As the voice faded, a massive shadow rose from the ground, the sunlight refracting into a rainbow of colors across its body.
It was a colossal Tailed Beast — the Seven-Tails, Chōmei!
Its body was covered in thick armor plates, its eyes glowed a deep crimson, and seven enormous tails whipped behind it, releasing powerful gusts of wind that sent the surrounding trees swaying and snapping.
But then, a massive arm formed by Susanoo came crashing down from the sky, slamming hard into Chōmei's body.
"Didn't I tell you to keep a low profile? Why are you making such a big scene?"
The blow drove Chōmei to the ground with a tremendous crash, raising a cloud of dust.
It lifted its head angrily, stubbornness flashing in its crimson eyes.
But when it saw the attacker's face, that defiance instantly melted away, replaced by submission and respect.
Seeing this, Tsunade and the other two women gasped, hands covering their mouths, eyes filled with shock.
A Tailed Beast — one of those legendary beings of immense power and ferocity — was now lying meekly on the ground, summoned by Uchiha Hikaru like a mere Summoning Beast.
And this Seven-Tails, Chōmei, was far gentler than they had imagined a Tailed Beast could ever be.
If Chōmei had heard that thought, it probably would have cursed them out.
Anyone would be docile after being beaten senseless for an hour.
Hikaru looked at Chōmei with a smug smile before turning to the three women.
"Well? The Seven-Tails is the only Tailed Beast that can fly. If we ride it, we can get to our destination much faster."
At the idea of being used as a mount, Chōmei snorted in irritation… then rolled over and lay flat.
Tsunade and Nonō Yakushi exchanged glances, faint distaste on their faces as they took in Chōmei's huge body and unruly appearance.
They were women, after all — and this strange, bug-like creature was hardly their idea of appealing.
But Uchiha Chiri was different.
Her eyes lit with excitement and anticipation as she looked at Chōmei.
She took a step forward and said to Hikaru, "Can I try first?"
Amused, Hikaru raised a brow.
"You don't dislike it?"
Chiri blinked, then replied as if it were obvious:
"Of course not. The Seven-Tails can fly, and it's beautiful!"
Her answer surprised Hikaru and left Tsunade and Nonō baffled.
Hikaru glanced back at the massive beast lying nearby — armored body, crimson eyes, and seven writhing tails — and couldn't quite connect the word beautiful to it.
A string of question marks practically appeared over his head: "Are you sure you're talking about this Seven-Tails in front of us?"
Tsunade and Nonō looked at Chiri like she was speaking nonsense, utterly unable to grasp her sense of aesthetics.
Seeing their reactions, Chiri tilted her head, confused. She pointed at Chōmei and explained:
"It looks like a butterfly, doesn't it? And aren't butterflies beautiful?"
In her eyes, despite its unusual appearance, the seven enormous tails reminded her of a butterfly's wings — a unique beauty that drew her closer.
Hikaru was at a loss for words. This was not the answer he had expected.
He glanced at the Seven-Tails again and noticed it had turned its head, gazing at Chiri with crimson eyes.
There was something complicated in that gaze, as if her sincerity had struck a chord.
Chiri seemed oblivious to any strangeness. She walked right up to Chōmei, gently running her hand over its armored shell, like soothing an injured child.
Her touch was both gentle and firm, radiating kindness and respect.
"My name is Uchiha Chiri. What's yours?"
Her clear, warm voice seemed to pass through Chōmei's hard shell, reaching its heart.
The Seven-Tails didn't answer immediately, simply continuing to watch her.
After a long moment, just as a hint of disappointment flickered in Chiri's eyes, its voice suddenly rumbled forth:
"My name is Chōmei, the Seven-Tails. Remember it, little girl."
At that, Chiri's face lit up in a brilliant smile.
"I'll remember. Your name is Chōmei. From today, you're my friend!"
Her words were like sunlight, warming Chōmei's long-cold heart.
For a moment, it felt like the distant past — before the Nine Tailed Beasts and humans were divided by hatred and betrayal.
In its mind echoed the words of the Sage of Six Paths, the god who had created them:
"You Nine Tailed Beasts and humankind should live in harmony, respecting and understanding one another."
But centuries of pain had eroded that vision, filling the Tailed Beasts with mistrust and resentment.
Now, this girl was rekindling a hope it thought long dead.
Hikaru, watching from the side, silently marveled.
He knew that becoming a perfect jinchūriki required the Tailed Beast's acknowledgment — something incredibly difficult to obtain.
After a thousand years, most Tailed Beasts saw humans as nothing but threats and shackles.
Yet Chiri had managed it, winning Chōmei's friendship with nothing but genuine kindness.
It was a kind of strength that even Hikaru — who persuaded with reason — couldn't match.
Soon after, Chōmei allowed Chiri to climb onto its back.
Once she was seated, its massive body tensed and then launched into the sky.
Chiri gasped at first, but as the exhilaration of flight took hold, she broke into delighted laughter.
Her voice was crisp and bright, like silver bells ringing across the open air.
Hearing her laugh, Chōmei's spirits soared. It twisted and rolled through the sky, showing off its aerial prowess.
Chiri clung tightly to its body, relishing the thrill and freedom of the ride.
Tsunade and Nonō watched from the ground, faces tinged with envy.
Before long, Chiri had Chōmei land.
"Come on! Didn't you say you wanted to get to the next place faster?"
The two women ran over excitedly to climb aboard, and Hikaru followed with a small smile.