A Clash of Fists

Inside the sealing space, Kurama slowly opened its eyes.

He actually did it, this brat…

However… obtaining the key, on one hand, meant Naruto had the ability to release it, but on the other hand, it also meant that the strongest Tailed Beast power was now completely under Naruto's control.

Wood Release, Adamantine Sealing Chains, Flying Thunder God, and a Chakra reserve that was in no way inferior to a Tailed Beast's…

Watching Naruto's back, Kurama's calm gaze rippled slightly.

Naruto…

You already possess power that even Senju Hashirama didn't have. If you wish, I will not be able to resist in the slightest.

So, what will you do next?

"Kurama, keep your Chakra in check."

Naruto turned his head, his expression serious: "Don't let even a trace leak out."

"Oh?"

Kurama looked at him with interest, quickly retracting all its escaping Chakra: "And then?"

Naruto lifted his shirt, a complex pattern flashed across his arm, and he made a twisting motion over his stomach. Immediately, the sealing gate let out a series of creaking sounds.

As the swirling lock above the gate retracted circle by circle, with a clang, the sealing gate that had imprisoned Kurama was effortlessly opened.

"And then… you are free."

Naruto grinned. Inside the sealing space—no, it should now be called the mental space—the atmosphere fell silent.

One human and one fox, one large and one small, simply gazed at each other in silence.

Kurama lay motionless on the water, its nine tails gently swaying behind it, and streams of crimson Chakra emanated from beneath its body.

However, these Chakra streams would disappear quietly not long after spreading out, as if consumed by some unseen force.

'Detected negative buff: Chakra disturbance, eliminated! Acquired Nine-Tailed Chakra.'

On the system panel, a new line of text suddenly appeared, and Naruto was momentarily stunned.

"Hmph… You felt it, didn't you?"

Kurama snorted coldly: "To actually boast about making me retract my Chakra…"

Saying that, it slowly sat up, its mountain-like figure blocking Naruto's view, and its large, orange-red paw lifted high.

"You're not worried… that I'll be erased by your strange ability, are you? Don't get too carried away! You brat!!"

Boom!

A heavy fist slammed down in front of Naruto, who didn't budge.

Seeing this, Kurama's mouth twitched, revealing a mouthful of sharp fangs.

"Still as difficult as ever…"

Naruto looked up slightly: "Not planning on going out for some fresh air?"

"Well… I guess I owe you a favor. You said ten years, and only two have passed. I'm not someone who goes back on his word."

Kurama flicked a finger, and its massive fingernail sent Naruto stumbling.

"Also, there are some things you need to understand… Extend your fist."

Naruto raised his hand, and a large and small fist met. Instantly, an unfamiliar memory appeared in Naruto's mind.

It was a memory of the night of the Nine-Tailed attack, recorded from Kurama's perspective.

At the same time, Kurama also sensed Naruto's inner self: loneliness, peace, contentment, and a vast, abyss-like rift harboring darkness…

However, it didn't perceive any memories, because they had been erased by the system.

'Detected negative buff: Memory probing, eliminated! Acquired Nine-Tailed Chakra.'

"I say… are you going to be greedy for even this much Chakra, kid?"

"Sorry, I can't control it."

Facing Kurama's displeasure, Naruto spread his hands innocently.

Not only could he not control it, but even if he could, he wouldn't let Kurama see it.

Once it learned that it was merely a fictional construct, it might question its self-identity and do something unpredictable.

There's a guy in red spandex next door who massacred the entire universe because of this!

Naruto believed that given Kurama's arrogant nature, it probably wouldn't be affected by such a revelation, but knowing too much isn't necessarily a good thing.

Furthermore, as a human, he would even completely delete his browsing history, so how could he allow others to probe his memories?

Don't be ridiculous!

Don't underestimate the bond between me and my XP!

"Forget it, let's not talk about that for now…"

Kurama shook its head: "You must have seen the masked man, right?"

Naruto nodded: "Are you worried about him?"

"Tch… As annoying as it is, I really can't do anything about that guy."

Kurama pouted: "But with you, the two of us can definitely kill him! Naruto, you inherited the Fourth's Flying Thunder God and possess terrifying potential that surpasses even the Fourth, or even the First Guy."

"But potential needs time to be realized. You are still too naive right now."

"You want me to stay in Konoha for now?"

"It's up to you."

Kurama crossed its arms. It knew Naruto's dislike for Konoha, so it used a more tactful phrasing.

"From a pure strength perspective, you are already very strong. What you lack is only physical development and combat experience. So, for you right now, what you need most is time. It doesn't necessarily have to be Konoha; if you have other suitable choices, that's fine too."

"Hmm… That makes sense, but it clearly doesn't fit my personality. I'm just too lazy to bother, not without a temper."

Naruto said, flexing his wrist: "Let me ask you a question, do Tailed Beasts need to sleep?"

Kurama was momentarily stunned: "Well… yes, they do, but we are Chakra life forms after all, so if our minds aren't tired, not sleeping doesn't really affect us."

"Then let's go find that guy directly."

"Kid, are you crazy?"

Kurama looked bewildered. How are you even more reckless than me, a Tailed Beast?

"No, I'm perfectly sane…"

Naruto gave a chilling smile: "Kurama, remember this: truth… is only within the range of a cannon!"

Saying that, outside, Naruto circulated his Chakra, gagged, and spat out Gamatora.

As soon as Gamatora landed, he shot behind Jiraiya: "Jiraiya, the seal is broken."

"He actually broke it…"

Jiraiya looked at Naruto warily, and when he saw that the boy showed no signs of going berserk, he quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Naruto, can you… give me a chance to make amends?"

Looking at the indifferent Naruto, Jiraiya opened his mouth with difficulty. For so many years, no matter how strong the enemy, he had never felt such a clear sense of powerlessness.

Naruto was unconcerned: "No chance. I'm leaving."

Saying that, his figure flickered and disappeared from the spot.

And in the distance, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally arrived with a group of Ninja, belatedly.

"Jiraiya! Where's Naruto?"

Seeing Jiraiya standing alone, looking distraught, Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly asked.

Jiraiya was expressionless: "He left."

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately looked anxious: "What about the seal? What happened to the seal?"

"It's broken. It probably won't do anything to Konoha, but even if it does, it can only be said that it's Konoha's retribution."

"I'll try to bring him back, but before that, you should reflect on yourself, Hiruzen Sarutobi…"

Jiraiya said, and without waiting for Hiruzen Sarutobi's reaction, he waved his hand and turned to leave.

Leaving only an embarrassed Hiruzen Sarutobi and Ninja with varying expressions.