Chapter 52: I am Raizu

[Are you alive?]

The voice inside Raijin's head was soft and calm, almost tentative.

Several heartbeats passed before realization dawned on him: Raizu had finally settled within his body. The creature's presence no longer felt foreign—it had found its anchor, rooted deep within his core, centered precisely at his navel.

Raizu's consciousness brushed against the edges of his thoughts like gentle ripples across a still pond. Though aftershocks of pain still coursed through Raijin's trembling body, his breathing gradually steadied with each passing moment.

As he drew his first calm breath since the pain had subsided, the same gentle question echoed through his mind: [Are you alive?]

"Yes," Raijin whispered, his eyes darting around the pitch-dark before settling on his midsection. "Did you settle?"

He hesitated, uncertain how to process this new reality. "Are you inside my stomach and... in my head?"

[Yes... in your navel,] Raizu replied, his mental voice clearer now. [That's where I've anchored myself. It's quite cozy, actually. You could stand to do more core exercises, though.]

Raijin released a dry, humorless laugh. "So, giving up everything meant... this?"

[Yes. I've heard humans value privacy above all else—even more than their own lives,] Raizu responded, a hint of curiosity in his tone. [I thought you'd back out when you learned this, but... well, here we are.]

Raijin sighed, the enormity of what had just transpired slowly sinking in. "So your father had a companion instead of you?"

[Uh... I'm sorry.] Raizu's mental voice wavered slightly. [I knew you'd survive. Otherwise, I wouldn't have attempted to settle in your... navel. But I must admit, it was rather exhilarating.] There was a pause before he added, [And to give you peace of mind—if this had failed, I would have perished alongside you.]

Raijin cautiously flexed his body, surprised to discover that the excruciating pain that had consumed him minutes ago had nearly vanished. The tightness in his muscles had melted away, replaced by a strange, almost foreign sense of lightness. His body, which had been contorted in agony moments before, now felt eerily normal—as if the horrific ordeal had been nothing more than a distant nightmare.

He tested his range of motion with deliberate care. The stiffness was gone. No lingering pain, no aftershocks of that hellish experience remained. This recovery was so sudden, so complete, it seemed almost supernatural. Was this Raizu's power flowing through him? The thought lingered in his mind like a persistent echo.

"Fast Recovery? That's quite the perk," Raijin murmured, stretching his limbs. "Can you ever come outside of my navel?" Raijin asked. Then something struck him—he couldn't shake the odd sensation of having an entirely new consciousness sharing his mental space. Raizu was communicating directly into his thoughts. "Can you... read my mind?"

[Yes, I can travel alongside you,] Raizu replied with undisguised excitement coloring his voice. [But first I need to rest and gather my strength. The settling process was... taxing.]

[As for reading your mind...] Raizu paused dramatically. [Let's just say your inner thoughts aren't particularly private anymore. You are anxious about whether that mole on your nape is getting bigger? I heard that.]

Raijin remained motionless, absorbing his own peculiar, unknown insecurity. The silence between them stretched as he attempted to make sense of his new reality.

Well, I suppose this is one way to gain a power boost, he thought, then quickly corrected himself. And a way to gain an ally—and a friend—at the same time, he realized, aware that Raizu could easily pick up on stray thoughts floating through his mind.

[Friend? Ally? I'm flattered.] Raizu teased, its tone light and playful.

With a resigned sigh, Raijin reverse-summoned, pulling himself back into his storeroom. The familiar materialization of his electric setup settled around him—shelves lined with scrolls, weapons neatly hung on wall hooks, and the lingering scent of incense that seemed to always hang in the air.

Raijin asked, "Can you see the room?"

[Yes, though it's a bit cramped,] Raizu answered. [On the plus side, I can directly perceive through your eyes. Your visual perspective is... quite fascinating.]

Raijin shifted uncomfortably at the thought of Raizu examining his every sight. His visual perception, now seemingly improved, felt almost alien to him. The idea of Raizu watching through his eyes—seeing everything he did—unnerved him more than he cared to admit.

"So... you can see everything I see?" Raijin asked, his voice laced with hesitation.

[Not exactly,] Raizu answered. [I see what I perceive, but I can also access your visual input. With time and practice, you might even be able to see things from my perspective too. Our connection works both ways, after all. Think of it as a timeshare for consciousness.]

Reluctantly, Raijin went through the motions of his late-night routine—tidying his storeroom, restoring order to the room, and washing dishes. With Raizu's constant presence, he couldn't shake the eerie sense of being observed.

