Chapter 20: The Hesitant Nine Tails

Naruto repeated the same words as Rikudō Sennin.

However, to Kurama, it was unbelievable that these secret names came out of Naruto's mouth so easily.

After all, the names of the Tailed Beasts were given by Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki himself.

After the Sage of Six Paths passed, only a select few humans were ever recognized by the Tailed Beasts. Jinchūriki typically only knew the name of their own Bijū.

This was because, after Hagoromo left, the bonds between the Tailed Beasts weakened. They rarely spoke of one another, and some even became sworn enemies—like Kurama and Shukaku.

Kurama often mocked Shukaku for having only one tail, equating it to having less chakra.

Shukaku, in turn, would lash out, calling Kurama a "damn fox" or a "mangy furball."

Now, hearing Naruto's words, Kurama fell silent.

For the first time, he began to waver. A part of him wanted to believe Naruto, but another part resisted accepting it so easily.

Kurama snorted coldly. "This isn't enough to prove anything. It's just obscure history that could still be found somewhere."

Naruto touched his chin and pondered for a moment. "Then what would be enough? Think about it. If you can't figure it out, I'll try."

Kurama remained quiet, as if waiting for Naruto's answer.

"Right!"

Naruto's eyes suddenly lit up. He looked at Kurama and said, "Do you remember the prophecy from the Sage of Six Paths before his death?"

Kurama's eyes narrowed in shock.

Naruto grinned. "The boy with blue eyes will call the names of the nine beasts while playing."

Kurama's eyes sharpened, staring at Naruto in disbelief. That harmless smile on Naruto's face made him uneasy for the first time.

But why?

Kurama was the strongest of the Tailed Beasts, a being feared as a calamity.

Yet, the boy before him had spoken the prophecy left by his creator so casually—it was difficult for Kurama to accept.

"No… this isn't real. You're not Naruto! Get out! Leave!"

With that, Kurama turned and walked deeper into the seal, choosing to ignore Naruto entirely.

Naruto panicked. "Hey, hey, Kurama! Don't just leave! If you don't believe me, I can tell you more and prove it!"

Kurama continued walking without responding.

Naruto shouted, "Kurama! If you keep this up, in the near future, you'll be sealed back into the Gedo Statue and absorbed into the Ten Tails! If that happens, I'll die too!"

Kurama froze.

Hearing Naruto mention the Gedo Statue and the Ten Tails, names that should be unknown to him, shook Kurama even more.

At this moment, he was almost convinced, but he needed time to process everything.

As Kurama vanished deeper into the seal, Naruto sighed. "Tch, looks like he needs more time."

Then, on a sudden impulse, Naruto forced the seal door open, unlocking the seal on his stomach, and rushed inside.

"Kurama! Let's talk over some dango!"

Before he could step further in, Naruto felt his consciousness shaking.

"Naruto! Naruto! Wake up! Naruto!"

Naruto's eyes fluttered open, and the first thing he saw was Jiraiya, repeatedly slapping his face.

"Ah, Pervy Sage."

Naruto sat up, rubbing his eyes and yawning.

Jiraiya sighed. "You went to see Kyuubi, didn't you?"

Naruto scratched his head sheepishly. "How'd you know?"

Jiraiya rolled his eyes. "How did I know? Kyuubi chakra practically exploded. If I hadn't come back, the whole village would've noticed!"

Naruto looked outside and saw several powerful chakra signatures surrounding his house.

He sighed. "Looks like I really caused a commotion."

Jiraiya nodded, peeking through the curtains. "It's fine. You guys can go now."

At his command, masked ANBU operatives disappeared into the shadows.

Jiraiya shut the window, drew the curtains, then looked at Naruto with a serious expression.

"You were too reckless. You just got the key, and you immediately went to meet Kyuubi alone. You agreed to do this under my supervision. What happened? If I hadn't stuck around and camped near your place, you would've had a much bigger problem on your hands tonight."

Naruto furrowed his brow, catching the underlying meaning behind Jiraiya's words.

"Besides Tsunade's ANBU, who else in the village has a sealing team?"

Jiraiya's expression darkened slightly. "The ones who came earlier weren't just ANBU. Root operatives were there too. They weren't weak either."

Naruto scoffed. "Danzo, huh?"

Jiraiya walked toward the door and paused before opening it.

"Be careful, Naruto. Danzo and Root see you as Konoha's greatest weapon. They want to control you. I don't know exactly what Danzo is relying on, but with my arm still out of commission, I'd be at a disadvantage if things escalated."

Naruto felt warmth spread through his chest.

His master always put him first.

Jiraiya wasn't worried about Naruto losing control—he was worried about Danzo taking advantage of him.

With Jiraiya still recovering and Tsunade bound by her Hokage duties, they couldn't afford a direct confrontation with Danzo.

On the surface, Danzo wouldn't dare make a move. But in the shadows? That was a different story.

Once Jiraiya left, Naruto's expression turned cold.

Just as Danzo and Root schemed about using him as the Nine Tails Jinchūriki, Naruto had his own thoughts about Danzo.

Based on Sasuke's memories and everything he had learned in his past life, Naruto knew the details of Danzo's battle tactics.

That old war hawk had plenty of tricks up his sleeve.

Naruto had always been wary of Danzo's backup plans. That's why he hadn't made a move after returning to Konoha.

But now, Danzo was making moves against him.

Naruto recalled his past life, drinking with Gaara as they discussed Danzo's actions at the Five Kage Summit.

Danzo had used Shisui Uchiha's eye to cast Kotoamatsukami on Mifune, the samurai leader of the Land of Iron, manipulating him into nominating Danzo as leader of the Allied Shinobi Forces.

Mifune never even realized he had been placed under genjutsu.

Jiraiya was right to wonder why Danzo was so confident.

It was probably because of Kotoamatsukami.

The ultimate genjutsu.

One so powerful that even if you were caught in it, you wouldn't realize you had been manipulated. You'd believe it was your own decision.

Unlike standard genjutsu, Kotoamatsukami didn't require eye contact. It was activated purely by the wielder's will.

Naruto narrowed his eyes.

Using the eye Itachi had left him on Danzo would be risky.

After all, Danzo also had Shisui's other eye. If two identical genjutsu clashed, Danzo might detect it early.

Naruto sighed.

Home was a safe harbor, but his ship was about to set sail.

---

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