Kurama raised his head arrogantly like a king:
"That dumb tanuki does know how to use the Tailed Beast Ball, but it prefers using jutsu. If it weren't for that sand armor of his that's even tougher than Isobu's shell, it'd be utterly useless."
Naruto looked at Kurama's scornful expression and chuckled,
"You really don't like Shukaku, huh?"
Kurama immediately closed his eyes.
"I can't be bothered with that guy. That dumb tanuki's only good at taking a beating. He's got no redeeming qualities. Always provoking me despite only having one tail. Hmph."
Hearing this, Naruto couldn't help but imagine a full-blown battle between Shukaku and Kurama.
A fight between two Tailed Beasts… Kurama would undoubtedly use his usual overwhelming brute-force style, while Shukaku would rely on his impenetrable defense. Whether Kurama could beat him into submission was unclear, but one thing was certain—it would be extremely frustrating for Kurama.
In the original story, Shukaku never seemed to fear Kurama. Clearly, he'd never been beaten into obedience. Otherwise, he wouldn't have the gall to mock Kurama every time they crossed paths.
In terms of presence in the original, Shukaku was second only to Gyūki, the Eight-Tails. He had a strong showing in the Fourth Great Ninja War—able to hold out against Madara's Susano'o and the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, and even had the capacity to protect Gaara.
As for the other Tailed Beasts—aside from Gyūki sacrificing a tail to save Killer Bee and Kurama being able to talk—most were helplessly dragged into the Demonic Statue without resistance.
Thinking this over, Naruto looked up and asked,
"Kurama, who do you think is the weakest among you Tailed Beasts?"
Kurama's crimson eyes snapped open.
"Of course it's that dumb tanuki!"
Naruto chuckled lightly.
"Come on, Kurama. Be serious. I need an objective answer. Is Shukaku really the weakest just because he has only one tail?"
Kurama's tails all rose up behind him. After a pause, he spoke reluctantly,
"Strictly speaking, you can't judge us Tailed Beasts purely by strength. I have the most chakra, sure—but in terms of combat ability, the weakest is probably Chōmei."
"That guy has seven tails and can even fly. But every time he gets into a fight, the first thing he does is try to run."
"But Shukaku definitely has the least chakra, that's for sure!"
Naruto nodded and turned to look at the frozen scene hanging midair.
"Kurama, why do you think Orochimaru sent Kabuto to observe Shukaku's Jinchūriki in Sunagakure?"
Kurama's ears twitched, his tone gleeful.
"Don't tell me they want to capture that dumb tanuki?"
Naruto laughed helplessly. Kurama's dislike for Shukaku ran deep.
He pulled up the memory of Kabuto delivering Danzo's letter to Orochimaru.
"Look, Kurama—after reading Danzo's letter, Orochimaru told Kabuto that Danzo proposed disrupting next year's Chūnin Exams. Orochimaru's already strong and has built his own Hidden Sound Village. He could easily coordinate with Danzo during the exam."
"But instead, he immediately sent Kabuto to Suna to observe the One-Tails' Jinchūriki closely. Why do you think that is?"
Kurama's eyes narrowed as he recalled a scene from the Mirror World, involving someone with a Sharingan.
"They want to capture the Jinchūriki… then release Shukaku in Konoha to cause chaos?"
Naruto gave Kurama a strange look.
"Could be."
He hadn't expected Kurama to hit the mark—but Orochimaru did, in fact, plan to use the Sand ninja and unleash their Jinchūriki on Konoha, only to discard them afterward.
"Haha!"
Kurama burst into laughter, his mountainous head lowering to Naruto's level.
"Now that's interesting! So, Naruto—what's your move?"
Naruto raised his fist, a glint of mischief in his eye.
"Didn't I just ask you if Shukaku could use the Tailed Beast Ball?"
Kurama's eyes lit up, slamming his paw into a fist as his fiery red fur flared.
"So that's your plan!"
Half a Month Later
One afternoon after school, one of Naruto's shadow clones had just returned home.
Whoosh!
As he stepped inside, two masked ANBU appeared.
"Uzumaki Naruto. The Hokage requests your presence at his office before class this afternoon."
The clone nodded.
"Alright, let me hit the restroom first—then I'll head over."
The two ANBU exchanged glances, surprised by Naruto's cooperation. Once he closed the door, they resumed their hidden positions.
Moments later, the real Naruto leapt from the second floor and hurried toward the Hokage's office.
"Hey Naruto, when that old man asks who you want to team up with after graduation—what'll you say?"
As Naruto reached the bustling commercial street, wondering why Yamato hadn't shown up, Kurama's voice suddenly rang in his mind.
"What I say won't matter. We've already seen the Third Hokage's memories. He's already decided who my teammates will be. He's just calling me in to see what I think of them."
Naruto walked slowly under the gazes of passersby, wondering if he'd even get to see these people next year.
"Heh," Kurama muttered sarcastically.
"First they pair you with the Uchiha kid, hoping to control you with his future Sharingan. Now they throw in a civilian girl—just because she's disposable."
"What's wrong with that?"
Isobu, curled up like a wheel, grumbled,
"Ninja are tools, after all."
Kurama's tail swiped across them both, silencing them. They'd arrived at the Hokage Building.
The Third Hokage was reviewing documents when an ANBU knocked and informed him of Naruto's arrival—surprised that Naruto had come so quickly.
As Naruto entered, Hiruzen had already picked up two student files.
"Lord Hokage!"
Hiruzen smiled kindly.
"Naruto, haven't eaten yet, have you?"
Naruto nodded.
"I heard you needed me, so I came right away."
Hiruzen's voice was warm.
"It's nothing urgent. Just that you're graduating next year, so I wanted to hear your thoughts on team placement."
Naruto frowned in thought.
"Isn't team assignment usually decided by the teachers and you?"
Hiruzen smiled.
"Yes, and you mentioned before wanting to be on a team with Shikamaru and Chōji—but they've already been placed in the tactical-specialization class. Hinata's in the reconnaissance class. I just wondered if you had any close friends you'd like to team with. I could talk to the teachers."
Naruto looked disappointed.
"I don't really know anyone else. If nobody wants to be on a team with me, can I—"
Hiruzen's gaze sharpened.
"Hm?"
Naruto pointed to the ANBU at the door.
"Can I join the ANBU, like that senpai just now?"
"Ahem!"
Hiruzen coughed, clearly surprised.
A Jinchūriki in the ANBU? Not likely. He saw Naruto's lack of interest in team placements and checked the student records again.
"Naruto, ANBU members are at least Chūnin-level. You're not even a Genin yet. So that's not possible."
"Let's talk about team assignments. Your teachers have already recommended suitable teammates. Want to know who?"
Naruto shrugged.
"Not really."
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow.
"Why not?"
Naruto pouted.
"I'm not interested in people I don't know."
(Continues...)
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