Chapter 45: Bonds and Preparations
The faces of Uchiha Izumi and Uchiha Mikoto floated through Naruto's mind once more, and his chest tightened with an unfamiliar sensation.
If I hadn't met those two...
Would I have remained indifferent to the Uchiha clan's genocide? Would I have simply watched from the sidelines?
Maybe.
Perhaps this is what they call fate. When I was drowning in darkness, they offered me warmth.
As the saying goes: you reap what you sow. Konoha planted these seeds of hatred—they'll harvest the consequences in time.
"HAHAHAHA!"
"Oh, Mutsuki Rui! That Rudo, you're really something!"
Suddenly, a booming laugh echoed in his mind.
Naruto's lips curved into a slight smile. That's Kurama's voice. What's got him so excited?
This might be the first time he'd ever heard the Nine-Tails genuinely laugh.
Closing his eyes, Naruto focused his consciousness, and in the next moment, he stood within the seal space.
As he materialized, he found Minato and Kushina locked in a tight embrace.
Should I... look away? This feels a bit awkward.
Well, it's just a normal, affectionate hug. Nothing more...
Noticing Naruto's gaze, Kurama's massive muzzle twitched upward in amusement. He settled onto the ground, watching quietly without interrupting. The fox understood human boundaries well enough.
Back when I was sealed inside Kushina, Kurama recalled, she'd reinforce the seal almost every night, blocking my perception of the outside world. At first I didn't understand why, but eventually I figured it out...
Because sometimes she'd forget to do it.
Suddenly, Minato sensed Naruto's presence. He subtly shifted away from Kushina, scratching the back of his head with an embarrassed expression.
Kushina blinked in confusion, studying Minato's face. We haven't had a moment like this in so long... why is he pulling away?
Then she sensed it too.
Spinning around, her beautiful violet eyes landed on a familiar, smiling face.
"Naruto!"
A blush instantly spread across her cheeks. Oh no, my son saw us!
This is so embarrassing! Stupid Minato, why didn't you say something sooner?
Now little Naruto's going to tease us... though honestly, I really did want that hug.
Naruto waved casually, stepping forward to greet his parents. With a few well-chosen words, he deftly dispelled the awkward atmosphere.
Honestly, being reunited inside their son's seal—no matter how you looked at it, the situation was inherently awkward.
Well, except for Kurama, Naruto thought. This is probably like when you're doing something private in your room, and your mom walks in with a plate of fruit without knocking, then leaves without a word. The sheer normalcy of it makes you want to dig a three-bedroom apartment with your toes and live there forever.
After explaining his recent operation to Kushina and Minato, Naruto spent considerable effort reassuring his worried parents.
Changing eyes wasn't a minor procedure, after all. How could Kushina possibly accept it easily?
Turning away from his parents, Naruto approached the Eight Trigrams Seal and looked up at Kurama with a smile.
The Nine-Tails lowered his massive head, his blood-red vertical pupils studying Naruto with clear amusement.
After a long moment, Kurama spoke first, his voice rumbling with satisfaction. "HA! Naruto, you did well today. I sensed a presence in that old man that disgusted me to my core! I enjoyed it immensely! That's exactly how you should have blasted him with a Tailed Beast Ball."
He bared his razor-sharp teeth, his nine tails whipping through the mental space as if he'd just scored a personal victory.
Naruto could feel it—Kurama was genuinely pleased. The fox had never been one to hide his emotions.
"Kurama, you seem unusually happy. Did something about Danzo strike a chord? Do you have history with him?" Naruto asked curiously.
"Hmph! I don't know that old fossil. I've been sealed inside you humans for decades—how would I have history with some wrinkled elder?"
He paused, then added with clear distaste: "But that man carried an aura... something that made my fur stand on end."
From Kurama's perspective, Naruto's assault on the Root base had been immensely satisfying.
Anyone carrying those clan's eyes is trouble, the fox thought. Especially that Danzo.
Watching the fool get distracted by Naruto's transformed appearance, only to receive a brutal retaliatory strike—it had been pure entertainment.
What could be more satisfying for a fox?
Naruto considered this. Could it be Shisui's eye? Or the Sharingan implanted in Danzo's arm?
Probably. The fox's hatred toward the Uchiha is legendary.
"Kurama," Naruto began, "does this count as helping you vent some frustration today?"
"HMPH! You couldn't have done any of it without borrowing my power! Besides, you were accomplishing your own goals from the start. If anything, brat, you still owe me. Understand?"
He extended a single claw through the seal bars, tapping Naruto lightly on the head.
Naruto stepped back, rubbing his scalp with feigned annoyance. "You're all smiles when you're happy, but quick to dismiss the help. Trying to get a free ride?"
Kurama's expression stiffened. This human cub... such arrogance!
He considered unleashing his temper, then reconsidered. If I get angry, he'll just argue back. More pointless bickering. I can't be bothered.
Besides... maybe there will be more opportunities later...
Against his will, the Nine-Tails grumbled: "Fine! I'm pleased. You did adequately."
"See? Was that so hard, Kurama?"
The fox bared his teeth again before settling onto the ground, his crimson eyes studying Naruto with unreadable thoughts.
Maybe he's happy I called him by his name? Or maybe something else...
Naruto pressed on: "Then we can proceed to Phase Two. Kurama—does your chakra possess healing properties?"
His next plan involved transplanting Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan into his own eye socket to obtain the brokenly powerful Kotoamatsukami.
Then he'd infiltrate the Uchiha compound, use it on Uchiha Fugaku, and seize command of the clan's voice.
Stop the Uchiha revolution in its tracks.
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