I Don't Believe You're That Awesome

Today, Naruto's training focused on the Wind Release: Great Breakthrough technique.

The technique itself was only C-rank in difficulty, so its power was not particularly great. Once successfully cast, it allowed the user to exhale a violent gale that could scatter an enemy's attacks.

Still, it was a good choice as an introductory elemental ninjutsu exercise.

After arriving at the training ground, Naruto first read through the technique recorded on the scroll, then carefully formed the hand seals and coordinated the flow of Chakra to cast it.

His feeling from yesterday that he was a genius had not been wrong. On his very first attempt, he successfully used the technique and blasted a fierce gust from his mouth.

In an instant, sand and stones flew across the training ground, and dust scattered everywhere.

The trees some distance from Naruto swayed violently under the sudden gale, their leaves dancing wildly and producing sharp rustling sounds.

"I can use it now, but the hand seals take too long. Next, I need to become more proficient and cast it in the shortest possible time. Only then can I use it in actual combat."

With that thought in mind, Naruto began repeatedly grinding out proficiency with Wind Release: Great Breakthrough.

The uninterrupted studying in the Learning Space did not seem to offer much help in improving his combat ability for now, but it had taught Naruto how to think and how to use methodology to understand this world.

And that was the greatest thing learning had given Naruto.

The Chakra consumed by practicing ninjutsu was nothing to Naruto, but after using the technique repeatedly, his mouth began to hurt a little.

The results were obvious as well. Through repeated casting and reflecting on how to improve his release speed—

Compared to taking over half a minute to cast the technique at first, Naruto could now use it within half a second, reaching the limit of this technique.

This ninjutsu had reached its most perfect state. It was not as though there was no room for improvement if he kept practicing, but the returns were too low.

"I'll go ask Grandpa Third Hokage to teach me a new technique later. I need a stronger Wind Release Ninjutsu. Since he's called the Professor of Ninjutsu, he should know a lot of techniques, right?"

After thinking it over, Naruto remembered something the Third Hokage had once said while chatting with him and made his decision.

Thus, Naruto stopped practicing ninjutsu and began physical conditioning.

Once he had exhausted his stamina, Naruto entered the Sealing Space.

Kurama's eyes lit up when he saw Naruto enter. Lying on the sofa watching television, he decisively paused the drama, picked up a game controller, and looked at Naruto expectantly, waiting for him to come over so they could transform into plumbers and save the princess together.

After just one night, Kurama had already experienced the appeal of video games.

It was an attraction no less compelling than television.

Especially since when they played games, he could cooperate and interact with Naruto.

Although television was enjoyable, playing games with Naruto was something that made Kurama even happier.

The human and the fox did not talk much, but their relationship grew closer throughout the process.

Lonely Naruto and equally lonely Kurama continued giving each other more warmth through their time together.

However, Naruto had strong self-control. Though the games were fun, he would never let them affect his training.

Once his stamina recovered, he did not waste even a second. He decisively paused the game and went back out to continue training.

And although Kurama also wanted to clear the game in one go, he never let his own desires delay Naruto from doing what was more important to him at the moment.

A good teacher and a good friend—nothing more than that.

Within the cycle of exhausting his stamina through taijutsu training, playing games with Kurama while recovering, and continuing to train once his stamina returned, time quickly reached dusk.

Naruto still had no plans to train until late into the night today. He decided to go to the Hokage Building and ask Grandpa Third Hokage to teach him a stronger Wind Release Ninjutsu.

Kurama stopped Naruto and called him into the Sealing Space.

"Naruto, don't go learn those useless techniques. As a Jinchuriki, the most important thing for you is learning to use my power. As long as you learn to use my power, you can quickly reach—even surpass—the level of those ninja with the title of Kage."

On the sofa, Kurama paused the television drama and turned to Naruto as he spoke.

???

Naruto's head was full of question marks.

Naruto had specifically gone through Kurama's records in the Konoha Library to understand the Nine-Tails. He knew that when Kurama had last appeared, he had destroyed more than half of Konoha and caused immense casualties. It had taken the Fourth Hokage sacrificing his life to seal him away.

Naruto admitted that this fox was indeed powerful.

He found it somewhat believable that mastering all of Kurama's power could make him a ninja capable of rivaling a Kage.

But saying that merely mastering Kurama's power would allow him to surpass a Kage? Naruto thought he was just bragging.

Otherwise, why was this Big Fox sealed inside his body?

Kurama knew what Naruto was thinking as soon as he saw his expression.

He could not help recalling the scene of his first meeting with Naruto.

Then, somewhat embarrassed and angered, he roared, "I was countered by Sealing Techniques! Otherwise, if we're talking pure strength, there isn't a single being in the entire Shinobi World stronger than me right now!"

Seeing that Naruto still did not believe him, Kurama raised a paw, clenched it into a fist, and said, "Come on, hold out your fist."

Half-believing and half-doubting, Naruto reached out his hand and bumped fists with the adorable little fist of the miniature Nine-Tails.

In an instant, Naruto felt the world spin around him, and he appeared in an unfamiliar wilderness.

After briefly examining himself, he discovered that he had become a gigantic fox with nine tails.

"Is this Kurama's perspective?"

The ground seemed much smaller in Naruto's eyes now. Vast, lush forests only reached the waist of his seated form.

In the distance, densely packed figures began to appear. They were numerous ninja wearing Cloud Village forehead protectors.

Carrying chains, they attempted to capture Kurama, this Big Fox, under the leadership of two powerful ninja at the front.

Then, Naruto felt his body begin moving at high speed beyond his control.

With several leaps, flashing claws, and sweeping tails, countless ninja were torn to pieces. Only the two leading ninja barely escaped disaster by running into Kurama's mouth.

But soon afterward, he swallowed them into his stomach.

Immediately after, Kurama threw back his head and howled, and a huge Tailed Beast Bomb appeared at his mouth.

Then, the black sphere blasted toward the ground, and an earth-shaking explosion erupted in an instant.

When the explosion subsided, the surrounding land had been completely reshaped, and the former forest had turned into a wasteland.