Chapter 163: Nine Tails

(AN: I finally got around to creating a sustainable schedule. My Wintersession Classes have really been getting in the way.

Monday/Wednesday/Friday- Naruto: The Strongest Senju

Tuesday/Thursday- Naruto: The Sorcerer Supreme

Saturday/Sunday- Alternating between One Piece: Rules of Justice, My Hero Academia: The White Queen, and Naruto: Daughter of The Mist.

Now, Enjoy the Chapter)

Hopefully I can get the chapters stockpiled enough by Friday.

Tsunade opened her eyes to find herself in a beautiful landscape, with flowers and rivers adorning it to where it looked as if she was in paradise.

She looked to her side to see her Grandmother, with her looking as her skin glowed in the beautiful atmosphere.

"Well, let us go." Mito said with a determined look on her face, though Tsunade still looked in awe at the level of complexity that Mito's mindscape showed. 

Even she was unable to manifest a landscape as vast and beautiful as this, though she simply decided to ask for her Grandmother's advice on it later, with them heading towards the holding place of the Nine Tails.

They soon arrived at a cave, with them entering to see the pathway adorned with torches all down the path.

"What you felt earlier was most likely the Nine Tails simply attempting to rattle the chains that mind him, though he wouldn't have been able to escape no matter how he felt." Mito said without taking a glance at her, with them continuing to head towards the central location.

They finally arrived at their location, with Tsunade being absolutely shocked by what she saw.

Instead of him simply being locked behind a cage, Tsunade saw the majestic fox being bound by a tremendous amount of chains, with the chains extending from things like his tails and limbs, to the smallest things like his claws.

The Nine Tails opened his eyes upon sensing their presence, with them staring at the two with a monstrous amount of hatred and malice in his eyes.

Tsunade began to feel as if the sheer emotions that he was emanating were becoming physical, as she stared at the terrifying creature.

[HOW DARE YOU SHOW YOURSELF TO ME!!! I'LL RIP YOU APART ONCE I AM RELEASED] 

Kurama showcased his hatred in his words as realized who the two people before him were.

One was the wife of the bastard who sealed him, while the other was his family member and carried the same blood as the man.

He truly wished to rip apart the two beings before him, as if that could cause Hashirama some suffering from beyond the grave.

"Nine Tails, I've come to bargain." Tsunade said with a determined look upon her face as she walked directly before the being.

[Oh, and what could a measly monkey like you possibly have to offer me? Unless it is to wipe out your bloodline followed by yourself, then I'm afraid I won't need it.] 

"I'm afraid I can't meet that demand, but what if I can offer you some facet of freedom?"

This statement made both Mito and the Nine-Tails turn their attention towards Tsunade, with a questioning gaze accompanying them both.

"While I can't offer something like releasing you after my Grandmother's death, especially since I wish to prolong her life as long as possible, I can offer you an alternative. What if we pull some of your chakra into the physical world and I use it to mold a smaller body for your consciousness to inhabit? This could allow you freedom while also giving you the gift to enjoy the outside world for the first time in decades." Tsunade said, making Mito's eyes widen while the Nine-Tails just chuckled in contempt.

[While the offer seems kind, you also likely won't allow my full body to be released to save the life of this wench. And even if that is the case, why should I trust someone like you to keep your word? It is worth just about as much as your Grandfather's life, and you see where he is.]

"Perhaps? But wouldn't it better than simply being a caged pet for the rest of your days?" Tsunade retorted.

[I AM NO ONE'S PET!!] The Nine-Tails yelled in anger as all of the chains rattled due to his power, his overwhelmingly dense chakra crashing into both Tsunade and Mito.

Mito prepared to reinforce the seal, though Tsunade didn't make a move, and instead stared at the being before her.

"I'm offering you a chance, Nine-Tails. I'm willing to admit my Grandfather was wrong with his approach to you and the other Tailed Beasts. And I also hope to be able to help the situation of you all one day. But this is the best I can do right now. So if you want a chance at freedom, a chance to see the world with your own eyes, then you have to trust me." Tsunade said.

The Nine Tails stared at the human before him, unable to feel that he was being tricked.

The girl was a descendant of the bastard known as Hashirama, causing him to already be hated by her, with the only bloodline he hated more being the Uchiha.

But he could detect no lies from her, making him frown as either she was a liar good enough to fool even the mighty Kyubi, or she was telling the truth.

And it was that fact that made him, for the first time in his long and illustrious history, choose to put his trust in a human.

[Very well. I have decided to put my faith in you, Tsunade Senju. But know this,

If my trust is betrayed, then I shall send you to a seat next to your Grandfather in Hell.]