Chapter 73

*A few hours after the speech, back to Konoha*

"I don't want to disturb your slumber after being transferred from your Jinchūriki to this artifact of mine, Kokuō, but we do need to have a small talk regarding our next course of action." I declared as I entered the landscape inside of the urn which put me face to face with a five-tailed horse dolphin kind of animal

The tailed beast simply opened his eyes and nodded at my words, not muttering any response which was something I expected considering that Kokuō was both a quiet and reserved individual.

"Thanks." I replied with a smile as he accepted to listen to me before adding "I believe that you already know from your siblings but I will still present myself properly. Yuichi Senju, nice to meet you." as I sat down cross-legged in front of him, or more precisely in front of his head because of our important size difference

He could certainly swallow me at once if he wanted to, but I trusted him like most of his siblings, and I knew that my nonchalance was appreciated by him even without reacting.

Though Tailed Beast could be quite bipolar, something slightly annoying to deal with.

As he was looking at me while still not saying a word, I asked "I won't beat around the bush, I need you to give me some of your chakra. I know that you are recovering from the recent transfer which surely makes my request too sudden, howev-" only for him to interrupt me by shortly replying "You can." before sending a fraction of his chakra to me

This got me quite surprised since, although each sibling knew about my purpose with their chakra, it didn't mean that they were all agreeing to my request, Shukaku being the prime example because of his childish demeanor.

"I honestly didn't expect this outcome." I replied as I absorbed the chakra he gave me while he just closed his eyes again

"I should fulfill my part of the deal although we didn't make any, still, I'm going to ask... Once you recovered enough, I can either seal you inside someone trustworthy just like Kurama, Son Gokū, and Matatabi who accepted this offer, or I can release you but I hope that you will promise me two things." I said, giving him the choice while he did get slightly annoyed when I asked for two promises

When I saw his face that was showing how much he distrusted humans, I soothed him by adding "Don't worry, I'm not forcing you to accept the promises if you choose to be released, and I'm now sure that you will take this option... At least, could you listen to what I have to say?"

"Go on." he prompted with a tiny bit of disdain which I disregarded since I wasn't petty enough to be annoyed by such things

"First of all, I would like to give you a mark that you can activate on your own which will warn me if you are ever facing someone dangerous who intends to seal you again… And don't bullshit me by saying that you won't get caught by anyone, it happened once, it can happen twice, your pride matters less than your life." I first suggested as it was something I talked about with Kurama who only wished for his siblings to stay safe but as a Tsundere he never said it out loud

"Second, there might be a day where I will need your help, and except for Matatabi, Son Gokū, and Kurama who all agreed to stay within a host, only Isobu accepted while not being sealed within someone, and I have yet to ask the others." I finally asked as I would appreciate the help of any Tailed-Beast since they are essentially one of the most powerful beings on the planet, even if I end up not needing it

An awkward silence followed as he looked at me with his giant eyes without blinking even once for at least a few minutes until he ended up muttering "Fine. I do not trust humans but I can make an exception if it's a request coming from you or else Matatabi would kill me."

'Seems like I have to give some catnip to a fiery kitty as a gift' I thought as I was helped by the Two-Tails somehow

"Then it's settled, I won't bother you anymore so once you feel that you recovered enough, just send a small amount of your chakra towards this keyhole-like gap and it will warn me." I said as I got up from the ground before waving him goodbye

Once I was back outside, I couldn't help but release a sigh of relief now that I got what I wanted.

'Only the Seven-Tails is missing and I caught them all' I thought, albeit I would have to generate the chakra of the One-Tails, Five-Tails, and Seven-Tails before reviving Kaguya

The Seven-Tails might take me a bit longer to gather as much chakra as she has, but the two others would be a breeze.

I just need to sneak into Takigakure once the war's peace treaty is done, which will be soon.

Nevertheless, as I moved through the Senju Mansion's hallway, I stopped in front of Konan's bedroom and knocked on the door before asking "Konan, it's me Yuichi, can I come in?"

"A-Ah, please wait a little bit, Yuichi-sama!" I heard her reply as some loud noises of someone tidying up their room was audible from behind the door

"C-Come in." she then said after a few seconds of tidying up her room

"I wanted to know if you're doing alright since the operation." I explained as I got inside and saw her sitting on her bed with the sheet up to her neck

"Y-Yes, Tsunade-sama is not the best medical-nin for no reason." she said as she smiled but was fidgeting while I replied "I know, there's no one better than her to take care of such wounds... Also, for protecting Tsugumi until my arrival while risking your life... You have my gratitude, truly. Thank you, Konan." smiling as I was indeed grateful for what she had done

"I only did what I should have done Yuichi-sama!" she replied as she was slightly embarrassed and looked away

"I know." I first said as it made her look back at me "I know that you would do anything I ask, even dying... But I don't want you to try and sacrifice yourself ever again, you are important not just to me but to Tsugumi as well, do you understand?" I added as my complexion was now serious and made her listen quietly as she lowered her head

"Anyway, what happened is already behind us, still, I would like to reward you... You can request for anything." I declared as she looked at me with sparkling eyes before mumbling "Anything?"

