Feng Xu's voice echoed again within Naruto's mind.
"I am the persona that bears your painful memories for you."
His tone was icy, sharp as winter wind — cold enough to make anyone shiver.
Naruto had heard such cold voices before, usually from villagers whispering behind his back. His expression darkened, breath trembling.
"I… I understand," he whispered. "And I'm… I'm so sorry…"
He had always sensed something inside him, something swallowing his pain so he could keep smiling.
So he quickly accepted the idea of a second personality.
The moment he accepted Feng Xu's words, guilt washed over him.
"I'll never let you suffer alone again," Naruto said firmly. "I'll help you… I'll share the pain with you—"
"How?" Feng Xu interrupted, voice dripping with cold amusement.
"Do you plan to let me become the primary personality, and you take the burden instead?"
Naruto fell silent.
The memories Feng Xu had just flooded into him were overwhelming—dark nights, loneliness, resentment.
The thought of carrying those emotions himself made Naruto's stomach twist.
No… he couldn't bear it.
But he also didn't dare hand his entire body over to a personality filled with such deep anger. What if Feng Xu lost control? What if he hurt someone?
He considered a compromise—maybe he could lend his body temporarily?
But… would he get it back?
And would he be tormented by those memories while Feng Xu was in control?
Naruto's thoughts tangled into knots — fear, guilt, confusion all mixing together.
Feng Xu sensed everything clearly.
And he was pleased.
Naruto's guilt was exactly what he needed.
With the system's help, Feng Xu could restrict himself.
But Naruto had no such protection.
This made manipulating him much easier.
Feng Xu softened his tone, replacing coldness with gentle reassurance.
"Naruto, I don't intend to compete with you for the body — not right now."
"Remember: I am you, and you are me. We're two sides of the same coin. Working together benefits us both."
"If we distrust each other, this body suffers. But cooperation… is a win-win."
"You're the primary personality. Even if I take control for a moment, you can always take it back."
"And the reason I was born is to bear the memories you couldn't."
All of this was true.
But he didn't mention the rest:
He didn't plan to fight for control yet.
He wanted trust first. Dependence later.
Control would come naturally afterward.
The system had told him clearly:
At low trust levels, the primary personality still held dominance.
Naruto listened quietly.
Feng Xu then granted him a small amount of access — just enough for Naruto to sense honesty.
Naruto's gloom vanished instantly. His face lit up.
"Oh! So we're partners now! Friends!"
"I'll let you out to play sometimes — but only if you don't hurt anyone!"
At that moment, a notification rang in Feng Xu's mind.
[Primary Personality Trust/Dependence: 21%]
"Already 21%?" Feng Xu whispered, surprised.
The dark consciousness space brightened instantly. The oppressive pressure faded.
A new system message followed:
[Note: Initial trust rises quickly but also drops easily.]
[Trust and dependence must both be cultivated.]
Feng Xu understood.
Trust could rise fast… and vanish just as fast.
He needed both trust and dependence to stabilize things.
---
"What? 21%?" Naruto asked out loud.
He'd heard everything — Feng Xu's voice was in his head, after all.
"I'm calculating something helpful for us," Feng Xu replied. "And it's at 21%. Also… don't call me Naruto 2. I've chosen a name: Uzumaki Kazekage."
Naruto's eyes sparkled.
"As expected of my other self — such a cool and cultured name!"
Then, with eager curiosity:
"So… what's the 'helpful thing' you mentioned? Do you know how I can become Hokage? Or how to make everyone like me?"
Feng Xu: "…"
"You're overestimating me. I don't have that kind of power."
[Primary Personality Trust/Dependence: 11%]
"But I can help you pass your graduation exam."
"The exam tests the Three Body Technique. Do you think you can pass it alone?"
[Primary Personality Trust/Dependence: 30%]
Outside, Naruto jumped in excitement.
"You can help me pass!?"
Feng Xu nearly forgot about this part of Naruto's timeline.
Naruto had repeated two years — now he was in the same class as Sasuke, who enrolled later.
"Yes," Feng Xu said confidently.
A time traveler with full plot knowledge would never fail at this.
"First, grab the cleaning tools and go clean the Hokage Rock. I'll explain everything on the way."
Judging by the hour, Iruka would arrive soon.
"Okay! I'll find them right now!"
Naruto dashed off, full of energy.
He didn't care about cleaning anymore.
All he wanted was to pass the exam — and finally become a genin.
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