The next day, someone had already completed Tōshirō's hospital discharge paperwork for him.
"Let's go."
The person walking ahead of Tōshirō spoke emotionlessly, in a tone completely devoid of warmth.
They were probably some kind of Anbu member, just now disguised as a regular civilian. If they were wearing standard Anbu gear, it'd draw too much attention.
Tōshirō glanced around—none of the familiar faces were present.
It wasn't that he'd been ostracized.
In fact, his friends and family had wanted to greet him when he was discharged. But Tōshirō had turned them all down, saying it would only "bring trouble to them." He didn't want them to be criticized by the villagers because of him.
He leaned in and asked, "Where am I going?"
"You'll find out when you get there."
No shit. If I knew where I was going, why would I even ask you…Tōshirō grumbled silently but kept his face calm and neutral. "We walking?"
"Yes."
Tōshirō: …
This guy probably wants me to get pelted to death by rotten tomatoes and eggs from the villagers.
Maybe I should form a hand seal and use the Transformation Jutsu…?Just as the thought hit him and he lifted his right hand toward his chest, he changed his mind mid-motion and instead scratched his head.
Better not act too clever. Maybe this whole walking thing is something the Hokage deliberately arranged—to test what kind of tolerance I have as a Jinchūriki.
With that, Tōshirō gave up on using the Transformation Jutsu to dodge the scene.
"I got it."
Tōshirō quietly followed behind the man. Not long after they left the hospital and walked onto the main street, Tōshirō instantly became the center of attention—though not the good kind.
It was like being in the spotlight, sure, but this wasn't fan attention. The stares were filled with hatred.
If looks could kill, Tōshirō would've been sliced to pieces by now.
Feeling that kind of animosity, Tōshirō couldn't help but be a little affected. He sighed inwardly. Man, being a Jinchūriki in an environment like this… it's no joke.
No wonder in the original story, only those kinds of people who were "a bit off in the head" could grow up in such hate and still not lose themselves—and even go on to form a good relationship with their Tailed Beast.
A normal person would've gone insane by now.
Soon, some villagers grew dissatisfied with just glaring and started to act physically.
A young boy—about eight years old—picked up a rock from the ground and hurled it at Tōshirō's head. "Die, monster! Give me back my mom and dad!"
The rock struck Tōshirō's head, drawing blood.
Dodging an attack like that would've been easy—he could've done it with his eyes closed.
But he didn't dodge. Not because he enjoyed pain or anything weird like that. He was just playing the part, putting on a pitiful show for those hiding in the crowd and secretly watching him.
At this very moment, the Hokage was probably observing everything, using it as a chance to evaluate him.
Like tossing a stone into a lake, the one boy's actions set off a ripple effect. Other kids followed his lead.
In the crowd, Tsunade was watching, heart aching. She tried to step forward but was stopped by Orochimaru, who shook his head and said, "Don't forget what he specifically asked."
Tōshirō had told his friends and loved ones in advance that this was a trial he had to endure and asked them not to interfere.
So many people in the village had lost loved ones because of the Five-Tails. Those people—grieving families, heartbroken friends—couldn't do anything to the Five-Tails itself. All their hatred naturally got redirected to the one thing they could see: the Jinchūriki, Tōshirō.
Tsunade bit her lip, her small hands clutching her hem tightly. Her eyes were already welling with tears.
Just then, in Tōshirō's spiritual space, the Five-Tails popped out, eager to stir the pot. It stomped in gleefully. "Hahaha, you really are pathetic. Want to use my power to kill them all?"
After suffering for years, the Five-Tails had come to accept Tōshirō—but its nature hadn't changed. It still treated its Jinchūriki like it always had, looking for any chance to mock or draw out the dark side of its host.
Tōshirō rubbed his chin, lowered his head slightly, and stayed silent.
The Five-Tails, thinking it had gotten under his skin, sneered, "Hey, that all it takes to break you? And you call yourself the Five-Tails' Jinchūriki? Spineless."
But Tōshirō ignored the mockery and muttered to himself, "Man, I'm looking so pitiful right now… Maybe Tsunade will feel bad and let me touch her chest as comfort. Hm, it's possible. That's actually kinda exciting…"
As he finished, he almost burst out laughing like a pig. "Ehehe~"
Five-Tails: ????
