The Plan Begins

However, even though Naruto did not yet possess all those shining accolades, whether it was his identity or the people backing him, neither was someone Hiashi could afford to offend.

He could not possibly go talk to Naruto and tell him to stay away from his daughter. If he dared do that, he would be summoned to the Hokage's office for tea that very night.

So he could only warn his daughter to stay away from that brat.

Unfortunately, Hinata might listen to him in other matters, but there was no room for discussion on this one.

After the two had argued several times, Neji also learned about it.

And he learned about Naruto as well.

Neji hated Hinata, but what he hated was her status as a member of the main family and her weak personality.

Deep down, Neji still cared greatly about this younger sister.

So the moment he saw this little blond brat, Neji was instantly filled with anger.

Naruto was completely baffled. He had been insulted for no reason at all.

Naruto's eyes narrowed at once.

He was ready to teach this brat a lesson.

Just then, the door opened.

Hinata walked out.

"Naruto-kun, Brother Neji."

"Hmph!"

Neji snorted coldly, turned, and left.

"That brat really needs a beating."

Naruto nearly could not stop himself from making a move.

"Come on, we'll be late."

Seeing Naruto's expression, Hinata could not help but smile.

The two left.

By the Konoha River.

Several people gathered there. Some fished, while others grilled meat.

They passed the time in relaxed comfort.

Over the next period of time, Konoha remained peaceful and stable. Even the conflict between the Third Hokage and the Uchiha clan gradually calmed down.

No one knew of the turbulent waves beneath the surface.

Naruto did not pay it any mind either. At this point in time, no one would notice him.

Naruto was eight years old this year, and he had accumulated three lottery draws.

Name: Naruto Uzumaki

Bloodline: Uzumaki Bloodline

Cultivation Method: Threefold Reversal

Skills: Fire Release, Twin Hands, Adamantine Sealing Chains, Kagura Mind's Eye.

Chakra: 300 cal

Restriction: Cinnabar Seal

Lottery Draws: 3

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

The plan can begin.

After taking it easy for so long, Naruto was ready to increase his strength.

The first step was naturally taming the Nine-Tails.

And to tame the Nine-Tails, he needed to open the sealed cage.

That night, Naruto lay in bed and fell asleep.

Within the consciousness space.

Naruto came here once more.

"Brat, what are you doing here?"

Sensing Naruto's chakra, the Nine-Tails unconsciously furrowed his brow.

After so much time had passed, the Nine-Tails had also noticed Naruto's differences.

"Long time no see, Nine-Tails."

Although it was not his first time seeing him, no matter how many times he saw one, such a mythical creature was still astonishing.

"Brat, I really hate the look in your eyes."

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

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

Naruto smiled, completely unconcerned. After today, the Nine-Tails would become his most loyal power bank.

Naruto's original plan had been to completely devour the Nine-Tails if he obtained the Six Vaults Immortal Thief.

But unexpectedly, he obtained Twin Hands first. All he could say was that the Nine-Tails was not fated to die yet.

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

The Nine-Tails became somewhat interested.

"You'll find out if you try."

Naruto stepped forward. Only as he drew closer could he truly feel the Nine-Tails' immense size.

Naruto's body slowly floated upward.

The Nine-Tails' eyes lit up, and his previously prone body instantly rose to its feet.

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

Yet it was not a snarl, but a delighted smile.

He did not know what trump card Naruto possessed, but he believed in his own strength.

Meanwhile, in the outside world.

Two men in black took down the ANBU outside and quietly approached Naruto.

Just as Naruto's hands were about to touch the sealing talisman.

A hand grabbed Naruto's hand.

At the same time, Naruto himself stopped.

"Damn it, it's you, Minato Namikaze! You really did leave behind a contingency!"

Just as he was about to escape, this man had appeared again to ruin his plans.

The Nine-Tails instantly flew into a rage.

"Naruto, I'm sorry we had to meet under these circumstances."

Minato Namikaze looked somewhat ashamed.

However, Naruto paid no attention to the man beside him. His eyes narrowed as he sensed what was happening.

At the same time, the raging Nine-Tails also noticed something, and his brow furrowed.

In the outside world.

"That easy?"

One of the men in black frowned, his voice filled with doubt. They had captured the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki that easily.

Why did this feel so unreal?

"Stop worrying about it. Follow the plan."

The other man did not waste words. He picked up Naruto and rushed outside.

"Damn it, the plan has changed."

Within the sealing space, Naruto's face darkened completely.

Who was it? Could it be Danzo?

Those two were clearly not good people, but Naruto could not understand who would make a move against him at this time.

With Hiruzen Sarutobi protecting him, no one should have targeted him during this period.

"It's the Uchiha clan. What an unpleasant aura."

But at that moment, the Nine-Tails suddenly spoke.

Naruto froze.

Then he understood.

"Naruto, what happened?" Minato Namikaze sensed that something was off.

"No time to talk to you."

Naruto was no fool. What could the Uchiha clan want by capturing him at this time? There was no need to think about it—they only wanted the Nine-Tails.

So Naruto could not be bothered to waste words on Minato Namikaze.

Twin Hands activated.

Before Minato Namikaze could say anything, he instantly turned into a strand of chakra and was seized in Naruto's hand.

Naruto had no time to explain. Minato Namikaze had originally been one of his targets as well.

Naruto was also extremely interested in the Flying Raijin Technique. A trace of Minato Namikaze's spirit was within his body, and as long as he extracted those memories, he might be able to learn the Flying Raijin Technique.

Man proposed, heaven disposed. Naruto's plan had been thorough, yet an accident had still occurred.

"You said those two are both from the Uchiha clan?"

Naruto turned to look at the Nine-Tails.

"I sensed evil ocular power."

The Nine-Tails' expression also grew solemn.

This scene was far too familiar.

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

The Nine-Tails was not a mere beast; he possessed intelligence. Seeing this scene, he naturally knew what would happen next.

"Interesting."

Naruto's gaze flickered.

He began to think.

The Uchiha clan probably wanted to release the Nine-Tails.

But releasing the Nine-Tails would not be easy. The seal on Naruto was different from the seal on Kushina.

To release the Nine-Tails, they could only destroy the seal by force.

At that point, Naruto himself would likely die as well. Clearly, those people had not considered Naruto's life and death—or rather, they simply did not care whether he lived or died.

Naruto had originally felt some sympathy for those people and wondered whether he could change their fate. But now, he suddenly understood what it meant to court death.

Naruto flew forward and tore off the seal in one swift motion.

This sealing talisman only controlled the amount of the Nine-Tails' chakra that leaked out; it did not truly release the seal.

To truly control the seal, he would need the key, and that key was kept at Mount Myoboku.

But Naruto had already learned sealing techniques himself, so he did not need those things.