Kurama: Are there still conditions?

"Don't go!"

"Let's chat more!"

The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox was anxious, truly afraid Uchiha Nan would just leave.

The most terrifying thing wasn't endless darkness, but seeing a sliver of light in that darkness, only for it to vanish in an instant.

Any creature in the abyss, upon seeing hope, would display unparalleled perseverance.

Just staying inside Mito Uzumaki for a few more decades, endure it. It'll pass.

A bright future awaited it!

The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox encouraged itself internally. The chance to regain freedom was right before its eyes; it absolutely couldn't miss it.

"Have you thought it through?"

"Can you accept it?"

Uchiha Nan sneered inwardly. The great fox had finally taken the bait.

"I can accept it!"

"It's just a few more decades, I can handle it!"

The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox patted its chest, proclaiming it was still strong and could overcome this small problem itself.

Uchiha Nan nodded. Since the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox was starting to compromise, now was the time to press his advantage. The initiative in the negotiation was already in his hands.

If he didn't set conditions now, when would he?

"We'll make three pacts. I promise to grant you freedom once Mito Uzumaki dies. In return, you will live near Konoha as a village-protecting Tailed Beast."

"Of course, Konoha will provide you with corresponding protection and living guarantees!"

Uchiha Nan certainly couldn't just release the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox and let it be a wild Tailed Beast.

Even if he became Hokage, he couldn't just release the strongest Tailed Beast in the ninja world. The other high-ranking officials in the village wouldn't agree. This would shake the very foundation of Konoha's survival.

He might as well have just released the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, only for it to disappear and be captured by Madara Uchiha hiding in a cave, forced to be a mount again.

Regardless, Uchiha Nan felt he was thinking of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox's well-being. He just didn't know if the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox could understand his good intentions.

"Nani?"

"I still have to stay in Konoha?"

"The conditions weren't like this just now!"

The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox was somewhat exasperated. Why was another condition being added? What a damned evil Uchiha!

"What did I say earlier?"

"I did agree to release you from Mito Uzumaki and give you freedom. I'm doing you such a huge favor, and you won't give me anything in return?"

"You're being too stingy. You wouldn't be as petty as One-Tailed Shukaku, would you?"

"If that's the case, then I'll respect your opinion. I guess I misjudged Tailed Beasts."

Uchiha Nan feigned displeasure, acting as if he'd been wronged, making the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox feel like it had done something terrible to him.

Especially since Uchiha Nan had just mentioned One-Tailed Shukaku. It didn't get along with the other eight Tailed Beasts, and they often fought.

To be categorized with Shukaku? The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox couldn't accept it!

It was the strongest Tailed Beast! It would rather die than be relegated to Shukaku's status.

Come to think of it, living near Konoha wasn't so bad. The vast forests around were no different from where it used to live.

As for protecting Konoha, the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox subconsciously ignored that part. It could always slack off!

It would just launch a couple of Tailed Beast Balls as a formality. Enemies that couldn't withstand a Tailed Beast Ball wouldn't reach Konoha anyway.

As for enemies who could casually withstand a Tailed Beast Ball, the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox figured it probably couldn't deal with them either. Firing a couple of Tailed Beast Balls before fleeing would be enough to honor Uchiha Nan.

If it didn't seize this chance, its years of imprisonment would have been in vain!

No matter what, it had to agree first. It had to get out of that dark room inside Mito Uzumaki's body. The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox couldn't remember the last time it had rolled around in the grass under the sun.

Everything else could wait!

The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox thought this, and suddenly felt the world was vast, its thoughts no longer constrained.

As long as it waited for the right moment and kept a low profile, the day would surely come when it would soar like a bird into the sky or a fish into the sea!

Heh, I'm so clever. The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox felt the two elegant phrases it had just thought of were too cultured. When it was finally free, it had to recite them!

"For your sake, I guess I can agree!"

"I, the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, am not an ungrateful Tailed Beast!"

A cunning smile appeared on the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox's face. Its arrogant demeanor was so strong it made Uchiha Nan overjoyed. This great fox was quite easy to handle.

"Then we'll make three pacts. A fist bump as proof!"

Uchiha Nan wanted to imitate Naruto Uzumaki. He'd heard that doing so could establish a mental connection with Tailed Beasts, but he wasn't sure if it was true.

His heart was pure, and he harbored no ill intentions towards the Tailed Beasts. By the time Mito Uzumaki died, many years would have passed.

Perhaps by then, he could even extract the Rinnegan. What need would he have for the Tailed Beasts?

"Alright!"

The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox extended a fist larger than any Uchiha's and bumped it with Uchiha Nan. Unfortunately, there was no special reaction, no telepathic connection. Their bond likely hadn't deepened enough yet.

Uchiha Nan couldn't be bothered with that. His objective for this visit was mostly achieved, and it was time to discuss serious matters.

"Kurama, how do you plan to help me?"

Uchiha Nan asked earnestly. Having spent so many years with the Sage of Six Paths and lived for over a millennium, Uchiha Nan didn't believe the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox had no trump cards. Mito Uzumaki hadn't overpowered the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox through sheer strength like Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju had; the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox must have had some way to influence her.

"Hmph, I've been trapped within Mito Uzumaki all these years, constantly eroding the seal with my chakra. But the amount of chakra was minuscule, almost imperceptible."

"But I don't lack time. Dripping water wears away stone. Even the strongest will eventually age and weaken. Once the seal weakens, I'll have my chance."

The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox grinned sinisterly, a wicked look on its face. Uchiha Nan nodded; he hadn't misjudged the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox.

Foxes were always cunning and treacherous.

Uchiha Nan gave the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox a thumbs-up, praising its persistent, drip-by-drip effort.

This made the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox a little smug. It continued, "After you leave, I'll mobilize all the chakra that's been eroding the seal. The seal will weaken, and I'll do my utmost to reclaim the chakra stolen by Mito Uzumaki."

"At that point, Mito Uzumaki will focus all her energy on suppressing me, leaving her unable to maintain the Tailed Beast transformation. I don't need to tell you the rest, do I?"

"Beat that bitch Mito Uzumaki soundly!"

The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox revealed a malicious smile, clearly holding no good impression of Mito Uzumaki. She was just like Hashirama Senju, treating the Tailed Beasts as mere tools.

"No problem!"

Uchiha Nan readily agreed. He was excellent at beating a dog while it was down. To establish his authority, he needed to pick the toughest opponent to challenge first.