Naruto: Passerby and Returnee

Chapter 485 The Daily Lives of the Jinchūriki

After much discussion, the allied forces finally decided that the hiding place of the Jinchūriki would be a secret base in the Hidden Cloud Village.

This was a comprehensive choice made with consideration of the Jinchuriki's own circumstances, because there was not only a natural shielding barrier there, but also a ruin that could assist the Jinchuriki in their training. No one knows who built that ruin; their discovery of Turtle Island was partly due to luck. They can only deduce from the ubiquitous Ushioni statues that the person who built it was most likely a former Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.

Such an important matter should naturally be conveyed to all the Jinchūriki by Jinlun himself.

"What do you mean Madara Uchiha has declared war on the entire ninja world?" This was the question on Yuga's mind.

"The Allied Shinobi Forces? Is this alliance really okay?" This was Yukito's question, filled with skepticism.

"That old fogey actually agreed?" Old Zi was a little surprised.

"Does our village chief know about this too? Has he sent people to join the war?" Fu asked, somewhat worried.

Han remained as taciturn as ever, his main characteristic being that he didn't like to talk.

"In short, that's the situation. The Fourth Shinobi World War is about to begin. The two sides participating in this war are the five great ninja villages and 'Akatsuki,' which is indeed the first time since the establishment of the ninja village system." Jinlun added while eating with them, "No one knows the situation of this allied forces, and I can't predict it either, but they were created to protect the Jinchuriki and the world. In order to completely thwart the Eye of the Moon Plan, you can't let your guard down."

"The Hokage has sent word that you will be sent to the Hidden Cloud Village's secret base. While you hide there, you must not neglect your training. Yugito should know that place; it won't hurt to reveal a little bit to everyone."

Yugito knew exactly what Turtle Island was for, so she was utterly shocked. How could the Raikage, with his volatile temper, agree to relinquish such a crucial secret and allow all the Jinchuriki to train on the island? Although life in Hokushin was indeed very enjoyable, showing her another kind of life a ninja could have, exposing Turtle Island's secret was tantamount to treason, and she had to be even more cautious.

"Do all the Jinchūriki have to go? And how will we get there? By boat?"

"Once the Sixth Hokage, Naruto Uzumaki, arrives at Turtle Island and establishes the Flying Thunder God coordinates, he will take you all there in one go."

"Huh? Naruto's already Hokage?!" Fu, who happened to recognize Naruto, exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes, he is the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and also the guardian of all Jinchuriki. If you have any problems later, you can contact him." Jinlun quickly finished the last bite of his rice. "Today is an advance notice so you can prepare. The Sixth Hokage's ship has already departed from the port of the Land of Iron and will arrive at its destination in about three days. If you need to bring any luggage, you can report it to the apartment management. We will meet your needs within our capabilities."

No one objected to the arrangement. The fact that even the Allied Shinobi Forces had appeared indicated that the scale of the war had far exceeded their expectations. As Jinchuriki from various countries, they were prepared for the consequences. Apart from Utakata, who showed some resistance, the others were fine.

The meal, packed with so much information, was tedious and everyone rushed back to prepare, except for Yu Gao, who was stopped by Jinlun. This leader of "Hui" looked far too young, giving everyone the illusion of being approachable. But Yu Gao knew that none of his subordinates were easy to deal with, and they were united against a common enemy; their killing intent could even terrify him, the Six-Tails Jinchuriki.

However, after that day, he and Ying were not warned, and soon they saw Jinlun, who seemed to be unharmed. Beichen's life was far too carefree; he could find poetry collections from all over the world in the library, and even had the good fortune to meet a rather famous literary figure. After talking with that person, he realized that his horizons were still not broad enough. His heart was bound by his identity as a Jinchuriki, and he had never been able to escape the shadow of the past, so he couldn't open his heart to accept the beauty of the world, and couldn't create truly expressive poetry.

Only when he stepped out of his ninja identity could he see just how beautiful Hotaru's heart truly was, the one who had followed him so devotedly.

Yu Gao thought that Jin Lun would finally talk to him about that matter, but instead, Jin Lun only gave him a letter, saying that it was written by the Mizukage himself.

"The Fifth Mizukage is Mei Terumi. She has never met you, but she has met your master's disciples. Considering Mizuki's situation, she had been sending your senior and junior disciples to find you to avoid conflict as much as possible and to prevent you from being forced to return. Now, her attitude has not changed, but she hopes you will read this letter before making a decision."

After Jinlun finished speaking, he was taken away by Mr. Quanjian, who had been waiting for him. It was clear that Beichen had been very busy lately. During working hours, there were hardly any people strolling around on the streets. As the leader, Jinlun would only be busier.

Yugao watched the two figures disappear into the distance, his feelings complex. He did have feelings for Kirigakure, but those feelings had always been entirely tied to his master. Jinchuriki were treated much the same everywhere, except for Fu; each of them had experienced a childhood filled with rejection and discrimination. Some earned recognition and respect through their own efforts, while others spent far longer than their childhood to gradually reconcile with their past.

Utakata belongs to the latter category. To this day, he still rejects the power of the Six-Tails, secretly wishing he weren't a Jinchūriki. If he weren't, he wouldn't see his master as his only bond, nor would he suffer so much after being betrayed, a pain he still cannot let go of.

The Mizukage's letter wasn't long, but the facts it contained lifted a huge weight from his heart. Even if it was just a lie to coax him back, he still couldn't accept that his master wanted to kill him. The magic circle he saw when he suddenly woke up was indeed for separating the Six-Tails, but it was a magic circle his master had painstakingly prepared to ensure he wouldn't die after losing the Six-Tails.

The master never ignored his suffering, always keeping his longing in mind, and tried his best to help him find liberation. However, the old man, who didn't say a word, began the ritual directly, which the boy mistook for an attempt to kill him, resulting in his own death and the dissipation of his soul.

【Yugao, your fellow disciples, following your master's dying wish, also hope that you will always be yourself. That's why, despite following you for so long, they haven't forced you to return. If this letter can change your mind, Kirigakure will still welcome your return, but a letter of self-criticism will be indispensable.】

If you still insist on leaving, then I can only wish you well. I have a premonition that after this unprecedented war, the ninja world will usher in a new order, under which perhaps Jinchuriki will no longer be confined to ninja villages.

Therefore, I hope that you can find your own path in life, just as your master hoped.