A new wind

"...Lord Nine-Tails?"

"Hmm?"

At Minato's call, the Nine-Tails finally came back to his senses. Looking at Naruto's unabashedly radiant smile before him, he grinned too. "So, finished your father-son heart-to-heart?"

"Yes. Naruto and I both owe you our thanks. Truly, thank you so much!" Minato smiled at the Nine-Tails, who could even see a hint of redness around his eyes, though he hid it well.

"Hehe, Kurama's a great person... ah, no, a great fox! I've spent over a year failing to learn Fox Sage Mode, but he's never gotten angry once. He's been so patient teaching me, every single time..." The tears at the corners of Naruto's eyes had yet to dry, but he joined his father in bowing solemnly to the Nine-Tails. "Thank you so much!"

"Kurama?" The name caught Minato's attention. He paused, then, noticing the Nine-Tails' reaction, quickly realized that this was most likely his true name.

And that thing called Fox Sage Mode? Did Naruto name it?

"Hmph. Spare me the sappy stuff." The Nine-Tails gave his usual snort, but accepted the father and son's thanks.

Naruto then deactivated Sage Mode. Perhaps because he was still young, the stamina drain from having his body strengthened by Sage Mode was a little too much for him, so the Nine-Tails sent him back to reality first.

After all, there would be plenty of time to chat later.

Once again, only the Nine-Tails and Minato remained in Naruto's Inner World.

"There's something I need to tell you, Nine..." After Naruto left, Minato seemed to be considering how to address the Nine-Tails.

But the Nine-Tails quickly said, unconcerned, "You can call me Kurama too."

*He told Naruto first, but not me. It wasn't that he only wanted Naruto... no, he probably just wanted Naruto to be the first to