Chapter 39: It Doesn't Matter, I Shall Intervene

"Of course, I won't stop you if you wish to open the Box of Ultimate Bliss."

Uzumaki Shika was also curious to see just how formidable this legendary ninja tool truly was.

Upon hearing Shika's words, Mui expressed his heartfelt gratitude: "Thank you!"

If not for Shika's assistance, Mui might not have been able to acquire a Tailed Beast or gather enough chakra to open the Box of Ultimate Bliss for another three to five years. In a sense, Shika had helped him realize his life's goal.

Guided by Mui, the group traveled deep into the Village Hidden in the Grass, arriving at a cliff overlooking the sea. Upon reaching the spot, Shika could already see the Box of Ultimate Bliss, which stood as tall as a two or three-story building.

"What is that?" Karin felt an inexplicable sense of trepidation the moment she laid eyes on the artifact. It felt incredibly dangerous.

Shika remarked casually, "That is the Box of Ultimate Bliss, a ninja tool of the Sage of the Six Paths."

The box was enormous, a massive black container comparable in size to a small three-story house. It was pitch black, and its four sides were adorned with eerie masks representing "joy," "anger," "sorrow," and "pleasure." Even before being activated, the object exuded a profound sense of oppression.

Mui asked with a serious expression, "Lord Shika, where is the Tailed Beast?"

Shika asked as nonchalantly as if he were sightseeing, "Where should I place it?"

Mui pointed to a large sealing formation nearby and said, "Just place the Tailed Beast in the center of the seal."

Hearing this, Shika walked to the center of the formation and performed a series of hand seals with lightning speed.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

As he finished the seals, he slammed his palm onto the ground.

*Poof!*

A burst of white mist exploded, rising into the air. The massive form of the Three-Tails, Isobu, appeared within the sealing formation, with Shika standing atop its broad back.

*Whoosh—*

Without waiting for Mui to prompt him, Shika vanished using the Body Flicker Technique. Mui, naturally, wasted no time; he immediately completed his hand seals and activated the sealing formation.

*Clang, clang...*

*Clank! Clank! Clank!*

The massive sealing formation instantly covered the entire body of the Three-Tails. Dark chains erupted from all directions, binding the beast tightly.

Having been summoned suddenly by Shika, the Three-Tails was still dazed, unaware of what was happening. Before it could react, it was completely restrained by the enormous and bizarre sealing formation. Even the Nine-Tails had never received such treatment.

The Three-Tails quickly grew agitated as the chakra within its body began to drain away rapidly.

As a being composed of chakra, even if it were to run dry, it would eventually reform and be reborn after a long period of time. However, it had no desire to "die" right now. Even if the opponents didn't intend to kill it, it didn't want to lose so much of its chakra.

"Roar—"

Even while sealed, the Three-Tails struggled violently, letting out continuous roars.

*Whoosh—*

Shika, his body enveloped in a Lightning Release Chakra Armor, appeared in front of the beast to soothe it.

"Alright, alright, stop making such a racket. It’s just a little bit of your chakra being drained, isn't it?"

"Once you help me achieve my little goal, I guarantee you'll have plenty of good food and drink."

Faced with the terrifying aura radiating from Shika, the previously roaring Three-Tails wilted. There was no helping it; it had been soundly beaten by Shika in the Village Hidden in the Mist not long ago. That memory was still fresh, and it had not forgotten the experience.

Realizing that Shika and Mui only wanted its chakra and not its life, the Three-Tails had no choice but to compromise. It couldn't win a fight, and it couldn't escape—what else could it do?

After intimidating the beast into submission, Shika turned his attention to watching Mui unlock the Box of Ultimate Bliss. A vast amount of chakra was being drawn from the Three-Tails, channeled through Mui's formation and fed into the giant box.

Mui watched with excitement as the Box of Ultimate Bliss neared full charge. Karin stared at the box, her sense of foreboding growing heavier. Even Kakuzu, who had been silent and conserving his energy, stared at the ominous box in the distance and couldn't help but mutter:

"I have a feeling something is about to happen..."

"Is this ninja tool really as miraculous as the legends say?"

"Can it truly grant any wish once opened?"

Kakuzu's question was, of course, directed at Shika. Although Shika had mentioned the matter to Mui earlier, he hadn't revealed exactly what would happen once the box was opened.

Hearing Kakuzu's question, Shika smiled and said dismissively:

"It is indeed miraculous. Just watch. No matter what happens—"

"It doesn't matter. I'll handle it."

As Shika and Kakuzu spoke, the Box of Ultimate Bliss reached the point of activation.

*Click, click—*

A series of mechanical sounds echoed from within the box. A moment later, one of the massive masks on its surface shuddered.

Seeing this, Mui approached the box, ecstatic. He looked at the artifact and shouted, "Please resurrect my son!"

As soon as he spoke his wish, the large, shuddering mask slowly rose. The legendary ninja tool was now open.

*Creak—*

*Bang!*

A heavy panel fell away, and clouds of dust billowed out. When the dust cleared, Karin and Kakuzu were shocked to see a young man emerging from the box.

Karin gasped, her mouth agape. "Can this ninja tool really grant any wish?"

Shika shook his head. "Of course not."

Karin asked, confused, "But that ninja..." She stopped mid-sentence, suddenly shouting a warning: "Watch out!"

"That thing is not your son!"

"The chakra on it... it's very strange!"

Karin's Mind's Eye of the Kagura had already sensed something was wrong. But Mui couldn't hear her; he only had eyes for the son emerging from the box.

"Muku! My child!" Mui cried out, tears streaming down his face.

Muku, having stepped out of the box, looked dazed. Hearing Mui's voice, his expression shifted to one of joy, though it was tinged with a hint of struggle.

"Father, I..."

Muku didn't know what had happened to him. He seemed to have been resurrected in some bizarre way, yet he felt as though he was no longer himself. Furthermore, his consciousness was rapidly fading. Before long, his mind was filled with nothing but slaughter and destruction.

Mui, oblivious to the treacherous nature of the Box of Ultimate Bliss, truly believed his son had returned. Fortunately, while he didn't know the truth, Shika did.

Just as Mui was about to rush forward to embrace his son—a move that would have led to his own demise—Shika used the Body Flicker Technique to appear by Mui's side, pressing a hand firmly onto his shoulder.

"Look closely," Shika said calmly. "Is that really your son?"