Yugao went into the tent to rest.
Hearing the noise, Sakura Haruno cautiously poked her head out to see what was happening.
When she saw Naruto, she hurried over. "Naruto? Are you okay? What happened just now?"
Naruto gave her a rough explanation. "A group of ill-intentioned guys got chased off. There's no danger now, so don't worry."
"Oh." Sakura Haruno's mind felt blank.
She had never experienced real combat.
Nor had she ever seen it.
Before long, Hinata returned with Iruka and several other teachers.
After learning what had happened, Iruka decided to end the Survival Exercise early.
After all, something like this had happened...
Iruka and the other teachers split up to gather the students.
Seeing that Naruto was unharmed and safe, Hinata finally let go of the worry that had been hanging over her heart.
The students gathered one after another.
Kurama's voice appeared in Naruto's mind again. "Naruto, this is an opportunity."
Naruto was somewhat curious and asked inwardly, "What opportunity?"
Kurama said, "With your current physique, you won't die even if you are separated from a tailed beast."
"As a Jinchuriki, after going through something like this, you'll definitely be watched by even more Anbu."
"This place is close to the border of Konoha. Find somewhere more secluded and let me out."
Naruto found it somewhat unbelievable after hearing that. "Can I really withstand that kind of injury now?"
He was doubtful.
Kurama said disdainfully, "Are you questioning my judgment? Hurry up. If you wait too long, there won't be another chance."
If Naruto refused this time, Kurama would know for certain that Naruto had merely been stringing him along.
Naruto did not hesitate for long before saying, "Alright! I believe you!"
Of course, Naruto would not easily trust the Nine-Tails.
He knew his own condition and knew that he could not survive the damage caused by having a tailed beast extracted.
But he was gambling!
If he won the bet, he could gain Kurama's complete support.
If he lost, there would be no real loss.
Because Naruto's Sealing Space contained more than just the Fourth Hokage's Chakra.
It also contained Kushina Uzumaki's Chakra!
If Kurama truly wanted to sacrifice Naruto to gain freedom,
then Naruto could seal the Nine-Tails away again together with Kushina.
So Naruto left the main group and began searching for a secluded place.
Kurama lay in the Sealing Space, watching Naruto with a cold sneer.
When they reached a spot only one of Kurama's claws away from Konoha,
Naruto asked Kurama, "Kurama, will this place do?"
"It will! Undo the seal!" There was a faint trace of excitement in Kurama's voice.
Naruto sat down cross-legged, and his consciousness entered the Sealing Space.
Before long,
Naruto saw Kurama behind the sealing gate.
Kurama was trembling all over with excitement.
Naruto walked up to the iron gate and reached for its lock.
Then...
Naruto undid the final seal used to seal the Nine-Tails!
When Kurama saw Naruto's actions, his beastly eyes narrowed slightly.
This guy... really believes me?
The sealing gate opened.
Yet Kurama did not come out.
He remained lying inside the gate, the expression on his fox face steadier than before.
His previous excitement had vanished.
Naruto was somewhat confused. "Hey! Kurama, weren't you leaving? The seal is gone now, so why aren't you going?"
Kurama opened his eyes and glanced at Naruto, then mocked him. "Heh heh, I was only deceiving you. With your body's strength, there is no way you could avoid death."
Naruto clicked his tongue and laughed. "I saw through you from the start!"
Kurama snorted and swept his tail over, wrapping Naruto up.
He said angrily, "Brat, are you trying to act clever after the fact?"
Naruto stared directly into Kurama's eyes and said righteously, "It's not acting clever after the fact. It's just that an immature fox wanted to test his friend."
That left Kurama feeling awkward.
Kurama drew his head back slightly and explained, "I only wanted to test whether you truly wanted to let me go. Don't be so angry."
Kurama set Naruto down with his tail, then said to him, "I never thought there would be a human who unconditionally trusted a tailed beast."
"Kid, do you know what it means to undo my seal?"
It means that if you try to escape, Mom and I will seal you away completely...
But outwardly, Naruto said, "It means I could die at any time. But, Kurama, aren't we friends? I told you, the old man from my dream said I was a friend of the tailed beasts—the kind who would save the world in the future."
Kurama looked at Naruto with a thoughtful expression. "Now that you mention it, you do resemble that person somewhat..."
The person he meant was naturally Asura.
"Naruto, since you trust me so much, I absolutely will not disgrace the tailed beasts." Kurama continued, "I've already been locked up for so many years. I can afford to wait a few more years for you to grow."
"In a few years, once you truly have the ability to survive, I will leave!"
Naruto shrugged. "Whatever. Anyway, I think locking up small animals is pretty inhumane."
"Roar!" Kurama suddenly roared. "Who are you calling a small animal?"
Naruto said, "Why are you so sensitive? Fine, fine. You're the great Nine-Tails, alright..."
Kurama said, "..."
Suddenly, Kurama's expression froze.
He had sensed a familiar presence.
Kurama's beastly eyes stared at a certain spot.
A mass of Chakra appeared out of thin air.
The Chakra condensed into a human form, similar to the Fourth Hokage's existence.
It was...
Kushina Uzumaki!
The moment he sensed Kushina's Chakra, Kurama was overcome with lingering fear.
Damn it!
Good thing I was wise and mighty enough not to try forcing my way out just now.
Otherwise, with Kushina restraining me, that brat Naruto could still seal me away.
Thinking of this, Kurama actually felt as though he had narrowly escaped death...
"Naruto?"
A gentle voice reached Naruto's ears.
Naruto knew it was Kushina, but he still turned around in confusion.
She was a beautiful woman with a head full of red hair and a gentle expression.
Naruto asked curiously, "Ma'am, who are you? How can you be inside my body?"
Kurama said mockingly, "Naruto, that's your mother. You really are an unfilial son, not even recognizing your own mother."
Kushina's attention was drawn to the Nine-Tails.
When she saw that Kurama had not been sealed, she was shocked out of her wits. "Little Nine? Why haven't you been sealed?"
"You! Do not call me Little Nine." Kurama's face darkened.
Originally,
Mito Uzumaki had given him the nickname Little Nine.
Then Kushina had overheard it.
Now Kushina was calling him Little Nine in front of Naruto.
What if Naruto started calling him Little Nine too?
Where would the dignity of the leader of the tailed beasts be then?
And the next moment,
Naruto burst into laughter. "Kurama, so your nickname is Little Nine! Then I'll call you Little Nine from now on!"
Kurama said, "..."
Before you continue