The Plan Begins

Even without his many halos, the current Uzumaki Naruto possessed a status and backing that Hiashi could not afford to offend.

He could not possibly approach Uzumaki Naruto to tell him to stay away from his daughter; if he dared to do so, he would be summoned to the Hokage for tea that very evening.

Therefore, he could only warn his daughter to keep her distance from that boy.

Unfortunately, while Hinata might listen to him on other matters, this was the one thing that was non-negotiable.

After the two had clashed a few times, Neji also became aware of the situation.

At the same time, he learned about Uzumaki Naruto.

Neji disliked Hinata, but this dislike stemmed from her status as a member of the main branch and her weak personality.

Deep down, Neji still cared for this younger sister of his.

So, seeing this little blond-haired boy now, a flash of anger instantly ignited within Neji.

Uzumaki Naruto felt baffled, being insulted for no reason at all.

Uzumaki Naruto's eyes narrowed instantly.

He prepared to teach this kid a lesson.

Just then, the gate opened.

Hinata walked out.

"Naruto-kun, Neji-niisan."

"Hmph!"

Neji let out a cold snort and turned to leave.

"That kid is really asking for a beating."

Uzumaki Naruto almost couldn't resist taking action.

"Let's go, or we'll be late."

Seeing the expression on Uzumaki Naruto's face, Hinata couldn't help but smile.

The two left the area.

By the Konoha riverbank.

Several people were gathered here; some were fishing, others were having a barbecue.

They spent the time in a relaxed and leisurely manner.

In the period that followed, Konoha remained calm and stable, and even the conflict between the Third Hokage and the Uchiha Clan had quieted down.

No one knew of the turbulent waves beneath the surface.

Uzumaki Naruto didn't pay it any mind; at this stage, no one would notice him.

Uzumaki Naruto was eight years old this year, and his lottery count had accumulated to three.

Name: Uzumaki Naruto
Bloodline: Uzumaki Bloodline
Technique: Triple Inversion
Skills: Fire Style, Twin Palms, Adamantine Sealing Chains, Mind's Eye of the Kagura.
Chakra Level: 300 K
Restriction: Cinnabar Mark
Lottery: 3

Feeling his own strength, Uzumaki Naruto estimated that, in combination with the Adamantine Sealing Chains, he should be able to suppress the Nine-Tails.

"The plan can begin."

Having played around for so long, Uzumaki Naruto was ready to increase his strength.

The first step, naturally, was to tame the Nine-Tails.

And to tame the Nine-Tails, he needed to open the seal's cage.

At night, Uzumaki Naruto lay in bed and fell asleep.

Inside the mental space.

Uzumaki Naruto arrived here once again.

"Brat, what are you doing here?"

The Nine-Tails sensed Uzumaki Naruto's chakra, its brow furrowing involuntarily.

After so long, the Nine-Tails had also sensed that Uzumaki Naruto was different.

"Long time no see, Nine-Tails."

Although this wasn't the first time he had seen it, no matter how many times he did, such a mythical creature was still breathtaking.

"Brat, your eyes make me feel very annoyed."

The Nine-Tails could sense malice, but compared to malice, Naruto Uzumaki's gaze disgusted him even more.

"Heh, don't worry, after today we'll be good friends."

Naruto Uzumaki smiled, not caring in the slightest; after today, the Nine-Tails would be his most loyal power bank.

Originally, according to Naruto Uzumaki's plan, if he possessed the Six Treasury Immortal Thief, he would have devoured the Nine-Tails completely.

But he hadn't expected to obtain the Twin Palms first; one could only say the Nine-Tails was not destined to die yet.

"Oh? What trump card do you have, brat?"

The Nine-Tails became slightly interested.

"You'll know once you try."

Naruto Uzumaki stepped forward; only by getting closer could he feel the sheer size of the Nine-Tails.

Naruto Uzumaki's body slowly began to float upward.

The Nine-Tails' eyes lit up, and his previously prone body stood up in an instant.

