I'M NARUTO UZUMAKI

Three Steps to Subdue the Tailed Beast

After locating Yagura Karatachi, Naruto dispelled the genjutsu that had been controlling him.

As the illusion's grip faded, Yagura's eyes regained clarity. He looked at Naruto with a complex expression, his lips moving slightly as he whispered, "Thank you."

Despite being under the control of Obito Uchiha's Sharingan, Yagura had remained conscious the entire time, aware of everything that had transpired.

This was his greatest torment—he had wanted nothing more than to rule Kirigakure with justice, yet he could only watch helplessly as Obito used him as a puppet to plunge the village into chaos and civil war.

After speaking, Yagura collapsed again, seemingly from exhaustion and water inhalation.

Naruto paid no further attention to Yagura. Instead, he placed his hand on the unconscious Three-Tails, Isofu, and asked Kurama, "Kyubi, can you communicate with Isofu? The Kirigakure shinobi outside will be here any second."

Kurama shook his head slightly. "You knocked Isofu out just now—it hasn't woken up yet."

Naruto looked embarrassed. "Wait… tailed beasts can be knocked out? I thought you guys were just chakra entities. Or is Isofu just too weak to handle a Rasenshuriken?"

Kurama interrupted with a huff. "Tailed beasts have different strengths. Isofu isn't much of a fighter, but even if it's unconscious, I can still extract its chakra. You can use that to break its control and seal it away."

Naruto nodded, moved behind Isofu, and yanked off one of its tails.

Channeling his sealing expertise, Naruto forcibly absorbed a portion of the Three-Tails' chakra into his own body, reinforcing the bond with a Four Symbols Seal. A new sealing mark appeared on his stomach.

With that done, Naruto turned back to the barely-breathing Yagura and performed a sealing jutsu.

Under the technique's influence, Isofu slowly retracted into Yagura's body. Naruto then dragged the unconscious Mizukage onto the shore and dropped him onto solid ground.

By now, dozens of Kirigakure shinobi had gathered.

They stood in silence, staring at the fallen Yagura with mixed emotions. Many had resented the Fourth Mizukage, who had ruled with an iron fist, but now they realized the truth—he had never been in control.

This revelation was deeply unsettling. If even the Mizukage had been manipulated, what had years of rebellion and bloodshed truly meant?

As these thoughts raced through their minds, their gazes shifted to Naruto, the unknown warrior who had defeated both Yagura and the masked man controlling him.

Naruto, unfazed by their scrutiny, approached Mangetsu Hozuki, clapped a hand on his shoulder, and said flatly, "That masked guy was tougher than I expected. I nearly screwed up. You guys owe me for this mess."

Nearby, Terumi Mei and the others twitched at Naruto's words. He had dominated the entire fight and even flattened a section of the forest—yet he called it 'almost screwing up.'

Zabuza Momochi, who had just arrived, glanced at Naruto and asked curiously, "Lord Mianma, how exactly did you subdue the rampaging Three-Tails?"

Terumi Mei and the others perked up, eager to hear the answer. The chaotic chakra had obscured their sensory abilities, making it impossible to tell what had happened underwater.

Naruto stroked his chin in thought and replied, "It's pretty simple. Three steps: find the Three-Tails, knock it out, and seal it."

A stunned silence followed.

Everyone knew that capturing a tailed beast required three basic steps: locate it, overpower it, and seal it.

But while the first step was straightforward, the second and third usually required an entire village's effort.

Subduing a tailed beast typically came at the cost of countless lives. Yet Naruto had made it sound effortless.

After processing his words, Terumi Mei and the others reevaluated his strength.

Naruto's power was at least on par with the Second Mizukage or the Third Raikage—perhaps even rivalling the legendary Hanzo of the Salamander.

Realizing this, Elder Gengetsu Hozuki stepped forward, leaning on his cane. "We owe you a great debt, sir. May I ask your name?"

Naruto glanced at him and replied calmly, "Uzumaki Mianma."

"Uzumaki...?"

Elder Gengetsu's eyes widened slightly. He studied Naruto for a moment before sighing, as if recognizing something behind the mask. "So, you're from the Uzumaki Clan. Would you be willing to accompany me to Kirigakure? This isn't the best place for discussion."

His reaction made Naruto frown slightly. Then, recalling the destruction of Uzushiogakure, he understood.

Years ago, Uzushiogakure had been destroyed by a coalition of villages—including Kirigakure. The ones responsible were likely long dead, but as an elder, Gengetsu was one of the few who had lived through that era.

That explained his reaction.

However, Naruto wasn't truly an Uzushiogakure native. He had inherited his Uzumaki bloodline from his mother, Kushina, and had been raised in Konoha.

With this in mind, Naruto turned to Namikaze Minato and said, "Fourth Hokage, it looks like we're about to learn the truth about Uzushiogakure. I wonder how much of it you already know..."

Minato's expression tightened. He was well aware of why Uzushiogakure had fallen.

At the time, Konoha had been embroiled in war with the other great nations, leaving it unable to send aid. By the time they realized what had happened, it was too late.

Although Uzushiogakure was close to the Land of Fire, it was still hundreds of miles from Konoha. Even the fastest shinobi would have taken three days to reach it—more than enough time for it to be wiped out.

Yet there had always been something suspicious about the attack.

Minato's silence made Naruto lose interest in pursuing the topic.

He wasn't a direct victim of Uzushiogakure's fall. The only ones who could truly empathize were the remaining Uzumaki survivors, like Karin or the elders of the clan. Once he uncovered the truth, he would share it with them.

After all, his true goal wasn't to restore Uzushiogakure to its former glory.

He wanted to build a new land—one that belonged solely to him.

Half an hour later, Naruto arrived in Kirigakure alongside Gengetsu and the others. He was treated as an honored guest and assigned a hotel suite to rest.

After dinner, he proceeded to the Mizukage's office to discuss the terms of an alliance.

Naruto knew Kirigakure's leaders were likely holding a meeting about him, but he didn't care. His mission had already been accomplished.

At that moment, within his sealed mindscape, Kurama spoke lazily:

"Naruto, Isofu just woke up. Go talk to it before I go back to sleep."

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