Vision of Truth III: Fleeting Moments (Naruto)

A Better Way

Chapter 6: A Better Way

"They were clearly stalling for time," Kakashi said as he examined the body Itachi used to fight.

"They've sure got a good jutsu," said Sakura. "I never realized you were fighting against people like this, Naruto."

"Using a jutsu like this to stall us means they're undoubtedly already extracting the tailed beast!" said Chiyo. "We don't have time. We must save Gaara right away."

Sakura appeared surprised. "E-Excuse me-"

"Hm?"

"What do you mean extract the tailed beast?"

"It's likely that they're intention is to create a new jinchuriki using the One-Tail, Shukaku."

"Jinchuriki?"

"Someone who houses a tailed beast inside of them," I said. "Like Naruto and Gaara."

"That is correct," said Chiyo. "I explained before how the tailed beasts possess a power beyond human comprehension, didn't I? And how each land attempted to use them as military weapon? The jinchuriki is what you might call the one who controls that power."

"But earlier you said the tailed beasts have immense chakra," said Sakura, "and, in the world of ninja, were used for military purposes by Hidden Villages around the world. They competed to get their hands on them. But none was able to control that power which had surpassed human intelligence."

"In the end, that is. But in the past, there were those who attempted to control that power. They attempted to control the tailed beast by sealing it inside people. By doing so, they tried to suppress the extreme power of the tailed beast and then control that power. As Katsumi said, the ones with the tailed beast sealed within them, in other words, people like Gaara, were called the jinchuriki. The striking feature of the jinchuriki is how it utilizes unbelievable power by resonating with the tailed beast. Including Gaara, there have been three jinchuriki in the history of the Sand."

"So, wars were fought often using the jinchuriki?"

"That's right."

"Is that why the Leaf Village has kept everything about this a secret?" I asked.

"After it was deemed impossible to control the tailed beast, the jinchuriki were treated with the same scorn as the beasts themselves. I imagine the village leaders were attempting to lessen this fate by hiding it from the younger generation."

I thought about that for a moment. "Well, if that was their goal, I can kind of understand, but it failed horribly. The older generation still knew, and the younger generation picked up on it." I shook my head. "There has to be a better way."

"We will find one with time," said Kakashi.

I nodded. "Good."

"The people who've been turned into a jinchuriki, how can the tailed beast be extracted?" Sakura asked.

"What's required is a sealing jutsu with the ability to instantaneously balance the power of the tailed beast, in addition to plenty of time," said Chiyo.

"But if that's done, the Jinchuriki-" Sakura paused, appearing worried. "Don't tell me-"

"That's right. The Jinchuriki that has his tailed beast extracted dies. The two people I mentioned earlier, the Sand jinchuriki other than Gaara, both had the Shukaku within them extracted and died as a result."

Sakura turned to Naruto. She opened her mouth to speak, but he said, "You're sentimental as always, huh? Sakura, don't worry. I'll be saving Gaara!

"I-I was concerned about you!" Sakura said, flushing.