Chapter 13: Tailed Beast Bomb

Family...

Inside the seal space, Kurama watched Naruto's back, his eyes flickering slightly.

Recalling the moments they had shared over the past two years, Kurama fell into silence.

Two years long enough for both boy and beast to understand each other on some level.

Though he was reluctant to admit it, Naruto truly was different from the previous two Jinchūriki.

Kurama had never sensed a trace of malice from Naruto. The way Naruto treated him was no different from how he treated the trio from the Ino-Shika-Chō clan perhaps even more familiar and warm.

At the very least, that girl Ino had never heard Naruto sing. Kurama, on the other hand, heard it every single day. Whether he liked it or not.

To be honest, Kurama found Naruto's singing rather pleasant. The problem was, the brat rarely sang properly most of the time, he hummed under his breath like he had a toothache. Only occasionally would he belt out a high note with passion.

And just like that, it had been two years of humming.

From a tiny little bean, Naruto had grown into a slightly larger bean.

Kurama had grown used to the boy's buzzing mosquito-like hums. Sometimes, he even caught himself humming along.

And every time he did, the brat would whip around with that stupid grin, trying to teach him how to sing.

Hmph. Foolish child...

As if a cunning being like myself needs to be taught anything.

Kurama lay down and gave his ears a twitch before settling back into a state of feigned slumber.

Family?

Still as naive as ever...

What makes you think that, Naruto?

Is it because our chakra shares the same origin?

Or is it the bond between Jinchūriki and Tailed Beast this forced symbiosis that makes a boy who has always been alone mistake it for something more?

With your maturity far beyond your years you should know better than that.

If words alone could build real relationships, this world wouldn't be so full of strife.

Sure, brat, you're not completely intolerable.

But Naruto...

Your feelings... they haven't truly reached me yet.

If you want my acknowledgment, then show me through action.

Meanwhile, in the outside world 

Unlike Kurama's introspective silence, Jiraiya stood in shock.

Whether Naruto had been deceived by the Nine-Tails or they had truly come to accept each other, he had thought they'd be at best comrades or reluctant allies.

But family?

"Family..." Jiraiya echoed, his expression clouded with emotion.

So deep down... this child still yearns for familial warmth.

Naruto had no idea what was going through Jiraiya's head. If he did, he might have laughed out loud.

It was true at first, Naruto had only planned to release Kurama in order to avoid the Akatsuki's attention.

But after two years of daily bickering and humming together, he had slowly started thinking of the Nine-Tails as his fox.

And if, one day, Kurama were in danger, Naruto didn't believe he could just stand by and do nothing.

After all, he didn't hate everything. Just Konoha.

He wasn't some emotionless monster.

Even if it were just a dog he'd raised for two years, he'd still feel something.

"I've inherited the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques," Naruto said flatly. "Even if you don't give me the key, I can forcibly break the seal as it weakens. But for certain reasons, I'd rather not."

"So, Jiraiya, you don't want me tearing open the seal and bringing destruction to Konoha, do you?"

Jiraiya twitched slightly. As a veteran writer of risqué tales, he had a sharp instinct and something about Naruto's tone just felt off.

What a setup for a great story...

No, wait!

Now was definitely not the time for that!

He shook his head and forced himself to focus. After a long silence, he let out a heavy sigh.

"Fine. I'll give you the key... but only under one condition."

"Speak."

Naruto crossed his arms and lifted his chin slightly.

He wasn't afraid of Jiraiya's conditions. What he feared was the old man being stubborn.

Yes, Naruto could break the seal himself, but who knew how the system would react? It might interpret Kurama's chakra as a negative buff and erase him outright.

After all, Kurama's chakra was highly corrosive. It no longer posed a threat to him, but technically speaking, it was a negative influence.

"A Jinchūriki is too important to the village," Jiraiya said solemnly. "If the other villages find out Konoha lost its Tailed Beast, it could lead to war."

"That's why I want you to stay in Konoha until you're at least twenty."

At those words, Naruto lowered his head.

He thought for a moment, then chuckled softly and looked back up, locking eyes with Jiraiya.

"Figures. You old bastard really are playing me."

BOOM 

The moment his words dropped, a column of crimson chakra shot into the sky.

The violent, oppressive energy surged upward, shattering the clouds overhead.

In an instant, the entire village of Konoha seemed to freeze.

As the crimson chakra flared, people across the village were overwhelmed by a terrifying sense of déjà vu the fear of the Nine-Tails' wrath once again creeping into their hearts.

Then, amid the brief silence, a single scream tore through the air.

That scream triggered a chain reaction. People shouted, shoved, stumbled scrambling to flee from the oppressive crimson aura. Even the animals in the forest scattered in panic. Chaos erupted across Konoha.

"Is that... the Nine-Tails' chakra?" Jiraiya stared in shock, bracing himself against the chakra storm that blasted against him, forcing him two steps back.

"So Kurama really was planning something..."

"You're full of crap!!!"

Inside the seal space, Kurama erupted.

"What does this have to do with me?! Damned pervy old man!"

Jiraiya couldn't hear Kurama's curses, but something didn't add up. And soon enough, he realized it.

The crimson pillar didn't last long just a few seconds before fading, leaving behind a single sphere of glowing red chakra.

Then, like a water balloon bursting, the sphere cracked open, releasing its energy outward until it fully dispersed.

In its place stood a boy golden-haired, fox ears twitching, nine orange-red tails swaying behind him.

Jiraiya stared, stunned.

A beat passed before he cautiously asked, "Naruto?"

"Your grandpa is right here!"

Naruto raised his head. Crimson eyes glinted coldly.

As he spoke, his nine tails swept forward. At their tips, a swirl of icy blue and blood red glowed quickly coalescing into a dark purple miniature Tailed Beast Bomb.

"Tailed Beast Bomb..."

Jiraiya's face changed instantly, and he lifted a hand. "Naruto, wait! Don't do anything rash! Let me explain!"

"I gave you a chance. Too bad you didn't know how to use it."

Naruto's lips curled into a cold smile.

"You really think I need you to get that key?"

HUM 

The Tailed Beast Bomb swelled.

Its immense density created a force field that shattered the ground beneath them.

Naruto stared coldly in Jiraiya's direction. This was only the second time he'd activated this form and the first time in the real world.

And the moment it emerged, Naruto was stunned by just how perfectly he could now control his chakra.

Damn. Should've updated this form earlier...