"Rooooar!" The Seven Tails lifted its head to the sky, crying out with all its might. No shinobi remained alive around it. Breathing deeply, it laughed. "Freedom… I'd almost forgotten how it feels." Its chakra surged again as it gathered another Tailed Beast Bomb, intent on erasing the land of its captivity.
Renji quickly regrouped his squad. "That side is done. We need to finish this too. Anyone who drags behind can't hope to befriend a Tailed Beast. Uncle, swing freely, even if I'm in your path, cut through me. Duantian, strike from behind, don't worry about me. This time, we'll send him off together."
"Light Release: Refracted Flash Assault."
Golden chains of light linked Renji, Kirito, Duantian, and the Taki Kage together. In a blink, Renji blurred into striking range.
"Earth Release: Yellow Springs Swamp."
At the same moment, Renji, Retsu, and Yan cast the binding jutsu, locking the Kage's footing.
Kirito and Duantian charged in with lethal strikes. Renji's body flickered between them, his speed so great it looked as if their blades might slice into him. But their trust never wavered. They swung without hesitation and their swords passed harmlessly through Renji's body, striking only at the true target.
The Taki Kage twisted desperately. A Sharingan genjutsu seized his vision.
"Genjutsu: Sharingan."
"Genjutsu: Mist Servants."
"Genjutsu: Darkness Technique."
From the perimeter, Xingye, Retsu, and Yan layered illusions. Against a Kage, the interference lasted barely two seconds, but it was enough. In those two seconds, Renji looped twice more within his light trajectory.
"Lightning Release: Raikiri!"
The Taki Kage's eyes widened as his chest was pierced through. His strength left him.
"Slash. Slash."
Two more clean cuts fell. His head and half his torso split away. The Taki Kage, a man who once held the title of shadow, was no more.
The squad's coordinated hunt had succeeded. They had slain a Kage.
Meanwhile, the Seven Tails had already fired three Tailed Beast Bombs, obliterating Takigakure. A village erased from the map. The Beast's power was overwhelming.
Renji leapt onto the Seven Tails' snout. "So, brother, how does it feel?"
"Hahaha! Not bad. You're a strange one, human. No one's ever called me brother before." Chōmei's spirits soared.
Renji spoke earnestly. "The Sage of Six Paths split the Ten Tails into nine, giving each a homeland. But shinobi feared your power, tried to claim you. The Five Great Villages turned you into tools, sealing you in hosts, taking your freedom. It wasn't your fault. It was human greed. But it doesn't have to be that way. With understanding and trust, Tailed Beasts and humans could fight as comrades, as family, like my team here."
Chōmei studied him. "How do you know all this? Who are you really?"
"I am Uchiha Renji. Our clan descends from the Sage of Six Paths. We inherited his eyes, the Sharingan. And I choose to inherit his will, to bring peace between humans and Tailed Beasts. That is why I freed you." His gaze was steady.
The Beast tilted its head. "Descendant of the Sage… No wonder your eyes look familiar. Very well. You freed me. I'll remember this. Farewell." Its wings spread, preparing to leave.
Renji panicked. No way. After all this, I can't let him just fly off!
"Wait! Where can you even go? Anywhere you go, humans will attack you again. They'll try to seal you or enslave you as a Jinchūriki. The same cycle will repeat!"
Chōmei roared in frustration. "Damn you humans! You made it so I have no home, no safety. I am a Tailed Beast, not a pet for you to chain!"
Renji raised his hands. "Calm down, brother. I know a place. The Summoning Realm. I control one. You can live there freely, no contracts, no obligations. A land of forests and rivers, untouched by shinobi. A true home. What do you say?"
As he spoke, his Sharingan spun, weaving subtle genjutsu into his words. Not to enslave only to soften resistance, make the idea easier to accept.
"Is this true? Why would you do this? No human is ever so kind. What's your real goal?!" Chōmei's killing intent burst forth, pressing down like a mountain. Renji's body trembled, nearly crushed.
But he held firm. "Because I want to see if humans and Tailed Beasts can coexist. You deserve freedom, like any living being. I can't free all the Beasts yet. But I can give you safety, a home. That is enough for now."
He reached out his hand.
For a heartbeat, their touch resonated. Warmth flowed between them. For Chōmei, it was a forgotten feeling, one that reminded him of the Sage himself.
"Old man… is it you? I've waited so long…" Chōmei whispered.
Moved, Renji leapt onto the Beast's head, stroking it. "Come, big brother. Let's go home."
"Reverse Summoning!"
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