Chapter 61

Sakura was equally curious, though she looked skeptical. "You're kidding, right? Naruto having more chakra than Sasuke?"

In Sakura's eyes, Sasuke was incredibly strong. Aside from Yoruha, Sasuke was the strongest among their peers.

For Sakura, the idea that Naruto could surpass Sasuke in any way, especially in chakra reserves, seemed impossible.

Yoruha nodded earnestly. "There's no doubt about it. Naruto's chakra reserves are even greater than Kakashi-sensei's."

"That's one of the perks of being the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."

He then asked, "Naruto, your hand is completely healed now, isn't it? Not even a scar left behind."

Naruto was puzzled by the question but raised his hand anyway. "Why are you asking about that?"

Sakura and Sasuke both noticed that Naruto's previously injured hand had fully healed.

They knew that it had only been a few days since Naruto had stabbed his own hand.

Such a severe wound, yet it had completely healed within days without leaving even the faintest scar.

Naruto, however, didn't think much of it. He had always healed quickly and assumed that was normal for everyone.

Yoruha explained, "That's one of the physical advantages granted by the Nine-Tails. Your recovery rate is extraordinary."

"For a normal person, an injury that severe would take months to heal."

"And even after healing, it would leave a scar."

"But look at your palm—there isn't even a mark."

Naruto glanced at his hand and said, "Now that you mention it, there really isn't. Wait, you mean other people aren't like this?"

Before Yoruha could answer, Sakura interjected, "Of course not! How could such a severe injury heal in just a few days, and without leaving a scar? Naruto, I'm honestly jealous of you."

Sakura's words were sincere.

As a girl, she envied the ability to heal from such a serious injury without leaving any scars.

Girls care about appearances, and for someone as precocious as Sakura, it mattered even more.

Sasuke, too, stared at Naruto's hand in astonishment.

He hadn't realized Naruto possessed such an ability.

"This idiot actually has such a powerful trait," Sasuke thought to himself.

Even Sasuke didn't have this kind of regenerative power.

For a ninja—a profession that constantly danced on the edge of death—such an ability was invaluable.

On the battlefield, it was practically like having extra lives.

Under the gaze of both Sakura and Sasuke, Naruto began to feel a little smug. He grinned broadly and laughed, "Really? Even Sakura is jealous of me? Am I really that amazing? Hahaha!"

Seeing Naruto's goofy smile, Sakura's initial envy suddenly dissipated.

"Of course," she thought, "this came at the cost of his brainpower. There's nothing to be jealous of."

Yoruha shook his head in mild exasperation.

"This guy's mood changes so quickly," he thought. "He was just upset a moment ago, and now he's laughing like an idiot."

After laughing for a bit, Naruto looked back at Yoruha and asked, "So how can I take control of the Nine-Tails' power?"

"If I manage that, can I really become as strong as the Fourth Hokage?"

Sasuke and Sakura both turned to Yoruha, equally curious.

They cared about the answer too.

After all, Naruto had always been the weakest in their squad.

Even though he was now stronger than Sakura, he was still far behind Sasuke.

And Sasuke had no intention of being surpassed by someone like Naruto.

Surpass.

Yoruha waved his hand dismissively. "How would I know? Don't get the wrong idea—I'm just like you. I only just graduated from the Ninja Academy myself."

"What I know is what Kakashi-sensei told me. As for how to control the Nine-Tails, even Kakashi-sensei doesn't know. If he did, the Third Hokage would've taught you long ago. Why would they wait until now?"

"That said, I heard the previous Nine-Tails Jinchuriki controlled its power using sealing techniques."

"The previous Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was none other than the Fourth Hokage's wife."

"And, like you, she was a member of the Uzumaki Clan."

Naruto froze for a moment.

Then, as if realizing something, he asked, "I'm part of the Uzumaki Clan?"

Although Naruto's surname was Uzumaki, he had no idea there was an Uzumaki Clan. He'd always assumed "Uzumaki" was just his last name.

Yoruha nodded. "That's right, the Uzumaki Clan used to be allies of Konoha."

"But the Uzumaki Clan was wiped out a long time ago. If they were still around, they'd be incredibly powerful."

Naruto was stunned. "The Uzumaki Clan isn't a Konoha clan?"

Sakura and Sasuke were also curious.

They, like Naruto, had assumed "Uzumaki" was just Naruto's surname and didn't know about the clan.

Hearing that the Uzumaki Clan had been destroyed, Sasuke looked at Naruto with a hint of sympathy.

He thought Naruto, like himself, was the last surviving member of a clan.

Naruto, however, felt a sense of belonging upon learning he had a clan.

But just as he was feeling that sense of belonging, Yoruha revealed that the Uzumaki Clan had been wiped out and wasn't even a Konoha clan.

After some thought, Yoruha explained, "No, the Uzumaki Clan was a ninja clan from the Land of Whirlpools, renowned for their sealing techniques."

"They were particularly suited to being Jinchuriki for Tailed Beasts. Because of that, several major nations banded together to attack and destroy the Uzumaki Clan, stealing their sealing techniques."

"Aside from those who were killed, some members of the Uzumaki Clan scattered across the world."

"For example, Konoha has had members of the Uzumaki Clan."

"I remember that the First Hokage's wife was from the Uzumaki Clan, as was the Fourth Hokage's wife."

"And both of them served as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."

Yoruha wasn't divulging any secrets—this information was available in Konoha's public library.

It was just that most people didn't pay attention to it.

After all, people cared more about the Hokages themselves than about their wives.

But because they were significant figures, their roles were mentioned in Konoha's history books.

Looking at Naruto, Yoruha said, "So, I think if you can master the Uzumaki Clan's sealing techniques, you might be able to control the Nine-Tails just like the Hokages' wives did."

Naruto was silent for a moment before asking, "But I don't know where to find the Uzumaki Clan's sealing techniques. Didn't you just say the clan was wiped out?"

"Then I can't help you," Yoruha admitted. "I'm not much better off than you in that regard."

"Besides, sealing techniques are likely considered village secrets—not something ordinary people can access."

"However, I think the sealing technique the Fourth Hokage used on you is already incredibly powerful and beneficial."

"If you focus on growing stronger and make good use of the Fourth Hokage's sealing technique, you'll definitely be able to control the Nine-Tails' power someday."

"Remember, the Nine-Tails is extraordinarily powerful. While its rampage caused massive destruction in our village, it also proved just how immense its strength is. Once you master it, your power could rival or even surpass the Hokage's level."

"After all, the Nine-Tails is a beast so powerful that the Fourth Hokage had to sacrifice his life to seal it. Even the chakra it leaks is enough to give you more chakra than Kakashi-sensei."

"Imagine if you fully controlled the Nine-Tails' chakra. Your reserves would likely be several times greater than those of the Hokage."

"Plus, given that both of Konoha's previous Nine-Tails Jinchuriki were from the Uzumaki Clan, it's clear that your clan's physique is particularly suited to being a Jinchuriki. You probably have an innate ability to suppress Tailed Beasts—you just haven't tapped into that power yet."

Naruto's eyes lit up.

Right now, his greatest desire was to grow stronger, defeat Yoruha, and earn Kakashi's approval.

Hearing that mastering the Nine-Tails could give him power on par with, or even beyond, the Fourth Hokage's, Naruto was deeply moved.

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