Naruto: Reborn as Yagura Karatachi

The sealing was complete.

Unlike what had happened years ago when Yagura was first sealed with Isobu, Utakata didn't immediately pass out from the shock of the Tailed Beast's chakra.

Partly, it was because his body was more mature than Yagura's had been back then. And partly, the sealing technique they used now was simply better than what Kirigakure had back in those days.

"I wonder how things are going in Sunagakure… How did they handle sealing Shukaku into Gaara?"

The thought popped into Yagura's head uninvited. He shook it off and reminded Utakata,

"Make sure you bond with Saiken over the next few days. Tailed Beasts aren't as hard to deal with as you think. They're actually easier to get along with than most people."

Especially the ones from Kirigakure.

Isobu was a chill, bald turtle who practically lived a "whatever happens, happens" lifestyle.

Saiken was a calm, unflappable giant slug.

Way better than the temperamental tanuki or the explosive fox. All thanks to Hashirama Senju.

Still leaning on the ceremonial platform, Utakata slowly sat up and nodded obediently to Yagura's instructions.

He had just sealed a Tailed Beast, after all—his body was still feeling heavy and sluggish.

He pulled open the robe hanging loose on his chest and looked down at the sealing mark etched into his skin.

"Mizukage-sama, how long did it take you to master the Tailed Beast's power?"

"A year and a half… maybe two," Yagura answered honestly. "And that was with Isobu's cooperation."

Then he chuckled. "Not bad. You're already eager to start. Calm down, tape-face. You've got a decade to figure it out."

Utakata blinked, a little stunned. "He said… he wants to come out. Like Isobu-sama did."

"That's not going to happen."

Tailed Beast chakra wasn't exactly easy to control. If it leaked out now, Utakata—barely registered as a beginner—would lose control of his mind in an instant.

Yagura looked to Isobu. "You think it's safe? Don't want a repeat of earlier when he smacked me with his tail the moment he came out."

Isobu replied, "Let the human get used to things a bit longer. Did you see me come out right at the beginning?"

Yagura thought about it. "True. You're surprisingly considerate. Ever thought about writing a handbook for Jinchuriki?"

Isobu shut that idea down immediately. He didn't want his siblings ganging up on him for selling them out.

As for Saiken, he didn't really want to come out. He was just feeling a bit salty. If Isobu got to pop out, why couldn't he?

[Saiken: Human, you better start training seriously with your master. Didn't Isobu's human say it took a year? Let's aim for half that time, yeah?]

[Utakata: But even Mizukage-sama needed that long...]

[Saiken: Fine, then let's call it ten years.]

[Utakata: ?]

That... felt a bit extreme.

Utakata didn't think he was better than Yagura or anything, but come on—he wasn't that hopeless, was he?

Was Saiken's sense of time a little off?

[Saiken: You humans don't live as long as us, desu. A year or ten, it all kind of blends together for us.]

Oh. That actually made sense.

It was like how a year in a cat's life was like fifteen for a human.

So in a way… humans were the Tailed Beasts' cats?

Utakata got lost in thought.

[Saiken: I don't hate that comparison.]

Yagura asked, "You two done talking?"

"Yes."

With the Saiken situation finally dealt with, Yagura sent Utakata off to bond with his new partner.

Yagura returned to his office desk.

Things in Sunagakure had finally calmed down.

Rasa had made multiple trips to the Wind Daimyo's residence. After much bowing and begging, he finally got a reluctant green light.

The money would keep coming—barely. Just enough to scrape by.

Left with no choice, Rasa started slashing the village's internal military budget, cutting puppet research funding, and shifting focus to their Tailed Beast Jinchuriki program.

The Fourth Raikage wasn't particularly interested in Sunagakure's involvement. But he was happy to see Konoha now completely isolated.

In Konoha, Namikaze Minato had just taken office. Just untangling the political mess within the village was already giving him headaches.

You had to clean up your own house before you dealt with outsiders. For now, Minato didn't have the luxury of focusing on external threats or power plays.

Yagura, on the other hand, was in the opposite position. He'd already dealt with outside threats. Now, he could focus entirely on internal matters.

Like planning for the upcoming New Year festival.

...

February 9th, New Year's Eve

"Okay, that should do it."

The Kiri-nin finished tying the sash of Konan's kimono and stood up, rubbing her sore back. "Whew, dressing up really takes it out of you. Come on, turn around and let me see the beautiful lady!"

