasonable, yet she refused to listen to anyone and simply kept following Ash. Eventually, he couldn't take it anymore.
"If you don't give me one today, I will follow you everywhere."
Konan's cold, emotionless tone was somehow even more stubborn than Ash's patience.
Ash rolled his eyes. "Do whatever you want…"
He couldn't fight her, couldn't yell at her, couldn't even threaten her. Konan also took care of White Zetsu when he wasn't available, so Ash wasn't willing to truly push her away.
Because Ash had obtained the Yin Nine-Tails chakra, his previous transaction with the Land of the Sky was canceled. What he wanted from them was the Zero-Tails' Dark Chakra, which in truth was simply the manifestation of human negative emotions—the same nature as Yin Kurama's chakra. With Kurama obtained, he had no reason to bother with the Zero-Tails.
The others in Akatsuki were disappointed. Not because of Kurama—
but because they wouldn't get their hands on Ash's Senzu Beans.
At the moment, Ash was recognized as the strongest member of Akatsuki aside from Nagato himself. With his ability to control the Nine-Tails' chakra through ocular power, combined with his bizarre Taijutsu and overwhelming ninjutsu, even Kakuzu—a man with nearly a century of combat experience—had to admit Ash's strength.
For several days, no matter where Ash went, Konan followed. Even when he went to the toilet, she stood guard outside the door. Ash was genuinely at his limit—Konan only stopped following him when he slept.
On this particularly exhausting day, Ash walked into Nagato's chamber with a defeated expression, tossed a Senzu Bean into Nagato's lap, and muttered:
"Here. Take it. Just make her stop… buy me some peace."
Nagato looked apologetic.
"Sorry, Ash. This is practically forced buying and forced selling…"
"It doesn't matter," Ash said, waving him off.
"There's no real conflict between us. And she's not a bad person… but I have one condition."
Nagato raised a brow.
"When I'm on missions," Ash continued, "Konan protects White Zetsu. That's all."
He didn't want White Zetsu dragged into Konan's obsessive persistence again. Her cold goddess façade was a total lie—she had already pushed White Zetsu to wear ridiculous things like maid outfits just to make Ash react.
Ash sighed deeply.
This woman was going to be the end of him.
"You don't have to worry about White Zetsu's safety."
Konan spoke calmly from the side. Over the years, she and White Zetsu had grown close.
Hearing her assurance, Nagato nodded. Then, under Konan's hopeful gaze, he swallowed the Senzu Bean Ash had tossed him.
The effect was immediate.
"—This…!"
A massive surge of vitality exploded through Nagato's body. In less than three seconds, his once-frail frame filled out with muscle, color returning to his skin. The black receivers embedded in his back popped free as his body repaired itself to full function.
"I haven't felt the ground like this… in so many years."
Nagato stepped away from his mechanical support, placing his bare feet on solid earth, savoring the feeling of walking under his own strength again.
"Wonderful, Nagato!"
Konan beamed, joy overflowing. She had always viewed Nagato like a brother; her relief was genuine and overwhelming.
Ash snorted.
"Good, you're recovered. Now that this woman has what she wants, maybe she'll finally stop bothering me. I'm sick of being stalked every hour of the day."
"Hmph. That room isn't yours alone," Konan shot back immediately.
"I'm going to see White Zetsu. You can't stop me."
Ash's face darkened.
"You're ruthless."
He turned to leave—only for Nagato to stop him.
Ash sighed. "What now? Don't tell me it's another mission. You know my mood lately."
Nagato shook his head.
"Nothing like that. I want all members to assemble. Now that my body has recovered, it's time for the leader of the Akatsuki to show his true face again. I no longer have to hide behind excuses of poor health."
...
TN:
⚡ Pa-treon-com/LordMerlin (Support me! 😊)