"Brat, you will pay the price for your arrogance." The corners of the Nine-Tails' lips curled slightly, revealing sharp canines.

It wasn't a snarl, but a happy smile.

He didn't know what kind of trump card Naruto Uzumaki had, but he trusted in his own strength.

Meanwhile, in the outside world.

Two men in black took down the Anbu guards and quietly approached Naruto Uzumaki.

Just as Naruto Uzumaki's hands were about to touch the sealing tag, a hand gripped his.

At the same time, Naruto Uzumaki himself stopped.

"Damn it, it's Minato, you really did leave a contingency plan."

Seeing that he was about to break free, this guy had appeared again to ruin his good fortune.

The Nine-Tails was instantly enraged.

"Naruto Uzumaki, I am very sorry to meet you under these circumstances."

Minato looked somewhat ashamed.

However, at this moment, Naruto Uzumaki didn't pay attention to the person beside him; he narrowed his eyes, sensing the situation.

At the same time, the Nine-Tails, who was currently throwing a tantrum, also sensed something and frowned.

Outside.

"So easy?"

The man in black frowned, his voice filled with doubt; it was too easy to capture the Nine-Tails jinchuriki.

Why did this feel so surreal?

"Don't worry about that, proceed according to the plan."

The other man didn't waste words, picked up Naruto Uzumaki, and rushed toward the outside.

"Damn it, the plan has changed."

Inside the sealing space, Naruto Uzumaki's expression turned completely grim.

"Who is it? Could it be Danzo?"

Those two were clearly not good people, but Naruto Uzumaki couldn't figure out who would make a move on him at this time.

With the protection of Hiruzen Sarutobi, no one should be targeting him during this period.

"It's the Uchiha Clan; what a truly disgusting aura."

However, the Nine-Tails suddenly spoke up.

Naruto Uzumaki was stunned.

He realized it at the same time.

"Naruto Uzumaki, what happened?" Minato sensed the strange atmosphere.

"No time to talk to you."

Naruto Uzumaki was no fool. What could the Uchiha Clan want with him at this time? He didn't need to think to know it was only the Nine-Tails.

Therefore, Naruto Uzumaki couldn't be bothered to waste words with Minato.

He activated the Twin Palms.

Before Minato could speak, he instantly dissolved into a stream of chakra and was grabbed by Naruto Uzumaki.

Naruto Uzumaki didn't have time to explain; Minato had been his target anyway.

Naruto Uzumaki was quite fond of the Flying Thunder God, and since he had a wisp of the man's spirit within his own body, as long as he extracted this memory, he might be able to learn the Flying Thunder God.

Man proposes, God disposes; Naruto Uzumaki's plan was thorough, but an accident had occurred nonetheless.

"You're saying both of those people are from the Uchiha Clan."

Naruto Uzumaki turned his head to look at the Nine-Tails.

"I sense an evil ocular power."

The Nine-Tails' expression also turned grave.

This scene was all too familiar.

Kushina had been in the exact same situation as Naruto Uzumaki was now.

The Nine-Tails was no mere beast; it possessed intelligence, and upon sensing this current situation, it naturally knew what was about to happen.

"This is getting interesting."

Naruto Uzumaki's eyes flickered.

He began to ponder.

The Uchiha Clan was likely planning to release the Nine-Tails.

But releasing the Nine-Tails was no simple task; the seal on Naruto Uzumaki was different from the one that had been on Kushina.

To release the Nine-Tails, one would have to violently break the seal.

By then, he would likely be dead, and it was clear those people hadn't considered Naruto Uzumaki's life—or rather, they didn't care about it at all.

He had originally felt some sympathy for them, wondering if he could change their fate, but now Naruto Uzumaki suddenly understood what it meant to be courting death.

Naruto Uzumaki flew forward and tore off the seal.

This sealing talisman only controlled the amount of chakra leaking from the Nine-Tails; it did not truly undo the seal.

To truly control the seal, one would need the key, which was kept at Mount Myoboku.

But Naruto Uzumaki had already taught himself sealing jutsu, so he had no need for such things.