While Uchiha Madara was secretly plotting in the shadows, the situation in the Land of Waterfalls was unfolding with much less resistance. Unlike the arrogant leaders of the Hidden Cloud Village, the authorities of the Hidden Waterfall Village were very sensible. When they saw Minato approaching from the horizon accompanied by two massive Tailed Beasts, they did not bother with a futile defense and voluntarily sent their Jinchuriki to meet him. Minato extracted the Seven-Tails Chomei from its host, obtained a portion of its Chakra, and then released the massive insect back into the natural world. Chomei possessed a somewhat reserved and reclusive personality. Upon its release, it mentioned that it intended to live in a secluded place full of insects and even sincerely invited Minato to visit as a guest. Minato thought about the mental image of a damp area crawling with countless bugs and unhesitatingly declined the friendly invitation. Then, he took the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails and hurried toward Iwagakure.
In just this short amount of time, I have already lost three of my tails, Gyuki grumbled while showing Minato its severed appendage. Speaking of which, shouldn't this thing be called a tentacle instead of a tail? Minato felt a bit conflicted as he looked at the anatomy of the beast. And Chomei, its so-called tails are actually wings, right? It does not look like a tail at all. Chomei originally had a tail, but back then it was just a grub, Matatabi said faintly. But Gyuki really does have tentacles. For some reason, this blunt remark tickled Minato's funny bone and made the corner of his mouth twitch. The Old Man did not even think of giving me a pair of legs, so what can I really do about it? Gyuki seemed a bit unhappy with the conversation. Is the Old Man you are referring to the Six Paths Sage? Minato asked, even though he already knew the answer. Yes, we were all created by the Six Paths Sage. Matatabi explained that to them, he was a father figure. Minato! Gyuki suddenly turned its massive head toward him, its round, pupil-less eyes staring intently at the young man. Minato turned his head and asked what was wrong. Nothing, Gyuki replied, turning its head back and saying nothing more. He is not actually angry because we called them tentacles, is he? Minato awkwardly glanced at the Eight-Tails and whispered the question into Matatabi's ear. Probably not, Matatabi chuckled softly while moving swiftly through the terrain.
The beast likely knew what was happening in Gyuki's mind. The Six Paths Sage once prophesied that one day, they would receive proper guidance and understand the nature of true power when someone appeared who could truly understand them. Evidently, in Gyuki's eyes, Minato was the person the Old Man had spoken of in the legends. Not just Gyuki, but Matatabi actually thought so too. Otherwise, it would not have followed Minato just because he was good-looking. Minato, after you finish releasing all the Tailed Beasts, what do you plan to do next? Matatabi asked curiously. Me? I plan to start new cultivation. Minato thought for a moment about his progress. Besides Sage Mode, his skill slots were full; it was time to begin cultivating Sage Mode seriously. Moreover, if he could master Sage Mode Chakra, it would also help Orochimaru's future research and save him from having to create those unseemly Cursed Marks. I like a peaceful and stable life, but there are always various threats lurking in the Ninja World, Minato said with a look of helplessness. With your current level of strength, there is nothing in this world that can threaten you anymore, is there? Gyuki asked, sounding puzzled. Of course there is. Although I have not witnessed it myself, if the power of all nine Tailed Beasts were combined, it should release a terrifying existence. As Minato's words fell, both Gyuki and Matatabi's expressions changed instantly.
How did you know about that? Gyuki asked. Ancient texts of the Senju Clan record that the Six Paths Sage once subdued an entity called the Ten-Tails. Although a millennium has passed and this story is now considered a myth, you could not have been created out of thin air by the Six Paths Sage. I suspect there is a direct connection between you and the Ten-Tails. Minato spoke calmly. Furthermore, the ancient texts also state that the Six Paths Sage distributed Chakra to people and founded Ninshu, but he was only the propagator. The source of Chakra came from his mother, the Rabbit Goddess Kaguya Otsutsuki. So where did Kaguya's Chakra come from? Is there an even deeper source than that? Could it be that you are just worrying too much? Gyuki thought Minato was overthinking things. I hope so, Minato replied and did not say more; it was too early to discuss these deep secrets. He gazed into the distance and saw the walls of Iwagakure appearing in his sight.
Accompanied by a loud eagle cry, figures rushed out of the village and quickly formed a Ninja squad of over $1,000$ people. Above the city wall, Onoki floated out and appeared in front of the assembled Ninja squad. Seeing this, Minato gently patted Matatabi's head. Matatabi slowly slowed its pace, and the Eight-Tails beside it also stopped. It has been a long time since we last met, Onoki-sensei. Minato stood on Matatabi's head while looking at Onoki in mid-air. You are here for Iwagakure's Tailed Beasts, aren't you? Onoki's expression was grim; he had not expected Minato to arrive so quickly. Besides the Tailed Beasts, there does not seem to be anything else in Iwagakure worth my special trip, is there? Minato gently extended his hand. Please hand over the Tailed Beasts to me. Iwagakure and Konoha are still in a hostile state. If you refuse, this time I won't hold back. Onoki's face was ashen. He had not expected Minato to not even bother with an excuse, just reaching out and demanding them while threatening an old man. If I hand over the Tailed Beasts to you, what happens then? Then I will leave immediately and won't make things difficult. Minato said, and as if remembering something, he added that they also had to withdraw the pressure on Konoha, otherwise, as a rogue Ninja, he might act.
That kind of thing has already been withdrawn! Onoki was furious. As soon as they learned that Minato was blocking the gates of the Hidden Mist Village, all countries immediately withdrew their pressure on Konoha overnight. He waved his hand and summoned Iwagakure's two Jinchuriki. Both appeared to be sixteen or seventeen years old; one had orange hair, and the other was covered in armor. They were Roshi and Han. Because the two giant beasts, Matatabi and Gyuki, were right there, Onoki did not dare to try any tricks, allowing Minato to extract the two Tailed Beasts from their bodies. As soon as the Four-Tails was extracted from Roshi, it pounded its chest and roared. The Five-Tails did not cause too much commotion, but its wildly flailing tails revealed its excited mood. Watching the four Tailed Beasts gather, Onoki waved his hand and signaled the Ninja squad to retreat, but not too far. He was afraid Minato might get a sudden idea and order the Tailed Beasts to spray Tailed Beast Balls at Iwagakure for fun. The Two-Tails and Eight-Tails might not do it, but the Four-Tails and Five-Tails would certainly be happy to oblige. Fortunately, the two gave Minato enough respect. After leaving their Tailed Beast Chakra, they departed and did not make things difficult for Iwagakure. Given Onoki's sensible attitude, Minato did not argue with him and headed toward the Land of Wind with Matatabi and Gyuki. Watching the two giant beasts depart, Onoki felt increasingly frustrated the more he thought about it. Is there no one in this world who can deal with Minato Namikaze? Send someone to seek peace with Konoha. We, Iwagakure, will not fight anymore. Onoki sighed deeply, his face full of weariness. Minato Namikaze was very handsome, but he really did not want to see that face again.
----------------
You can read advanced chapters here: patreon.com/GregariousLion