Chapter 31: The Bonds Formed

The atmosphere in the room shifted as the Kage and Team 7 took in the weight of what they had just learned. The Nine-Tails cubs, now resting peacefully by their side, seemed almost innocent in the face of the growing tension. But there was no denying their potential, or the connection they had to Kaguya.

Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, Kakashi, Obito, and Might Guy all stood at the ready, their eyes on the cubs. It felt like a decision needed to be made, one that would solidify their connection with these creatures. Their bonds, although new, already felt important—like they were beginning to take their places as protectors of something greater.

Naruto stepped forward first, kneeling next to the yellow cub. Its fur shimmered like the sun, and it gazed up at him with curious eyes. Without missing a beat, he gently patted its head. "This one's mine," he said, a grin forming on his face. "You've got a lot of energy, just like me. I'll train you to be strong, just like Kurama."

The cub let out a playful bark, as if it understood, and snuggled up against Naruto's leg, seeking comfort.

Sakura, standing beside Naruto, looked at the pink cub, its fur reminiscent of her own hair. She couldn't help but smile as the cub nuzzled her. "And this one's mine," she said, her voice soft. "We're going to be great together, little one."

The pink cub yipped, excited by the idea, as it jumped up and playfully pawed at Sakura's hand. She laughed, reaching down to pet it gently.

Sasuke, who had been observing the others, turned his attention to the black cub, its fur sleek and dark like a raven. The cub stared up at him with piercing eyes, seeming to challenge him. Without hesitation, Sasuke knelt and offered his hand. "You're a bit of a handful, huh? Just like me."

The black cub sniffed his hand before rubbing its head against Sasuke's arm. Sasuke's lips twitched into the smallest of smiles as the cub snuggled into him.

Kakashi was next, eyeing the gray wolf pup with interest. Its fur was a cool, metallic gray, and it seemed calm and wise beyond its years. "Well, I suppose you're coming with me," Kakashi muttered, crouching down. The gray wolf pup wagged its tail and nudged Kakashi's knee, accepting him as its companion.

Obito stepped forward, smiling at the black wolf pup. Its fur was dark as night, and its eyes held a mischievous glint. "You've got some spirit, don't you?" Obito said softly, reaching down to scratch the pup's ears. The black wolf pup responded by playfully jumping up, trying to nip at Obito's fingers. "Guess we'll get along just fine," Obito said with a chuckle.

Finally, Might Guy approached the green wolf pup. The wolf's fur had a vibrant, almost emerald green sheen, and it was smaller than the others, but there was an undeniable strength in its stance. Guy grinned, bending down to meet its gaze. "You're full of energy, just like me! This is going to be fun!" he exclaimed.

The green wolf pup barked excitedly and bounded up to Guy, wagging its tail in approval. Guy scooped it up, holding the pup in his arms as it squirmed and tried to lick his face. If you're hearing this, then the person creating this audiobook did not obtain permission. This work was created by shredder121

As the six of them stood there, each with their new companion, Black Zetsu appeared from the shadows. He watched silently, as if satisfied with the choices they had made. His voice, low and ominous, echoed in the room. "The bonds you have formed with these creatures are significant. They will grow stronger with you, and in time, they will be ready for Kaguya's call. But remember, they are not bound by her will alone. They have their own will to follow."

Naruto looked up at Black Zetsu, his voice filled with determination. "We understand. But for now, they're our responsibility. We'll train them to be strong, and they'll be our partners."

Sasuke nodded in agreement. "We don't plan on using them as weapons. They're part of our team now."

Black Zetsu seemed to consider this for a moment, before nodding slowly. "So be it. Just remember: when Kaguya calls, they will come. But until that time, they are free to live as they choose."

With that, Black Zetsu disappeared into the shadows, leaving the group to focus on their new companions. The room was filled with a sense of resolution, even as the weight of the situation still lingered in the air.

"Alright," Naruto said, grinning as he ruffled the fur of his yellow Nine-Tails cub. "Let's get to training! We've got a lot of work ahead of us, and these little guys are gonna be a big help!"

Sakura smiled at the pink cub in her arms. "Yeah, I'm excited to see what we can all do together."

Sasuke, still holding the black Nine-Tails cub, stood silently for a moment before speaking. "We'll make sure they're ready, no matter what happens."

Kakashi, who had been petting the gray wolf pup, nodded. "Indeed. They're not just Kaguya's creations—they're part of our team now. We'll train them the same way we've trained ourselves."

Obito, his black wolf pup now playfully chewing on his sleeve, added, "They might be young now, but they'll grow strong just like we did."

Guy, holding his green wolf pup, chuckled. "We've got some serious training ahead of us. But with these guys by our side, we'll be unstoppable!"

The group nodded in agreement, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. The bond they shared with these creatures—beasts with the potential to change the world—was a powerful one. And though the future was uncertain, one thing was clear: they weren't going to face it alone.

Together, with their new companions, Team 7 and the others would grow stronger, and in time, they would be ready for whatever Kaguya had planned for them.