The Day People Finally Remembered...

Time rewound to about an hour earlier.

Just like every day before, Konoha was operating normally today.

The many villagers were going about their lives in an orderly fashion.

Some handled household chores, some worked, and some ran businesses.

The ninja were also systematically handing over missions or carrying out their daily training.

At the Ninja Academy, students attended their usual classes under their teachers' guidance.

Inside the Hokage Building, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu leisurely sipped steaming tea in the offices reserved for the advisors.

Shimura Danzō, who had happened to come here on business, stood by the window with a gloomy expression, leaning on his cane as he looked down over Konoha's streets.

Meanwhile, Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, was cheerfully using his Telescope Technique for his favorite pastime—peeping. At that moment, the image happened to be fixed on an area filled with white mist.

Everything was so harmonious, so orderly, so peaceful.

Until a scarlet pillar of light shot into the sky from the edge of the village, shattering the orderly life within it.

A terrifying presence spread through the air.

Like a sword hanging above everyone's heads.

At that moment, people finally remembered the fear of being ruled ten years ago by that mountain-sized beast.

"What's going on?"

The young children still had no idea what had happened.

"Is that the Nine-Tails?!"

The adults, however, could not help showing fearful expressions as they recalled that blood-red night.

Inside the Hokage Building, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, who had been drinking tea, trembled. Their teacups slipped from their hands and shattered on the floor. They exchanged looks with Danzo, who had abruptly turned around, and all three of their expressions changed drastically.

"This is bad!"

The three rose without hesitation and rushed into Sarutobi Hiruzen's office.

Then they saw a scene reflected in the crystal ball atop the Hokage's desk: a waterfall.

At the center of the image, Naruto Uzumaki, the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki, sat quietly on the ground with his eyes closed. Thick blood-red Chakra surged from his body, forming a Demon Fox Cloak.

Even more Chakra spread out of control, forming a pillar of light that pierced the heavens.

Behind the Jinchuriki, a fifth tail was emerging, and more were appearing at an extremely rapid pace.

Within a few breaths, it had already reached seven tails.

Seeing this, the three who had just rushed in all revealed bitter expressions.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had already removed his Hokage God Garment Robe, revealing the combat uniform beneath. Although his expression was grave, he remained relatively calm.

"You go evacuate the villagers. I'll take the Sealing Team and Anbu to stop the Jinchuriki."

Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke coldly, then leaped from the Hokage Building and headed for the edge of the village. Numerous Anbu followed close behind, swiftly catching up to him.

As he raced along, Sarutobi Hiruzen touched the Death God Mask he carried with him, his expression gradually hardening.

A moment later, Sarutobi Hiruzen led a group of Anbu to the waterfall. The Sealing Team had also been notified and was hurrying over.

By then, the Demon Fox tails on Naruto's body had already reached nine.

Yet he still sat quietly where he was, making no excessive movements for the moment.

"What happened?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at Sasuke, who stood helplessly to one side and watched Naruto with concern, then frowned and questioned Kakashi, who was currently responsible for guarding and monitoring Naruto.

"Seven days ago, Naruto told Sasuke that he was about to face the most important trial of his life. After that, he stopped training. Every day, aside from eating and sleeping, he simply sat in meditation."

"Then, not long ago, this happened," Kakashi answered simply.

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed. Not long ago, he had discreetly inspected the seal on Naruto while patting his shoulder, and there had been no problems. He had not expected the situation to suddenly take such a sharp turn for the worse.

"Don't disturb Naruto yet. Wait for the Sealing Team to arrive."

While Naruto briefly reunited with his parents, Kurama had remained quietly lying nearby, watching.

Only after Minato and Kushina's Chakra incarnations vanished did Kurama's expression become lively again.

He turned his gaze toward Naruto. Whenever he recalled Naruto's previous desire to destroy Konoha, he could not help feeling excited. This had been his greatest wish for many years!

Rarely, Naruto, his Jinchuriki, actually shared the same idea. Nothing could have made Kurama happier.

However, after receiving the information sent back by his Shadow Clone, Naruto fell into deep thought.

Though Kurama was excited, he did not speak to disturb him.

Only when Naruto returned to his senses did Kurama speak eagerly.

"Naruto, come. Use my power to your heart's content. Vent all the anger you've accumulated in your heart over these years, and let those who caused you pain feel the same pain you felt."

"Now that the seal has been completely opened, I can temporarily go out and help you fight. I can tear all those hateful ninja to pieces. If you want to do it yourself, then your years of grueling training have also made you capable of fully bearing my power."

"You can enter Kurama Chakra Mode, then manipulate the air currents to fly into the sky. With my help, you can condense a Tailed Beast Ball powerful enough to wash over the entirety of Konoha."

"Or, if that still doesn't satisfy you, you can undergo Tailed Beast Transformation. Use my full power after releasing me and become a Tailed Beast yourself, tearing those ninja to pieces with your own hands. That old Third Hokage is outside right now. We can start with him."

Hearing Kurama's suggestion, Naruto was deeply tempted.

If this had been before he received the Shadow Clone's memories, he would definitely have done as Kurama said without hesitation.

After personally experiencing Kurama's power, Naruto truly understood that Kurama had not been exaggerating when he said that completely mastering his power would allow Naruto to surpass ninja bearing the title of Kage.

With such power, he truly could make Konoha feel pain.

However, his original intention had not changed.

But after learning about the future, reality had made Naruto calm down.

"Kurama." Naruto raised his hand.

Kurama tilted his head, somewhat puzzled.

What did Naruto mean by this? Had he ultimately softened his heart and changed his mind?

Yet Kurama did not hesitate. He raised his hand and pressed his fist against Naruto's.

In an instant, vast amounts of information flowed over. Naruto shared with him the entire story of Naruto.

Kurama immediately fell silent as well.