Anna Karenina

FIRE

Are you feeling better?

Yeah.

Once my chakra is fully restored, I'll be fine.

Still, this plan to stay a step ahead of Otsutsuki

and protect Shukaku blew up into a major incident.

But thanks to that,

it's clear now that his goal is to accumulate massive quantities of chakra.

There's no doubt he'll strike again.

Given the situation,

I'm worried about the other Tailed Beasts too.

It will all depend on the outcome of the Five Kage Summit…

but every village will have to stay alert

and take measures to protect their Tailed Beasts.

Yeah, if anything happens, I'll head right out.

It's not foolproof, but at this point, that's about all we can do.

Hey, you guys!

How long do I have to stay like this?

You're placed under protection here,

where Naruto can keep an eye on you.

It's not a good idea for you to appear as your usual gigantic self.

Sorry about this Shukaku.

You're going to be staying with me for a while.

I'm only agreeing to this because you and Gaara asked.

But I don't like being under the same roof with that damn Fox one bit!

Just getting a whiff of your scent sickens me, you stupid Tanuki.

What did you say? You wanna fight?!

You couldn't even stand up to that Otsutsuki.

You think you can beat me?

I would have never messed up like that.

Why you—!

I never liked you, Fox! And I never will!

Hey, what's going on?

Enough, Kurama! Shukaku!

You're always hiding inside of Naruto.

Come on out, Fox! Are you scared of me?!

Who'd be scared of a tanuki in a tea kettle?

Don't get so worked up, or the tea's gonna boil over.

Why you—!

They're both Tailed Beasts,

why are they still so unfriendly to each other?!

I can only think what lies ahead…

Shukaku's Trick

I'm home.

Welcome back, Daddy!

I'm home, Himawari.

Huh? Is that—?!

Hey, Boruto. Long time no see!

You're still inside that thing, Shukaku?

Well, yeah.

Until an official safe house is decided on,

he'll be staying here for the time being.

Oh. Well then, welcome!

Though, I really don't want to hang around here too long.

Huh, what?

It's Shukaa-ku!

Yes?

It's a talking Shukaa-ku!

Whoa!

Himawari, he isn't a Shukaa-ku toy.

He's the real Shukaku that the toy was modeled after.

Hey, hold on.

Are you mistaking me for a toy?

– He's so cute! – Hey, c'mon.

Let me go!

Nice to meet you, Shukaa-ku!

It's Shukaku!

It's really Shukaa-ku!

Whoa! Stop it! Hey, stop it!

Not even Shukaku can stand up to Himawari.

Oh dear…

– What's going on? – Stop it!

– What are you doing! – Look, Mommy!

– It's Shukaa-ku! – Hey!

Oh, you're right!

Like I said—!

You were able to take the entire day off tomorrow?

Yeah.

Although babysitting him is kind of like work.

Babysitting who?

I'll have you know I'm the proud One Tail!

I'm not a toy or a pet!

So, don't treat me like a pet!

I'm different from Kurama

who's turned into a domesticated house pet!

Hey, there are nine Tailed Beasts in all, right?

Yeah.

From the One Tail to the Nine Tails.

They're named according to the number of tails they have.

Wow! That many who are just like Mr. Shukaku?

That's exciting!

I'd love to see all of them if I had a chance.

Well, they've all got strong personalities and do things their way.

So, it's not that easy.

We're not the types who like being beholden to you humans.

The truth is, you are right now.

Huh?

You have a Tailed Beast inside of you too, right, Dad?

Yeah. Kurama, the Nine Tails.

So, you could say the source of your amazing strength is Kurama, right?

This village is my home… and everyone's my family!

I won't let you have your way with us!

Generally speaking, I guess you could say that.

Me, and Gaara, Mr. Bee, and Kagura's grandpa…

We're all Jinchuriki.

Jinchuriki, huh?

Yeah. During the period when villages fought against each other,

we were treated like secret weapons

because we were the human vessels for the Tailed Beasts.

It's a sad history.

But it's different now, right?

Huh?

Yeah!

If Mr. Fox is inside you, Daddy, I'd like to meet him!

He's always sleeping, and never wants to come out.

Really? That's too bad.

Well, that Fox's hatred of humans is set in stone.

You should just forget it!

Oh? Then will you play with me instead, Mr. Shukaa-ku?

Huh? Why would I play with some human kid?

You're no fun.

Sorry, Himawari.

Actually, he and I need to have a little conference now.

A conference?

Yeah! With some old friends.

Nope.

I don't wanna.

It's been a while since we got together like this, everyone!

Isobu.

Mmm-hmm.

Son.

Hey!

Saiken.

Yeah!

Gyuki…

Have you healed from the wounds you got from the Otsutsuki?

Completely!

Tsk…

This is the psychic plane of the Tailed Beasts,

linked together by our subconscious minds.

We can meet anytime, if we wanted to.

Well, that's true, but…

Looks like there're a few guys who didn't come anyway.

Yeah. Matatabi, Kokuo, and Chomei said they pass.

Us Tailed Beasts like to live our own way.

After all this time, if humans tell us that they're gonna protect us,

not many will agree so willingly.

Even if we're told that it's to protect us from the Otsutsuki.

I guess so, huh…

But, it's different if you insist on it, Naruto.

We're all indebted to you.

Thanks, guys.

By the way, where's the One Tail?

Isn't he staying with you?

Yeah, he is, but…

Isn't it obvious?

He's too embarrassed to show himself.

He knows we're all gonna make fun of him about what happened.

You damned Fox! Don't get so full of yourself!

Just watch!

I'm gonna make you take back your words!

Naruto, you've totally settled into the role of parent now.

Oh, come on.

I could say the same about you. Are you acting like my guardian?

Yeah, pretty much.

What?