He placed a bowl in the drying rack with more force than necessary. "It's going to take some getting used to—having an audience for everything I do." His hands paused for a moment, and he glanced toward the empty space as if expecting a response. "Raizu... Your name, it's… strikingly similar to mine. Raijin"

[Oh?] Raizu mused. [I hadn't considered that. But I'll admit, my name is far superior. Yours sounds like some clichéd moniker you'd encounter everywhere in legends. Meanwhile, I'm 'Raizu, the entity who lives in some guy's belly button.' Much more unique.]

Raijin couldn't help but chuckle as he focused on finishing the dishes, letting the rhythmic clatter of ceramic and metal fill the room. The task's normality was almost comforting amidst the strangeness of his new situation.

Yet something felt distinctly different. After enduring such intense pain and strain, his body was functioning flawlessly—as if nothing traumatic had occurred. There was no lingering soreness, no muscle tension.

In fact, he felt stronger somehow, as if something fundamental had shifted within him. His senses seemed sharper, more acute. Colors appeared more vivid, sounds more distinct, and scents more nuanced.

He paused, dish suspended in his hand. "Raizu, have you enhanced my capabilities? Is such a thing even possible?"

"…"

"Raizu?" Raijin prompted again.

More silence.

[Sorry, I was exploring your circulatory system. Fascinating architecture you humans have,] Raizu finally responded. [As for enhancements... let's just say I've made some minor renovations while settling in. Consider it my housewarming gift to you.]

Met with this cryptic response, Raijin completed his chores, though his mind remained preoccupied with unanswered questions.

He understood how Tailed Beasts were traditionally imprisoned within their hosts by elaborate seals, locked away and restrained. But Raizu wasn't a Tailed Beast. He wasn't even a fragment of the God Tree's power.

He was... something else entirely, yet Raijin couldn't deny the unsettling parallels to Jinchūriki hosts. The concept of another being—another consciousness—dwelling inside him, tethered to his very essence, was profoundly disquieting.

And the fact that Raizu had specifically chosen his navel as residence was peculiar, to say the least. It wasn't a cage or prison; it was more as if Raizu had simply found his place, carving out a space within Raijin's very being. But how did it function? Was Raizu's presence truly just a form of symbiotic coexistence?

And why the navel of all places? A point of connection, the place where life begins? Hah, I'm overthinking this too much, Raijin mused silently.

[You absolutely are,] Raizu interjected, mischief evident in his tone. [I chose your navel because I can only reside in a human's navel. This chakra you possess—could I potentially utilize it myself?]

There goes Raijin's plan to potentially learn Senjutsu. Raijin couldn't suppress a bitter smile. "So, Senjutsu remains a distant aspiration, then?"

[Senjutsu?] Raizu sounded amused by the concept. [What's that?]

Now Raijin faced the task of teaching the fundamentals of chakra and the shinobi world to an entity that predated human civilization. He regretted not consulting Haruko earlier about summoning techniques. Perhaps with proper guidance, he could have learned alongside Raizu. But there was no guarantee his summon would have been Raizu—perhaps it would have manifested with something even more profound.

Or more annoying, Raijin thought wryly.

[I heard that,] Raizu quipped. [I possess tremendous power, you know. I simply don't comprehend your concept of power... this "chakra." Quite versatile I would say.]

"Yeah, yeah, I know," Raijin muttered, shaking his head with a wry smile. "We'll figure it out together, I suppose."

[Together. I like the sound of that. A grand adventure with my very own portable human,] Raizu mused.

Eventually, mental exhaustion overcame him, and after finishing dishes, Raijin drifted into an uneasy sleep, dreams filled with chaos, swirling lights, and whispered conversations.

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"Raizu," Raijin muttered groggily as consciousness gradually returned, sunlight streaming through his window and casting long shadows across his bedroom floor. "You still... there?"

[Always,] came the immediate response in his mind, that same ripple of presence washing over his thoughts. [I haven't gone anywhere. I wanted to explore your dreams, but I couldn't access them. Human dreaming is... fascinating, that is what my father used to say.]

The transformation of Raizu from a deadly beast to a curious, child-like entity still disconcerted Raijin. He couldn't suppress a small chuckle. Having someone constantly present within him was deeply strange, an intrusion he wasn't entirely sure how to process yet. For now, though, it wasn't unbearable.

