Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen's puzzled gaze, the small Nine-Tails perched atop Yuki Seisui's head tilted its head and gave a soft, "Awoo~."
That's… the Nine-Tails?
Was it always this tiny when it was born?
Recalling the enormous, terrifying fox he'd once seen, Hiruzen shook his head violently.
Impossible. Absolutely impossible.
Yuki Seisui ignored whatever was going through Hiruzen's mind and spoke directly:
"I plan to move—over to the Uzumaki Clan's lands. And I'll be bringing Nagato and Yahiko with me."
He didn't actually need to report this kind of thing, but as a proud advocate of the Will of Fire, Seisui decided to say it anyway.
There was no downside—only potential benefits.
As for whether Hiruzen would object… Seisui couldn't think of a single reason he would.
After all, ever since becoming a jinchuriki, Konoha hadn't imposed any real restrictions on his movements.
Hiruzen pondered briefly before nodding.
"You don't have to tell me these things, really."
"As for Konan and the others—if they want to move too, let them. It'll just free up some space here, hahaha."
Since Seisui was the Uzumaki clan leader, there was no reason for Hiruzen to refuse.
Seisui smiled faintly, scooped the little Nine-Tails into his arms, and left after a polite farewell.
Out on the village streets, the tiny fox leapt down from his head, darting around in excitement.
Seisui chuckled but didn't stop it.
Please—Inuzuka dogs can run all over the village. Why can't my little Nine-Tails?
He didn't head home, instead walking toward the Uzumaki territory.
He had someone in mind to help with the move—Minato.
Flying Raijin sure comes in handy, he thought. Perfect for delivery work or moving heavy stuff
That guy will never starve.
"Seisui!"
A familiar voice called from behind. He turned around with a frown.
"Minato?"
"I thought you'd be with Kushina."
Seeing Minato in a green bodysuit, Seisui instinctively took two steps back.
"I'm training!" Minato clenched his fists with excitement.
"I'm developing a technique similar to Susanoo!"
He paused, scratching his head. "Wait, what was it you called it again?"
Seisui sighed. "Gundam."
"Right! Gundam!" Minato's eyes sparkled.
"I'll pilot my own Gundam!"
Tall, mighty, and powerful—it was perfect in his mind.
"I even came up with a name!" Minato said proudly.
"Super Light-Wheel Gundam Water No.1! What do you think?"
He looked at Seisui expectantly.
Seisui hesitated for a moment, then nodded with a forced smile.
"Nice name. Don't make another one."
"Anyway, I was just about to find you," Seisui continued.
"I'm moving. Need a hand."
"Moving?" Minato blinked. "Why so suddenly?"
"I'm the head of the Uzumaki clan!" Seisui said, hands on hips.
"It'd look bad if I didn't actually live there."
Minato thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Yeah, that makes sense."
Seisui grinned. "Say, Minato—you want to live closer to Kushina?"
Minato immediately took two wary steps back. But the question got him thinking.
Still, he shook his head. "It's fine the way it is."
"Suit yourself," Seisui shrugged. "Come with me to check out the place, though."
Minato agreed, and the two headed to the Uzumaki district together.
"By the way, what's that on your head?" Minato asked, noticing the little fox again.
Seisui lifted the tiny Nine-Tails from his head and explained,
"It's a fox cub—Nine-Tails, actually. You'll see the grown version someday. It's very powerful."
Minato scoffed. "That little thing? Yeah, right."
In his experience, a summon's power usually matched its size—except for rare cases like the toad sages of Mount Myoboku.
They stopped talking after that and spent the rest of the day exploring the Uzumaki grounds.
"These houses look kind of run-down," Seisui muttered, rubbing his chin.
"They look fine to me," Minato said. "You're just too picky."
He scratched his head. "Actually, they've got a nice, old-fashioned charm."
Seisui shot him a strange look.
Charm? No kidding—it's because Hashirama literally grew these with Wood Release.
