Chapter 22: I, Kurama, Am Also Reborn

"Sasuke has one, so I should arrange one for you too."

"Let's make it something special."

Naruto doesn't need to be reborn; Sasuke is already the key to change. However, adding something to Kurama within Naruto would be a good move.

Kurama has been with Naruto throughout his life. As his "plug-in," he's not overly powerful but incredibly practical.

"Enjoy it, Naruto."

Shinomiya Uzumaki chuckled and took out a piece of memory crystal.

[Kurama's Memory Crystal]

He carefully placed the crystal on Naruto's abdomen, and after a while, the crystal seamlessly blended into his body.

"It's done, now to withdraw."

Shinomiya Uzumaki disappeared without a trace.

---

"Is this the power of Ōtsutsuki...?" Sasuke muttered weakly.

He collapsed to the ground. Boruto's arm was broken, his spine severely damaged, and his life hung by a thread. Naruto was also suppressed by the immense power of Ōtsutsuki's style and was in critical danger.

"Naruto! I have a way for you to defeat him, but it comes at the cost of your life. Are you willing?" Kurama appeared in Naruto's spiritual world, his voice thick with concern.

Kurama had clearly made a decision and shared with Naruto the secret of an ultimate skill.

Naruto smiled calmly. "Kurama, from the moment I decided to become Hokage, my life already belongs to this village."

Upon hearing this, Kurama laughed heartily.

"So, Naruto, get ready to meet this power!"

Kurama joined his hands, channeling Chakra into Naruto, creating an unprecedented new energy!

In an instant, Naruto's entire body was wrapped in red Chakra light, and his aura surged to an unimaginable height.

The massive cube that suppressed him was immediately overturned!

Heavy Particle Mode activated!

Even the defenses of Ōtsutsuki's First Style proved futile against this mode. Naruto unleashed an unstoppable assault like a storm.

After a long, arduous battle, Ōtsutsuki Ishiki was finally eliminated.

"Kurama, it's great to have you on this journey. From now on, the village will be protected by you..."

Naruto collapsed from exhaustion, thinking that using Heavy Particle Mode had drained him to the brink of death.

"Why say such depressing words? You still have a long way to go. This little bump in the road can't stop you."

"Huh? But you clearly said that using that mode would cost my life?"

Kurama's figure slowly began to blur. "Who told you it would cost you your life?"

In that moment, Naruto realized, though still a bit confused.

"Kurama!"

"Don't cry, you're Hokage, Naruto."

After saying those words, Kurama completely disappeared.

Just as Kurama's consciousness was fading, it suddenly surged back together.

The surrounding environment shifted.

"Huh? Why do I feel so wet?"

Kurama blinked, his curiosity rising.

When he opened his eyes and looked around, the scene gave him an overwhelming sense of déjà vu.

It was dark, damp, and there were thick chains wrapped around his body, restricting his movements.

A massive iron fence stood in front of him, enclosing him as if he were in a dungeon.

"Here it is..."

Kurama's pupils constricted with realization.

"Isn't this Naruto's sealed space?"

How could Kurama forget this place?

But why was he here again? Shouldn't he have been traveling to the afterlife after death?

Could something have happened to Naruto?

"No..." Kurama looked at the chain behind him.

He and Naruto had connected long ago, breaking free from the past limitations.

Not only did they no longer need to be confined by chains and fences, but they could also stretch their Chakra at any time, sensing everything outside.

But the setup here…

No matter how he looked at it, it felt like he'd been sent back to the time when Naruto had not yet connected with his soul, more than ten years ago.

"Wait... more than ten years ago?"

Kurama snapped awake from his reverie.

He quickly gathered the remaining Chakra he had to investigate the one who sealed him.

Though limited when sealed, Kurama still had enough Chakra to identify his Jinchūriki.

He took a glance and saw little Naruto sleeping on the bed.

This realization hit him like thunder on a clear day.

"What the hell is going on?!"

Kurama was in shock.

Did Naruto really revert to being a child?

No, something was off—he must have traveled back in time! From Konoha 83 to Konoha 60!

Naruto was exactly this age back then.

"What the hell..."

Kurama was utterly confused.

Suddenly, Naruto shifted in his sleep, a pained expression crossing his face as he touched his stomach.

Seeing this, Kurama quickly concealed his Chakra. The Eight Sign Seal meant too much Chakra would hurt Naruto.

"Naruto, this guy..."

Kurama sighed helplessly.

Well, let it be. Kurama slowly settled back down.

In some sense, this was a good thing, wasn't it? He, who was supposed to die, was not only alive but also back in the past.

Yet, this place felt oppressive—he had been accustomed to freedom, and being bound like this again was uncomfortable.

"We need to figure out how to break him out of this seal as soon as possible."

Kurama's thoughts swirled.

In the blink of an eye, the sky turned light.

Naruto's door was knocked on urgently.

"Naruto, get up, it's time to train."

Uchiha Sasuke's voice called from outside.

"Ugh..."

Naruto rubbed his sleepy eyes.

He looked at the clock and groaned—it was only five in the morning!

Sasuke must be crazy!

Naruto desperately wanted to keep sleeping, but the sound of Sasuke's knocks was growing more forceful, threatening to break the door down.

Sighing, Naruto dragged himself out of bed and quickly washed up.

"Coming, coming."

He opened the door, and there stood Uchiha Sasuke, already ready to go.

"Let's go, we have to train a little more before school."

With that, Sasuke led Naruto straight to the training ground.

"Huh? What's going on with Sasuke?"

"I thought their relationship was pretty tense around this time, wasn't it?"

Kurama observed the scene with curiosity.

But he soon realized it was his poor memory. He had been sealed for most of Naruto's childhood, so he hadn't really kept up with Naruto's day-to-day life.

Maybe this was just how their relationship was back then?

Arriving at the training ground, Haruno Sakura was already waiting there.

She had prepared breakfast for the three of them, and after they ate, they began their morning exercises.

Everything seemed normal, until Sasuke and Naruto began discussing Shinomiya Uzumaki.

"Shinomiya Uzumaki?"

Kurama scratched his head. Was there really such a person in Naruto and Sasuke's circle of friends?

How could he not recall him?

But from the conversation, it seemed Naruto and Sasuke were very familiar with Shinomiya Uzumaki. Naruto spoke highly of him, while Sasuke seemed both fearful and respectful.

That was... strange. Very strange indeed.

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