Lifelong Friend (P.2)

Gengetsu refused to spell it out for me any further than he already had. Now don't think I'm an idiot… admittedly even I'm wondering but this little plan operated on a lot of assumptions. Mainly me being an honorable person who would agree to protect Kirigakure.

As the new jinchuriki of the three tails I would always be known for my relation to Kiri. Giving me the beast also made it known I was related to the Hozuki. Well directly to Gengetsu at the very least. I got that part and it wasn't hard to comprehend as ownership of the beast couldn't be contested. Why the three instead of the six tails made sense now too. They knew my identity so giving me the larger power was out of the question. The overall intent was very clear.

The why is what still eludes me. Weird sage talks aside I could only think Gengetsu was binding me to Kiri so that I would choose to live here from now on. It wouldn't be a bad idea if a certain eye powered douchebag didn't have some plans but I'd consider it. Mizukage Ren and his wife the Hokage Tsunade seemed like a top tier couple goal. Short of secret agreements I could really not figure it out.

Nonetheless the agreement was made and soon I was in a secret compound in Konoha. Grandma Mito once more stood before me. Kushina standing at her side looked extremely scared. I wasn't that far off as the vase containing the three tails was slowly placed in the room. Dismissing everyone but Kushina and I, she gave me the we need to talk look. Knocking out Kushina before proceeding to undo my transformation I sat for the last time in front of her.

" What's wrong grandma?"

" Can you handle the after effects of the changes you'll make boy?"

Walking over to a knocked out Kushina I created a save and then plucked out a hair. Kushinas clone appeared shortly afterward. With the clones appearance a cut on my palm opened as black tendrils tore out the young clones heart. The now dead clone was immediately stored in my corpse storage scroll.

" With her special chakra being generated in my body it shouldn't be a problem to be a jinchuriki. Making others may be just as easy."

" You do have a plan already then….Very well. I will allow this little game of yours to continue. Just remember our deal."

" I remember. Don't worry those two kids will follow their fate or whatever."

" Good. Make Tsunade happy boy. My grand daughters suffering is truly an unfair byproduct of the games I played. You are the only good I've done by her."

"… you don't have to give up your life you know?"

" I'm tired. At least in the pure land I can finally get some rest."

Her words finished, she once more regained the look of her youth. With the transformation completed I only felt an impact. Looking down at my stomach a seal instantaneously appeared. The vase containing the three tails shattered. Along with my consciousness.

" I'm sorry boy. Binding your fate to Tsunade was cruel of me. Every small action since hasn't been much better. I genuinely hope you two together will find the happiness you deserve."

Within my consciousness I was staring at the giant turtle that was the three tails. The prison it was in was kind of cruel in my opinion but the seal is what it is.

" Hello little one. Sorry about the accommodations."

" Little? This young one?"

" There's no one else here is there?"

" (looking around) No there is not. You are still incorrect. This young one is not a little puny human like you."

" You're sealed inside me. So you are currently smaller than me or I would blow up and die."

"… is this young one smaller than a puny human now!?"

" Yes you are! It's great talking to a wise young turtle."

" Release me so this young one can be big again!"

" I can't or I'll die. I really don't want to die so you're stuck with me."

" How does this young one swim if he can't be big again!?"

" Uhhh I'll figure something out for you."

" Really you'll let this young one swim?"

" Yeah as long as you help me out I'll help you out as much as possible."

" You're a strange puny human aren't you."

" I'm… well I can't deny that now can I? You're no better though shouldn't you want to fight me or something?"

" Why would this young one need to do that?"

" Umm freedom? Hate of humans or something?"

" This young one was regularly imprisoned in jars, vases, even a sword once? Memory fails this one. Humans always find us and a new prison is built. Escape is foolish. Living in a puny human like you is much better."

" You didn't say you don't hate humans."

" Puny humans are pests. You will use me for some war or to take control of some country. Even though you will be responsible for the killing, other puny humans will blame me. This one would rather swim but if stuck here it's better to just accept it."

" Why fake talking like a simple individual when you're quite intelligent?"

" Easier. Saves time."

" I get that. So any idea why I'm not waking up?"

" Puny humans chakra is too strong it's taking some time to adjust."

" Puny humans name is Ren. What's yours?"

" This young ones name?"

" Don't make me regret thinking you're a wise turtle. Everyone has a name what's yours?"

"… this one is named Isobu."

" Look forward to working with you little guy. I think I'm waking up so just look at the world through my eyes. I'll try to go swimming pretty often."

Waking up from that state was a strange experience. Not because of the whole existence within my mind part of things but because of the fact the knocked out version of me was now a puddle. Being unconscious somehow activated a version of hiding in water technique. As my body was now a mass of water I was basically hiding with in myself. Hydrification was a really weird technique when you got down to it.

Pulling out my water gourd I was chugging water like no tomorrow. Generating water in the gourd was noticeably easier than before as well. Eventually my body reformed completely and I was staring at my beautiful wife. The sadness in her eyes couldn't be hidden.

" So she went through with the transfer?"

" We both know it was her goal for a long time Ren. Maybe now that she's with my grandfather she can be truly happy."

" She will be. I know it."

" How? Some other secret I don't know?"

" No I can't talk to the dead or anything….I think. I'm talking about Kushinas jinchuriki training."

" What about it?"

" Grandma told Kushina in order to counter the nine tailed fox's hatred, she needs to fill herself with love. Imagine how great Grandma Mitos love was that she was never once influenced by the nine tails. She'll be happy. I believe that wholeheartedly."

The sadness didn't diminish from Tsunades eyes but she finally smiled. Tales of Grandma Mito ensued as we reminisced on the woman who for several years more or less dictated our lives.

I personally wasn't really sure how to feel about her passing. The reality was she controlled a lot of my actions growing up. Most likely in ways I can't even imagine. I refused to believe she didn't make moves outside of the conversations we had on the subject. Her obsession with the perfect future and the children of prophecy always made me feel wary of her. My existence could very well threaten that future so I always felt on edge.

On the other hand apart from her maniacal control over me she also gave me something I could never thank her enough for. A family. A wife. A home. The older I got the more of her kindness that I saw. She controlled all my actions sure but she also tried to protect me from rash decisions. Protecting me from myself is something only someone who cared would do. I didn't want to admit it but losing her hurt me deeply.