Jiraiya crossed his arms, humming in thoughts.
"Is there a problem to tell him?". Jiraiya noticed there must be something wrong.
Tsuyu looks at Naruto in the distance, thinking about everything in the past years. Their childhood. Or rather, Naruto's childhood.
Tsu-chan… why do they hate me… nhh… sniffs.
A memory of the distant past replayed in her mind. When one day this brother of his came back home with tears in his eyes all of a sudden.
Yoichi doesn't want to play with me anymore… Tsu-chan, I don't understand… everyone, they are so mean to me…
Tsu-chan, that old guy doesn't want to sell to me! He called me bad luck and tried to hit me with a broom! Hmph! I hope he goes bankrupt!
Nii-san, just let me buy the groceries then. Don't go out often. Just stay here.
But… I don't want to just stay here all day! There's nothing to do-ttebayo!
***
Right… How long has it been? Naruto is fine now. He has many friends. Everyone sees he is talented and strong. It's no longer the past. Thinking over it, Tsuyu felt it's okay to tell Naruto now.
"No. It will be okay. I am too rigid with this supposed village secret. It shouldn't be a problem to tell him. It's just, I was thinking about his childhood. I am not sure if you are aware of the matter Jiraiya-sama. His status as a Jinchuriki was leaked before. Everyone knows".
"Everyone- you mean everyone knows Naruto is…???", Jiraiya is taken aback. It's supposed to be top secret. And even he knew Minato would never want others to know 9 tails is housed inside his children. How could this happen!
"The adults in the village mostly. But the information was suppressed shortly after, but still…".
"How long did they know? Who leaked it?". Jiraiya's tone is a little colder all of a sudden, as if he's angry.
"Since we are 4 or 5. As for how it got leaked I am not certain". Tsuyu does have suspicions that the leakage of the information is a strategic move. Back then the village was still vulnerable and there's unrest in the village.
Perhaps the higher ups wanted to shift the blame to him…
Even so, by her standard, it's unreasonable. Putting aside the 'moral' question, the Jinchuriki's mental and emotional stability is crucial in controlling the bijuu's power.
If Naruto is a little different and wasn't a tough person inside hell would have broken loose a long time ago.
In fact, Tsuyu didn't know the full scheme was that Danzo is supposed to come in in the middle of Naruto's lowest moments - acting as his saviour, manipulating Naruto into loyalty and typical Root brainwashing method subjected to children. And in a sense, once Naruto is roped into loyalty in his lowest moments, it can be guaranteed he would be so loyal, so grateful and appreciative towards Danzo he won't lose control nor hate the village.
So in Danzo's view, Naruto's emotional stability was supposed to be taken care of eventually by himself or anyone he wanted to arrange for that purpose.
But Danzo underestimated Hiruzen's bottom line and he won't allow Danzo to approach Naruto at all; who could blame him if his perfect scheme is interrupted midway.
And if we are to blame anyone, Lord Third does nothing for the boy. Am I the Hokage then or was he the Hokage? Hiruzen should have cared more, no? That's what Danzo would have thought.
He probably thought it wasn't that bad since the boy Naruto is always cheerful on the surface and Hiruzen just doesn't put much thought into it.
Tsuyu would have blamed both of them on the matter. Hiruzen for being half-assed in his work. Danzo for being cruel toward such a child in the first place. Though, Tsuyu would think Danzo's idea wasn't wrong and had its merits.
What's better than such loyalty for the very saviour and for kindness shown when one is at their lowest? Such feelings and sincerity, even if it's all artificially made, should be enough to suppress 9 tails influence.
Perhaps if things goes as Danzo's planning Naruto at this point should have been in control of 9 tails.
***
"... Poor boy…". Jiraiya knows how a jinchuriki is treated - not just in Konoha but in other hidden villages as well. Carrying such fearsome beasts capable of destruction, and especially due to memories of the 9 tails attack - that boy must had to face a lot of hate since he's a little child.
