Chapter 250: Conversation with Nine Tails!

"If you're here, it means you're out of danger."

"Boy, you're not dead!"

Kurama, the Nine-Tails, gazed at the young man standing before him with a sly grin on his fox-like face.

"Not dead? I'm not dead!" Uzumaki Raiden clenched his fists, his face filled with a mix of relief and disbelief.

Seeing his reaction, Kurama curled his lips in displeasure and mocked,

"Don't celebrate too soon. You may not be dead yet, but you could be in a matter of moments."

"Your injuries are severe, and medical ninjutsu can only do so much."

"Besides, you're an Uzumaki. Your clan's unique vitality makes traditional healing methods less effective on you. If this continues, you'll die soon!"

Kurama's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Raiden, instantly sobering him from his brief moment of joy.

"Medical treatment from my clan? Uzumaki Mariko? Her chakra had no effect on me?" Raiden mulled over Kurama's words for a while before turning toward the massive fox trapped within the cage. Smiling slightly, he said,

"Since you're bringing this up, it means you have a solution, right?"

"Come on, out with it!"

"If I die, you'll be stuck in silence for a long time. Who knows when you'll be free again?"

"And you've seen my enemies—the ones who control the Gedo Mazo and the Six and Seven-Tails. I'm sure they'd be very interested in you!"

Raiden's sharp deduction caused Kurama's expression to change subtly. Slowly, he walked toward the cage and placed a hand on the iron bars. His body felt paralyzed—his consciousness intact but disconnected from his physical form. He couldn't move, as if his soul had been entirely separated from his body.

Though he didn't understand why, Kurama's awareness of his condition meant there was hope.

"Hmph! What an annoying brat, but compared to Uchiha Madara, you're much easier to deal with!"

"Since you're asking so sincerely, I'll mercifully enlighten you."

Kurama adjusted into a more comfortable lying position and continued,

"Your body has sustained severe injuries. Medical ninjutsu accelerates cell regeneration to heal wounds, but that old bastard Madara's technique suppresses cellular reproduction. That's why, despite all the treatment, you're still in danger."

"There's only one way for you to recover—undo the seal and let me out. My chakra can heal your injuries quickly!"

A glint of excitement flashed in Kurama's narrow eyes. Raiden could sense a mixture of anticipation and apprehension—the fox clearly longed for freedom but feared rejection.

"Your chakra can heal my injuries quickly?"

"You can do something even Mariko couldn't?"

Raiden remained skeptical. He knew that Kurama's chakra had some regenerative properties—he had witnessed minor injuries healing when he tapped into it before. But the extent of Kurama's claims made him doubtful.

"If your chakra was so effective, why am I still in this condition?" Raiden questioned internally.

Kurama, sensing Raiden's hesitation, snorted in frustration.

"You should be asking yourself why my chakra hasn't worked yet!"

"Blame yourself for creating such a strong cage, brat!"

"This seal not only restricts me, but it also restricts you!"

As Kurama spoke, the entire cage pulsed with his chakra, but not a single strand of it leaked through the seal.

"What do you mean?" Raiden asked, confused.

"Tsk, haven't you realized?"

"Before you blacked out, you reinforced the seal. My chakra can't get through!"

"Your condition? You brought it upon yourself!"

Kurama suddenly stood up, squatting like an oversized dog with its paws crossed over its chest, an amused grin on its face.

"So that's it," Raiden muttered, brushing his hand against the cold iron bars of the cage.

"Because of the seal, you can't use your chakra to help me."

"According to what you're saying, my only option for recovery is to break the seal?"

Raiden fell silent, contemplating the weight of his decision. He and Kurama never had the best relationship. Unlike Naruto, Raiden wasn't the type to win over others with blind optimism and kindness. He had always viewed Kurama as a tool—an immense source of power that he could tap into as needed, much like Uzumaki Mito once did.

Over the years, Raiden's strength had grown significantly, and he had planned to fully master Kurama's power through sealing techniques. But constant wars and Uchiha Madara's interference had delayed his plans.

Now, facing the fox in his subconscious, a new thought crossed his mind.

"Maybe... just maybe, I can build a relationship with Kurama like Naruto did—coexist, rather than control."

Raiden looked up and asked,

"Hey, Kurama, if I were to release your seal, what's the first thing you'd want to do?"

Sitting cross-legged, he gazed intently at the massive fox. Unlike Naruto, Raiden couldn't simply trust Kurama without question, but he was curious.

Kurama seemed momentarily surprised by the question. Thousands of years had passed since his existence began, and he had long forgotten what true freedom felt like.

The Sage of the Six Paths had left, and Kurama had spent countless years sealed and manipulated by humans. The concept of life itself felt foreign to him now.

"What would I do? Honestly, I don't know," Kurama admitted after a long silence.

"But one thing I do know—I want freedom. Real freedom!"

"I know you won't actually let me go even if you break the seal, but... I can't stand being in this cage any longer!"

"Release the seal and let me out, and I'll help you recover!"

"That's my deal with you!"

Kurama stared at Raiden, anxiously awaiting his response. Over the years, he had given up hope of ever breaking free, but this moment presented a rare opportunity.

Raiden remained deep in thought, running his fingers along the seal's markings. Could he truly trust Kurama? Could they find common ground?

For now, one thing was clear—his life was at stake, and trusting Kurama might be his only option.

(End of Chapter)