The Truth

In the sewer deep within his consciousness, the dripping water echoed with a hollow, piercing sound, striking the standing water again and again.

Naruto felt the world spin, then his whole body crashed heavily into the freezing water. When he looked up, he met those crimson fox eyes.

Kurama lay behind the iron gate of the Water Prison, his crimson slit pupils half-lidded, his face full of anticipation for a good show.

"You damned stinking Fox! What the hell has gotten into you today? You suddenly dragged me into this dump, so you must be plotting something again!"

Naruto took half a step back, both fists already clenched. He knew this guy's nature all too well.

Kurama bared his mouthful of sharp fangs, smiling in a way that made Naruto's scalp prickle. His voice was like a gale roaring through the sewers.

"Kid, you were crying pretty hard out there just now. Looks like you really have no idea who that man and woman are."

"Quit playing mysterious games. Didn't that lady say her name was Kushina Uzumaki? And that guy who looked so much like the Fourth Hokage!"

At those words, Kurama let out a shrill, crazed laugh that made the Sealing Talismans on the iron gate rattle loudly.

"You idiot, stop fooling yourself. That Minato Namikaze is the genuine Fourth Hokage of Konoha!"

The great Fox leaned his head closer to the iron gate, his eyes narrowing into slits, his tone brimming with undisguised malice.

"And those two are the parents who gave birth to you, the people you have never met in your entire life!"

Naruto's mind exploded with a buzz, and he staggered back several steps.

"Bullshit! The Fourth Hokage died long ago. How could they possibly be here?!"

"That is thanks to the Ley Line's