Mental Space

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Afterward, Hiruzen Sarutobi told Shimura Danzō and the other two about Akatsuki's plan to collect the Tailed Beasts.

After listening, Shimura Danzō asked, "Then should we hide the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki first?"

Hiruzen shook his head. "There's no point hiding him in Konoha. Those two came to investigate the Jinchūriki last time, so our only option is to send Uzumaki Naruto out of the village."

"But wouldn't sending him away make things even easier for Akatsuki?" Mitokado Homura asked.

"That's why Jiraiya came back this time. He hopes to take Uzumaki Naruto away from Konoha and train him at Mount Myoboku. Then we can spread word that the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki has left the village," Hiruzen continued.

"Everyone here should know about Mount Myoboku. Anyone who hasn't signed a contract with its residents can't find it, and Mount Myoboku is very powerful. Naruto will truly be safe there."

After hearing this, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura both nodded in agreement. Shimura Danzō understood how serious the situation was, too, so he didn't object.

Looking at the three silent men, Hiruzen said, "Once the Jinchūriki has left Konoha, Akatsuki may put its plans against us on hold. That will give us more time to prepare."

Pain wasn't the only one. Several other Akatsuki members were rogue ninja with grudges against Konoha, so it was only a matter of time before Akatsuki attacked.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu exchanged a glance, then nodded. "We agree to let Jiraiya take the Jinchūriki out of Konoha."

"Don't worry. Once Jiraiya takes him to Mount Myoboku, he'll guide him in his training and pass the Will of Fire on to him. By the time he returns, Konoha will have another powerful fighter," Hiruzen said with a smile.

"Besides, Jiraiya will leave a messenger toad in Konoha. As soon as it receives word of Akatsuki's movements, it'll send the information back, and Jiraiya himself will return to Konoha immediately."

Hearing this, the two advisors both breathed a sigh of relief. Jiraiya was powerful, and his return would improve Konoha's chances.

Hiruzen glanced at the three of them and continued, "In addition, we'll send someone to find Tsunade and persuade her to return to Konoha. Koharu, I want you to handle this mission."

Utatane Koharu nodded.

"As for the plan concerning the Uchiha Clan, it can go ahead. Itachi Uchiha will carry out the mission. Danzō, you'll be in charge of putting it into action. Also, have Itachi look for an opportunity to join Akatsuki. You know what to do, don't you, Danzō?" Hiruzen asked, looking at Shimura Danzō.

After Shimura Danzō accepted the mission, Hiruzen added, "Since this happened because of you, you must be punished. I'm ordering you to release half of the Root ninja from their Cursed Seals and transfer them to the Anbu."

Shimura Danzō wanted to object, but when he saw the cold glint in Hiruzen's eyes, he could only grit his teeth and agree.

Then Hiruzen added, "Remember, I'm the Hokage. I hope you won't do anything unnecessary again. Otherwise..."

Hiruzen left the threat unfinished. Shimura Danzō didn't argue; he merely lowered his head and remained silent.

"All right, that's enough for today. Starting tomorrow, each of you will carry out your assigned duties. Meeting adjourned." With that, Hiruzen left the conference room.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura exchanged a glance, then followed him out.

Shimura Danzō watched the three of them leave, his eyes glinting coldly. Only he knew what he was thinking.

After Jiraiya and Naruto left Konoha, they went to Naruto's place. Seeing how cramped the room was, Jiraiya sighed. "Looks like I'll have to find a hotel."

He'd spent years traveling, and no one had been living at his house. It had fallen into disrepair, and he couldn't be bothered to clean it. After all, he had no plans to return to Konoha.

Naruto didn't need to ask to know that he was going out for a drink. During this time, they'd either been traveling and training or caught up in their vacation, and Jiraiya hadn't had a drink at all. So Naruto didn't stop him.

He simply watched him leave with an expression that said he was beyond saving.

After Jiraiya left, Naruto entered the Sealing Space. The two people and one fox inside had finished their game of cards and were getting ready to train separately.

Naruto walked over and sat down against Kurama's right forepaw. Resting his head against Kurama, he asked, "Dad, Mom, Kurama, how's your training going?"

Minato spoke first. "As I absorb more and more Soul Origin, I feel that this spiritual body is now almost as strong as my original one. If I used Impure World Reincarnation now, I might be able to do it without undoing the Reaper Death Seal."

Naruto shook his head. "There's no rush. I really want to bring you and Mom back as soon as possible, but after we undo the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, your two spiritual bodies will merge. That will greatly improve your talent, and you'll be able to master a new cultivation method faster. Besides, we haven't been to Amegakure yet. We can't bring you back until after we go there."

Minato nodded. He could leave using Impure World Reincarnation, but that wouldn't be true resurrection. They would just have to wait patiently a little longer.