'Uh oh' "Yes, as long as it is in my power, of course." I replied before she asked "Then... Can I ask for us to have a date?"

'At least she's asking for something unlike Chizu but even then she's asking me to get killed isn't she?' I thought as I was surprised by her request which was technically possible if not for one important factor

"This... You will have to ask Tsunade if she agrees with your request too because it's not something I can decide alone." I explained but was even more surprised when she declared "Hum, I already told Tsunade-sama."

"And she agreed?" I asked again, shocked by what she just proclaimed

"Yes, she said it was fine." Konan replied with a smile while I realized that she was hiding something with her

'Tsunade did? My possessive wife accepted something like this? I know that she lost that side of her over the years but still, I will have to talk with her' I thought before saying "It's settled then, but you will have to wait for the peace treaty and only once you recovered as well, alright?"

"Hn!" she muttered, happy with the result before I turned back to leave her bedroom until I heard a 'thud' sound

"Ah." we both exclaimed when I saw what fell on the ground which made her extremely embarrassed

"You could have asked me to come back later if you were busy, you know." I said as her cheeks were redder than a tomato while I thought 'I guess it's normal for her to have this kind of thing since she's an adult now'

What may be disturbing for me however was that this 'toy' she apparently played with was way too familiar for me in terms of length, girth, and form.

Leaving the room before the situation would become too embarrassing for her, although it may already be too late, I still hoped that it was just a coincidence.

I knew that Konan had feelings for me, she had so since I saved her as a child but I took it as something that she would lose once she grew up.

But even at sixteen years old, which is adulthood here, she kept those feelings for me, and they are not the same as Chizu's who does not love me romantically speaking but feel eternally grateful to the point of doing anything I would ask her to do too.

'She's too young' I thought as I had nineteen more years than her, a wife, a daughter, a future son, and a soon to be second lover

Was I romantically interested in her? Honestly, I don't think I do. Granted she's a beautiful woman, she's already strong but can get even better, her personality being as it is with me can be considered ideal, but even then, I'm too old for her.

When I have someone like Kushina as a daughter, although not from blood, who is quite older than her, I just can't see myself being involved with Konan.

She can find someone better than m- Well, I don't want to boast but maybe that's not possible.

And as I was walking in the hallway while deep in thought, I crossed paths with Shisui who truly wished to talk with me.

"Something happened Shisui?" I asked to which he simply replied "Nothing, just training as usual." while doing one discrete movement I told him to do whenever it was about Black Zetsu

Closing my eyes briefly, I made sure that Black Zetsu was not in the area before leading Shisui inside of a vacant room where I settled some seals for privacy.

"So, what did he ask you to do?" I inquired as I knew that whenever Shisui was acting like that it meant that Black Zetsu asked something about me from him since he still thinks that Shisui is under his Genjutsu, or more like Chikako's Genjutsu

"He wants to know what are your plans by gathering the Tailed-Beasts and if it will be a hindrance for him." Shisui explained as he sat down on a chair in front of me while keeping his usual serious expression

"Not surprising since I got two of them recently... Hm, since he doesn't know, let's make him believe that it is simply to get back what was rightfully ours before Hashirama gave them to the other villages. Black Zetsu might be doubtful at first but Madara wouldn't be surprised by such thinking since I'm his son, something that would make Black Zetsu less skeptical." I suggested as Shisui nodded and knew what he had to say the next time Black Zetsu came to him

'Black Zetsu doesn't know that I have their chakra inside of me, he only knows that Konoha currently have five Tailed Beasts' I thought as I might need to ask Kokuō for another favor, and depending on his answer, I might need to be forceful

After all, freeing him now would make Black Zetsu know that something fishy is going on.

'I should have thought about that sooner, urgh I barely ended my talk with Kokuō... How careless of me' I thought as I bit my finger, slightly frustrated about the timing since I didn't want to treat the tailed beasts like some tool when three of them are sealed within people I care for

I was so focused on getting their chakra...

But I just need two years. In two years, Madara will die because of old age, I will have enough chakra to fill the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path which I need to steal from Black Zetsu while killing him to save Chikako at the same time, and Kaguya's artificial body will also be finished.

I intend to kill Black Zetsu while I have the power of the Ten-Tails because I would be weakened after reviving Kaguya.

He's only the first bigger threat I have to face and as much as he might be the weakest, I shouldn't let my guard down.

Who knows what he could have hidden under his sleeves.