Chapter 34: The Birth of the Nine-Tailed Fox and the Secret of the Ninja Sect

The moment Naruto realized he was, in fact, Naruto, a single thought crossed his mind—Ninja Sect.

However, the emergence of the Mori Mori no Mi (Forest-Forest Fruit) changed everything.

The existence of the Nine-Tails suddenly seemed far less significant.

The fruit's ability to absorb nutrients was eerily similar to the principles of Ninshu. Naruto could harness these nutrients to replicate the effects of traditional chakra cultivation.

Yet, the very concept of nutrients was tied to his deepest secrets. Because of this, only a select few—Ino, Hinata, and Tenten—were directly granted its benefits. Yuhi Kurenai and Mitarashi Anko had only just been included.

For those who struggled with chakra levels and couldn't focus on intensive training, this "Naruto-brand nutrition" might just be the answer.

Naruto nearly forgot—two others had also received this power. They were the first test subjects, the original recipients. And though they had been treated like guinea pigs, the results were undeniable.

Now, Naruto felt it was time to stop neglecting the Nine-Tails. It was finally time to fulfill the promise he had made during their first true meeting.

Kyuubi had never forgotten Naruto's words. So, when Naruto spoke, the fox had already spent years developing and refining its own approach to the concept.

The tsundere fox's eyes shimmered with emotion. Turning away, he wiped at them secretly.

Even though chakra was liquid, it was certainly easier to accept than oil flowing through an engine.

"Is it really possible?" Kyuubi asked hesitantly.

Naruto nodded slightly. "Of course. Why do you think I haven't bothered developing other ninjutsu over the years?"

"However, you need to be careful. If this Wood Clone dies, your mental strength won't return. The trauma will be severe."

"And since you're in human form now, you have to live as a human."

"Man is iron; rice is steel. If you don't eat, you'll starve."

Naruto carefully removed all abilities of the Mori Mori no Mi from the clone, leaving only a trace of its power in the stomach.

Even a Wood Clone made from White Zetsu had the ability to absorb nutrients, ensuring the body's survival and chakra refinement.

Kyuubi, once again, wiped away a tear.

"Hmph! Don't think I'll thank you for this!"

"Yes, yes. You, Lord Kurama, are the most powerful and majestic. Let's bump fists."

Naruto raised his fist expectantly. Kyuubi, unsurprised, smirked.

"You brat really know about the Sage of Six Paths' teachings."

"Isn't that normal?"

Kyuubi snorted and raised his paw. "I'm warning you, once we form this connection, I'll see every hidden secret and darkness within your heart."

Naruto simply smiled. "That's fine."

At that moment, Naruto retracted his fist.

Kyuubi's outstretched paw froze mid-air.

This was embarrassing.

"Forget it. Doesn't matter if you know or not. It's not like you can cause any trouble anyway."

Naruto extended his fist again, and Kyuubi reluctantly connected his paw to it.

A sudden flood of memories surged through Kyuubi's mind.

The voices from Naruto's past returned, echoing with hate:

"Damn fox demon! Why hasn't he died yet?"

"Fox demon, you'll die a horrible death!"

"If any of you associate with him, I will no longer acknowledge you as my children!"

"He should die to atone for his sin!"

"The fox demon should be tortured to death!"

Kyuubi watched the storm of emotions swirling within Naruto's inner world—the same sealed domain they shared. A tempest of resentment and agony raged beyond the sea, blotting out the sun. At the center of this maelstrom stood a lone child, his small frame overshadowed by the translucent figure of a fox.

Kyuubi had seen this place before. He knew it well.

But never had he seen the storm rage so violently.

"Doesn't seem so different from yours, does it?" Naruto quipped.

Kyuubi remained silent, gazing at Naruto.

"You have the power to take revenge," Kyuubi stated. "To kill them all without anyone knowing."

"Before our senses were severed, I remember those people. You remember them too."

Naruto smirked. "Kurama, you know what? Death isn't the most terrifying or desperate thing."

Kyuubi nodded, still not fully understanding.

"What do you want me to do?" For the first time, Kyuubi's tone was serious.

"First, I'll extract your consciousness and transfer it to the White Zetsu Clone. You need to adapt to your new body."

"Also, your mental energy will deplete. If you run low, come back to me."

Kyuubi scoffed. "You're actually willing to let me leave?"

"Your real body is sealed within me. Without your consciousness, you won't last long."

"Go wherever you want. From now on, you're free."

Naruto exited his spiritual world.

Back in the sealed chamber, he looked at the Nine-Tails lying still, eyes shut.

