"Kurama, my visit today is not to deepen our hatred."
"--!!!"
Before Kumoi could finish, the Nine-Tails's massive body violently shook, as if struck by an invisible thunderbolt!
The chains wrapped around its entire body emitted an unprecedentedly fierce vibration!
That pair of crimson pupils instantly contracted to the limit, the rampant violence and hatred rolling within them instantly replaced by a sense of extreme shock, even mixed with a hint of dismay!
"You... what did you just... call me?!"
For the first time, the Nine-Tails's voice trembled noticeably, a vibration originating from the depths of its soul:
"How do you know this name?!
Speak! Who told you?!"
A monstrous storm raged within its heart:
"Kurama... this name... ever since the Six Paths old man left, apart from us few brothers and sisters, no one else knows it!
For thousands of years, humans have only known 'Nine-Tailed Fox'!
This human... this inexplicable human Hokage, how could he possibly know?!"
Facing the Nine-Tails's near-hysterical questioning, Kumoi remained silent, giving no reply.
He only calmly gazed at the Nine-Tails, that look seemingly saying: I know far more than you imagine.
This silent "knowing" made the Nine-Tails feel more uneasy and thoroughly seen-through discomfort than any explanation could.
Shock quickly transformed into an even more intense fury and the frantic agitation of violation!
"Not telling, are you... Then take this secret and be buried here forever!"
The Nine-Tails's doubt and suspicion were instantly overridden by monstrous killing intent!
It realized that the human before it not only possessed bizarre power, but also grasped a secret it absolutely refused to let outsiders know!
This was even more intolerable than a mere challenge of strength!
"Roar--!!!"
Amidst a deafening roar, the Nine-Tails abruptly opened its giant maw, where black-as-ink, high-density chakra mixed with crimson blood-color