Yakumo Kurama

Naruto Uzumaki lay on the floor of his room, looking utterly listless.

Some things are only truly cherished once they are lost.

Naruto did not know much about the Vermilion Mark, and the original story provided no explanation on how to break it.

This was the most frustrating part for Naruto; for someone dedicated to cultivation, this restriction was actually quite excellent.

The early stages of cultivation require maintaining a pure aura, so a body of pure yang provides a significant bonus to one's progress.

Unknowingly, Naruto drifted off to sleep.

When he woke up the next day, the first thing Naruto did was look down, only to see the markings still there.

"So it wasn't a dream."

He felt a sense of melancholy in his heart before finally accepting reality.

In the time that followed, Naruto lived a very peaceful life. This kind of existence without anyone watching over him was truly comfortable; he could live however he pleased.

Aside from being a bit lonely, the Third Hokage was currently preoccupied with the affairs of the Uchiha Clan, leaving no one to pay attention to Naruto.

This allowed Naruto to finally enjoy a period of stability.

He spent his time cultivating, reading books, and fishing. He also made the acquaintance of Yakumo Kurama, and even Naruto was shocked when she revealed her name.

In the world of Naruto, when one thinks of genjutsu, the first thing that comes to mind is the Sharingan. However, the original story featured someone who surpassed the Uchiha Clan in the art of illusion.

Yakumo Kurama's genjutsu had transcended common sense; it could alter reality itself.

Naruto had heard of such a brilliant and talented individual, which was why he was so taken aback upon hearing her name.

The two gradually became acquainted, and she became his only friend in this world.

As for Hinata, Naruto had never seen her again since that day. It was no wonder that in the original story, Naruto had such a shallow impression of Hinata even by the time he graduated.

At this moment, Naruto was fishing by the small river, while Yakumo Kurama sat behind him, as usual, holding a sketchbook and drawing.

The two would only chat occasionally.

"Naruto, where are your parents?" Yakumo Kurama asked casually.

"I'm an orphan."

Naruto said it plainly.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know."

Yakumo Kurama apologized quickly, realizing she had said the wrong thing.

"It's fine."

"I'm an orphan too," Yakumo whispered, as if to comfort him.

It's already in the past.

Naruto frowned. He knew the truth about her situation—that Yakumo Kurama's parents had died by her own hand.

It was just that the memory was too painful, so she had chosen to forget it.

A flicker of sympathy crossed his heart, but Naruto had no intention of voicing it. As for saving her, there was no rush; after all, in the original story, she lived until the era of Tsunade.

Naruto didn't know how to offer comforting words, so he remained silent.

Yakumo Kurama had already come to understand Naruto's personality and did not speak further.

The atmosphere suddenly turned quiet. The sky was clear and the sun was bright, allowing them to enjoy a rare moment of ease.

Naruto didn't need to force his cultivation; what he was pursuing was the tempering of his willpower.

Even if he wanted to train, now was not the time. Compared to Tsunade, the Third Hokage was not a magnanimous man.

Should I find a time to kill the Third and let Tsunade take power early?

Compared to the Third, Naruto naturally preferred Tsunade. In the eyes of the Third, Naruto was merely the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, the son of Minato Namikaze, and a bargaining chip in his hand.

Tsunade was different. Setting aside her personality, she had a good relationship with Kushina, and with the connections to the Nine-Tails, the Fourth, and Jiraiya, Tsunade would instinctively feel closer to Naruto.

Of course, this was just a thought.

With his current strength, he wasn't necessarily a match for that old man.

In the original story, he showed mercy to Orochimaru, but he might not necessarily show the same mercy to him.

Furthermore, the Dead Demon Consuming Seal was a jutsu that targeted the soul, which Naruto was quite wary of.

As for a sneak attack, Naruto would never underestimate the intuition of a master.

Whoosh!

Just as the two were enjoying their leisure time, a sound of something piercing through the air reached them.

Naruto's expression changed.

He dodged instinctively.

A kunai embedded itself in the ground.

Naruto Uzumaki's gaze turned sharp as he looked toward the depths of the woods.

"Someone launched a sneak attack. What's going on?"

Naruto Uzumaki pondered rapidly, his expression shifting between uncertainty and gloom.

"What's wrong?" Yakumo Kurama ran over, looking nervous.

"It's nothing."

Naruto Uzumaki shook his head, his eyes remaining locked on the depths of the woods.

Yakumo Kurama grew tense and immediately picked up her drawing board, preparing to paint.

"Who is it? Come out!" Naruto Uzumaki shouted toward the depths of the forest.

Footsteps sounded.

Naruto Uzumaki raised an eyebrow.

A small kid walked out from the depths of the forest.

He had black hair, a youthful face, and wore the uniform of the Uchiha clan.

"Sasuke Uchiha."

Naruto Uzumaki recognized him at a glance.

"Are you alright?"

Sasuke Uchiha spoke; the current Sasuke Uchiha did not yet look as gloomy as he would in the future.

Naruto Uzumaki did not speak, his gaze shifting to the figure behind him.

Not far behind Sasuke Uchiha, a man stood there with an expressionless face.

This person was none other than Sasuke Uchiha's older brother, Itachi Uchiha.

Itachi Uchiha had no missions today and had specifically set aside an afternoon to spend time with Sasuke Uchiha.

While they were practicing with kunai just now, one had flown over to this side.

That led to the scene at the beginning.

Naruto Uzumaki stared at Itachi Uchiha behind him; he knew that the current Itachi Uchiha had already awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan.

However, at this moment, Itachi Uchiha's gaze was entirely on his younger brother.

He had not noticed Naruto Uzumaki at all.

Seemingly sensing Naruto Uzumaki's stare, Itachi Uchiha's gaze shifted over.

His eyes narrowed slightly; he naturally recognized Naruto Uzumaki.

"Naruto Uzumaki, is it?"

At the same time, Itachi Uchiha could already feel several Anbu operatives watching him.

The Uchiha clan was forbidden from making contact with the jinchuriki; that was the order.

Itachi Uchiha sensed this as well; if he moved any closer, the Anbu would definitely take action against him.

"Little one, I apologize. I didn't hurt you, did I?"

Itachi Uchiha spoke.

"It's fine. Be more careful next time."

Naruto Uzumaki did not want to have any contact with such a dangerous guy.

He shook his head.

Sasuke Uchiha had been in a good mood, but seeing Naruto Uzumaki's attitude, he immediately let out a cold snort.

"Alright Sasuke, let's go."

Hearing his brother's voice, Sasuke Uchiha's expression instantly softened.

He picked up the kunai from the ground and ran back.

Naruto Uzumaki watched the two disappear from his line of sight.

Only then did he heave a sigh of relief.

Having lost the mood to play, Naruto Uzumaki prepared to head home.

Yakumo Kurama felt somewhat dejected.

She didn't get much time with Naruto Uzumaki to begin with, and now they had been interrupted by that person.

She couldn't help but feel a bit of irritation in her heart.

That person deserves to die. Kill him.

At the same time, a seductive voice echoed within her heart.

Yakumo Kurama's gaze gradually turned dangerous.

"I'm heading back now."

Naruto Uzumaki said this and prepared to leave, but suddenly noticed something strange about her.

"Stay safe."

Yakumo Kurama said.

"Are you alright?"

Naruto Uzumaki frowned; he couldn't have been wrong about that feeling just now.

"I am fine."

Yakumo Kurama's expression was normal.

Naruto Uzumaki didn't overthink it and turned to leave.

As for the temptation of her inner demon, Yakumo Kurama quickly resisted it.