Chapter 297: The World Is So Big
The Nine-Tails' Rampage left Konoha with heavy losses.
However, it wasn't all bad. The biggest threat lurking in the shadows, the one that had been pressuring Tonari the most—Uchiha Madara—was finally dead.
Moreover, his greatest fear—that Minato and Kushina would perish in this disaster—had been averted.
Although thousands of Konoha shinobi lost their lives, the attack served as a harsh warning to the village's higher-ups.
Madara was alive, and he had an ally—another Mangekyō Sharingan user worthy of partnering with him.
This alone was enough to put immense pressure on Konoha's leadership.
Some had grown complacent after the Third Shinobi War, but now, they were on edge once again.
Even more importantly, this gave Tonari a perfect excuse to expand both the Anbu and Root forces under his control.
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The meeting established many crucial decisions, ensuring that any factions harboring personal ambitions within the village were now fully aware of the external and internal threats pressing down on them.
With the meeting concluded, various clans and departments mobilized their forces to begin Konoha's restoration.
Given the extent of destruction in the village center, the low casualty rate was surprising.
For Tonari, rebuilding structures wasn't difficult—not with his Wood Release.
With a single "Wood Release: Mass Housing Jutsu," entire streets sprang back to life—sturdier than before.
All that remained was for the shinobi forces to clear debris, fill craters, and dispose of wreckage.
Thanks to Konoha's full mobilization, the recovery effort progressed swiftly.
However, while repairing the village was easy, restoring the massive crater left by his battle with Madara was a different matter.
With his final contribution complete, exhaustion finally hit him.
After returning to the Nekomata Inn, Tonari collapsed face-first onto his bed.
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His foresight in choosing this location was proving more brilliant by the day.
Despite the Nine-Tails' rampage, the inn remained untouched, standing beside Ichiraku Ramen—which was also miraculously unscathed.
Kushina and Minato's home was the first to be destroyed, so they, along with their newborn child, had been staying at the inn.
In a way, Tonari's inn had turned into an unofficial evacuation shelter.
Understanding how drained he was, no one disturbed him.
Minato cared for Kushina and their baby, while Reika tended to Tonari.
He slept for two whole days and nights.
When he finally woke, his mind felt refreshed, though his stomach was completely empty.
However, before tending to his hunger, he did something else—
Tonari projected his consciousness into his newly formed sealing space.
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Inside, the Nine-Tails lay motionless, its body restrained by massive wooden bindings.
For the past few days, its existence had been nothing short of miserable.
In its previous host, Kushina, it had at least some freedom—able to stand, lie down, or even sleep within its cage.
When Kushina was pregnant, the seal weakened, allowing it to exert some influence every now and then.
But then, out of nowhere, someone had forcibly ripped it out.
At first, it thought it was being freed.
Yet before it could celebrate, its chakra was split in half and its mind was forcefully dominated by the Sharingan.
By the time it regained awareness, it was already being crushed into submission—by Tonari.
Before it could resist, it was sealed once more.
And this time, the seal was completely different—far more restrictive than any before.
Previously, it was merely caged.
Now?
It was pinned to the ground, unable to move a single muscle.
What's worse?
The wooden bindings were continuously draining its chakra.
For the first time in its existence, the Nine-Tails experienced what it was like to have its chakra constantly depleted.
And worst of all—it couldn't replenish it fast enough.
Seeing Tonari appear, the furious fox let out a deafening roar.
"BRAT! HOW DARE YOU DO THIS TO ME? I AM THE NINE-TAILS!"
Tonari rubbed the back of his head, smiling apologetically.
"Ahaha… don't take it personally, Kurama. You were way too out of control. If I hadn't done this, you would have leveled the entire village."
With a wave of his hand, the wooden bindings vanished.
The Nine-Tails immediately sprang to its feet, its massive tails thrashing behind it.
Its deep red chakra surged, distorting the air in the sealing space.
Yet, despite its intimidating display, Tonari remained perfectly calm.
He simply watched—completely unfazed.
"You do realize," Tonari chuckled, "that you're inside my body, in my seal."
"Do you really think you stand a chance against me?"
The Nine-Tails bared its fangs, but deep down, it knew he was right.
It had already lost once.
And if even Madara had failed to defeat this human, what chance did it have?
Before the Nine-Tails could retort, another massive presence emerged—
A large, blue-black cat, nearly as big as the Nine-Tails, appeared behind Tonari.
"Relax, Kurama," said the Two-Tails, lazily stretching.
"There's no point in resisting. You'll just make things harder for yourself."
"SHUT UP, YOU FORK-TAILED FLEABAG!" the Nine-Tails growled.
"If you were in my position, you'd be just as furious!"
The Two-Tails yawned.
"I've been with Tonari for a while now, and honestly, I don't mind it."
"He's strong, treats me well, and I can even roam freely."
The Nine-Tails narrowed its eyes.
"...Freely?"
Tonari smirked.
"I assume you'd like the same?"
At this, the Nine-Tails fell silent.
Freedom.
That was all it ever wanted.
"Think about it," the Two-Tails continued.
"You could fight back, but then you'd just be locked up indefinitely."
"Or…"
"You could cooperate and gain the same privileges I have."
The Nine-Tails snorted.
"And what do I have to do in return?"
Tonari crossed his arms.
"Simple. Lend me your chakra."
"In exchange, I'll protect you, and you'll be free to move around in the outside world—just like Matatabi here."
For a moment, the Nine-Tails remained silent.
Then, in a low voice, it asked—
"...What exactly are you fighting against?"
Tonari's smile faded.
"Madara's true goal is to revive the Ten-Tails using the Outer Path Golem."
The Nine-Tails froze.
The Ten-Tails…
The God Tree…
These were things it had hoped to never hear about again.
Tonari pulled out a small glass container.
Inside was a single eye, its rippling pattern unmistakable—
"A Rinnegan?!"
The Nine-Tails' pupils contracted in shock.
Tonari nodded.
"Madara has already activated the Outer Path. He plans to absorb all of you back into the Ten-Tails."
"That is your real enemy."
The Nine-Tails' growl faded.
For the first time since it was sealed, it hesitated.
After a long pause—
"…Fine," it muttered.
"I'll cooperate."
Tonari smiled.
"Well then—welcome to the team, Kurama."
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