Naruto: Konoha’s Trickster, Starting as the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki Chapter 193: Matatabi, the Two-Tails

After wrapping up matters with Island Turtle, Tagitsuhi accepted her paynt of two baskets of snakeberries and left satisfied.

With the Coiling Serpent Technique complete, the red snake patterns on Kazuyama's body faded into stillness.

"Kazuyama, are you sure it's okay to reveal our situation like that?"

"Don't worry, Chōi. Ryūchi Cave doesn't belong to anyone in particular. And while those Snake Princesses aren't exactly good people, I'm not a good person either."

"Okay, you're in charge. But if we're going to live on this Island Turtle, let go out and have so fun with those toys when I'm not busy. By the way, the kid's already awake—just pretending to sleep."

Kazuyama wasn't too concerned. He had already considered this possibility.

However, the fact that Yugito had woken up was unexpected. It seed there would be sothing to take care of soon.

"Island Turtle has already moved south as planned."

"We'll be living here for a while."

"There's no rush to return to the village. I did take official leave, after all."

Just as he had said, he intended to stay on Island Turtle for the ti being.

Yugito, on the other hand, would require a lot of work.

"Since you're awake, stop pretending, brat."

"Hey, do you really think I didn't notice?"

Kazuyama sneered at Yugito lying on the ground.

At his words, she imdiately sat up, her face full of caution.

"Who are you!?"

"Where is this!?"

"Are you really a Jinchūriki!?"

A young, childish voice rang out, hitting him with a triple interrogation.

Seeing the wary expressions on her face, Kazuyama chuckled. With a casual wave of his hand, a square crystal appeared instantly.

He set it on the ground and sat on top of it.

The sight made Yugito widen her eyes.

Despite being implanted with the Two-Tails, she had yet to beco full-fledged ninja—she was still too young.

Kazuyama had long since put away his Konoha forehead protector. As an intelligence officer, wearing it all the ti would be far too conspicuous.

"Who am I?"

"My na is Kazuyama. I'm a Jinchūriki, just like you—but mine is the Seven-Tails."

"Yugito, you're no longer in Kumogakure. This is Island Turtle—my turf."

"For the foreseeable future, you'll be living here."

Yugito studied Kazuyama carefully, glancing around with disbelief.

"What do you want by kidnapping !?"

"Could it be Two-Tails?"

As a child of Kumo, even though she wasn't a ninja yet, she understood the significance of a Tailed Beast. If soone had captured her, it had to be because of Matatabi.

"Hey, hey, hey, I'm not great with kids."

"What do you an? Kumo isn't worth dying for."

"That's why I rescued you. You should be thanking ."

"As a Jinchūriki, I understand your situation all too well. Trust , following is a far better fate than staying in Kumogakure."

Kazuyama scoffed, his face full of disdain.

Just thinking about what the Lightning Bro had done to him was enough to sour his mood.

"And also, don't keep calling her Two-Tails."

"The Two-Tails inside you has a na, right? Matatabi!"

Kazuyama slowly withdrew his smile before shouting at Yugito with all his might.

The next second, Yugito's eyes shifted into vertical pupils, her hair stood on end, and blue flas with intricate patterns erupted from her body.

"ow!"

A loud, feral cry suddenly escaped from Yugito's mouth.

Seeing this, Kazuyama muttered, "Did she go berserk?"

"No, it doesn't seem like a rampage. It looks like Matatabi has taken control of the body again."

The chakra belonging to Matatabi roared out, as if a volcano had erupted.

A small mountain-like form began to erge.

In the blink of an eye, Matatabi revealed her full form, her two glowing beast pupils locking onto Kazuyama.

"Yo, Matatabi, are you listening?"

"Chōi, use so chakra to make her sense it."

Facing the fully manifested Tailed Beast, Kazuyama knew it was best to be cautious.

"Good! The Tailed Beast's outer coat should be enough. Once Matatabi senses my chakra, she'll definitely calm down."

Kazuyama wasn't sure where Chōi got his confidence from, but he chose to trust him—after all, Chōi wouldn't let him get killed.

A single-tailed chakra cloak with wings ford around Kazuyama as he flew directly in front of Matatabi.

"Hey, Matatabi, can you hear ?"

"Roar! ow!"

A deafening roar, mixed with a cat's ow, sent Kazuyama flying backward.

"The scent of Seven-Tails... Human, are you the Jinchūriki of Seven-Tails?"

A female voice, filled with doubt, ca from Matatabi's mouth.

Kazuyama knew plenty about the Tailed Beasts, but Matatabi—despite being wreathed in flas—was known for being one of the more gentle and polite ones.

"Yes, Chōi is my partner."

"As for you, Matatabi, this is our first eting. I'm Kazuyama."

He grinned, unable to take his eyes off the massive feline in front of him.

"Why do you know our nas?"

"Who exactly are you?"

Matatabi narrowed her eyes, suspicion clear in her gaze.

It was a shocking thing for soone to call her by na—after all, only the Rikudō Sennin had known the nas of the nine Tailed Beasts until now.

"I am Chōi's Jinchūriki."

"I don't just know your na and Chōi's—I know the nas of the other Tailed Beasts as well."

"Aren't you curious about who I am? To put it simply—I'm the one destined to handle you Tailed Beasts."

"Don't be nervous. If things get too difficult, I can always have Chōi approach you instead."

Chōi, delighted by this, imdiately expressed his desire to transform into his full form, but Kazuyama quickly restrained him.

He still wanted to convince Matatabi himself—without taking that final step.

Matatabi pondered for a long mont before slowly gathering her chakra and settling into a comfortable position.

"I never thought there would be soone like you. Our nas were only known to the Rikudō Sennin..."

"But seeing how you and Chōi interact... You two really do get along well."

mories of the Rikudō Sennin's words surfaced in Matatabi's mind.

Can a Tailed Beast and a human truly beco friends?

Chōi had actually succeeded…

For a mont, she thought about her own Jinchūriki, Yugito—a young girl with a strong heart.

She had seen perseverance through that girl.

That strength had kept Matatabi from running wild for so long.

And now, she was curious to see just how far Yugito could go.

...

(100 Chapters Ahead)

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