Shaking his head with a soft smile, he returned to his physical form.

Closing his eyes, Naruto focused inward.

Sure enough, a faint new awareness flickered in his mind.

The Mori Mori no Mi's power was far superior to simply using Ninshu through a fist bump with the White Zetsu Clone.

But then again…

He wanted both.

Naruto's mind stirred, and the clone raised its hand to collide with Naruto's fist.

Ninshu!

Chakra linked. Naruto injected the nutrient sphere containing Kurama's consciousness into the clone's body.

A moment later, the White Zetsu Wood Clone opened its eyes.

Naruto's blue eyes flickered, morphing into fox-like slits. His golden hair darkened, shifting into a rich red hue.

His face subtly changed—delicate features sharpening into a fox-like visage.

Naruto sighed. "So you do know how to avoid suspicion. You look about 60% like Hashirama Senju's wife, Uzumaki Mito."

"Hmph. What do you care?"

Naruto's eye twitched. "You don't have to change your voice. Not many people have heard it anyway."

Kyuubi blinked. The voice that had just spoken… sounded exactly like Uzumaki Mito.

"There shouldn't be any problems now, right?" Naruto asked.

Kyuubi snorted and folded her arms.

"Alright," Naruto nodded. "Go have fun for a while. We'll talk about missions later."

Kyuubi hesitated, then slowly stood up, moving toward the open window.

For the first time in centuries, his chest felt light.

After a long silence, Naruto exhaled slowly.

"It's been a long time… The Ninja World—Master Nine-Tails is back."

As he spoke, a red chakra cloak flickered into existence around him.

"Don't be so hasty," he cautioned. "Sensory ninja will pick up on your chakra immediately if you use it so carelessly."

"You don't need to manifest a full Tailed Beast Cloak every time you draw chakra," he added.

Kyuubi turned his head, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Boil!"

Naruto narrowed his eyes. "Hurry up and come up with a new form for yourself. Don't show up in front of me looking sixty percent like Uzumaki Mito."

The Nine-Tails rolled his eyes. He hadn't even realized that his current appearance made Naruto feel like a thousand ants were crawling all over his skin.

Naruto casually tossed a cloak toward him.

"Go explore the world. Come back in a month—I'll have something for you to do."

Kyuubi scoffed. "Hmph. My real body is inside you, but my consciousness is out here. If you need chakra, you can just extract it yourself."

"Fine, fine. I'll be back in a month."

With that, he turned, preparing to leap out the window.

Before he could, Naruto formed a shadow clone in an instant and grabbed him mid-air.

"Knew it. You don't even know basic ninjutsu."

Kyuubi scowled. "Why would I need to know that?"

Naruto paused. …Fair point.

"Still, let my shadow clone teach you some basics. You can't just spit out a Tailed Beast Ball in this body, can you?"

Kyuubi: "…"

"Yeah, I thought so."

With a whoosh, the shadow clone vanished, taking Kyuubi along with it.

Not long after, a sudden knock came at the door.

Naruto opened it to see Sasuke standing there, just as expected.

He was holding a bundle of scrolls—most likely Fire Release jutsu.

Naruto knew he hadn't been thorough enough when searching on the night of the massacre. And even then, it was impossible for the Uchiha Clan to have kept all their assets within the clan compound.

So it wasn't surprising that Sasuke had managed to dig up more.

"Naruto… please. I need more power."

His voice was tense, his Sharingan barely suppressed.

Naruto didn't know what had happened to him before coming here, but his eyes were slightly red. Everything today must have shaken him to his core.

Sasuke could no longer stand before Naruto with his usual confidence.

Even against Sakura, he had felt the pressure.

It gnawed at him, his frustration turning into obsession. He was too stubborn, too consumed by his need for strength to accept this reality.

Even when he forced himself to train, his mind replayed the events of today—or worse, the night of the massacre.

"It's late," Naruto said instead. "Aren't you worried about tomorrow?"

Sasuke flinched. But Naruto hadn't rejected him outright, which meant—

He was willing to help.

His tense nerves eased, if only slightly, and he nodded resolutely. "I'll be fine."

"Good. Then give me a fist bump."

Sasuke hesitated for only a second before clenching his fist and pressing it against Naruto's.

Ninja Sect.

In the next instant, his eyes widened.

A surge of chakra flooded his system—powerful, overwhelming, and undeniably Naruto's.

Though unfamiliar, it was intoxicating.

For the first time, he entertained the thought—

Maybe, just maybe, I can catch up to him.

"This… this power… Naruto, you—?!"