The next moment, when Xia Li opened her eyes again, she found herself in a slightly dim space. Beneath her feet was murky underground water, and along the walls, some water pipes jutted out.
This was the place where the Nine-Tails was sealed. Xia Li glanced around, slightly complaining about the environment, then felt chakra emanating from the water under her feet. She began walking in that direction.
Soon, she reached the end of the underground passage and entered a relatively spacious chamber.
The floor was still submerged in water nearly up to her ankles. Ahead of her stood a door, sealed in the middle with a talisman.
It was the sealing technique for the Nine-Tails, but the interior beyond the door was shrouded in darkness, making it impossible for Xia Li to see what was happening inside.
"Hm? Someone's here. A rare visitor indeed. Child, come forward a few steps."
A voice came from beyond the door. Its malevolence was blatant, yet Xia Li was not intimidated in the slightest. She walked forward to the center, peering through the doorway.
"Though this is our first meeting, Kyūbi, isn't it a bit rude of you not to turn on the lights inside?"
Suddenly, the air seemed to quiet down, and then, as if responding to Xia Li's words, a light flickered on inside the room.
Xia Li finally saw the Nine-Tails clearly. The orange-furred beast glared at her, its large, round eyes full of murderous intent, bloodshot and fierce.
"Kid, how do you know my name?!" the Nine-Tails roared in confusion.
"Oh, of course, I learned it from the other tailed beasts," Xia Li said casually. After all, the Nine-Tails wouldn't go asking the other beasts to confirm, so she could say whatever she wanted.
"You little brat! Tell me who told you, or I'll kill them!" Kyūbi bellowed, its roar so deafening that Xia Li instinctively raised a hand to shield her eyes.
"That's not important, Kyūbi. I'm here to talk with you," Xia Li said calmly, meeting the Nine-Tails' gaze.
"Hey, kid, who gives you the right to speak to me?" Kyūbi scrutinized her carefully.
Then, as if witnessing something incredible, a flash of shock and confusion appeared in its eyes.
Chapter 116: Kyūbi's Strike—Ryu'a Escapes (Vote for Me~)
From Kyūbi's perspective, Xia Li's figure was just an ordinary human. Her aura wasn't as strong as the Fourth Hokage's, yet the killing intent she exuded surprised the beast.
If one looked closer, they would notice an even higher-level aura emanating from her—a presence…
Kyūbi's eyes flickered with a trace of recognition. Could she be a descendant of the Sage of Six Paths?
No. Kyūbi could be certain Xia Li was no descendant of the Sage. So why did she have such an aura? Even a trace was enough to surprise the beast.
For Kyūbi to possess such an aura meant that she might be capable of reaching that legendary height.
Her eyes widened further as she noticed a faint mark on Xia Li's forehead—an imprint unseen in any memory she possessed.
Xia Li, of course, didn't know what she looked like from Kyūbi's perspective. She felt normal, unaware of how astonished the Nine-Tails truly was, who continued staring wide-eyed.
Xia Li pondered how to prove her worth. Defeat Kyūbi? That seemed impossible at the moment.
"Hmph. Tell me your purpose," Kyūbi demanded, retracting its gaze and lying down. Though far from reaching the full level of power, it at least considered Xia Li worthy of conversation.
"Hm?" Xia Li looked at Kyūbi curiously, but the Nine-Tails didn't answer directly.
Though she didn't understand the sudden shift in its attitude, she considered it a good sign. Xia Li then explained the purpose of her visit.
"You want me to willingly lend my power to that brat? Bold idea!" The Nine-Tails, initially calm, roared furiously at the suggestion.
"Kyūbi, don't rush. Even though you've been sealed, surely you've felt some care from Naruto over the years?" Xia Li said. She knew it would be ideal if Naruto's consideration affected the jinchūriki, but the key point was…
Kyūbi had no knowledge of other jinchūriki.
"How ridiculous! What does that have to do with me? You humans covet my power, and then fear it once you obtain it. Isn't that your problem? Since you fear me, stop sealing me! Let me break free and leave!" Kyūbi roared, and a surge of violent chakra began to swell.