Going with local traditions, Konan had taken off her Akatsuki cloak and put on a festive kimono for the holidays.

The kimono had been a gift from the Kiri-nin.

Nothing fancy—just an affordable, everyday style that any household could buy.

The design featured soft camellia flowers, adding a gentle, melancholic elegance that matched the rainy aura Konan naturally carried from the Land of Rain.

The well-fitted kimono hugged her figure, highlighting the graceful curves of an eighteen-year-old woman on the verge of full maturity.

Blushing, Konan turned around. A month ago, she never would've imagined herself in a situation like this—so different from her life back in the Rain.

"You're beautiful too."

The blue-haired Kiri-nin wore a light blue and white kimono that perfectly captured her energetic personality.

Fwoosh—BOOM!

Fireworks exploded outside the inn window, lighting up the night sky in brilliant colors.

The fireworks festival had officially begun.

"Crap, we're late!"

The Kiri-nin suddenly remembered her assignment from the Mizukage—Yagura was supposed to meet with Konan tonight.

"Let's go, Konan!"

Konan had been briefed about the plan in advance, but now that the moment was here, nerves hit her hard.

"… Are you sure it's okay for me to wear this to meet the Mizukage?"

"Relax, relax! Mizukage-sama's super easy to talk to!"

The Kiri-nin leaned in with a cheeky grin, whispering, "Just between us—he's totally a straight-laced guy. No matter how good you look, he only knows like, three compliments. That's what his deputy, Mei, told me. 100% verified."

They stepped out of the inn together.

The streets outside were drenched in festive red decorations.

Vendors lined the roads selling candy, toys, and holiday goods.

A special flower street had been set up just for the festival.

After years of effort, the people of Kirigakure had gradually embraced the holiday as an official celebration.

With over 300 mundane days in the year, this one week gave everyone something special to look forward to.

...

Up on the main stage for the fireworks show—

Zabuza stood there with a sour face, holding the hand of a pale, three-year-old child.

"Why am I stuck babysitting this brat from the Hozuki clan?"

Yagura chuckled. "His father is out on border patrol, and his mother's helping with clan duties. No one else is free."

Then why was the Mizukage doing nanny work?! And why was he getting roped in?!

Zabuza wanted to curse someone out.

But Hozuki Haku was a well-behaved kid. Even without his parents, he hadn't cried or thrown a tantrum. If he had, Zabuza definitely would have cursed someone out.

...

"Big brother! Big brother!!"

Little Suigetsu was curled up in Mangetsu's arms, tugging on his collar and pointing at the fireworks in the sky. "I want that!"

Mangetsu was speaking into an earpiece, his expression serious.

"Understood. I'm heading over now."

His stern face softened a moment later.

"You stay here for just a bit, okay? I'll be back soon to play with you."

Suigetsu could somehow tell his brother wasn't going to take him along. His big watery eyes started to fill with tears.

Mangetsu handed his cute little brother to Yagura.

"Yagura, could you watch him for a bit?"

Yagura accepted the child, though he was clearly irritated and confused about what could be so urgent.

"What's going on?"

Mangetsu waved it off.

"Nothing big—just a little something. Anbu spotted an intruder in the village. I'll handle it."

"Thanks for the effort."

Yagura trusted Mangetsu's strength enough to let him go without worry.

"I'll be right back!"

Mangetsu vanished.

Not long after, the Kiri-nin arrived with Konan.

Yagura exchanged a few polite words with Konan—asked about the Akatsuki, how she'd been doing since arriving in the village, and so on.

But he didn't let the conversation go on too long. This wasn't about politics or work. Tonight was for relaxing.

He told them both to enjoy the festival and forget about grown-up problems for once.

...

Outside the Hidden Mist Village—

A figure in a black cloak stood still, face hidden, gazing at the sky. He had been standing there for a long time.

Another man emerged silently from the earth, his body seeming to blend with the land itself.

"Beautiful, isn't it, Madara?"

"A meaningless illusion."

The masked man turned to leave.

But before he could take a step—

A sharp blade whistled through the air, stabbing clean through him!

It didn't feel like it hit solid flesh—but it wasn't a teleportation trick either.

Mangetsu landed in front of the two intruders, blade drawn—his sewing-needle sword glinting under the fireworks.

"You two. I don't remember seeing a masked man and a pitcher plant on the guest list for tonight's festival."

----------------

Pls Drop some Power Stones

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