"Well, I've got a day ahead," Raijin announced, rising to his feet with a long stretch. He had awakened later than usual, still carrying the mental fatigue from yesterday's ordeal. Though his body felt remarkably fresh—perhaps even better than normal—the psychological exhaustion lingered like a stubborn shadow.

After sleeping until 7 a.m., he decided to forego his usual morning training routine, focusing instead on preparing for the day's duties—cleaning up and gathering his equipment. Today was a mission day, and despite his unusual circumstances, the mission called.

Raizu also seemed to brighten with interest. [Ooh, are we venturing out? I can experience the world through my senses as well. How thrilling!]

Raijin methodically gathered his gear, checking each item with practiced precision. He secured his ninja tools, ensuring everything was properly positioned and accessible. "Yeah, we're going out. Nothing too intense, just a standard assignment."

[Standard, you say?] Raizu's voice carried a playful curiosity. [That sounds... disappointingly mundane. Couldn't we pursue something more exhilarating?]

"Who knows? You might find it entertaining. Besides, I must complete it with my teammates." Raijin adjusted his pouch ensuring everything was perfect.

Raizu's tone shifted, becoming more animated. [Teammates? Other humans? Are these... missions interesting? I bet they involve daring rescues and heroic sacrifices.]

Raijin slipped his ninja headband into his pocket rather than displaying it openly. "You'll see. Just... try to keep quiet while we're around others."

…

"I trust you're all prepared for today's assignment," Ryouka stated, her voice measured and authoritative as she surveyed her assembled team with a critical eye. Her dark hair was pulled back in a severe ponytail, not a single strand out of place, much like her impeccable Jōnin uniform.

"Running a bit behind schedule, are we?" Izumi teased, flashing a mischievous smile toward Raijin, who had arrived moments after her.

Sora, who had appeared shortly after Raijin, gave a curt nod, dismissing Izumi's playful jab. "Yes, sensei. We're fully prepared."

Ryouka examined each of them with an assessing gaze, noting their readiness with silent approval. "Good. Today, you'll be handling a delivery mission. Your task is to transport a set of important documents from the Hokage's office to the Merchant District."

[Documents? That's the important mission?] Raizu's voice echoed incredulously within Raijin's mind. [How utterly pedestrian.]

"Your assignment is straightforward," Ryouka continued, either not noticing or choosing to ignore Raijin's momentary distraction. "These documents contain highly sensitive information regarding trade agreements with neighboring villages. Complete the job efficiently and securely."

[Sounds boring anyway.]

Raijin arched an eyebrow slightly. Sensitive documents? That was somewhat unexpected for a routine delivery. He exchanged glances with his teammates, who appeared equally intrigued by the assignment's nature.

"Understood, Ryouka-sensei," Izumi replied, determination evident in her voice as she straightened her shoulders. "What's the expected timeframe for this delivery?"

"You should reach your destination within approximately two hours if you maintain a brisk pace," Ryouta explained, adjusting her formal attire with a quick, practiced motion. "Remain vigilant and exercise caution. Don't allow yourselves to become complacent. These may be just papers, but their contents could affect village relations for years to come."

Sora slapped his hands together enthusiastically, an unusual confident grin spreading across his face. "Straightforward enough! Let's proceed!"

With that declaration, their Jōnin instructor vanished in a flash, leaving Raijin, Sora, and Izumi to begin their journey through Konoha's bustling streets.

The morning sun cast long shadows as they navigated through the village, past vendors setting up for the day and early risers going about their business.

Raizu, however, was growing increasingly animated within Raijin's mind. [I can perceive so much from here! Everything moves at such speed! Is it always this cacophonous? So many distinct aromas! I can almost taste the very atmosphere! That woman over there is cooking something that smells divine, and that man has not bathed in three days. Fascinating!]

Raijin couldn't help but smile at Raizu's unbridled enthusiasm for experiences he had long taken for granted. The markets, the street food vendors, the children playing in side alleys—all of it ordinary to him, but extraordinary through Raizu's perception.

[You realize you can talk to me mentally, correct?] Raizu added, amusement coloring his mental voice. [Unless you enjoy looking like you're having a private conversation with your intestines.]

Raijin halted momentarily before continuing his casual stride alongside his teammates. Y-Yeah, he acknowledged internally, Konoha is certainly vibrant. I sometimes forget how lively it can be when you see it every day.

[Humans are fascinating that way. You grow accustomed to wonders so quickly. Look at that structure! And those strange contraptions! And the variety of your species—tall ones, short ones, round ones, all coexisting in this bizarre hive you call a village. Marvelous!]

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