"You have an antenna?" Roushi stared at the weird thing growing on Takashi's head.

The man just laughed heartily at him when he flattened his hair and showed him his small antennas. The antennas were fuzzy, something he expected from a moth or something. Roushi wasn't sure. According to Takashi, this was a side effect of being the host of the Nanabi, which is a bug bijuu. Different from Roushi which is a monkey.

Ape you fleshbag, Ape!

Apes don't have tails! You are a monkey! Roushi replied internally to his noisy Bijuu. Then Son Goku started cursing at him which Roushi ignored.

"Yes. His name is Chomei. He's nice. He likes to call himself "Lucky Seven"!" Takashi smiled as he talked about his Bijuu. "Is Son Goku like that?"

"No, he is not!" Roushi hissed.

Over the months that Roushi has discovered this "connection" with other Jinchuuriki, he has learned many things. Takashi, Bunpuku, Uzumaki Mito, and Shiosai have met many times before, and like him and Blue B, they kept quiet about this fact from others even to their significant others, families, and friends.

Why?

It's a major problem for them. If their village were to find out, they would be a potential security threat or a good infiltration tool or spy. Either way, their village will never leave them alone and keep them in a cage. So as a rule, the Jinchuurikis kept quiet about it.

The other is, that they can feel each other. Not just emotional and psychological situations but also physical ones. Roushi didn't believe them at first until Shiosai hugged him. He hugged him and he felt it as if the man was there physically. Once, Takashi offered him a cigarette and Roushi tried it. He felt the smoke in his lungs but when he breathed it out the smoke came out of Takashi and Roushi he was amazed. However, how influential that feeling is depends on the connection. The closer they are to one another, the stronger the connection. This is why when Bunpuku died, Roushi didn't feel as much as when Blue B died.

"Can we share abilities too?" Roushi asked.

"Not that I know of?" Takashi answered. "I mean I learned some skills and knowledge from you all but learning your Kekkei Genkai or growing antennas like me? Nope."

Another thing he learned is that their Bijuus have different personalities. Shiosai and Takashi got lucky. Their Bijuus are nice and willing to work with them. Even Takashi's Chomei gave him antennas which are helpful in sensing. However, not all Bijuus are like that. The kyuubi and the ichibi are very different. Powerful yeah but they are very very hateful and hostile to everyone including their Jinchuuriki. It took a long toll for Bunpuku to reign Shukaku in – at least that's what Takashi and Shiosai told him. Roushi felt sorry for the next Jinchuuriki of those two.

This doesn't mean they have to be complacent. They are still Bijuu and can latch on to their negative emotions and drive them crazy if need be. So, just because they have a good relationship, it's more casual than a typical close and trustworthy relationship.

According to Shiosai, the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki is a girl named Uzumaki Kushina. Shiosai didn't need to go "visit" the girl. It is common knowledge in Uzushio that as part of their treaty with Konoha, she is the sacrifice sent to Konoha to be the next Jinchuuriki. This shocked Roushi because this sounds messed up.

Who sends a girl away from her home, away from everything she has ever known, to become a sacrifice? Uzumaki Kushina is a literal sacrifice!

As for Uzushio, Roushi has to admit, that the place is beautiful.

He loves to visit Shiosai, just to feel the ocean breeze on his face. It was unlike other villages. However, the man is annoyed that Roushi picked up Takashi's smoking habit. And the two men would often try to smoke in front of him just to see him get annoyed.

"I thought Uzushio doesn't have a Jinchuuriki?" Roushi finally asked. From his knowledge, Suna and Konoha have at least one, and Iwa and Kumo have two. Nobody knows where the Nanabi Jinchuuriki is until Roushi meets Takashi and realizes that they are in Taki. The Shodai Hokage gave the Nanabi to them in secret. Most people assumed that the Rokubi had always been in Kiri. But it turns out it's wrong. It's in Uzushio. Talk about an imbalance of power considering that the village is a sister village of Konoha and one very powerful, especially in seals themselves.

"We were also given one in secret," Shiosai said. "We let it slip that the Bijuu is in Kiri for safety reasons."

"Ah, I get that." Roushi understood. Being a secret would be better than being known. You don't want a target on your back. Iwa is known for its secrecy. Even though many people in Iwa know his status, none of his information is shown outside of it. Mostly as a precaution. Jinchuurikis were rarely used in battle because their purpose was a deterrent. Even Onoki, battle-headed arrogant as he was, would not be willing to send Roushi and Han to public battles. The last thing he wants is for Konoha to send their Kyuubi Jinchuuriki and it will be a never-ending mess, especially considering the Kyuubi is said to be the strongest among the nine-tailed beasts.

"By the way, have you ever met the other Jinchuurikis yet?" Roushi asked. The three men were the older Jinchuurikis. They have learned the other Jinchuurikis are younger. Roushi has not met Han during these visits, even though he is another Jinchuuriki and could have a connection. "I have tried to visit Uzumaki Kushina since I did accidentally meet her but I can't seem to get a connection."

"Well, that is something even I can't answer," Shiosai said. "First-time visits are often random and sometimes you can't control it. So, until you visit each other once or twice, I suppose, you can't establish any future visits. Did you know when I first met Blue B, he thought I was an intruder? When I appeared in his room, he sent Jutsu after Jutsu at me and because I wasn't there physically, his attacks just passed through me." Shiosai chuckled remembering it. "His bedroom wall collapsed and Sandaime Raikage scolded him for being reckless."