Bury these houses underground, and they'd probably sprout again.
By "run-down," Seisui meant the architecture was old-fashioned—not broken.
He wasn't fond of that rigid, traditional style.
"I'll just have new ones built," he sighed.
If only Yamato existed now—he'd just cast Wood Release: Luxury Villa Technique and be done.
"So you're not moving yet?" Minato asked.
"Not yet. I'll wait until the new houses are done."
"Got it. Let me know—I'll help." Minato flexed his arm.
Seisui: "…"
He probably thinks I want him to haul boxes.
==========
The next day, Seisui met a well-known carpenter in Konoha—one who boasted proudly,
"Everyone knows I'm the one who maintains the Hokage building!"
"My shop's right beside it! If I weren't skilled, the Hokage wouldn't trust me, right?"
"Leave it to me, young man!"
Seisui nodded patiently.
He didn't care about the man's bragging—just wanted the house built to his specs.
If this guy dares to cut corners, I'll make him regret it.
Construction would take a few months.
When Seisui got home, he happened to see Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato returning.
"Evening," he greeted.
"Good evening, Brother Seisui," Konan said with a bright smile.
"What's that jutsu you're working on?" he asked curiously. "And why the red umbrella?"
Konan looked down at the umbrella in her hand, pulled a slim blade from the handle, and smiled proudly.
"Miss Haru lent me some money. I was developing a jutsu, but she suggested I try combining it with swordsmanship."
"So I had this made—a red umbrella that hides a sword inside. Once my paper jutsu is complete, I can try blending the two."
Seisui frowned thoughtfully. Konan… with a sword?
He'd never imagined it, but pairing it with her Paper Jutsu might actually work well.
Then he turned to Nagato.
"By the way, you'll be moving into the Uzumaki compound."
"Huh?" Nagato blinked, pointing at himself. "Me?"
"Yes," Seisui nodded. "There are only a few of us Uzumaki left. It wouldn't look right if we didn't live there."
Nagato hesitated, glancing at Konan and Yahiko.
Seisui smiled and looked at the two of them.
"I know you three are always together—so move in too."
"Eh?" Konan's mouth fell open. She thought he meant to separate them.
Yahiko scratched his head awkwardly. "Wouldn't that be… a bit improper? I mean, living in the Uzumaki district…"
"If I say it's fine, then it's fine," Seisui interrupted.
"I'm the clan head. What I say goes."
He grinned. "Go take a look tomorrow. The place used to belong to the Senju. Most of the houses are still standing."
"If you don't like any of them, build your own. If you're short on money, borrow from me and pay it back after some missions."
He deliberately avoided saying you don't have to repay me—because he knew they'd refuse if he did.
The three exchanged looks, then nodded.
"Then… we'll take you up on that," Yahiko said sheepishly.
"Oh, and try to find a spot near the center," Seisui added.
"It's livelier there. The outskirts are too quiet."
After chatting for a while longer, Seisui returned home.
==========
Meanwhile, in a dim cave, Uchiha Madara sat surrounded by shadows. Black Zetsu stood at his side.
"Madara-sama," Tobi asked cheerfully, "do you… feel the urge to poop?"
"...Get. Out." Madara didn't even look at him.
His body was weaker than ever. The battle with Seisui hadn't killed him, but it had cost him two Sharingan—and his body could barely hold together.
Several black rods pierced his torso, sustaining what little life he had left.
Black Zetsu spoke quietly, "Madara-sama, that boy—Yuki Seisui—has become the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki."
"Oh?"
Madara blinked, then chuckled.
"He actually became the Nine-Tails' host?"
"How foolish."
"The Nine-Tails is merely a tool. With his eyes, he could easily control it. Yet he chose to contain it instead."
He shook his head, a cruel smile twisting his lips.
"What a laughable child."
And his laughter echoed coldly through the cavern.
"Hahahahahaha…"
=============
100 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter
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