Konoha Grew Silent
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At first, the Nine-Tails had planned to slowly weaken the seal and escape when this brat entered its domain. Initially, it intended to kill him and leave.
However, Naruto's daily actions gradually softened its murderous heart.
Every morning breakfast—the Nine-Tails knew Naruto would eat again once he left the seal. It also understood that Naruto simply enjoyed sharing meals with it.
Every evening farewell—it recognized this as a human greeting, much like how Minato would always say "Good night" while it was sealed inside Kushina.
Shogi matches filled with laughter, mockery, and camaraderie—it realized this was how friends interacted. And it knew Naruto never played shogi with anyone else; he only did so because no one else could play with him.
Eating, drinking, and enjoying life—this daily routine was something the Nine-Tails had never experienced in its thousand-year existence. Reflecting on its past, all it remembered was sleep.
It could sense that Naruto genuinely liked it, unlike other humans who viewed it as a calamity.
Naruto's fighting style also appealed to it: no matter who you are, if you don't kill me, I'll keep attacking endlessly.
Most importantly...
The Nine-Tails glanced at its reflection.
I still have some pride, damn it! If I go out looking like this, the other tailed beasts will laugh their tails off!
Though it knew ways to lose weight, it didn't think it necessary unless absolutely required. Besides, every time Naruto looked at it growing slightly rounder, his eyes reflected both pain and delight.
Of course, Naruto believed that a well-fed fox should be plump—it was the same mindset he'd had with cats. He thought being skinny was embarrassing.
Thus, the Nine-Tails had no intention of letting Naruto die. If you die, kid, do you think I'll enjoy being reborn atop some mountain years later, sipping northwest winds?
Orochimaru, recognizing the boy's identity, suddenly noticed steam rising from Naruto's mouth. A warning signal flared in his mind.
Danger—retreat!
He immediately used a Body Flicker Technique to put distance between himself and Naruto, muttering under his breath, "This chakra... Could this brat really be...?"
Anko sensed it too, internally grumbling, [Master, nobody in Konoha dares mess with this guy! Even the Hyūga clan hesitates to act against him for flirting with their heiress. Yet here you are, nearly killing him? If you're tired of living, why not let me handle it instead?]
While her thoughts raced, her movements didn't slow. She prepared herself for the worst. If this thing emerged fully, all of Konoha would be doomed.
As Naruto began to collapse from unconsciousness, a chakra hand extended from his abdomen to support him.
If you refuse to fall while awake, then don't fall even when unconscious, the Nine-Tails reasoned simply.
A surge of red chakra erupted around Naruto. Orochimaru felt an overwhelming sense of futility wash over him.
Why didn't you tell me you were the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki?! Why didn't you say so earlier?!
He finally understood why Naruto's recovery was so remarkable. Having studied tailed beasts extensively, Orochimaru knew that their chakra not only invaded the host's body but also accelerated healing.
As for his previous plans to take Naruto? Those thoughts vanished instantly. While Orochimaru dared to snatch Sasuke Uchiha, he wouldn't dare touch the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki. If he did, Konoha would hunt him down relentlessly—not just sending two ANBU squads as they had before, but mobilizing entire armies.
He recalled his time in Akatsuki, where capturing the Nine-Tails was their ultimate goal. If Pain discovered that Orochimaru had taken the final prize right under their noses, there'd be no playful chase. Instead, Akatsuki would unite to serve him snake stew—with Pain leading the charge. The others would cheerfully agree, knowing better than to refuse such an invitation.
And if Orochimaru tried to sneak away with the jinchūriki? His arrival wouldn't go unnoticed. Imagine bringing an entourage to visit and leaving empty-handed without offering a gift!
The other four great nations wouldn't hesitate either.
In the Lightning Village, the Raikage asked his brother, "What if we snatch the Nine-Tails and pit it against our Two-Tails and Eight-Tails in a mahjong match?" His brother replied, "That might not sit well with Konoha—they're strong."
The Raikage slammed the table. "Konoha? The Nine-Tails is in Orochimaru's hands now!"
His brother mirrored the gesture. "Then let's go together and snatch it ourselves!"
The remaining three nations watched silently, each plotting their moves. After all, everyone wanted the Nine-Tails.
Orochimaru was confident he could evade detection if only Konoha and Akatsuki pursued him casually. But facing the entire shinobi world? That was another story entirely.
Regardless of what Orochimaru thought, Naruto's chakra surged violently, culminating in a massive burst of crimson energy. Three tails sprouted behind him, and a column of chakra shot into the sky, spreading an ominous aura.
