"I don't have long to live."
Reko interrupted, his face looking away, admiring the scene of destruction he had created on the pretty island.
…
"I see…"
A mumble escaped Jiraiya's mouth. He paused, letting it sink in his head.
It did not take him long to understand what was causing Reko's current situation. The curse!
He glanced at Reko. A very young and promising shinobi with potential rivalling that of past Hokage's had just accepted his end.
It felt surreal.
"I never thought you were the type to care for the village like this."
However, he appreciated Reko's resolve to die for the village. Even in his last moments, Reko was eliminating future trouble for the village instead of enjoying whatever he had left of his life.
'He didn't even get to enjoy his youth. I should have made him play around a little more.'
Jiraiya lamented as he thought of all the times he had dumped Naruto's training on Reko. So that he could play around.
Perhaps, he should have taken Reko along with him, showing him some of the tricks he had learned from experience.
Reko smiled politely as heard Jiraiya's statement.
'Care for village? I am doing this to use it as a stimulus for my growth.'
He just nodded as he had this thought in his head. He was not giving up on his life. It was just battling a lot for a breakthrough.
If it ever comes to risking his life for the village, he would be the first to escape.
He accepted Jiraiya's heartfelt compliment and just nodded, neither denying nor accepting.
In a way, he was indeed eliminating trouble for the village.
…..
"It's not working."
Jiraiya sighed as he spoke to Reko. They were seated on the shore while Naruto rested his tired body in a makeshift home.
"We can certainly best and restrain the tailed beast but it will be difficult for us to convince it to cooperate with Naruto."
He glanced at the numerous pits filled with water. They were craters formed after the battle with the Nine-Tails.
They were successful in defeating the beast each time but that was not enough. The fox did not intend to give in and was stubbornly defending his pride.
Reko nodded as he listened to Jiraiya. These days, he has become silent, rarely speaking. Even the clueless Naruto was able to sense that there was something wrong with Reko.
'There has to be a way. It has been a month already.'
Reko had tried all his techniques, and as resourceful as he was, it was not enough.
Anything above 8 tails was impossible to reverse. And pushing Naruto to go beyond that was nonsensical.
At that level, Naruto being able to stay sane was already very impressive, a testament to his undying will and tenacity.
Pushing it any further would be putting Naruto in harm's way.
"Let's see. Once again."
Reko spoke to Jiraiya as he began stretching his back in a relaxed manner.
Jiraiya was certainly not enjoying this. He was bound to the island and could not leave.
More importantly, he felt guilty to leave Reko in this condition.
So, he reluctantly stood up after his short rest and decided to summon the Sages.
Two Sages appeared exactly on both his shoulders, already familiar with the process, they just closed their eyes and began refining chakra for the Senjutsu.
"I am going in."
Reko notified before he pressed his palm against Naruto's stomach. Naruto was still sleeping, exhausted from their last training session.
But this time, it was not training that caused Jiraiya and Reko to work up.
"Is he?"
Jiraiya appeared shocked by Reko's actions. He had not expected Reko to go and enter the mindscape.
Unlike the Uchiha's Reko did not possess a Sharingan to control the fox. It could be dangerous in the mindscape, especially the murderous aura.
Even he was not aware of Reko's next move.
"Hmm. He seems to be entering the mindscape."
The Sage on his shoulder mumbled. They have been trying to help Naruto with the training. They were aware of the shortcomings.
Only a conversation or a deal of sorts could resolve it.
"I am not letting you control me!!"
The fox roared in front of Reko. Even though it was behind the bars and could not come in contact with Reko, the aura it emitted was indeed intense.
The fox growled and roared as he looked at Reko with hostility. It was aware that Reko couldn't trick him like the Uchiha's.
Here in the mindscape, the fox could really fight if not for the cage.
"Do you have any options?"
Reko asked nonchalantly. He was not intimidated by the bloodlust emitted by the fox from behind the bar.
He knew that the Fuinjutsu was strong enough to restrain the fox well.
And most importantly, he could just get out and then beat the shit out of the fox once outside of the mindscape.
"I am going to kill this brat, devour his body and come out."
As if it had a great realization, the fox smirked with its dagger-like teeth and threatened Reko.
Want to take the power of the strongest tailed beast? I will kill the host, the Jinchuriki itself.
It looked at Reko for the reaction and sure enough, Reko had a deep frown on his forehead as he stared at the cage.
The fox began to smile, giddy and proud as he witnessed Reko frowning and pausing. This will allow him to negotiate now.
"Sure. Try that and I will be your next host."
With a straight face, devoid of any emotions, Reko spoke to the fox as he felt up the cage patiently.
Unfortunately, the plans that the fox had in its mind were foiled. Instead of negotiation, Reko straight up threatened the tailed-beast.
The proud and smug smile on the fox's face dropped in an instant. It could really feel goosebumps on its chakra body.
There was no doubt that Reko was honestly going to do it if the situation demanded it.
"Do you realise it now?"
Seeing that the fox had stopped his antics, Reko looked at it and asked politely.
….
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