Naruto randomly found a spot outside the cage and plopped down, eyes fixed on the massive fox opposite him.
After a few teasing remarks from him, the majestic Kyuubi turned around with a disgruntled expression—definitely not fitting the image of a terrifying Tailed Beast.
But happiness, like energy, is conserved. Slowly, some of Kyuubi's residual warmth seemed to transfer to Naruto's face.
The negative emotions stirred up by the Nine-Tails earlier had also calmed considerably. Humans were social animals, after all, and loneliness was far worse than anyone else's malice.
Naruto gazed at Kyuubi's flowing tails while pondering how to escape the sealed space. He also began digging through his own memories, searching for anything related to the Nine-Tails.
Nine-Tails wasn't just any Tailed Beast. It had the largest chakra reserves and was the strongest of the Nine Tails. Born able to sense an enemy's malice, it even had abilities similar to his own "favorability system."
In its wild state, Kyuubi's strength nearly rivaled a superhuman. It was a support monster: link it to a Jinchuriki, and they could activate Nine-Tails mode, surpassing even the Hokage-level strength.
Even compared to Boruto—err, Bo Renzhuan in some weird translation—Kyuubi could burn its own chakra, temporarily giving its host Otsutsuki-level power.
Basically, Naruto from the original timeline could maybe stand next to the Fourth Hokage… if he didn't have Kyuubi's power as a plug-in. Without it, he'd never reach the peak. And honestly, Naruto didn't want Kyuubi's help to live freely in the ninja world.
While lost in thought, Naruto suddenly felt a tug. He frowned and was yanked out of the sealed space, uncontrollably leaving it.
Ah, right—entering the sealed space required mental energy. Staying too long wasn't an option.
Sensing Naruto's departure, Kyuubi turned to watch where he had disappeared, thoughtful.
This Renjinchuriki was just a kid, but unlike Mito or Kushina, despite all the malice around him, he directed it almost entirely inward.
Kyuubi didn't tell him the truth about that night, yet Naruto still carried the weight of being the "chief culprit" of his own misfortunes.
Did this kid have a natural affinity for Tailed Beasts… or were humans just that much more malicious?
With a soft snort, Kyuubi lay down and closed its eyes. Decades of imprisonment had made it look forward to change—maybe this kid would be interesting after all.
Back in the outside world, Naruto's consciousness returned to reality. He stretched, tidied his room, and smiled vaguely at the memory of his first encounter with Kyuubi. Being able to communicate with the Tailed Beast had also given him a new way to kill boredom.
For the next month, apart from eating, drinking, and sleeping, Naruto would recharge his energy and then head into the sealed space to see Kyuubi.
At first, the fox was cold and silent. Gradually, it became a little impatient. Staring at the tiny human in front of him, it muttered:
"Smelly brat, don't you have anything better to do? Come running here every day?"
Naruto looked nonchalant. "Isn't it my job as a jailer to watch prisoners? I have to make sure you don't escape."
Kyuubi rubbed its paws. "Hey, remember when you said we were landlord and tenant?"
"That was my initial thought. But then I realized… you can't pay rent. So let's go back to jailer and prisoner. Honestly, I have nothing better to do."
Realizing he'd said too much, Naruto quickly covered his mouth.
Kyuubi rolled its eyes. "Yeah, you haven't left for a month. Blame the ninjas outside for locking you up. This is the fate of being the old man's container."
Naruto put his hands on his hips. "I'm grounded temporarily, but you don't know when you'll get out of my body. Compared to you, I'm free. And I still have the books sent by the Third Hokage."
"Is that so?" Kyuubi looked at him, sly and suspicious.
Naruto opened his mouth to argue, but a knock on the door interrupted him. He sprang up from the sofa.
When he opened the door, there stood the familiar Third Hokage. This time he wasn't in his Hokage robes, but in casual clothes that made him look more approachable.
"Little Naruto," Sandai Hokage said with a smile, "how have you been?"
"Grandpa," Naruto replied, "I don't have to worry about food or clothes. No one treats me like a monster when I go out casually. I can learn about the world from books. Life is pretty good."
"If possible," he added with a childlike sigh, "I wish I could always live like this."
From the Third Hokage's perspective, Naruto's answer was flawless—but not exactly the answer he wanted. Jinchuriki had to grow through experience, not by staying inside all day. In the future, the village would rely on Naruto's power.
After pondering, Sandai Hokage said, "Naruto, home is comfortable, but you should experience the outside world. Go out often."
Naruto scowled. "Adults will see me as a monster. I'm not afraid, but if it bothers you, Grandpa… let's forget it."
The Third Hokage frowned. "I've issued orders that no one in the village can spread rumors about you being a demon fox. You won't be treated as one."
Naruto shrugged. "Okay, I'll listen. But if they insult me to my face again, I'll make them regret it."
Sandai Hokage smiled politely, though worry lingered beneath the surface. After leaving Naruto's monthly allowance, he departed.
No sooner had the door closed than Kyuubi's voice rang out:
"Little ghost! You talk sweetly to the Third Hokage, but when you see me, suddenly you're respectful?"
Mimicking Naruto's tone, the fox added, "Grandpa! Grandpa! Grandpa!"
Naruto scowled. "You see, you should have learned a lesson from me. If you hadn't been sealed in my body, you'd still be my tenant."
Kyuubi went silent, curling up in the corner of the cage. It couldn't touch Naruto physically, its attempts to rile him up were useless, and it couldn't even argue its way out.
Every time Naruto caught it off guard, Kyuubi could only stew in impotent fury.
Watching the defeated fox, Naruto smiled. He felt… a little hopeful about the future.
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