Though, according to Two-Tails, it was still an incomplete mode.
From what Toneri knew, Naruto would one day use Nine-Tails chakra and instantly transform into something close to Six Paths Mode—the state Nine-Tails called Kurama Mode.
Compared to Naruto in that state, Toneri's current appearance seemed a little too underwhelming.
It was true that Two-Tails had less chakra than Nine-Tails, and might even be a little weaker. But at their roots, both Two-Tails' and Nine-Tails' chakra came from the Ten-Tails, which had been transformed from the God Tree.
So, essentially, the quality of the two Tailed Beasts' chakra was about the same.
Once Two-Tails and her Jinchūriki fully merged, her host should also reach a state close to Kurama Mode. It might be a little weaker, and the limited amount of chakra would mean it wouldn't last as long.
Of course, that was just Toneri's ideal guess. Reality and ideals were always quite different.
But what was this supposed to be? Roleplaying?
Honestly, this boost...
was so good!
For the first time, Toneri drew the short blade at his waist. It was a little longer than a Kunai, but its quality was far superior to that of an ordinary Kunai.
It wasn't made of chakra-conductive metal, but its hardness was still nearly as good.
After all, Kumo Ninja were skilled with swords, so it made sense that they'd have weapons of decent quality.
"With this kind of speed, maybe I really can imitate the Konoha White Fang.
Hmm... Konoha's Little White Fang?!" Toneri was a little tempted.
If he could stylishly claim the enemy general's head from the middle of a vast army, dashing through a thousand troops in white without a drop of blood on him, who would want to be the tank with the thickest armor, taking the most brutal hits?
Still, although the boost was impressive, it only mattered against opponents of the same level. Against someone stronger, it definitely wouldn't be enough.
Toneri knew why.
Even though he and Two-Tails got along well now, they still didn't trust each other completely.
The bars looked like a physical object, but in their hearts, there was another, invisible barrier—and crossing it wouldn't be easy.
Two-Tails knew why Toneri had approached her.
Toneri also knew that Two-Tails would never trust humans completely. She was still pursuing true freedom.
All those years of experience had filled her with hatred for humans. The only reason they could speak as equals now was that Toneri had stubbornly clung to her and shamelessly refused to take no for an answer.
That last obstacle wouldn't be easy to overcome.
Even Naruto, with his gift for talking people around, had spent more than a decade coexisting with Nine-Tails. It took several encounters, after Nine-Tails had come to understand him, and an external crisis before Nine-Tails truly accepted him.
Toneri's own silver tongue still needed work.
In short... there was a long road ahead!
Looking at Toneri's excited expression, Two-Tails said disdainfully, "Your body's much stronger now, and can withstand some of my chakra, but you're still too weak.
"So work hard!"
Toneri nodded. The chakra that mimicked Two-Tails' form slowly faded from his body, but the black Tomoe on his chest didn't vanish with it. Instead, it passed through his clothes and merged into his body—though no one noticed.
His eyes fell on the paw Two-Tails still hadn't pulled back.
"What... is that look?"
For some reason, Two-Tails' heart skipped a beat.
Toneri smiled and pointed at her forepaw. "Uh, could I pet it again?"
Two-Tails: "..."
Hey! That's too much!
Do you really think I'm an ordinary cat you can pet whenever you want?
But by the time she came to her senses, Toneri's hand had already slipped through the bars and was gently stroking her paw.
The silky fur made Toneri feel blissfully satisfied.
He'd petted plenty of cats before. He'd once had three cats at home, so he knew the truth: petting a cat was fun once, but petting a cat over and over was even better!
Unfortunately, Two-Tails was so huge that petting just one paw didn't quite satisfy him.
Two-Tails rolled her eyes at Toneri in exasperation. She couldn't understand what kind of strange hobby he had.
Her paw stiffened a little, its muscles tensing.
No, she couldn't take it anymore!
With a flick of her paw, she sent Toneri flying.
When Toneri opened his eyes again,
it was already morning.
He sprang out of bed.
His exhausted body had completely recovered. He couldn't feel the slightest trace of the strain from the previous day's training.
At the same time, a detailed Taijutsu training plan had appeared in his mind. The new memories were clearly the result of his Shadow Clone.
He rushed downstairs and quickly devoured the breakfast Yoshimi Nara had made.
Unlike usual, Shikashin hadn't gone on a mission today. He was sitting at the table, having breakfast with Toneri.
"Toneri, you've been working really hard at training lately. Shikaku told me how much you've improved."
Watching Toneri wolf down his breakfast, Shikashin's eye twitched. He quickly picked up his own pace, too.
Honestly, ever since Toneri moved in, the whole family had started eating at least twice as fast—especially Shikaku, who'd always been a lazy eater.
Anyone who didn't know better would think they weren't part of the Nara Clan, but the Akimichi Clan.
Toneri nodded silently.
Even if Shikaku hadn't told him, it wouldn't have been hard for Shikashin to find out what Toneri had been doing lately.
"The Third Hokage has finally had a little time to spare, so yesterday he took care of your Ninja Academy enrollment. I'll take you there to register today."
Shikashin finally managed to swallow the food in his mouth.
Toneri nodded silently again.
Shikashin: "..."
He regretted it. He really should have finished breakfast before waiting. At this rate, there wouldn't be any left for him.
They polished off breakfast in a flash.
Ten minutes later, Toneri and Shikashin were standing in front of the Ninja Academy.
"The Third Hokage said you can choose which grade to enter based on your abilities.
"But remember, the higher the grade you choose, the harder the coursework will be. The Ninja Academy is a six-year program, and you have to take the graduation exam in the sixth year. If you fail, you'll have to repeat the year."
Shikashin explained with a smile.
Actually, the Third Hokage wanted Shikashin to pick a class based on Toneri's age and abilities, preferably one that would let him study for a few extra years.
Kushina Uzumaki was still attending the Academy, and Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't let her apply for early graduation. Her classmate Minato Namikaze, on the other hand, had already been a ninja for some time.
"Toneri, how old are you this year?"
Even though he'd been eating and drinking well at the Nara household lately, and no longer looked malnourished,
he was still a little shorter than other kids his age.
If he understood what Shikashin meant, this little fox ought to give a younger age.
"Me? I'm eleven this year!"
Toneri said with a straight face, confidently naming whatever age came to mind.
Shikashin: "..."
Shikashin felt that he couldn't put his intelligence to use at all around this little fox.
Sometimes Toneri was too clever for his own good, and sometimes it was hard to tell whether he was genuinely clueless or just pretending.
But since Toneri wanted to enter a higher grade, Shikashin didn't object. Toneri would be the one to suffer, and it would teach him a lesson.
If he couldn't graduate, he could always study for a few more years.
Toneri had his reasons for saying he was eleven.
Did Shikashin really think Toneri was too stupid to understand what he meant?
The Ninja Academy lasted six years. If Toneri started in first grade, he could coast for six whole years!
Six years!
As for whether claiming to be younger would be embarrassing...
Toneri wondered what a face was. It wasn't like he could eat it!
Besides, he could guarantee that even if he started in first grade, he'd become the strongest student at the Ninja Academy in less than a year.
Just imagine graduating straight to jonin. Wasn't that exciting?
But after considering it from every angle, he gave up on that option and went straight for the hardest one!
Don't ask. He was just competitive. Was he, Toneri, really the sort of person who was afraid of dying?
At any rate, he'd never admit that higher grades were the only place he could find useful minions.
You might not believe it, but I got muted by my own management team.
???????????????????????
And they can't even unmute me! This is a rebellion! A catastrophe!
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