"Blue B mentioned a collapsed wall! So that was you?!" Roushi laughed as he lounged on the ground outside Shiosai's home. His house looked over a cliff where one can see the skies and the sea. Roushi loved this spot even though he wasn't there physically.

"Yeah." Shiosai then got quiet.

Roushi noticed a sense of worry from Shiosai. "Something wrong?"

Shiosai turned to the short redhead. "I did meet another Jinchuuriki. The one from Suna."

"They managed to find a replacement for Bunpuku?"

"Yes, a teenager. At least fourteen now? His name is Masaru."

"And you are worried about him?" Roushi asked.

Shiosai looked at Roushi. "Remember when I told you that seals are very intricate, delicate, and very dangerous? One wrong stroke and it could lead to disaster?"

"Yes?"

"Well, the one from Suna is broken."

"What?" Roushi turned towards Shiosai in shock. Uzushio may be the only village known for its strong seals but there are different types of seals all around the world. Surely Suna has a strong seal expertise somewhere? They have a sealing unit after all.

Roushi also learned long ago from Shiosai that the type of seal can influence the ability and capability of a Jinchuuriki.

"What happened to Masaru's seal?"

"It's too loose," Shiosai answered.

"That doesn't sound good for Suna."

"It doesn't sound good for Masaru."

"What do you mean?"

"The Ichibi is driving him insane."

Oh dear.

For the past few years, everything has been peaceful but lately, there is tension going on. There is a rumor about conflicts between the smaller nations not to mention issues between the Kages and the Feudal Lords. Onoki has been traveling back and forth between the village and the capital. Whatever it was, Roushi wasn't sure if he should be concerned or just let it be. Shiosai and Takashi also received similar rumors and feelings of tension but so far it has remained peaceful.

Even though Roushi is an Iwa shinobi, he isn't sent as frequently as regular shinobi for missions. Of course, his family is rich already (even if they don't have a Tsuchikage in their clan) and he has money to support himself so there is more time for Roushi to do his farming if he wants to. The other reason is that Onoki has been focusing most of the Jinchuuriki responsibility on his nephew, Han.

The boy is nineteen now and is already reaching close to seven feet and is still growing. Roushi remembered when he was only thirteen and reached at least five eight. A lot of people couldn't believe he was a teen and some of them treated him as an adult despite his age. Roushi is not jealous of his nephew's height. No, he is not. Roushi is 4.9 feet and he refuses to admit that he is a short man. Even Takashi, Bunpuku, Blue B, and Shiosai, tower over him.

Their family is known to have very large, tall, and bulky members like Kitsuchi or very short members like Onoki. They are even known for their large age gaps which is why it is common for them to have family members of the same age who is a nephew or a grandchild of the same family member. Han on the other hand is an anomaly. He was unusually tall. He is already bulky and muscular. And like Roushi, also got a Kekkei Genkai uniquely given as a Jinchuuriki. He has Boil Style which is a Kekkei Genkai found more in Kiri than Iwa.

Roushi was the one who trained Han early on until he was old enough to become a Chuunin. They didn't do a public exam like a Chunnin competition. They are Jinchuuriki. The last thing they want is to know that a Jinchuuriki attended the exam. It would be considered "cheating" by some people. Also, it's risky if the world knows who the Jinchuuriki is.

"It's been a while, Han." Roushi nodded at the very tall man. He sighed. He hated looking up. It strains his neck.

"It has been, Roushi." Han nodded.

"Ugh. Polite as ever." Roushi muttered.

The two men started walking towards the conference room.

It's the one where the Tsuchikage and his councilmen would do their meetings. It has been a while since Roushi was summoned.

"Do you have any idea, what this meeting is all about?" Roushi asked.

"No." Han shook his head. "Onoki rarely contacts us together. Must be a big deal."

Roushi shrugged and they entered the room. A long rectangular table is seated with councilmen in their stupid garb that even Onoki wears. Roushi never bothered with it as he continued to wear his favorite purple kimono with a mesh shirt instead of his usual mesh armor with his headpiece. Han as usual is in complete red-plated armour with a furnace, hat, and mask. Roushi knows the man is always wearing his armor even in the hot springs. He would never take them off. Most people think it's weird but Roushi knows the reason. Han doesn't have full control over his boil style and his armour with a furnace has helped him regulate it so he constantly wears it.

"You are finally here, please sit down. AND SIT DOWN THIS INSTANT ROUSHI!" Onoki yelled at him because he knew Roushi would more likely find ways to tick him off.

"Geez. Why are your panties on a bunch?"

Onoki's eyebrows twitch angrily at his cousin's comment.

"Roushi-sama, please." One of the councilmen pleaded with him. Whenever Roushi and Onoki got into their usual spats it would take hours for Onoki to calm down and they would never get anything done.

Roushi just rolled his eyes and sat down.

"So, what's the whole meeting about anyway?" Roushi asked.

There was silence. The atmosphere was so serious that even Roushi was surprised about it.

"I went to a meeting with the Raikage, Mizukage, and the leaders of the smaller villages including Ame and Hoshi."

Onoki with a meeting with such leaders? That was a surprise. Roushi thought.

"We have finalized the plan," Onoki said. "To invade and destroy Uzushio."

What? Roushi's heart dropped.

Author's Note

Roushi, I am also short. – Author.