So Let's Set a Small Goal First

After watching Naruto, Kurama realized that he had greatly underestimated Naruto's wisdom.

When four-year-old Naruto had first met Kurama, he had already been certain that Kurama's power as the strongest Tailed Beast was not invincible. Otherwise, he would not have been imprisoned.

Kurama had been extremely unconvinced at the time. He had felt Naruto was looking down on his strength, believing that if he had not been unlucky enough to be specifically countered, he would never have ended up like this.

But now, after watching Naruto, he found that Naruto had been right.

Not to mention Akatsuki, the organization that currently existed in the Shinobi World specifically to capture Tailed Beasts.

Within that organization was Nagato Uzumaki, who possessed the same Rinnegan as the Sage of Six Paths who had given Kurama life, and whose raw strength alone was enough to utterly crush him.

Even if he were in Konoha, Kurama might not necessarily be able to make it out.

Although the Third Hokage was not strong enough to face Kurama head-on, the Reaper Death Seal alone could achieve an Ultimate One-for-One Exchange, leaving Kurama with no answer.

Besides that, there was Danzo's Mangekyō Sharingan, which he had obtained from Shisui.

Whether Danzo had used Kotoamatsukami over the years or not, the abundant Chakra supplied by the Hashirama Cells in his body, combined with the Mangekyō's Pupil Power, would be enough to suppress Kurama for a while.

After all, no matter how weak Danzo was, he was still Kage-level.

Then there were Konoha's Sealing Teams, who were no pushovers either.

Anyone could guess that over the years, Konoha had surely developed countless methods specifically meant to deal with Kurama.

Under such circumstances, a Kurama who only knew how to fire Tailed Beast Balls and tear down buildings with his powerful physique had almost no chance of leaving Konoha.

After all, Naruto's own combat power was currently enough to beat up Sasuke, but when facing a military force like an entire ninja village alone, he could be completely disregarded.

And even if he escaped Konoha, he would still have to face Akatsuki and other forces coveting him.

Yet staying in Konoha was deeply unpleasant too.

He was caught between a rock and a hard place.

"Then what should we do now?"

Having thought it through, Kurama felt somewhat lost.

After all, he was just a fox. He relied entirely on brute force in a fight. Whether he could win or not, the worst that could happen was getting beaten to death, then reviving a few years later as good as new.

At absolute worst, he would be locked in a Little Dark Room.

That was why Kurama had never considered how to obtain the most favorable outcome for himself while surrounded by enemies.

But now, he was no longer a lone fox. He also had Naruto, his friend, to look after, so he could not simply charge in recklessly.

Kurama could not help but turn an inquiring gaze toward Naruto.

Faced with Kurama's questioning look, Naruto gave a bitter smile as well.

"Actually, I'm lost too. Learning about the future so suddenly, learning the truth of this world... it has left me at a loss. I don't know what I should do for it to be right, what choice my future self won't regret."

"I spent a lot of time thinking about what I want and what I should do in the future, but I couldn't find an answer that satisfied me. Whether it's pursuing great strength or peace, both are too distant and illusory for me right now."

"So I think it's because I still lack maturity and experience. I need to keep learning, keep growing stronger, and understand my own heart during that process."

"Then I can follow my own wishes and do what I want to do."

Faced with Naruto, who was just as lost, Kurama said somewhat speechlessly, "How long will that take? I don't want to stay in this unpleasant place anymore."

Naruto thought for a moment before giving a firm answer. "I can definitely do it before I turn seventeen, once I've mastered Flying Thunder God, Rasengan, Sage Mode, and Sealing Techniques.

Once I've collected the Chakra of the other eight Tailed Beasts, that should be about enough.

After all, compared to the easy option of turning everyone in this village into White Zetsu while they dream pleasant dreams, I'd rather let them experience the same pain I did.

Repay virtue with virtue, repay grievance with justice, and remain consistent to the end!"

At that, Naruto nodded with certainty.

Kurama found it hard to feel interested. Although the shows he had watched over the years often had advice about enduring small things to avoid ruining great plans, and planning before acting, that simply did not suit his reckless nature.

"Then let's set a small goal first—starting by making Konoha feel pain."

Hearing Naruto say that, Kurama's eyes finally lit up.

This goal would be much easier to accomplish.

Naruto now possessed a strong body and exceptionally abundant Chakra, and he and Kurama understood each other perfectly, making him a perfect Jinchuriki.

Next, as long as he learned some techniques that increased his destructive power, his combat strength could undergo explosive growth.

It felt like this small goal could be achieved in less than two years.

Moreover, now that they knew so much about the future, there were many things they could take advantage of. Naruto could clearly become even stronger than his counterpart from the other timeline had been at seventeen.

"Good. Starting tomorrow, I'll push you through even harsher training."

Kurama happily flicked his ears. With the seal gone, he simply shrank his massive Main Body down to the size of his usual Chakra avatar, then leaped onto the sofa.

He began watching shows!

Naruto stroked Kurama's soft fur, then withdrew from the Sealing Space.

There were still some matters that needed to be wrapped up.

When Naruto opened his eyes, he saw that the Third Hokage and a group of Jonin from the village had completely surrounded the waterfall where he was standing. Every one of them had entered a combat stance.

They all wore expressions of grim resolve, as though they would attack without hesitation the moment Naruto made any unusual move.

By then, the entire village had already been evacuated. These ninja no longer had anything holding them back, and they were willing to lay down their precious lives to protect their home.

Yet their painstakingly prepared resolve was destined to be futile.

The moment Naruto opened his eyes, everyone instinctively focused on his face. Then they saw a pair of calm blue eyes, as still as an ancient well.

There was no madness, nor were there any red fox-like vertical pupils that signified a Tailed Beast's power eroding his will.

Even the blood-red Chakra around Naruto was slowly fading, gradually transforming into a pure golden color that covered his entire body like something tangible.

And the killing intent that had permeated the air like a physical presence gradually vanished completely.