"We have no choice. Who gave us humans the right to rule this world? Being monitored by such immense power is only natural," Xia Li replied to the now-physical red chakra tendrils. "Open one eye, close the other, and speak directly."
"Think about it. Even if you break free, where will you go? With your current chakra, everyone will be watching you. Being re-sealed might actually be safer. What if… I kill you?"
"You bastard! I won't be killed!"
"Then tell me, which is easier—being killed or being sealed?" Xia Li's lips curved slightly. Her words pierced Kyūbi—after all, sealing a tailed beast is far more difficult than killing it.
Kyūbi was currently sealed within Naruto, so the answer was obvious.
Just as Kyūbi seemed about to respond, Xia Li continued:
"I know even if a tailed beast is killed, it will eventually revive. But Kyūbi, are you certain the Nine-Tails that revives is still truly you?"
Suddenly, Kyūbi fell silent. The surging red chakra that had almost completely enveloped Xia Li ceased its flow.
"Kid, you really know a lot," Kyūbi said coldly, regaining composure. Xia Li sensed the beast was merely suppressing its anger as it lay back down.
"Yes, I do know quite a bit," Xia Li replied calmly. "That's why I think you should observe Naruto closely. He's truly unlike anyone else."
"Hmph. What difference? Aren't they all just small, arrogant humans?!" Kyūbi laughed.
"Ha! Spend some time with him, and you'll see," Xia Li said, stretching lazily before suddenly darting toward Kyūbi.
"Kid! What are you doing?!" Kyūbi's eyes widened in shock and anger. Had all the talking lulled it into a false sense of security? Exposing a weakness so quickly?
Kyūbi lay sprawled across the floor. Xia Li's speed was too fast for it to react, and yet she used no jutsu. Even if she rushed forward, what could she do? Hide behind a cloth?
As Kyūbi froze, Xia Li reached out and gently touched its head, to the beast's astonishment.
"Feels good… pity it's not the tail or neck. The fur there should be softer," Xia Li murmured, then relaxed her body and broke free from the seal.
Seeing her opponent fall, the Nine-Tails, which had been ready to roar again, stopped. It was confused. Did it charge just to roar? Did it not want to die? Surely, her confidence in breaking free mattered.
But was this meaningful?
This human was strange. The markings, the behavior… Kyūbi lay back down. It had no desire to move, and now that the room was empty, it moved even less.
…
After leaving the sealed space, Xia Li felt no fear. Even if she failed, she could escape unharmed. That gave her the courage to act.
She rubbed her hands together. To be honest, Kyūbi's fur felt nice, though she was already grown. Kyūbi had been cute as a child, even cried sometimes. Its fur then must have been even softer.
Now, Kyūbi looked dangerous. While its appearance wasn't the worst among tailed beasts, it wasn't particularly appealing.
Of course, Xia Li had no intention of seducing the Nine-Tails or persuading it directly.
She knew she couldn't have Naruto's abilities, so from the start, her goal was simple: draw Kyūbi's attention to Naruto and ensure it didn't refuse communication from the beginning.
Whether this worked… Xia Li wasn't entirely sure. If Kyūbi later chose to converse with Naruto, the effect would likely be good.
Tapping her temple with a finger, Xia Li realized she couldn't predict what would happen next. She could only trust Naruto's abilities. Her immediate task was to manage the seal on Naruto.
"Naruto, one last thing. If I leave a mark on you, I will know your location at all times, and your life will be in my hands," Xia Li said seriously.
"Alright, Xia Li, that's fine. I've already said I won't doubt you, so I trust you would never hurt me," Naruto replied, smiling as he touched his nose. "You're right—that's my way of being patient!"
Xia Li felt a little dazed. She had almost forgotten that line, but Naruto's words reminded her. It was something he often said.
"Okay, then I'll start," Xia Li said with a smile.