"He still grows up so well. Always with his bright smile and his bright personality… you did well to be there for him, Tsuyu-kun", Jiraiya felt solemn thinking about Naruto. The only grace Naruto had is that he had his family and friends with him. Jiraiya felt a little guilty that he didn't return to the village all these years to check up on Minato's children even once. He assumed Lord Third would take care of them well, and in normal circumstances their status as a jinchuriki is a secret and their childhood supposedly should be normal like any other.
"Jiraiya-sama, although I did my best for him; but often, it's not enough... There are things I cannot make it up for him...".
"It's only fortunate he's a strong person inside. And he had friends to fill the gaps I can't fill. I am afraid I failed your expectation, Jiraiya-sama", Tsuyu said earnestly, admitting her weakness.
"... You are just a child yourself... forced to grow up. It's unreasonable for a child to take care of another. And you two are born at the same time. Besides, even if you are a grown up, adults too had their own shortcomings, Tsuyu-kun. In fact, seeing your own shortcomings is a sign of a great shinobi - your future will be limitless. Only by seeing them can you grow as a person".
Jiraiya-sama, I am almost as old as you by years I had lived... Tsuyu muttered in her heart. But Jiraiya is right.
"... I see. Your words carries wisdom of a sage, as expected of the legendary sannin".
"Hahaha! You are really good with words Tsuyu-kun!".
"Jiraiya-sama, we can proceed with the training tomorrow. Today I will tell Naruto about the matter. Leave it to me".
"Hn. Good… It's getting late now doesn't it. Then, I will see you two tomorrow".
Jiraiya stretched his waist and body, relaxing himself and already headed towards the direction of a hotspring bathhouse in Konoha. Jiraiya didn't worry much about the revelation to Naruto thinking Tsuyu is his own little sister, his family is there for him, and it will be okay. Tsuyu too think it won't be that bad given Naruto is in a much better place, happy and go lucky with nothing he's lacking now.
As Jiraiya left, Tsuyu headed to see the two brats laying on the grass all tired.
"Ha… Tsu-chan? Ero-sennin is gone already?".
"Yes. Come on, let's go home".
"Okay! Wait, Tsu-chan, what about dinner! Let's go to ichiraku!".
"... Sure". Tsuyu agreed without much words. She believes what she's about to say would be heavy for Naruto and wanted to give him a good mental conditioning.
"Ichiraku again… what a 'surprise' coming from you. I can already taste it from here". Sasuke said in a mocking tone.
"Blehh! If you don't like it then don't come!".
***
"Mmm… I am so full…~", Naruto rubbed his big belly after stuffing 2 servings of large sized ramen.
Going back into their home, Tsuyu called out to Naruto before he could return to his room with Sasuke.
"Nii-san, I have something important to tell you. Sasuke, you should go back to your room first".
"Fine". Sasuke doesn't argue since it's their home and that he respects their privacy. Though honestly he's curious what Tsuyu wanted to say. He assumed it may have something to do with upcoming graduation, and the danger lies ahead as a shinobi or something along that line.
"Eh. What is it Tsu-chan… you are scaring me". Naruto could hear how serious the tone is, and it made him feel anxious for some reason, as if what he's about to hear is something he won't like.
"Let's sit down first".
The two sat on the dining table. Naruto held his own hands in nervousness, seeing Tsuyu's expression being extremely serious.
Seconds of silence ensues, wrecking Naruto's nerves more and more by second.
"Tsu-chan just say it…!". Naruto felt a little frustrated.
Tsuyu is trying to think of the right word and way to say it. Does she just say I have 9 tails inside me too in one go? Do I introduce first that 9 tails are split into 2 halves? Seeing Naruto already feeling anxious, Tsuyu decides to just say it.
"Nii-san, about 9 tails… I have him inside of me as well".
Flash. Rumble!
Coincidentally, thunder and rain starts falling. Pitter, patter, drops of water akin to a premonition. Tsuyu keeps her eyes locked onto Naruto's expression, trying to gauge Naruto's expression.
