Chapter 75.1- One Thousand Hands

“…And remember that if anything goes wrong, you can just toss the kunai at the wall and I’ll sense the change in velocity and position and know t come to you straightaway, Retsu knows everything about—“

“Shorirama” She cut in with a fond smile on her face as I explained things.

“I’ve done this before, and you’ve explained your requirements to me a dozen times already. Stop being worried and just go. You should have left five minutes ago”

“What?” I asked, looking over at the clock. And yup, she was right. It was five minutes past 9:15, the time I’d picked for our departure.

“You should get going” She said as she walked over to the seat.

“I should” I agreed.

“Be good for Grandma” I said to Kushina who was standing off to the side. She barreled into me like the little cannonball she was.

“Why can’t I come with you? I promise to be a good jinchuriki this time” She said.

“Huh? What are you talking about?” I asked, kneeling to get a better look at the girl who had somehow started sniffling.

“You took me last time because I’m a jinchuriki now you won’t take me again. Is it because I didn’t help with the Tsuchikage? He was flying really far away, I couldn’t do anything. I promise to be better—“

“Shush, little one” I said, pulling her close again.

“You were perfect against the Tsuchikage you did exactly what I told you to. And what’s this about being a Jinchuriki? Baby girl, as far as this village is concerned, I am the Jinchuriki. The only thing you need to worry about is eating your vegetables and not letting Minato beat you in training too much”

“He didn’t beat me, it was a draw” She said, mind pouncing on the bait like a cat. I chuckled before ruffling her hair.

“Don’t think about any of that stuff okay. If you’re saying this then someone said it to you..or around you” I said when I didn’t see her react to the former. The latter got the reaction.

“Doesn’t matter who it was. It might even have been me” I tried and yup, she had been listening in on that day.

“I was being stupid. Just said some things to win a debate with Grandma. You know sometimes we have to lie to get Grandma to let us do stuff” I said the last bit in a faux-whisper and she chuckled while nodding enthusiastically.

“You see? Now just focus on being you. That Octopus inside you doesn’t change a thing. Maybe when we get back, if you show me you’re strong enough maybe we can finally talk to him”

“Really?” She asked. It seemed strange, but I had the strong idea that the only way for a Jinchuriki to truly accept their nature was with accepting the Tailed Beast within.

“A few minutes with the hat and you already think you’re a philosopher” Kurama growled from within. I just chuckled before saying my goodbyes.