The Nine-Tails knew Naruto's limits—three tails were his maximum. He'd need time to recover before manifesting a fourth.
At that moment, Konoha fell silent.
On this day, people remembered the terror of twelve years ago, when a fox ruled supreme.
In the brightly lit streets of Konoha, everything froze as fear paralyzed them. Even breathing seemed forgotten.
Inside the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage's pipe slipped from his lips, unnoticed.
A certain white-haired pervert spying on the women's bathhouse stopped mid-peep, frozen by the oppressive atmosphere.
At Kakashi's home, the copy ninja paused mid-page-turn, his book lowered slightly.
Not just humans—even animals held their tongues.
Street cats and dogs that moments ago fought over scraps now cowered on the ground, tails tucked tightly between their legs, accompanied by faint trickles of liquid beneath them.
In the Inuzuka compound, even the fiercest ninken behaved like stray mutts, trembling in submission.
Deep within the forests, predators abandoned their prey, bowing low as though awaiting the arrival of royalty. Even tigers retreated, adopting submissive "big cat mode."
Even the Aburame clan's insects froze under the suffocating pressure.
"ROAR!"
When the sound echoed, Konoha snapped back to life. Humans scrambled for shelter.
Cats and dogs fled wildly, yowling in panic.
Insects spun aimlessly, confused and immobile.
Within the Forest of Death, Kiba's hands trembled as he stroked Akamaru, oblivious to the puddle soaking his legs.
Hinata clasped her hands tightly to her chest, sensing impending doom.
Shino attempted to summon his insects but found himself unable to control them.
The Ino-Shika-Chō trio huddled together in the grass, shivering uncontrollably.
Neji, Lee, and Tenten gathered around the fire, holding hands and encouraging one another.
Even Shukaku, the One-Tail, spoke to its jinchūriki.
"Stay put, brat. Don't move."
Shukaku could feel Kurama's rage through the chakra emanating from Naruto. Though reluctant to admit it, an enraged Kyūbi outmatched the combined strength of the other eight tails—likely winning outright.
Anko breathed a sigh of relief. Only three tails meant the seal remained intact. Nine tails would've spelled disaster.
Sakura stared blankly. [So my teammate really is an alien!]
Orochimaru hesitated. His objective today had been achieved, but his scientific curiosity urged him to learn more about the strongest tailed beast. The spherical chakra surrounding Naruto—including the Kusanagi embedded in his chest—was interpreted as a protective measure, common among defensive jutsu.
Kurama controlled Naruto's hand, forming a colossal chakra fist in the air and smashing it toward Orochimaru.
BOOM!
A storm of wind and debris erupted, leaving a crater twenty meters wide.
Orochimaru rose unsteadily from the pit, his body writhing.
He decided to retreat. He came for Sasuke, not to fight monsters.
As for the Kusanagi, retrieving it was impossible—it remained lodged in Naruto's chest, encased in Kurama's chakra, beyond his control.
Orochimaru sank into the earth, calling out to Anko perched on a nearby tree. "Tell the Third not to cancel the exams. Otherwise, I can't guarantee what might happen."
But Kurama's chakra awaited him underground.
Sensing danger, Orochimaru burst forth, leaping high into the air. Behind him, two red chakra hands erupted from the ground, reaching upward.
Smaller hands extended from the larger ones, grasping at Orochimaru mid-air.
Unwilling to engage, Orochimaru created three Earth Clones to distract Kurama, vanishing in a series of flashes.
After dispatching the clones, Kurama turned its attention to Anko.
Anko hastily retreated, hiding in the bushes to observe from afar.
Ignoring her, Kurama extracted the Kusanagi from Naruto's chest, controlling the blood flow with chakra until the wound healed completely.
It circled the area a few times before leaping onto a tree.
"ROAR!"
With one final roar, the chakra dissipated, and Naruto plummeted to the ground.
THUD!
Naruto hit the earth, unconscious and oblivious.
In his hand, he clutched the Kusanagi.
Kurama ensured this, recalling Naruto's habit of collecting trophies.
As for whether the fall injured him further, it didn't care. This brat was resilient.
Seeing the chakra dissipate, Anko decided to report to the Third. She knew she couldn't catch Orochimaru at night and left the decision to her superior.
Sakura carried her teammates into the stone shelter that had endured countless attacks throughout the day. After settling them inside, she stood guard, sensing the unusual chakra emanating from both bodies.
She suspected the truth: her teammates weren't ordinary humans. Determined to keep their secret, she vowed never to reveal it to anyone else.