"What? Tsu-chan, what are you talking about? I don't understand". Naruto is genuinely confused that it cannot register in his head. It's like being told he had a third twin sibling that suddenly appeared out of nowhere. In Naruto's whole life, and in everyone's view even the villagers- there's only one 9 tails.
Rumble... Thunder flashed outside.
"At the time of our birth, the fourth Hokage had to split the 9 tails into two halves. Yin and Yang. Presumably the Yang half is sealed inside of you. While the Yin half is sealed inside of me".
Seeing Naruto's silence, Tsuyu had to continue her words.
"We are, both, jinchuriki of 9 tails. In the coming days, Konoha would need our power to face our enemies. You will start training on utilising 9 tails chakra after you graduate. You should try to communicate and cooperate with 9 tails properly from now on if you could. Remember, 9 tails is imprisoned inside of you - you, me, are his cage. He is angry; rightfully so; but he's not unreasonable. You should try to reason, empathise with him and reach an agreement. It would be beneficial for both of you".
…
The silence is deafening. Only sound of now heavy rain filling up their house. Pitter, patter.
"Are you listening?", Tsuyu frowned at Naruto's expression. He seemed surprised? Tsuyu could see Naruto's eyes are still on her, his mouth agape slightly, but his body entirely frozen. Tsuyu can't understand what kind of thought Naruto had at the moment.
"Are you alright?", Tsuyu asks just in case. Naruto doesn't seem sad or anything (?).
"You… you said… you have 9 tails inside of you… too?".
"Yes. He's living inside of me… too".
"No. That's impossible… that's… how could there's two…".
"Like I said, the fourth Hokage-"
"NO!". Naruto stood up slamming the table with his hands. Lighting keep flashing outside their window. Tsuyu was jolted from the sudden loudness in Naruto's voice.
Naruto felt his heart beating frantically, his hands shaking uncontrollably, his breathing irregular and rapid.
"No…no. No no no no… this can't be true. How come there's two foxes… and Tsu-chan had it too? It doesn't make any sense…". Naruto clenched his fists, holding his head tightly as if trying to hold himself together. He kept muttering how it's not possible, his eyes gazing at the table.
"...", Tsuyu is at a loss for words seeing Naruto's overreaction. Even she felt anxious seeing Naruto like this. What, what is he panicking about? She expected Naruto would have a hard time to accept it. But this feels like it's on another level, that she severely underestimated Naruto's reaction. What is Naruto thinking at the moment?
Naruto is feeling an instinctual sense of crisis deep inside - something that words cannot describe. Tsuyu couldn't possibly understand the depth of Naruto's emotions.
"Breath, nii-san".
"Then why… why… you- I-".
Seeing Naruto choking on words, Tsuyu stood and moved so sit next to Naruto, turning him around to hold his shoulders.
"Look, I understand it's difficult news to accept. Take your time. Breath, nii-san".
Naruto bit his lips, his gaze returned to his feet. He still felt it was all unreal. That whatever Tsuyu said was some nonsense, a nightmare.
After seconds of silence, Naruto raised his head to meet Tsuyu's. It's as if he's trying to search for signs of lies or it's all a joke from Tsuyu. But no, her expression is as serious as usual.
"... What weird thing you are saying Tsu-chan…". Naruto's word is almost too calm, and he's really just confused.
"... Nii-san, it's true. I am a Jinchuriki of 9 tails as well.. Listen okay?".
"It's not funny Tsu-chan… haha…". Naruto suddenly gives a silly smile to Tsuyu, making her feel really uneasy about all this. Why is Naruto like this? Is it that bad? Or because it's a little all of a sudden? And illogical?
"Let me show you then…". Tsuyu didn't hesitate. She cannot keep it hidden regardless.
Tsuyu grab Naruto's hand, closing her eyes as she dragged Naruto into their subconscious spaces.
***