Return to the Sealing Space

Night fell over Konoha.

Some, like Sasuke, enjoyed the warmth of family reunions. Some carried out missions, their hands stained with blood.

And some, like Naruto, stayed home alone, quietly thinking.

He held a book in both hands, but his thoughts had long drifted thousands of miles away.

The Uchiha Clan, one of Konoha's great noble families.

Their Kekkei Genkai, the Sharingan, could copy others' ninjutsu while also perceiving their attacks.

Beyond their Kekkei Genkai, the Uchiha Clan's Fire Style was also exceptionally formidable.

Naruto had learned from Sasuke

that the Sharingan greatly enhanced the Uchiha Clan. With every additional tomoe in their eyes, the Sharingan's abilities underwent unprecedented improvement.

Naruto had once felt rather pleased with the progress of his own strength.

But after experiencing Itachi Uchiha's terrifying power, he finally emerged from the illusion he had woven for himself.

He was still that weak Naruto Uzumaki. Surviving in Konoha was still an arduous struggle.

One wrong step, and he would lose everything.

He did not have the backing of a great family like the Uchiha Clan. If he lost, the price would be his life.

He could not afford to lose.

According to Sasuke, Itachi was five years older than him.

Which meant

that Itachi had already possessed strength that could not be ignored at the age of eleven.

How many such geniuses were there in the Anbu?

Not many, but there were definitely some!

It seemed Konoha's strength was truly far from simple.

Gaining the Third's trust was not everything. It was merely the first step.

Next, he needed to learn more about Konoha.

Only by knowing himself and his enemy could he remain undefeated in every battle.

Naruto realized that his past self had blindly imitated Aizen, becoming arrogant despite lacking strength to match.

That was conceit.

Having thought it through, Naruto adjusted his mindset.

Lay low, build strength, and never get reckless.

At the same time, he would slowly lay his plans, never revealing even the slightest flaw.

Otherwise...

Thinking of Itachi's suffocating pressure, Naruto felt deeply wary.

This was not a game. There would be no respawning.

The road to the clouds was destined to be covered in thorns.

"Drip." In the night, the sound of dripping water echoed through the Sealing Space.

Naruto opened his eyes, rose to his feet, and made his way toward the gate with practiced ease.

Inside the iron gate, the Nine-Tails sat before a computer, playing Plants vs. Zombies.

He stared intently at the screen, showing no reaction even as Naruto approached.

Looking at the Nine-Tailed fox, who was about his own height and completely lacking in ferocity—almost adorably foolish instead—Naruto fell into thought.

His past self had regarded the Nine-Tails as a mindless beast and disdained speaking with him.

If not for the stability of his Chakra, he would not have had any dealings with him.

But on closer thought...

From Konoha's founding until now, no matter how Konoha's strongest fighters changed with the eras and wars, the Nine-Tails had always remained.

So-called containers changed one after another, and he vented his rage, even employing seemingly crude schemes.

As a result, the First Hokage, the God of Shinobi, died. Madara Uchiha, who had stood alongside him in fame, died. Later, the Second Hokage and the Fourth Hokage also died.

Yet the Nine-Tails still lived.

Konoha hated the Nine-Tails, yet had no choice but to rely on him.

From the perspective of freedom, the Nine-Tails was pitiful. He had been imprisoned for nearly a century.

But from another perspective, as long as he outlived everyone who bore him ill will, he would eventually be the winner.

And every time the container changed, he could use his Chakra to drive the host berserk. To him, it was a means of gaining freedom—and perhaps also a diversion during his long imprisonment.

Naruto believed that, to the Nine-Tails, he too was merely a passing traveler in his long life.

Naruto sat down before the iron gate, this time regarding the Nine-Tails as an equal.

"Long time no see, Nine-Tails," he said gently.

The Nine-Tails glanced at Naruto, surprise apparent in his eyes. "Kid, why are you being so polite today? There's no need to pretend in here."

"I must apologize to you for my previous arrogance." Naruto rose to his feet and spoke to the Nine-Tails with utmost solemnity.

"??" The Nine-Tails was full of question marks, and even felt somewhat panicked inside.

He had the distinct feeling Naruto was plotting some new trick.

"Kid, what's wrong with you?" The Nine-Tails immediately felt restless.

He had seen polite Naruto through Naruto's own perspective before—refined and sincere—but knowing the truth, the Nine-Tails naturally understood it was all an act.

The Nine-Tails had also grown accustomed to Naruto treating him with his true nature.

After all, theirs was a relationship of mutual exploitation.

Now, seeing Naruto act so refined, the Nine-Tails felt unnerved for some reason.

Could Naruto have been brainwashed by Root, his mind altered?

Or had he been controlled by the Sharingan?

The Nine-Tails puzzled over it endlessly.

Naruto chuckled. "I've simply come to understand something."

"Hm?" The Nine-Tails set down his mouse, intrigued.

Naruto looked at the Nine-Tails and sighed. "I've merely seen how weak I truly am, and once again realized how difficult my circumstances are."

"Right now, I'm like some insignificant creature trying to shake a great tree. Konoha has nearly a century of foundations. No matter how exceptional my talent may be, it won't be easy to break free of it completely. I have yet to transcend this world; I do not yet possess enough power."

"Fools believe themselves clever, while the wise possess self-awareness. I don't want to be a fool. So, Nine-Tails, I must face my circumstances head-on. I need your help." Naruto looked at the Nine-Tails with utter sincerity.

"You provide me with information, and I provide you with entertainment—let you witness the beautiful sight of Konoha being overturned. After all, we're in the same boat."

Looking at Naruto's sincere expression, the Nine-Tails rose from his gaming chair. His form returned to its original mountain-sized stature, his face savage as he threw back his head and laughed.

"Interesting, kid. Looks like you've figured it out. Good. Interesting—you're the most interesting Jinchuriki I've ever seen."

"Not bad. You're right, we're in the same boat. Though you're only a container, and can be replaced anytime if you break, I don't want such an interesting container as you to die. I accept your proposal. I can give you power—Chakra enough to make Konoha fear."

"No, Chakra isn't all I need." Naruto shook his head. "I want all kinds of intelligence about Konoha, even... my origins, the Uzumaki Clan." Naruto's gaze was profound enough to send a chill down one's spine.

All this time, Naruto had been searching for information about the Uzumaki Clan.

From various books and unofficial histories, he had learned that the Uzumaki Clan's sealing techniques were renowned throughout the ninja world, and that they had been a prominent family that founded the Land of Whirlpools.

Yet before the Second Ninja Wars, their nation had fallen and their village had been destroyed.

And how had he, a boy who also bore the Uzumaki name, been born in Konoha? Who were his mother and father?

Naruto had secretly tried to find out whether any Uzumaki Clan members remained in Konoha, but the information he received was this: he was the sole surviving member of the Uzumaki Clan.

The Uzumaki Clan's sealing techniques could seal tailed beasts. From that, he could infer—

The Nine-Tails had been sealed inside him by his parents.

Hearing the question, the Nine-Tails let out a soft laugh and flashed a wicked grin.

"Perhaps you won't need to hear the answer from my own mouth."

The Nine-Tails knew perfectly well that the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, had been kind and compassionate. Before sealing him away, Minato had likely considered that Naruto was too young and might be led astray by the Nine-Tails's temptations, so he had most likely left behind a safeguard.

"Naruto, try tearing the seal a little. You might get an unexpected surprise." The Nine-Tails wore a strange smile.