Little Naruto arrived at the Ninja Academy in a wonderful mood, skipping all the way.
He had thought it was only a dream, one in which he had met the mother he missed day and night.
But after waking up, he realized that everything that had happened yesterday was real.
His mom was somewhere called the Sealing Space, together with that big fox.
The big fox was called Kurama, apparently. He looked fierce, but he seemed really scared of Naruto's mom.
His mom really was the best. Even a fox that huge obediently did as she said.
"Look, it's the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox."
"That fox demon's acting a little strange today."
"Yeah, skipping around like that. He's probably cooking up another nasty idea."
"Let's stay away so he doesn't drag us into it."
The moment Naruto entered the Ninja Academy, the other students spotted him and hurried out of his way.
"I'm not a fox demon, believe it!"
Naruto felt rather wronged, even if there really was a big fox in his belly.
But he wasn't some fox demon. His name was Kurama.
He really wanted to explain that to everyone, but his mom had told him not to casually mention her or Kurama to anyone, not even Grandpa Third Hokage.
Naruto didn't know why he had to do that, but it was what his mom had said, and he would listen to her.
The thought that he could see his mom every day instantly swept away his unhappiness.
He returned to the classroom and sat down in his seat.
He spotted Hinata and a few other girls.
"Morning, Hinata!"
"G-good morning, Naruto!"
When Naruto greeted her, Hinata immediately blushed, and white steam began hissing from the top of her head.
Watching from the Sealing Space, Kushina broke into a