Han had overlooked the most crucial line in the scroll: "Attack the center, and all the seals will converge!" But at this moment, who could possibly warn him?
Driven by impulse, Han decided to act. He poured his feeble chakra into the central position of "Tianquan" on the seal. This turned out to be a disastrous mistake. All the sealed star positions, like an unstrung reverse bow, recoiled violently and began attacking his weak chakra.
Pay attention to the keyword—"recoil"! This created a massive gap in the seal holding the Five-Tails, Kokuō. In an instant, a torrent of tailed beast chakra burst forth like a floodgate opening!
Han transformed directly into full Tailed Beast Mode! Not partial transformation, but full release—he unleashed the beast entirely!
To be honest, the so-called "Seven-Star Seal" was never suitable for sealing a tailed beast. It was a makeshift solution created when Kokuō rampaged and broke free. However, Iwagakure lacked sealing masters like Mito Uzumaki or Bunpuku, so they had to make do and plan for a better solution later.
This incident caused quite a headache for White Earth (Shiratsuchi). Fortunately, it happened outside the village; had it occurred within, it would have been another catastrophe like the infamous Five-Tails rampage!
Luckily, White Earth had exceptional skills. Using Lightened Boulder Technique and clay bombs, he managed to dodge and keep Kokuō at bay, preventing the beast from charging into the village. He held out until Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage, arrived with reinforcements.
Ōnoki, seasoned as ever, flew onto Kokuō's back using Lightened Boulder Technique. He forcibly reversed the direction of the Seven-Star Seal, twisting it back into place. This successfully re-sealed Kokuō within Han's body.
Looking at the utterly exhausted and deeply unconscious Han, Ōnoki didn't rush to strengthen the sealing formula. Instead, a cunning thought crossed his mind: This kid seems to have potential. At such a young age, he can already unleash a tailed beast. If he learns to fully control it, he could be a powerful asset to the village.
Thus, Ōnoki tasked White Earth with teaching Han the complete Seven-Star Sealing Technique.
However, this approach was fundamentally flawed. Achieving true mastery as a jinchūriki requires one of two paths:
Gradually building a harmonious relationship with the tailed beast, becoming comrades who freely share chakra.
Employing an overwhelmingly powerful sealing technique, like the Uzumaki clan's, to suppress the beast entirely. This method ensures control but relies heavily on the jinchūriki's sealing prowess.
Ōnoki's method, exploiting the seal's reversible nature to release tailed beast power, was merely opportunistic and came with significant drawbacks:
Limited power utilization: The tailed beast's full strength could never be fully harnessed, unlike a perfect jinchūriki who can seamlessly access the beast's chakra.
Uncontrolled rampages: Released tailed beasts act on their own whims, attacking targets indiscriminately.
Life force depletion: Constantly tampering with the seal drains the jinchūriki's vitality. Over time, even the strongest individuals would succumb to the strain.
But these concerns were not Ōnoki's priority. All he cared about was the tailed beast's power. In battle, he could simply release the beast to wreak havoc on enemy ranks while keeping his own forces at a safe distance—a seemingly ingenious strategy.
From that day forward, White Earth's attitude toward Han improved significantly. He even apologized to Han, a rare gesture, and began seriously teaching him ninjutsu, focusing on the Seven-Star Sealing Technique.
Unexpectedly, halfway through the lessons, the Second Shinobi World War broke out. Ōnoki, seeking strategic gains, launched an attack on Konoha's forces stationed in the Land of Rain. Naturally, White Earth, as one of Iwagakure's top shinobi, joined the expedition.
Before departing, White Earth handed the Seven-Star Sealing scroll to Han, instructing him to study it on his own and wait for his return to continue the lessons. He sternly warned Han not to tamper with his seal without explicit orders.
Subsequent events unfolded as history records: Iwagakure initially triumphed over Konoha in the Land of Rain but later clashed with Kumogakure. However, these developments had little impact on Han. The only matter of significance to him was the death of White Earth.
Han's feelings about White Earth's death were complicated.
White Earth had never treated him kindly, so there was no deep bond. But as a seven- or eight-year-old child, ostracized by the village, the only person he could rely on was the one who fed him and taught him ninjutsu. Naturally, he felt some discomfort at White Earth's passing.
Soon, however, another figure emerged for Han to rely on: Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage. The reason was simple—Kumogakure had deployed a tailed beast.
One day, Ōnoki returned to the village to visit Han, unusually amiable and engaging in heartfelt conversation. He even brought Han plenty of delicious food.
"Do you know who funded your living expenses all these years?"
"Do you know why, despite causing so much trouble, the village never punished you severely?"
"Do you know how your father died?"
"Do you know why your teacher, White Earth, was so strict with you?"
Ōnoki fabricated a logically flawed yet emotionally compelling narrative, instilling a sense of "everything was for the village" and "positive energy" in Han.
If Han had been an adult, he might have questioned and dissected the inconsistencies in Ōnoki's words. But Han was just a child—a rash, impulsive one at that. He was immediately stirred into a fervor.
"Tell me what to do, and I'll do it!"
This was precisely the response Ōnoki had been waiting for.
"The front lines are in a stalemate. Kumogakure has deployed the Eight-Tails jinchūriki. We've suffered heavy losses. I need you to..."
Before Ōnoki could finish, Han slammed his hand on the table.
"Tell me where he is!"
Ōnoki promptly brought the hot-headed boy to the battlefield.
The semi-released Five-Tails, Kokuō, and the semi-perfect Eight-Tails jinchūriki, Gyūki, clashed in the war between Iwagakure and Kumogakure. Though Han was at a disadvantage, his presence provided Iwagakure's forces with a fighting chance, preventing total collapse.
Later came the Iwa-Suna War, where Iwagakure suffered a crushing defeat. Han was handed over to Sunagakure as part of the "war reparations."
This was why Han caused such a commotion at Bunpuku's small temple.
Han's loyalty to Iwagakure was questionable, but being treated as a mere object and given away to Sunagakure deeply angered him.
Finally, he seized an opportunity. While Bunpuku was distracted, Han stole a water pouch and some dry rations and fled into the desert.
Han's escape was quickly noticed by Sunagakure's stationed shinobi. The commander, Kamizuru Heiji, prepared to lead a pursuit but was stopped by Bunpuku.
"This child's heart still doesn't belong here. If you bring him back now, he'll just run away again. Let the boundless desert temper his impulsiveness and hostility. Only then can he settle down and truly begin his training."
"Master Bunpuku, you are wise. But this child is reckless—venturing into the desert with just a pouch of water. I'm worried something might happen."
"No need to worry. I will personally bring him back, ensuring no harm comes to him. This is a good opportunity to resolve his inner conflict and prevent future resentment or deviation."
Bunpuku began preparing for his journey.
Kamizuru Heiji, not one to take chances, retrieved three small boxes from a hive behind him—one red and one yellow.
*"Master Bunpuku, the red box contains tracking bees I've cultivated. I've already marked the boy with the queen bee's scent. Follow them, and you'll find him for sure.
The yellow box contains male bees. Once you locate the boy, release them, and they'll return to the hive no matter how far away.
Please set a deadline. I must ensure the safety of both of you and report back to the village."*
Kamizuru Heiji discreetly marked Bunpuku as well.
"You are thorough, Kamizuru Heiji. Let us agree on a 30-day deadline. I will return safely within that time."
With the agreement in place, the old monk set out on his journey.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
"9 amazing fanfics available on my Patreon.
Support for 280+ advance chapters:
patreon.com/DarkGolds"