Night in Konoha.
Some, like Sasuke, enjoyed the bliss of a family reunion. Others were out on missions, their hands stained with blood. And some, like Naruto, stayed home alone, lost in quiet contemplation. He held a book in his hands, but his mind had already wandered thousands of miles away.
The Uchiha clan, Konoha's prestigious and powerful family. Their Kekkei Genkai, the Sharingan, could copy others' ninjutsu and see through an opponent's attacks. Besides their Kekkei Genkai, the Uchiha's Fire Style was also exceptionally outstanding.
He had learned from Sasuke that the Sharingan provided an immense boost to the Uchiha. With each additional tomoe in their eyes, the Sharingan's abilities would undergo an unprecedented enhancement.
Originally, Naruto had felt a touch of complacency regarding his own progress. But after witnessing Uchiha Itachi's terrifying strength, he had finally broken free from the illusion he had woven for himself. He was still that weak Uzumaki Naruto; surviving in Konoha remained an arduous struggle. One wrong step, and he'd lose everything. He didn't have the backing of a prominent clan like the Uchiha. If he lost, the price would be his life. And he couldn't afford to lose.
According to Sasuke, Itachi was five years older than him. This meant that Itachi, at only eleven years of age, already possessed undeniable power. How many geniuses like that were in ANBU? Not many, but there definitely were some! Looked at this way, Konoha's strength was truly not to be underestimated.
Gaining the Third Hokage's trust wasn't everything; it was merely the first step. Next, he needed to gather more information about Konoha. Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be imperiled in a hundred battles.
Naruto realized that in the past, by blindly imitating Aizen, his mindset had become arrogant, yet he lacked the strength to match. This was conceit.
Having figured all this out, Naruto adjusted his mentality. Lay low and power up; absolutely no reckless showing off. At the same time, he had to slowly lay out his plans, ensuring not a single flaw was exposed. Otherwise… Naruto thought of the soul-devouring pressure from Itachi, and his heart filled with apprehension. This wasn't a game; there were no respawns.
The path to the heavens was destined to be fraught with thorns.
Drip. Drip. That night, the sound of dripping water echoed in the sealed space.
Naruto opened his eyes, got up, and walked towards the great gate with practiced ease. Inside the iron-barred gate, the Nine-Tails was sitting in front of a computer, playing Plants vs. Zombies. He stared intently at the screen, not even reacting when Naruto approached.
Looking at this Nine-Tailed Fox, who was about his own height, not at all ferocious, and even somewhat blankly adorable, Naruto found himself lost in thought. In the past, he had viewed the Nine-Tails as a mindless beast, disdaining any interaction with it. If not for the sake of chakra stability, he wouldn't have had any dealings with it at all.
But on careful reflection… from Konoha's founding to the present day, regardless of how Konoha's top fighting power changed with the eras or wars, the Nine-Tails had always been there. It had been passed between so-called vessels, vented its rage, and even engaged in seemingly crude schemes. In the end, the "God of Shinobi," the First Hokage, had died; Uchiha Madara, who was his equal, had died; later, the Second Hokage and the Fourth Hokage had also died.
But the Nine-Tails was still alive. Konoha hated the Nine-Tails, yet desperately needed it. From the perspective of freedom, the Nine-Tails was miserable, having been imprisoned for nearly a hundred years. But from another angle, as long as it outlived everyone who bore it ill will, it would ultimately be the winner. Moreover, each time its vessel changed, it could use its chakra to make the vessel go berserk. For the Nine-Tails, this was a way to gain freedom, and perhaps also a pastime during its long imprisonment.
Naruto believed that to the Nine-Tails, he too was merely another passerby in its long existence.
Naruto sat down before the iron gate, this time viewing the Nine-Tails as an equal.
"Long time no see, Nine-Tails," he said gently.
The Nine-Tails glanced at Naruto, a peculiar look in its eyes. "Brat, why are you being so polite today? No need to put on an act in here."
"I must apologize for my previous arrogance towards you," Naruto stood up and said to the Nine-Tails with great solemnity.
"???" The Nine-Tails was completely bewildered, even feeling a bit alarmed internally. He kept feeling like Naruto was about to pull some new trick. "Brat, what's gotten into you?" The Nine-Tails suddenly felt uneasy. He had seen the polite, refined, and sincere Naruto through Naruto's own eyes before, but knowing the truth, the Nine-Tails naturally knew it was an act. The Nine-Tails was also used to Naruto treating him with his true nature, after all, their relationship was one of mutual exploitation. Now, seeing this refined demeanor from Naruto, the Nine-Tails, for some reason, felt a shiver down its spine.
Could it be that Naruto was brainwashed by Root and his mind has been altered? Or was he controlled by the Sharingan? The Nine-Tails couldn't figure it out.
Naruto chuckled lightly. "I've just had a realization."
"Hmm?" The Nine-Tails put down its mouse, its interest piqued.
Naruto looked at the Nine-Tails and sighed. "I've merely come to see my own weakness and understand once again the difficulty of my situation. Right now, I'm like a tiny ant trying to shake a great tree. Konoha has nearly a hundred years of history and power. Even if my talent is outstanding, it won't be easy to completely break free. I haven't transcended this world yet; I don't possess enough strength."
"Fools think themselves clever, while the wise know their own limitations. I don't want to be a fool. So, Nine-Tails, I will face my situation head-on. I need your help." Naruto looked at the Nine-Tails with utmost sincerity. "You provide me with information, and I'll provide you with entertainment—let you witness the beautiful spectacle of Konoha's downfall. After all, we're in the same boat."
Seeing Naruto's sincere expression, the Nine-Tails rose from its gaming chair. Its form swelled back to its original mountain-like size, its face fierce, and it threw its head back and laughed. "Interesting, brat! It seems you've finally figured it out. Very good! Interesting! You're the most interesting Jinchuriki I've ever met!"
"Indeed, you're right. We are in the same boat. Although you're just a vessel, one that can be replaced at any time if broken, I'd rather not see such an interesting vessel like you die. I accept your proposal. I can give you power—chakra enough to make Konoha tremble."
"No, what I need isn't just chakra." Naruto shook his head. "I want all sorts of intelligence about Konoha, and even… my origins, the Uzumaki clan." Naruto's eyes were deep and chilling.
All along, Naruto had been seeking information about the Uzumaki clan. From various books and unofficial histories, he had learned that the Uzumaki clan's sealing jutsus were renowned throughout the ninja world, and they were a prominent family that had even founded the Land of Whirlpools. But their country and village were destroyed before the Second Shinobi World War. And how was he, a boy also bearing the Uzumaki surname, born in Konoha? Who were his mother and father?
Naruto had also secretly tried to find out if there were any Uzumaki in Konoha, but the information he got was that he was the sole surviving member of the Uzumaki clan. The Uzumaki clan's sealing jutsus could seal Tailed Beasts. From this, one could surmise that the Nine-Tails was sealed within him by his own parents.
Hearing the question, the Nine-Tails chuckled, a sly grin on its face. "That question… perhaps you don't need to hear the answer from my lips." The Nine-Tails knew full well that the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, was benevolent and kind. Before the sealing, considering Naruto was too young and might be susceptible to its manipulation, Minato had likely left a contingency.
"Naruto, you could try tearing at the seal a bit," the Nine-Tails said with an uncanny smile. "There might be an unexpected surprise, you know."
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