Black Nine-Tails

Uzumaki Menma was led into a forest by a white tiger in his dream.

There, Uzumaki Menma saw a pitch-black Nine-Tails.

The Black Nine-Tails opened its previously closed eyes and looked at Uzumaki Menma. "You finally came to see me. I've been trying to call out to you, but you never responded."

Uzumaki Menma scratched his head in confusion. "Really? How come I didn't know?"

"It was probably because you hadn't refined Chakra yet, so I couldn't establish a connection with you."

"Then what did you want from me?"

Black Kurama said seriously, "Menma, there's something wrong with this world!"

"Something wrong? What's wrong with it?"

"Didn't you notice? There's an extra you, and there's an extra me too—and that one is half of me!"

Black Kurama's words left Uzumaki Menma completely confused. After thinking for a long time, he barely managed to understand what Black Kurama meant.

"You mean Naruto Uzumaki and the Nine-Tails inside him?"

"That's right! I have a feeling they shouldn't exist. Or rather, we shouldn't be here. But for some reason, the two of us appeared in this world."

Hearing Black Kurama's words, Uzumaki Menma nodded solemnly. "Yeah, logically speaking, we shouldn't be in this world..."

Uzumaki Menma suddenly stared at Black Kurama in disbelief. "Did you find a way to return to that world? I'm not going back! Nine-Tails, if anyone's going back, it's you!"

After finally forming bonds here, Uzumaki Menma had no desire to return to that false Illusion Technique world.

To Uzumaki Menma, this place was real.

"Don't call me Nine-Tails! I have a name—Kurama! And I have no way to return to that world, nor do I want to. To me, it doesn't matter which world I'm in, and this world is pretty interesting too."

Black Kurama fixed Uzumaki Menma with his beastly eyes and said seriously, "I'll be blunt. I want to beat the hell out of that Kurama!"

Uzumaki Menma stared blankly at Black Kurama for a long while. "Huh?!"

Black Kurama smiled slyly. "I'm really looking forward to seeing that Kurama grovel at my feet. So, Menma, let's join forces—one human and one beast. You beat up that brat called Naruto Uzumaki, and I'll beat up that Kurama."

Uzumaki Menma sized Black Kurama up. "Say, Kurama, why is your personality so different from what I imagined?"

Black Kurama asked in confusion, "Then what did you think my personality should be like?"

After thinking for a moment, Uzumaki Menma said, "The moment we met, you should've roared at me, said you wanted to eat me, and then tricked me into undoing the seal."

Black Kurama rolled his eyes at Uzumaki Menma. "Why would I do that? Am I sick? Besides, there's no seal on me."

"What? No seal? Does that mean you can leave my body whenever you want?" Uzumaki Menma shrank back fearfully.

Black Kurama asked strangely, "Why would I leave your body? Wouldn't I die if I left you?"

Uzumaki Menma was completely baffled. "That's not right. Logically, after you Tailed Beasts are forcibly sealed inside Jinchuriki, you should hate the Jinchuriki and do everything you can to escape them. Especially you, Kurama. After going through two Jinchuriki, you should hate Jinchuriki more than anyone."

"Who said I went through two Jinchuriki? You must be talking about that Kurama. My Jinchuriki is only you, and it can only be you."

Black Kurama's words sounded almost like a confession, making Uzumaki Menma's little face flush.

Since Black Kurama held no ill will toward him, that was great.

Growing bolder, Uzumaki Menma threw himself directly onto Black Kurama and felt his soft fur.

Black Kurama did not stop Uzumaki Menma. "Menma, your body is currently being modified. Once it's complete, you'll have Chakra, and I'll be able to communicate with you whenever I want. These nine beasts were formed from my power. You can summon them through the Summoning Technique to help you fight. The method for the Summoning Technique is already in your mind."

"Okay, I love you so much, Kurama!"

Uzumaki Menma happily frolicked atop Black Kurama.

Inside the laboratory.

Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi perked up.

That was because powerful Chakra had erupted from Uzumaki Menma's body.

The tense, stern expression on Danzo's face relaxed as well.

This meant the completion of Uzumaki Menma's Uzumaki Clan bloodline had basically succeeded. They only needed to wait for Uzumaki Menma to awaken.

In the dream.

Uzumaki Menma leaned against Black Kurama.

Black Kurama said to Uzumaki Menma, "All right, time's up. Menma, you should go."

Uzumaki Menma pleaded coquettishly, "No, let me play a little longer."

"The you in the real world is about to wake up. You can come here anytime you want in the future, so there's no need to cling to this little bit of time."

Uzumaki Menma stood up beside Black Kurama and bid him farewell reluctantly. "Then I'm leaving, Kurama."

After waving to Black Kurama, Uzumaki Menma fell into darkness once more.

When Uzumaki Menma opened his eyes again, his vision returned to the laboratory.

Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately asked with concern, "Menma, how do you feel?"

Hearing such a gentle voice from Danzo gave Uzumaki Menma goosebumps all over. He thought he was still dreaming and pinched his arm, wanting to end the dream.

"Hiss... That hurt. So this isn't a dream."

Danzo frowned as he watched Uzumaki Menma pinch his own arm in confusion. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing. Grandpa Danzo, Hokage Grandpa, I feel great now?"

Danzo gestured to the researchers.

Understanding his meaning, the researchers began examining Uzumaki Menma's body.

Uzumaki Menma was speechless as several researchers prodded and manipulated him. They might as well have done this while he was asleep.

After a series of complicated examinations, a researcher reported to Danzo, "Lord Danzo, Young Master Menma's vital signs are all normal."

Danzo revealed a faint smile. "Very good."

Danzo looked at Uzumaki Menma and instructed, "Menma, you can go rest now. Training will continue as usual tomorrow."

Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi left the laboratory.

Inside the office.

After hesitating for a long time, Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Danzo, "Danzo, that Bloodline Completion Elixir... is there any left?"

Danzo narrowed his eyes at Hiruzen Sarutobi. "I developed this Bloodline Completion Elixir specifically for Menma. Do you think there would be more of such a precious elixir?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed. "All right, then I'll take my leave."

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned and prepared to open the door and leave.

"Hiruzen."

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned to look at Danzo. "What is it?"

Danzo tossed a fresh Bloodline Completion Elixir to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

After catching the Bloodline Completion Elixir, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled again.

His old friend really was all bark and no bite.