Chapter 101: Nine Tails Again and Again...

After his battle with the Six Paths of Pain, Naruto had attempted to track down Nagato and Konan. However, despite his efforts, he failed to locate them.

Fortunately, he knew the location of the Akatsuki's base. That alone was enough to put his mind at ease.

With a flash of light, Naruto disappeared into the sky.

After reuniting with Setsu and Kurotsuchi, Naruto had already withdrawn from his various combat states, reverting to his usual self—a young man with a warm and kind appearance.

However, one thing had become increasingly clear—Kurama's chakra was growing stronger and stronger.

During his fight with Pain, Naruto noticed that the chakra Kurama lent him had intensified significantly. It wasn't just a quantitative increase, but a qualitative transformation as well.

It seemed that when Kurama absorbed the chakra of the other Nine-Tails fragments, it not only increased his power but also refined it to an even greater extent.

Meanwhile, Kurotsuchi and Setsu had been making their way toward Iwagakure. However, upon seeing Naruto's sudden arrival, Setsu instantly understood—the battle was over.

"That's great, Naruto! I knew you'd be fine!" Setsu beamed with joy, swiftly snatching the small Nine-Tails from Kurotsuchi's hands and stepping forward.

Kurotsuchi, on the other hand, rubbed her palms together absentmindedly, glancing at the miniature Nine-Tails. She had to admit, it felt good holding the little creature.

If only it wasn't so fierce. The tiny fox constantly bared its teeth and tried to bite her.

Naruto smiled and pulled Setsu into a gentle embrace before turning to Kurotsuchi. "Alright, there's no more danger. You can head back now."

"Tch… obviously, I'm going back!" Kurotsuchi huffed. "You kidnapped me for days and made my grandfather misunderstand the situation. If I were strong enough, I'd beat you up right now."

Naruto chuckled. "Oh? Aren't you afraid I might beat you up first?"

Kurotsuchi's face stiffened. Her scalp tingled with nervousness as she took a few cautious steps back. With a forced laugh, she turned and bolted.

Naruto didn't mind her attitude and turned his attention back to Setsu. "Let's go somewhere more secluded."

Setsu smiled and nodded. "Wherever you go, I'll follow."

However, Naruto noticed something off about her expression.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

Now that their relationship had deepened, there was no need for either of them to hide their feelings.

Setsu hesitated before answering in a slightly downcast tone, "I'm too weak. I couldn't even protect myself, let alone help you…"

Naruto sighed. He had thought about this problem as well. After all, there would be times when he wasn't around to protect her.

After some thought, he spoke. "Why don't you become a Jinchūriki?"

Setsu blinked in surprise.

"This Nine-Tails is small and recovering slowly. Keeping it as a pet seems like a waste," Naruto continued. "If you could enter the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, combine it with the secret techniques of the Uzumaki clan, and get some proper training, your strength would skyrocket."

Setsu turned her gaze toward the small Nine-Tails in her hands.

It looked harmless, almost adorable.

But she had seen what it could become when at full power.

Taking a deep breath, she nodded. "Alright, I'll do it."

Immediately, the small Nine-Tails began to struggle.

"Hey, hey, hey! Why are you talking like it's embarrassing to be my vessel?!"

Smack!

Naruto casually smacked the tiny fox on the head.

"Quiet, Nine-Tails."

The little fox glared at him but didn't dare to argue. It knew just how terrifying Naruto could be.

Naruto leaned in and gave it a serious look. "Once you're sealed inside Setsu, don't cause trouble. Cooperate with her properly, understand?"

Nine-Tails felt its dignity crumbling.

"You've got to be kidding me! Even if you kill me, I won't—"

Naruto raised his hand.

Immediately, the small fox flinched.

"Alright, alright! You win."

Despite Naruto's gentle appearance, the fox knew better than to push its luck.

For now, it would play along.

And just like that, Nine-Tails accepted its fate.

However, just before initiating the sealing process, Naruto hesitated.

He recalled something Kurama had once said.

With curiosity flickering in his eyes, he pinched the back of the little fox's neck. "I heard you don't have a gender. But are you male or female?"

Nine-Tails twitched. "What kind of question is that? What are you planning?"

Naruto smirked. "Speak to me in a female voice."

The small fox exploded in fury. "When I recover, I'm going to kill you!"

Naruto sighed. "Then I suppose I'll have to kill you first."

Nine-Tails' eyes widened in horror. It swallowed its pride and, in a soft, reluctant voice, said, "F-Fine… I'll do it."

From inside Naruto, Kurama's voice rumbled. "Hmph. How pathetic."

Nine-Tails flared up. "Damn you, Kurama! This is all your fault! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be in this mess!"

Despite its rage, it still spoke in a forced, high-pitched tone.

Kurama snorted. "Shall I absorb you completely?"

Nine-Tails shivered and shrank back. "Ugh… Meeting you was the worst thing to ever happen to me."

Kurama smirked. "That's right. Because now, you'll never be able to rise again."

Nine-Tails growled in frustration.

Smack!

Naruto delivered another firm tap to the small fox's head.

With that, he turned to Setsu. Holding the Nine-Tails in one hand, he placed his other on her stomach.

Setsu felt the warmth of his touch and couldn't help but recall the memories they had shared.

A faint blush crept across her cheeks.

Naruto gave her a reassuring look. "This might sting a little."

Setsu gathered her courage. "I'll be fine."

Zzzt—

As Naruto activated the sealing technique, Nine-Tails' body dissolved into chakra and flowed into Setsu's sealing space.

To Naruto's surprise, Setsu showed no reaction.

During Sasuke's sealing, he had writhed in pain, his face contorted with agony.

But Setsu… she was completely calm.

Naruto frowned. Did the seal fail?

"How do you feel?" he asked.

Setsu let out a long breath and lifted her shirt slightly to check the seal on her abdomen.

"It's fine," she said. "It barely hurt at all."

Naruto fell silent.

Perhaps, given everything Setsu had endured in her past, this level of pain was insignificant to her.

Setsu, noticing his expression, smiled gently.

"Don't look so worried, Naruto," she said softly. "It's all in the past now. And thanks to you, I'm safe."

She chuckled lightly. "Besides, once I get used to this power, I'll be able to protect myself."

Naruto nodded and took her hand.

With a flicker of light, they vanished.

Their next destination—the Land of Snow.

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