Chapter 47.6- One Thousand Hands

It was familiar, at least, that expanse of white space where we were faced with Kokuo and his Jinchuriki. Han looked confused, looking about himself, Now that we weren’t in the middle of combat, I could notice things about him. For one, he was older than me but not by much. He was around Tsunade’s age at the very oldest, and probably a bit younger for truth. His armour gave him additional heft, and covered most of his body from view, but his eyes were bright and expressive.

“Where is this?” He asked, clearly talking to me, not his tailed beast.

“The world of the tailed beasts. Think of it like a meeting place only we tailed beasts and our hosts can access” Kokuo answered, giving us a look.

“What do you want, Kura-“

“Don’t you dare use my name in front of your human” Kurama snarled.

“Peace” I placed my hand on my friend’s— were we friends now— paw to calm him.

“You maintain that childish insistence? Alright then. What do you want, oh great and powerful Kyubi no Kitsune?”

“To talk, Brother”

“To talk about what? What could we possibly have to talk about? You and your host already won.” Kokuo said, but Kurama just offered a fist.

“Are you certain?”

“Come here before I change my mind” Kurama said.

Kokuo trotted over and smashed his own fist into Kurama’s while Han watched the whole thing with shock.

“I understand now” Kokuo said, taking a step forward.

“So that is why you cooperate with this human, then?”

“Yes. We have an agreement”

“Alright then. Release me” he said, turning to me.

“What?”

“Release me from the fool I’ve been saddled with. I’ll run, hide, and do whatever is necessary to prevent myself getting captured again” He said.

“That would start one hell of an arms race. Everyone would want your power” I said.

“The wood man was the only one who could capture me. If he is gone, then none will succeed” He said. That was true enough.

“And now that I know to be wary of your kind, I could always escape.” Some of my doubt must have shown on my face.

“Tell him, Kyuubi”

“Kokuo is the fastest of us all” Kurama said.

“Makes him good at running away, at least” he continued with a smirk.

“Hold on, what’s going on here” Han spoke again.

“Shush, human” Kokuo said and with a flick of his tail, Han was gone.

“So you say I should release you from the seal holding you. That would rob Iwa of an asset, but what do I gain out of it”

“Shorirama” Kurama growled behind me.

“What? Your brother or not, why would I do him a favour for free”

“Because it benefits us all.”

“Try again. I could just capture Han. With the power of the Uzumaki clan, it would be nothing to design some pot capable of holding you indefinitely. If you want me to grant you your freedom, then you’ll pay for it” I said, crossing my arms. The five Tails actually erupted in laughter.

“He’s just like you, Kurama.” He said. It was unclear whether he meant it as a compliment or not.

“Fine. I’ll give you about half a tail’s worth of my power.”

“One whole tail” I pushed.

“Shorirama” Kurama warned.

“Fine. I’ll take the half.” I said with a shrug. Steam release? Yes please. Sure, I had enough on my plate to deal with for now, but I’d get around to it eventually. Just after I figured out Uzume’s Mangekyou.