Authors note:
Have any of you tried Expedition 33? Is it actually fun?
Also, if you guys read any webnovels, PLEASE drop some recommendations.
Chapter 60: Moving on
When I opened my eyes, the familiar feeling of warmth and tension rolled over me like a slow wave.
I was back inside the chamber — the same sacred and heavily fortified underground space where I had been made a Jinchūriki.
The air was still thick with residual chakra. The flickering light from the torches cast long, trembling shadows along the stone walls, and an eerie silence clung to the atmosphere… like the world itself had been holding its breath.
And just like that, it hit me.
They were all still there.
The entire group — the Hokage, Lady Tsunade, Jiraiya, Naido-sensei, and Tenz — all stood or sat in the exact same positions.
I slowly scanned their expressions. A mix of concern, relief, and curiosity stared back at me. Judging from how long I'd been inside the real world and the time difference between that world and this one, they had clearly been here the entire night.
It made sense. There was nothing in the Hidden Leaf Village that demanded more attention right now than this.
"How are you feeling?" Hiruzen asked, his voice calm but unmistakably laced with worry.
I took a moment before answering, the soreness in my throat becoming apparent as I tried to speak. "Never better," I croaked.
It came out hoarse and raspy — like I had spent the entire night screaming.
Which I had, when I went through with the fusion.
"That will pass with time," Tsunade said softly as she approached me, kneeling down to check my vitals. Her eyes, though tired, carried a deep-seated relief.
With a small nod, I flexed my fingers, testing the limits of my recovering body. My muscles ached deeply, but everything still worked.
Naido-sensei appeared beside me, offering his hand. I took it and was pulled into a sitting position, my body protesting every small movement.
And then, without warning, Naido slapped me on the back.
"Told you you could do it," he said with a proud grin.
"Sensei," I said flatly, "I don't believe you ever said those words specifically."
He didn't argue, but his grin didn't fade either. His eyes told me everything — pride, relief, and a stubborn refusal to admit he was worried.
"I'm glad you are fine," Hiruzen added, his gaze steady and warm despite his typically stern appearance.
I bowed as much as my sore muscles would allow. "Thank you, Lord Hokage."
"Good. You'll rest for today, but tomorrow, I'll expect a full report on everything you felt during the sealing," Hiruzen said.
I nodded again, already mentally preparing myself for it.
"Speaking of the seal," Jiraiya interjected, stepping forward, "how does it feel? Anything unusual?"
Closing my eyes for a moment, I focused inward.
The seal Jiraiya had crafted specifically for me was stable. It sat at the center of my soul like a guardian, separating Matatabi's chakra from overwhelming me while still allowing access when needed.
"It felt like… a mirror," I said slowly.
Jiraiya smirked. "Exactly how I intended it."
Of course it was. Jiraiya didn't do things halfway.
"It's stable," I confirmed. "I've already communicated with her briefly."
That caught Tsunade's attention immediately. "Matatabi?"
I nodded. "She's angry. Not at me directly, but definitely at the village. She seemed to respect her previous host, and what happened to her... she saw it all."
The room went heavy with silence.
Naido didn't look ashamed — but even he didn't have a snarky comment this time.
Jiraiya stepped forward, his arms crossed, eyes scanning me thoughtfully before he checked on the seals that were inked onto my body. "So," he asked, "were you able to tap into her chakra yet?"
I paused for just a moment—barely a second—but long enough for my mind to cycle through every potential outcome of revealing too much.
What I had just experienced was beyond anything the people in this room could imagine. And I wasn't about to complicate things by explaining the unexplainable.
So, I kept it simple.
"Yeah," I replied with a small nod. "A little. It wasn't easy… but I felt her chakra moving."
Jiraiya's brow lifted slightly in interest. "You were able to draw on it already, huh? That's rare. Most Jinchūriki need days—weeks even—just to feel it, let alone use it."
"I didn't use much," I added quickly. "Just enough to sense the bond. She didn't resist… but it didn't feel like trust either."
"She wouldn't trust you yet," Tsunade said, arms folded under her cloak. "Not after what happened with Yugito, her previous Jinchuriki. But the fact that she let you near it at all means she might be accepting you? We never know with the tailed beasts."
"You'll need a firm grasp on that chakra before long," Jiraiya warned, his expression more serious now. "The more you grow, the stronger her presence becomes. It'll try to overwhelm you—especially when you're emotional or weakened. Your seal's stable, but it's still new. Don't test it recklessly."
"I won't," I promised.
"I don't think this Tailed Beast is as aggressive as the 9 Tails considering how little it had resisted during the transfer of hosts… but remember, Shikomu," he said in a cold voice, "They're beasts."
I didn't say anything, but I had seen the anime.
I did not agree with that viewpoint.
Most of the Tailed Beasts used to do their own thing. It was human greed for power that caused them to forever become captives and slaves.
Anyone would attack their captor at their release.
At least I thought if I were imprisoned for no reason by people weaker than me for thousands of years, after being released, I would at least vent my frustrations…
There were a few nods in the room. Even Tenz, who had been mostly silent behind his mask, gave a small approving look.
"Good," Hiruzen said, exhaling a breath of smoke from his pipe. "Let's delay any official reports for a week... recover first."
He then turned his sharp, yet gentle eyes toward Tsunade. "Maybe get to know your clan member. You've waited a long time to meet another Senju, after all."
Tsunade offered a small smile, her hands resting easily at her hips. "While I would love to," she said, "the front lines need me. I'll get to know you properly after this war."
I simply nodded. I didn't really feel much of a connection to her anyway — sure, we were blood-related, but that meant nothing to me when this wasn't even my real body.
And with that, the two legends left the room without much ceremony.
Naido stretched his arms behind his head lazily and threw a grin at me. "Well, you didn't die. Guess that's one way to exceed expectations." He chuckled and walked off before I could even retort.
Typical.
Jiraiya lingered a moment longer, adjusting his forehead protector before he gave me a rare, serious nod. "Rest up, kid. I'll send you more fuinjutsu materials tomorrow. Might as well use this downtime wisely."
I gave a light bow in response.
Tenz then appeared at my side.
Without a word, he motioned for me to lean on him, helping me stand. My body still felt battered and hollow from the strain of the sealing process, but with Tenz supporting me, it wasn't unbearable.
Step by step, he guided me down a side corridor — deep into the ANBU headquarters, toward an isolated recovery bay.
It was quiet.
Perfect for healing... and for planning what came next.
(Slight shorter chapter guys)
...
Authors note:
You can read some chapters ahead if you want to on my p#treon.com/Fat_Cultivator