"Kid, you're just in this body. Do you really think I can't tell you're not the same person you were?"
Kurama's words startled Naruto, and alarm bells went off in his mind. He thought he had disguised himself well, but he didn't expect that Nine-Tails would see through him.
"When did you find out?"
Kurama scoffed at Naruto's question.
"Kid, you've been here since that night, haven't you?"
Kurama's words completely stunned Naruto. He had thought it was an accidental slip-up on some other day, but it turned out he had been discovered just now?
Seeing the wary look in Naruto's eyes, Kurama laughed heartily, as if his wicked scheme had succeeded.
"But kid, what are you panicking about? Are you afraid I'll go out and kill you?"
Naruto isn't entirely convinced by Kurama's words yet, after all, he's not the Naruto from the original story who formed a deep bond with Kurama.
"Alright, look how scared you are. I've never seen you make that face when you encounter the enemy."
"Although I'm angry, you're someone I've watched grow up. As for that little guy you replaced, well, maybe it's a relief for him."
Kurama was still somewhat reluctant when he got to this point. Although he had killed Naruto's parents, he had witnessed Naruto's childhood experiences. However, he was unable to help Naruto freely because he was sealed away. In fact, he felt quite guilty at the time.
But who could have imagined that the little guy would be replaced, and right in front of him, without anyone noticing, the little guy's core was swapped. Even he had to check for a long time before he realized that the little guy was no longer the same as before.
As for what he just said, it was obvious from day one that it was purely a ploy to trick Naruto. To Kurama's surprise, he actually succeeded, which is why Naruto panicked when he heard those words.
"So, what exactly do you want to do? Avenge that guy?"
Naruto looked at Kurama and finally asked this question.
Kurama hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. Revenge? The bond between him and that little guy wasn't deep back then. Although Kurama subconsciously felt that he would have a deep bond with that little guy later, he didn't see it because of Naruto in front of him.
Fortunately, he stopped interfering. What's done is done, and there's nothing he could change.
"No, I've actually been watching you all along. You don't look much like him, and you've experienced his suffering, even changing things through your own efforts and avenging him, so..."
When the Kurama got to this point, he paused.
"I hope you can live a good life, for that little one's sake too."
The water droplets in the sealed space continued to drip, making a pitter-patter sound. Surprisingly, in this dark environment, Naruto sensed a trace of warmth.
A slight smile played on his lips as he approached the Kurama, his voice filled with resolute determination and unwavering resolve.
"Don't worry, now that I've taken his place, I definitely will, Kurama, you have to believe me."
"Hmm, I believe you. Hmm? Wait, what did you just call me?"
Naruto realized he'd accidentally let something slip when he heard Kurama's words. The Nine-Tails had never revealed its name to him before. Had he just blurted it out so casually?
Kurama squinted, scrutinizing Naruto before him, his mind racing with thoughts. Where did this guy come from? What was his identity? How did he know his name, and judging by his demeanor, he must have known it a long time ago? This made Kurama think of the Sage of Six Paths —could he have been sent by that old man?
"Ahem, kid, do you know the Sage of Six Paths?"
Kurama coughed lightly and asked, feigning composure.
Naruto didn't know what Kurama wanted to ask, but since he had already exposed himself, what was there to be afraid of? In any case, he had only exposed himself to Kurama, the guy who had been living inside him all along. Kurama was practically one of his own, or rather, his own fox.
"Know."
The two simple words stirred up a storm in Kurama's heart, causing his pupils to shrink sharply. At the same time, he was secretly delighted, realizing that he had guessed correctly. This guy in front of him really was sent by the old man. That made perfect sense. No wonder he could accomplish all this without anyone noticing right under his nose. If it was the old man's doing, then everything was fine.
Besides, the old man must have sent this guy to help him, right?
The thought of the Sage of Six Paths' doting affection for him made Kurama's eyes gleam and his lips curl into a lecherous grin.
Naruto looked at Kurama, who was grinning like a pig, and was somewhat speechless. Had this guy just imagined something extraordinary?
Where is your dignity as Tailed Beast? Hey, stop wagging your tail!
As for Naruto's inner screams, Kurama obviously couldn't hear them. He was now completely immersed in his own intelligence. The thought that he had so easily guessed that all of this was the old man's doing made Kurama's lips curl into a smile.
Completely forgotten by Naruto, Kurama instantly regained his senses just as Naruto was about to step forward and break the seal on the Kurama- Nine-Tails.
"Stop right now, brat! Your body isn't fully developed yet, and you can't withstand my strength. Otherwise, you might be in danger."
Hearing Kurama's words, Naruto decisively withdrew his hand. He was joking, hadn't he heard what Kurama just said? If he really did explode and die, he'd truly be blown to bits, a bloody mess.
"Alright, kid, now that we've laid everything out, I'll grant you any request to borrow some of my power in the future. As for breaking this seal, you're not strong enough to withstand all of my power right now."
What to do? What else can Naruto do?
We can only listen to Kurama, otherwise, why not really give it a try? He's not stupid.
At this moment Jiraiya noticed that something was wrong with Naruto. His expression turned serious. Naruto had obviously been dragged into a meeting by that Nine-Tails. He didn't know how Naruto was doing. If Naruto didn't wake up soon, he was even thinking of reinforcing the seal on Naruto.
Just as Jiraiya lifted Naruto's shirt, Naruto woke up, and then a cold voice came from behind him.
"Hey, what are you doing?"