Chapter 17: Jiu Xin Nai's Inner Thoughts

From the moment Jiu Xin Nai was taken from the Wo Zhi Guo Wo Chao Cun by Konoha's ninja to Konoha, her fate was already sealed with a strong tool‑person attribute.

Whether the high‑level Konoha officials making decisions or Jiu Xin Nai herself, both are very clear about this: she is meant to replace the elderly Uzumaki Shuihu as the Nine‑Tails jinchuriki.

When she first arrived at Konoha Village, she always felt a sense of alienation toward the village, but after living there for several years, that alienation gradually faded, and she also made many friends in the village.

The frustration that had arisen from being originally slated as the Nine‑Tails jinchuriki vanished, and as a ninja in Konoha Village she is also quite happy.

However, the events of a few days ago made her recall her identity again; she will become a jinchuriki, and after all this time she is still that tool.

This feeling was bottled up inside her, with no outlet for venting; she cannot tell her peers because only the highest Konoha authorities know she will become a jinchuriki, not even the Legendary Sannin are aware.

She wanted to confide in Shuihu Popo, but Shuihu Popo could not fully understand this emotion, because Shuihu Popo volunteered to help her husband, the First Hokage, become the Nine‑Tails jinchuriki, which is completely different from her situation.

In this circumstance, she thought of Qimu Chao.

He is the one who saved her during the actions a few days ago and knows she will become a jinchuriki.

Although Qimu Chao constantly claims he killed those three Cloud Ninja for his own sake, he still constantly monitors his side during battle and even jumps out to protect himself when he is about to be harmed.

A man whose words and heart don't match.

In Jiu Xin Nai's view, both have secrets they need to keep from each other.

She knows Qimu Chao saved her, so she won't reveal it; Qimu Chao knows she will become a jinchuriki, so he also won't reveal it.

Only the two of them are aware of these two secrets.

They are co‑conspirators.

Moreover, she does have a tiny bit of affection for him, so she will approach Qimu Chao to share her inner thoughts.

Qimu Chao listened to Jiu Xin Nai's words, then suddenly asked, "For yourself, do you want to become the Nine‑Tails jinchuriki?"

……………

Silence.

"I don't know."

After a while, Jiu Xin Nai shook her head and said, "I really like the village; after living here so long, I've come to treat it as my second home, but…"

As she spoke, she sighed, then thought of something, smiled, and looked at Qimu Chao, "If I said I don't want to become the Nine‑Tails jinchuriki, what would you do?"

"Me?"

Qimu Chao laughed, "I wouldn't do anything. After all, we've only met twice, at most we're just ordinary friends. I'd advise you to go directly to the Third Hokage and others and make it clear that you don't want to become a jinchuriki."

"It might not achieve much, but you're acting with your own will."

Just… ordinary friends…?

Yes, we've only met twice; she didn't even know Qimu Chao's name before, so the two can truly only be considered ordinary friends.

Jiu Xin Nai's mood turned a bit gloomy.

Yet Qimu Chao's tone suddenly shifted, "If we were very close friends, I would show you my power, then clarify things with the Third Hokage and others. If they try to force you, I would block them, then go to another village and seize a jinchuriki for us."

Just kidding, it's only a tailed‑beast jinchuriki; once he reaches the Magnetic Field Rotation High Matching Number Realm, conjuring a few hundred tailed beasts would be no problem.

Hearing Qimu Chao's words, the previously gloomy Jiu Xin Nai smiled again, "If that's really the case, then thank you."

She recalled what Shuihu Popo had told her.

Although she came to Konoha as a container for a tailed beast, she could still find love to fill herself before that.

With love, even becoming a jinchuriki would feel fulfilling inside.

Qimu Chao, can he?

Holding that thought, the two chatted until evening, and at QiMu ChunNai's invitation, Jiu Xin Nai stayed at their home for dinner.

Qimu Shuomao was a bit surprised by Jiu Xin Nai's visit to see Qimu Chao; somehow, he thought of the night he saw Bofeng Shuimen.

"This little girl wouldn't like Xiao Chao, would she."

While cooking dinner, QiMu ChunNai quietly asked Qimu Shuomao, "They've been chatting in the courtyard all afternoon; I have no idea what they're talking about."

"Liking Xiao Chao just proves his great charm; Kakashi said many little girls at school like Xiao Chao."

Glancing through the window at Jiu Xin Nai and Qimu Chao in the courtyard, Qimu Shuomao, seated at the table, smiled and took a sip of tea.

He knows Jiu Xin Nai's situation is unusual, but believes that with Xiao Chao's potential and talent, given time, nothing can stop him; any obstacle will be flattened one by one.

Before he becomes fully powerful, his father must protect him, just as he handled the recent crisis for him a few days ago.

"Jiu Xin Nai is older than Xiao Chao, right?" QiMu ChunNai asked.

"Yeah, about eight or nine years older," Qimu Shuomao nodded.

"Ah? That much older?!"

QiMu ChunNai was somewhat surprised, then laughed, "When she stands next to Xiao Chao, they look the same age; normally Xiao Chao is a bit more mature than Kakashi, so if they were together it would be just right."

"Speaking of it, Kakashi probably won't look for someone older than him in the future."

"I think if Kakashi's personality doesn't change, whether he gets a girlfriend later will be a problem."

Qimu Shuomao shook his tea as he spoke.

Though there's an age gap, Qimu Shuomao and his wife don't really mind.

Downstairs, Kakashi, who heard his parents chatting, scratched his head on the side, wondering why the conversation kept circling back to himself—he's still so young.

Perhaps because the gloom that had built up inside her was dispelled by voicing her thoughts, Jiu Xin Nai felt this dinner was especially enjoyable.

At the table, QiMu ChunNai kept serving dishes to Jiu Xin Nai; after learning Jiu Xin Nai's general situation, she felt rather sympathetic. Qimu Shuomao had once told her about the current state of Wo Zhi Guo, making her feel even more pity for Jiu Xin Nai, and invited her to come over often.

After dinner, Jiu Xin Nai prepared to leave; seeing Qimu Chao sitting still without moving, QiMu ChunNai quietly nudged him, and under QiMu ChunNai's pressure, Qimu Chao could only follow Jiu Xin Nai and see her to the door.

In the glow of the setting sun, the two walked all the way to Jiu Xin Nai's doorstep.

"Thank you so much today, for staying and talking with me so much."

Jiu Xin Nai brushed the long hair in front of her ears back behind her ears, then walked up to Qimu Chao and gave his cheek a gentle peck.

This caught Qimu Chao off guard.

"See you tomorrow."

Flashing a playful smile, Jiu Xin Nai turned and entered the house, leaving Qimu Chao standing there alone.