Kurama, I Want Freedom

Naruto sprang back to life like a carp, tears welling in his eyes as he looked at Ino.

Ino was the best!

"Are you okay?" Ino's face was full of concern.

"I'm fine."

Naruto smiled and waved it off nonchalantly.

"Let's get dumplings. My treat," Ino said, rubbing her forehead.

As they spoke, the two entered the dumpling shop. Red bean dumplings were a sweet treat and very popular with girls, so the shop was packed.

When Naruto, dressed head to toe in green, walked into the dumpling shop, every gaze in the room turned toward him. Fortunately, it didn't cause much of a commotion, and their attention shifted away after only a moment.

"Naruto, do you know what Sasuke has been busy with lately?" Ino asked casually as she ate a red bean dumpling.

"No idea. He's probably training with Kakashi-sensei."

"Oh."

The two chatted idly, and after night fell, they each headed home. Naruto's home was not far from the Yamanaka Flower Shop, so they naturally walked together for part of the way.

Konoha's streets were brightly lit, and the atmosphere could only be described as peaceful.

Naruto had obtained the Flying Thunder God, which was undoubtedly a tremendous help to him.

From the perspective of the Chunin Exams matches alone, the only potentially troublesome opponent would be Shino Aburame and his Kikaichū. He still did not know whether the consumptive Hayate Gekko had died at Baki's hands, nor was he sure whether the order of the exam matches would change.

He would have to see what happened when the time came.

What he knew for now was that Orochimaru would launch the Konoha Crush Plan during this Chunin Exams, while also planting a little strawberry on Sasuke's neck. The Third Hokage would die in battle, Hayate Gekko would die in battle, and Konoha's streets would be destroyed.

The night breeze was chilly as Ino intermittently rambled about this and that.

Naruto responded now and then, his mind occupied with other matters.

"You don't need to be nervous either. Since you came first in the graduation exam, you should be fine as long as you don't run into that genius from the Hyuga clan." Ino wore a brown short-sleeved shirt, her blond ponytail tied behind her head. She said whatever came to mind.

"Ino is actually pretty gentle," Naruto suddenly remarked.

"Why do you say that?"

"You're really good at considering other people," Naruto said sincerely, scratching his head. "I always thought you were rather carefree, but I didn't expect you to be so understanding."

"What do you mean, you didn't expect it?" Ino complained with some dissatisfaction. "We're all companions from the same village. Isn't it only natural for us to help each other?"

"Well, that's true." Naruto smiled and said no more.

After passing an intersection, Naruto waved to Ino, and the two said goodbye.

After returning home, Naruto simply lay down on the sofa.

The living room was dim. The ANBU surveillance post had already been withdrawn, and for the moment, Naruto was free.

It was as though the shackles around his ankles had finally been unlocked, allowing him a brief moment of freedom.

Unlike the other villages, which constantly developed the potential of their Jinchuriki, Konoha seemed to be deliberately limiting the growth of its Jinchuriki's strength. Naruto guessed that Konoha currently lacked someone powerful enough to suppress the Nine-Tails. If the Jinchuriki lost control, the damage to the village would be incalculable.

Compared to using the Nine-Tails' power, they clearly preferred containment.

The Root Ninja who had been swallowed by the Nine-Tails had left behind no useful information, and Naruto had no way to continue investigating. Still, he could more or less guess that it had been one of Danzo's schemes. Perhaps the higher-ups had even tacitly approved of it.

With a thought, Naruto closed his eyes.

Drip.

Drip.

He opened his eyes, and the finely decorated living room instantly became a dark, damp sewer.

In the darkness, a pair of lantern-sized eyes opened.

Within the cramped cage, the Nine-Tails' massive body radiated overwhelming pressure. The water in the sewer rippled constantly, and the next second, the Nine-Tails let out an uncontrollable roar, causing the entire Sealing Space to shake.

"We meet again, Kurama."

Naruto stood atop the puddles, ripples spreading outward from beneath his feet. A dim yellow glow enveloped the entire Sealing Space. Though blurry, it was enough to provide some light.

"Human."

The Nine-Tails was still furious. Its hatred for Naruto had not faded with time; if anything, it had only grown stronger. But this time, it had learned its lesson. Other than that opening roar, it did not continue causing trouble.

"You hate me?" Naruto asked, looking up.

"So what if I do?" The Nine-Tails disdained lying and bared its fangs.

"I know why you hate me. It's nothing more than because I took away your freedom." Naruto calmly looked up at the mountain-sized Nine-Tails, with no improper emotion on his face.

"Isn't that the truth? I've been trapped in this lightless seal for more than a decade! How could I not hate you?"

"I never chose to become a Jinchuriki either," Naruto said. "Who would want to be treated like a container? But no one ever asked for my opinion."

"That is your humans' own business!"

The Nine-Tails was somewhat displeased. It did not want to argue over this matter. It was the true victim, and it did not care what greedy, shameless humans had done or said.

Naruto fell silent for a while, then continued.

"The situation now is that I'll die without you, but you won't die without me. That isn't fair."

"Fair? Human, who cares whether you live or die?" the Nine-Tails said sinisterly. "If you die, I'll indeed be free. If you don't want to live anymore, let me know in advance. This old man would be more than happy to lend you a hand."

"Don't worry. I'll do everything I can to stay alive. Even if I have to use Forbidden Jutsu, Kurama." Naruto raised his head and looked at the Nine-Tails seriously, as though making a vow. "I'll imprison you, continuously reinforce the seal, and torment you forever."

"You should believe that I can do it, just as I can now control the Four Symbols Seal."

Naruto looked as though he were reciting the most sacred prayer, staring straight at the Nine-Tails. Every word he spoke sent chills through Kurama's body. It even brought back the painful memories of being imprisoned by the previous two Jinchuriki—if the person before him truly did not die.

"Are you a pervert?" The Nine-Tails completely lost his composure and glared viciously at Naruto.

Naruto, on the other hand, smiled at that, his smile bright and sunny.

"If I'm unhappy, I'll beat everyone until they cry!"

"This is my ninja way of keeping my word!"

The Nine-Tails was thoroughly disgusted and couldn't let go of Naruto's threats.

Damn it, I've lived for a thousand years, and this is the first time I've seen a Jinchuriki with such a dark personality. What the hell? Who knows where that brat learned the Four Symbols Seal? His current situation is extremely unfavorable to me.

"What exactly do you want?" The Nine-Tails sounded somewhat helpless. "There's no benefit in doing this for you either, is there?"

Naruto nodded and spoke.

"Kurama, I want freedom."