Amidst a vast field in full bloom, the Two-Tails, Matatabi, was happily playing with the other Tailed Beasts.
The fluffy Kurama, the sluggish Gyūki, the wriggling Chōi, the lazy Isobu, the energetic Kokuō...
Seated in the middle of a flower field, the Sage of Six Paths watched over them with a serene expression as they played and tumbled around.
Matatabi's agile tails flicked against the back of Son Gokū, the Four-Tails.
Irritated by the playful swipe, the small monkey-like beast imdiately gave chase, pursuing Matatabi in a wild dash.
After a while, when it beca clear that catching the nimble feline was impossible, Son Gokū huffed in frustration and redirected his annoyance toward the slower Chōi instead.
Still in its larval form, Chōi angrily spewed silk threads in an attempt to ensnare the Four-Tails. However, instead of hitting its target, the sticky webbing ended up trapping Isobu, the Three-Tails, under a cocoon-like net.
Isobu let out a long sigh, glancing at Matatabi with a resigned expression, silently lanting its misfortune.
The air was filled with an atmosphere of freedom and joy.
But in the next instant, everything changed!
The Sage of Six Paths vanished without a trace, replaced by a man wearing a heavy golden turban, an opulent knee-length robe shimring with gold, and hands adorned with dazzling jewels.
At the sa ti, the other Tailed Beasts also transford, each now appearing as towering giants clad in colorful robes and white turbans.
Giants—because despite their human forms, they were still visibly larger than Matatabi!
This was a first. Matatabi had never encountered humans of this size before.
Even in their juvenile states, Tailed Beasts were already dozens of tis larger than humans.
A deep sense of unease welled up within Matatabi, causing her to instinctively step back...
...
Na: Matatabi
Occupation: House Cat
Traits: Nine Lives (Purple), Two-Tailed Cat Demon (Purple), Blazing Flas (Purple), Lightning Reflexes (Blue), Hunting Instincts (Blue), Agile and Graceful (Blue), Yin-Yang Eyes (Blue)
...
Observing Matatabi's stats from the depths of his own spiritual realm, Yamanaka Shinno took a quick glance before losing interest.
Compared to Kurama's extravagant lineup—one red, three purple, two blue, one white, and one gray—Matatabi's three purples and four blues seed sowhat lackluster.
After all, Kurama's single red trait, Nine Mahā, was powerful enough to outclass all of Matatabi's combined.
No wonder people often joked that Tailed Beasts could be divided into two categories: Kurama, and everyone else.
"Namaste~ Little kitty~" The human figure that had replaced the Sage of Six Paths clasped his hands together and bowed in an odd, exaggerated manner. "We're about to start chasing you now, so please, do try not to get caught by my servants, or else... hehehe~"
Before Matatabi could even process what was happening, the man waved his hand, signaling the eight giant figures—forrly Tailed Beasts—to lunge toward her.
Despite her confusion, the massive blue cat instinctively dodged several attacks. However, with the eight experienced hunters coordinating their assault, she was soon overwheld and pinned down against the field.
"Yate—!!"
A piercing wail echoed throughout the illusionary space.
Shinno imdiately cut off his connection to the illusion, turning his focus instead to Yugito Nii's ntal realm through his Yin Release abilities.
Within the dark, colorless space, countless eyes stared at the young girl who sat curled up on the ground, hugging her knees tightly.
She didn't dare lift her head to et their gazes, all filled with hostility, disgust, fear, and resentnt. Instead, she fixated on the only object in the realm that had any color—a Sugoroku board.
Each ti a ga piece was moved, an image would appear, replaying monts of her and Shinno together.
In every single scene, the young girl was smiling brightly, filled with genuine joy.
And each ti she saw those monts, the corner of her lips would twitch slightly, forming a faint smile of her own.
But...
Shinno narrowed his eyes at his own figure in the illusion. There was sothing strange—his appearance was deliberately blurred.
What did this an?
If these were true mories, his image shouldn't have been distorted like this.
The way it was depicted... it was as if the world was acknowledging that the person in those mories wasn't actually his real self.
"Wait, what? Did I slip up sowhere?" Shinno was baffled.
He had been absolutely certain that his disguise was flawless. Yet sohow, Yugito had seen through it.
Curious and confident in his spiritual abilities, he decided to take a risk.
With his real appearance restored, Shinno sat down cross-legged in front of Yugito.
"...Uncle!" Yugito's voice trembled with excitent as she finally noticed him.
Tilting her head slightly, she examined him for a few seconds before her dull eyes began to gleam with a newfound light, like pearls washed clean by the tide.
A bright, innocent smile spread across her youthful face.
"How did you recognize ?" Shinno asked, chuckling softly.
He wasn't even sure if he would have made the sa choice again—charging in recklessly like this. But seeing the trust in Yugito's eyes, he felt the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders.
"The big cat said your soul looks way tastier than your face does." Yugito grinned, flashing her teeth proudly.
"Not afraid?" Shinno raised a brow, recalling Matatabi's Yin-Yang Eyes ability from earlier.
A skill that could see into souls—sothing normally useless for battle, support, or power enhancent under the Sage's control in the Pure Land. But it turned out to be the perfect counter against transformation techniques.
Damn it.
The original story never ntioned that Matatabi had this kind of ability!
"Uncle, you're really young... and handso too!" Yugito's big eyes sparkled with admiration.
Young, handso, and with a smile as clear as a sky washed clean by rain.
Mmm~ Even better than she imagined!
"Thanks for the complint." Shinno flicked her forehead lightly, realizing with amusent that this girl was quite the aesthetic appreciator.
"Hehe..."
Yugito rubbed her forehead, blushing slightly.
"Do you want to leave now?"
"...The big cat got too excited today. I think I ate sothing I shouldn't have, and now I don't have the strength to suppress it."
"No worries. I already gave it a lesson, so it won't be causing any trouble for a long ti."
"Mm! Then... even if I ssed up, it's okay?"
"What do you an ssed up? Yugito, you did great. You're an amazing kid, and I'm proud of you."
"Uu—waaaah!!"
At those words, all the pent-up frustration and loneliness inside Yugito finally burst forth.
She threw herself into Shinno's embrace, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Honestly, I'd love to just take you away from all this... but kidnapping wouldn't be very nice."
"Huh? Uncle?"
"Take this little gift as an apology. May your future be bright, filled with hope and happiness."
As Shinno's voice faded, Yugito's consciousness slipped into darkness.
In the real world, the Two-Tails' chakra retreated into her seal, and Yugito collapsed into unconsciousness.
"dical team!"
Watching from outside the barrier, Killer B crossed his arms, a barely noticeable smile forming at the corners of his lips.
As a fellow Jinchūriki, he understood better than anyone what Yugito truly needed.
And after this experience, he was certain—her future would be full of promise.
----------------
Pls Drop so Power Stones
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