She focused. Leaving a Flying Thunder God mark was simple, but layering the Four Symbols Seal in advance was more complicated. If Naruto resisted, even with the power difference, he might succeed.
The pre-seal was a Four Symbols Seal, activated with her chakra and blood. Only Xia Li's own chakra and blood could trigger it. Otherwise, it would create a natural weakness for Naruto—which wouldn't work.
Minutes passed, and the sky outside darkened, yet Xia Li continued. The Four Symbols Seal was never easy, and the current process was extremely complex, requiring her full concentration.
Finally, she exhaled in relief—the seal was complete.
The next step was simpler: opening the Fourth Hokage's existing seal. Xia Li didn't fully open the outer Eight Trigrams Seal—it was too risky.
She opened just enough for Naruto to get familiar with it.
Even so, Xia Li was cautious. Kyūbi could still release a large amount of chakra without fully opening the seal, which could be dangerous.
Fortunately, Kyūbi didn't act out, and Xia Li relaxed. Her words had clearly had some effect.
"Gurgle… gurgle…"
Naruto's stomach growled. Xia Li's face stiffened, thinking something had gone wrong.
"Uh, Xia Li… are you okay? I'm hungry," Naruto said sheepishly.
"Alright," Xia Li said, lightly scolding him, then glanced at the darkening sky. "How about I take you out for some barbecue?"
"Hey? Not Ichiraku Ramen?" Naruto looked a little reluctant to give up his favorite ramen, even though he was happy Xia Li was treating him.
"Stop eating ramen all the time. You're still growing. Haven't you noticed you're a bit shorter than Sasuke now?" Xia Li said. "Shorter boys don't impress girls."
"Alright…" Naruto thought of Sakura, reluctantly agreed, and bid farewell to Ichiraku Ramen.
After bringing Naruto out of his house, Xia Li noticed a figure—it was the Anbu leader. The man nodded at her, and she departed.
Xia Li nodded in return. The Third Hokage was steadier than she imagined. He had surely planned for Naruto's potential rampage.
Xia Li didn't mind. Caution was never wrong. She even scolded herself for ignoring it earlier.
With her current connections, getting help from the most suitable person to restrain Naruto wasn't difficult.
She walked with Naruto toward the barbecue, and he was delighted, completely oblivious to the Anbu leader's presence.
Along the way, Xia Li reflected on her encounter with Kyūbi and the unexpected outcomes she had gained…
Chapter 117: Fulfilling and Leisurely Days (Monthly Vote~)
In the following days, Xia Li's life became fuller.
She first practiced the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken Shuriken, though progress was slow. She wasn't in a hurry. It consumed a lot of chakra, and even with the Ice-cooling Pill, consecutive practice was limited. It was considered second-rate.
Xia Li moved between different teams. In Hong Yuhui's team, she asked questions about genjutsu. She wasn't particularly interested in using genjutsu herself, but rather in understanding it deeply to master advanced techniques and find ways to counter them.
After a few sessions, Hong Yuhui saw through her intentions. She often said Xia Li was wasting natural resources, given her extraordinary mental strength and yet not focusing on genjutsu.
However, Hong couldn't complain. Xia Li wasn't her student, but her strength rivaled hers. Besides, even the Third Hokage had told Hong she could not refuse Xia Li's reasonable suggestions.
Thus, the genjutsu expert could only teach Xia Li how to better dispel illusions.
Xia Li learned genjutsu herself—though she could now use it, mastery was limited.
She often visited Asuma but rarely asked him questions, preferring to hang around Ino instead.
Asuma could handle tasks Xia Li couldn't. Regarding wind-nature ninjutsu, it wasn't about skill level but about Asuma's innate ability, which Xia Li hadn't yet matched.
Finally, Xia Li approached Guy to study taijutsu, but Kakashi was busy. Naruto and Sasuke usually practiced there, so special arrangements weren't necessary.
As for the rest of the Twelve Guardians, Xia Li had only assisted Naruto and Sasuke. She hadn't helped others, including Ino, much at all.
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