Beside him, Kushina smiled warmly. "Naruto, I've finished developing the Adamantine Sealing Chains. I can use them with my spiritual body now, but I can't tell you about them just yet."

Naruto grinned. "I'm getting more and more excited. I hope you'll blow me away when the time comes, Mom."

Then Naruto patted Kurama behind him.

Kurama gave a snort. "You saw the power I showed that day. I'm already close to my full strength. The drops in my chakra vortex have gathered into a little pool. If I keep training, one day I'll surpass the Ten-Tails and become the strongest Tailed Beast."

Naruto smiled. "Great. Keep it up. Once we return to the Land of Whirlpools, we'll start building an organization. After it's established, we'll put a lot of plans into action. I'll speed up the process of bringing you back. Dad, Mom, you should get ready, too. You'll probably be very busy by then."

Minato and Kushina both nodded.

Then Naruto turned to Kurama and asked, "Kurama, how's it going with contacting the other Tailed Beasts?"

"I've told them about you and passed along the message you wanted me to deliver. They want to meet you, too," Kurama replied.

Naruto stood up and stared into Kurama's eyes. "Really? When?"

Kurama raised his right paw. "Now."

The boy and the fox looked at each other and smiled. Then Naruto raised his right hand and touched Kurama's paw.

Naruto's vision went black. After a while, his sight returned, and he saw several enormous beasts standing before him. He looked back and saw Kurama crouching behind him.

Counting the Nine-Tails, all nine Tailed Beasts were there. This was the deepest part of their Mental Space, a place only Tailed Beasts and Jinchūriki they truly acknowledged could enter.

Kurama crouched behind Naruto, while the other eight sat in a row before him.

From left to right:

The One-Tail, Shukaku, was a tanuki covered in tattoo-like Cursed Seals. He excelled at Wind Release Ninjutsu, Sealing Jutsu, and Magnet Release, and his strength doubled in the desert.

The Two-Tails, Matatabi, was a cat demon wreathed in blue chakra flames. She was extremely skilled in Fire Release.

The Three-Tails, Isobu, was a huge turtle covered in spikes. He liked living in lakes and had a great deal of skill with Water Release.

The Four-Tails, Son Goku, was a giant red ape who could use the Lava Release Kekkei Genkai and possessed immense physical strength.

The Five-Tails, Kokuō, was a white beast formed from a combination of a dolphin and a horse. He possessed the powerful Boil Release Kekkei Genkai.

The Six-Tails, Saiken, was a huge white slug who could use Corrosive Release, which produced highly corrosive liquid.

The Seven-Tails, Chomei, was a giant beetle. Not only could he fly, but he was also skilled in Wind Release and could use his scales to conceal himself and obstruct his opponents' vision.

The Eight-Tails, Gyuki, was probably second only to the Nine-Tails in strength. This mighty ox with an octopus's tentacles for tails could use Water Release, seal things with ink, regenerate its tails, and create tentacle substitutes.

As Naruto looked them over, a lazy-sounding voice rang in his ears. "Kid, how long are you going to keep staring?"

Naruto looked up. It was Shukaku who had spoken. He scratched his head and said, "Sorry, sorry. It's our first time meeting, and I thought you all looked so cool that I forgot my manners. My bad."

Before Shukaku could reply, Son Goku spoke up first. "You're Naruto, right? I like you. I think I'm pretty cool, too." As he spoke, he flexed his muscles.

The other Tailed Beasts began chiming in, and the Mental Space grew noisy in an instant.

Seeing the scene before him, Naruto couldn't help laughing.

After a while, Kurama gave a cold snort. "All right, quiet down. We have business to discuss."

The other Tailed Beasts fell silent at once. Kurama was powerful, but they weren't weak either. Even though Kurama often beat them up, they still refused to submit to him. Normally, they wouldn't have listened so obediently, but today was different. They were gathered here to discuss something important.

Nine pairs of enormous eyes fixed on Naruto, waiting for him to speak.

Under the Tailed Beasts' gaze, Naruto smiled and said, "Let me introduce myself first. My name is Naruto. I like ramen, and the person I like is Hinata. My dream is to travel the world with her once there's peace."

The Tailed Beasts didn't laugh after hearing this. Instead, they all seriously introduced themselves, including Kurama.

Kurama had already told them about Naruto, and they knew Naruto knew their names. But this was different. Naruto treated them as equals, so this was their first proper meeting.

After all the Tailed Beasts had introduced themselves, Naruto said, "Hehe, we're all friends from now on."

The Tailed Beasts all nodded, showing that they were willing to be Naruto's friends, too.

When Kurama had contacted them earlier, he'd told them how Naruto felt about the Tailed Beasts and what he planned to do next.

Seeing that even Kurama, the most hot-tempered and eccentric of them all, approved of Naruto, they didn't ask any further questions.