Touch Her Chest?What the hell?What kind of bizarre thought process does this Jinchūriki even have?
Shouldn't a normal Jinchūriki be consumed by darkness at a time like this?Shouldn't he be plotting to take revenge on the world?Who the hell thinks about groping boobs right now?
The Five-Tails was utterly speechless. It grumbled, "Hey, Tōshirō… you don't have something wrong with your head, do you?"
At this point, it was seriously starting to doubt whether Tōshirō was mentally sound. After all, what kind of normal Jinchūriki would just let their tailed beast out like that?
Tōshirō frowned and shot back, "You're the one with something wrong in the head! I'm totally normal, okay? I just like boobs, what's wrong with that?"
"Hmph, crazy people always say they're normal."
"Aaah? What did you just say?" Tōshirō drew out his voice, about to blow up—but then something seemed to click. His angry expression instantly flipped into a sly smile as he dragged out an "Ohhh~~" in a theatrical tone. "I see how it is…"
"???"
"You're jealous, aren't you?"
The Five-Tails looked incredulous. "Jealous? Huh? What are you even saying? You think I'm jealous of you?"
"Well, duh. You've been alive for over a thousand years and you're still single. Of course you're jealous of the fact that I've got a girlfriend."
The Five-Tails didn't know what "single dog" meant exactly, but it had a rough idea based on the context. "Don't force your weird human concepts on me. Tailed Beasts don't need companions."
"Explaining just means you're trying to cover it up, and covering it up means it's true…" Tōshirō covered his mouth dramatically. "Kawaii~sooo…"
The Five-Tails couldn't win the argument and was just about to explode with frustration. But suddenly, it seemed to remember something interesting, and a sinister grin appeared on its face.
"Hey, Tōshirō… I just thought of something really fun. Want to hear it?"
Tōshirō paused. "What is it?"
"You really like that girl, Tsunade, don't you?"
Having been inside Tōshirō for so long, the Five-Tails knew a thing or two about his feelings toward Tsunade.
Tōshirō gave it a weird look. "Yeah, so?"
"What if I took control of your body and killed that girl? That'd be entertaining, don't you think?"
Tōshirō fell silent.
Then his eyes snapped open—now glowing blood red.
He didn't say a word. The cold look in his eyes was far more terrifying than any shout.Even though the Five-Tails didn't know exactly what Tōshirō would do if Tsunade was killed, it could feel the madness and darkness simmering beneath that calm gaze.
After a tense moment of staring, Tōshirō finally spoke, his voice cold and hard:"Five-Tails, if that was a joke… it ends here. I'm starting to get angry."
The shift in how he addressed it—calling it "Five-Tails" instead of something more casual—made his attitude clear.
The Five-Tails bristled but tried to hold its ground. "You don't scare me. Don't forget—you're no match for me."
"You're right," Tōshirō said, eyes narrowing. His voice grew deeper."But after that… things will be different."
The pressure around him shifted, and even the Five-Tails could feel it. It waited, saying nothing.
"Five-Tails, have you ever wondered why the Sharingan can control Tailed Beasts?"
"Why?"
"Because above the Sharingan, there's a more powerful ocular technique—the Mangekyō Sharingan. The power in those eyes is enough to control even Tailed Beasts like you. And do you know what triggers the awakening of the Mangekyō Sharingan?"
"…"
"It's intense emotional trauma. I don't need to explain what kind of trauma that would be, do I?"
"…"
"You wouldn't want to turn me into that kind of person… would you, Five-Tails?"
"…"
Tōshirō stared at the Five-Tails coldly and asked,"What exactly have I done that made you disrespect me like this?"
"Hmph."
The Five-Tails, realizing it had crossed a line, turned its head and avoided eye contact. In a way, its silence was a form of admitting fault.
Tōshirō deactivated his Sharingan and said firmly,"I don't want to hear anything like that again."
Always giving ground only makes people—or beasts—push harder.When it comes to matters of principle, never back down.You have to show that you're not someone who can be messed with.That's the only way to earn respect.
And this applies to relationships—whether with people, or Tailed Beasts.
(End of Chapter)
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