Kakashi knew his chakra reserves were dangerously low. Sometimes, after missions, he had to be hospitalized at Konoha's Medical Center. He was already considered a regular patient there.
What he didn't expect was that this reputation would follow him even here.
"So that's how it is, Kakashi," Sasuke remarked, expression unreadable.
Kakashi remained silent.
He had always known Sasuke's so-called respect was surface-level. The boy only used "Kakashi-sensei" when it suited him. Otherwise, it was just "Kakashi"—no honorific, no deference.
"You can ask him for guidance," said Kitahara Hitoshi as he nudged Sasuke aside.
He wasn't here for Sasuke.
"Naruto, I'm here for you," Kitahara Hitoshi said.
"Me?"
"If I can be of use…" Naruto scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"Good," Kitahara nodded.
"Say," Naruto added, "I didn't expect your personal ninja to follow you around like this."
"They do," Hitoshi replied simply.
"All right then."
"Naruto, you can carry on with your own tasks," Hitoshi said.
"Eh?" Naruto froze.
"Is that really okay?"
"That's right."
The white rabbit on Hitoshi's shoulder didn't react at all, but what it sensed was far beyond what ordinary people could perceive.
To the average eye, nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
But to the viewers in the hidden group chat...
Children and Grandchildren? Chat Group
Big Pillar Idiot: Is that the Rinnegan?
Big Pillar Idiot: Nine Tails… Sorry about beating you up like that before.
Hashirama actually apologized.
Kurama said nothing.
Kurama: I hate everyone who uses Wood Style!
Time rewound exactly one second.
Just before that moment, Kitahara Hitoshi had lightly placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder.
Naruto turned his head—
And saw Kitahara Hitoshi's eyes shift to purple, rings rotating ominously.
The Rinnegan.
Time around them appeared to freeze.
Naruto's body became still, the surrounding world sank into darkness, and the only light was from a pair of glowing purple eyes staring across the black sky.
Using the unique perspective of the chat group, everyone saw Hitoshi directly enter Naruto's spiritual space.
It was a realm of blackness until light bloomed to reveal a shallow river flowing beneath their feet.
Ahead stood a massive cage sealed with a spiraled formula.
Behind it slumbered a red-furred beast, arms crossed and head down.
The Nine Tails.
But this time, as Hitoshi approached, Kurama opened one eye, then the other, revealing glowing slitted pupils that locked on him with intense wariness.
"Nine Tails," Hitoshi said evenly. "I want you to help me with my training."
Children and Grandchildren? Chat Group
Senju Tobirama: Hm. That's quite a direct request.
Senju Tobirama: If you're going to spar, do it properly. Learn something from it.
Tobirama's Record: As always, Tobirama is the worst.
Uchiha Izuna remembered his past. He despised Tobirama—not just for his prejudice against the Uchiha, but for creating jutsu specifically designed to target them.
Kurama didn't speak. After all, this was being broadcast live to the group.
But deep down, it understood what was happening.
This intruder—Kitahara Hitoshi—was here to experiment with Wood Style.
Which could mean only one thing.
He might try to unseal the cage.
And if the seal was removed…
Escape was possible.
Kurama's thoughts raced.
It had been summoned and manipulated by the masked man, sealed by Minato using the Dead Demon Consuming Seal. One half of its chakra was within Naruto, suppressed by a double-layered seal.
The outer layer—the spiral formula on the cage—was designed to keep its chakra contained. But even then, some had leaked out, disturbing Naruto's balance from within.
If Kitahara Hitoshi broke that seal...
Kurama remained silent, but the idea of being used as a test subject didn't sit well.
Namikaze Minato: This isn't good.
Minato watched from the group.
I didn't realize it before, but if the outer seal is broken, the consequences could be disastrous.
I left behind a chakra imprint in Naruto. It was meant to activate in situations like this.
So why hasn't it appeared?
Could it be...
That part of my chakra judged that it doesn't matter if Kurama is released?
Minato murmured in disbelief.
Terumi Mei: It's fine. Look. Kitahara Hitoshi already has it under control.
Minato paused.
So did Tobirama.
At the very moment Kitahara Hitoshi's left hand tore the spiral seal, the cage door flung open.
Kurama, who had appeared lazy and unmoving, instantly flared with power.
It roared, a deep, echoing blast that shook the spiritual space.
Then, without hesitation, it opened its mouth and began condensing a Tailed Beast Bomb.
The ultimate attack of the Tailed Beasts—formed from compressed chakra, devastating and unstoppable.
But it needed time.
Kitahara Hitoshi didn't react immediately.
He waited.
"Don't underestimate me!" roared the Nine Tails as the orb formed.
"Good," Kitahara muttered, his hands forming signs.
"Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence!"
Massive branches erupted from the ground, filling the cage with thick trunks.
Though intimidating, they weren't the true attack.
Kurama was too familiar with this jutsu. He'd fought Hashirama himself when under Madara's control. He knew the signs.
But—
"Wood Style: Wood Dragon Technique!"
The branches fused and twisted until a colossal wooden dragon rose, latching onto the Tailed Beast Bomb mid-formation.
The dragon's head exploded under the pressure of chakra.
Still—
"Wood Style: Wooden Golem!"
A wooden giant surged forth, growing from the remnants of the dragon's trunk. It seized the Tailed Beast Bomb in both hands.
Then threw it like a ball.
"..." Kurama blinked.
It was the first time it had ever seen someone treat its most powerful technique like a toy.
"This Wood Style is impressive," Hitoshi remarked as he commanded the wooden dragon to toss the Tailed Beast Bomb skyward.
He calmly backed out of the spiritual realm, resealed the cage, and reapplied the spiraling formula.
The orb, thrown skyward, eventually crashed back down—onto Kurama itself.
And just like that, the test was over.
Outside, Naruto blinked.
Only a second had passed.
But inside?
Kurama had just nearly roasted itself with its own attack.
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