Chapter 12: Nine Lamas
After returning from the Third Hokage's office, Naruto sat on his bed, staring at the scroll in his hands. He hadn't expected the Hokage to entrust him with the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques. The memory of that moment replayed vividly in his mind.
The Third Hokage had opened a box and handed it to Naruto. "These are scrolls for practicing the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques," he said. "Some also include the Fourth Hokage's insights and improvements on these methods. I'm entrusting them to you."
Naruto looked at the scroll and muttered to himself, "I didn't expect the old man to be this thoughtful. Still, he probably did it for the village's sake. Whatever... this is my home too, and the sealing techniques rightfully belong to the Uzumaki clan. It's only natural that I learn them."
Deep down, Naruto understood the Third Hokage's intentions—he hoped that Naruto, by learning these techniques, would one day protect the village. But since Naruto already considered Konoha his home, he didn't feel any burden taking on this responsibility.
He opened the scroll. It detailed the "Fire Sealing Technique", a B-rank jutsu used to seal fire-style attacks. Naruto recalled seeing Jiraiya use it once to seal Amaterasu. Determined, he began practicing seriously.
To his surprise, the structure of the technique reminded him of the magic arrays and formations he had read about in novels and seen in shows from his previous life. The sealing method used hand signs to direct chakra along patterns inscribed in the scroll to seal the intended target.
With this understanding in mind, Naruto walked to the kitchen, turned on the gas stove, and focused on the flickering flame. He released several Vajra Seals—materialized chakra chains—from his body. He arranged them to match the pattern described in the scroll, then guided the flame into the formation. To his amazement, the fire was fully absorbed by the chains.
A proud smile lit up his face. "Just as I thought. The Vajra Seal is made of my chakra, so I can bypass hand seals and still perform the technique. Since it's inherently a sealing tool, it should make the seal even stronger."
To test it further, Naruto used the chains to form the unsealing pattern. The moment the seal broke, the previously trapped flame exploded outward, nearly setting his house on fire. Fortunately, Naruto reacted quickly and resealed it just in time.
He looked at the now-messy kitchen and laughed joyfully. After cleaning everything up, he rushed back to his room, eager to study the next scroll.
As he picked up the second scroll, a sudden wave of dizziness hit him. Shaking his head to clear it, Naruto was startled to find himself standing in a dark, damp sewer.
Looking around in the gloom, he remained surprisingly calm. "How did I end up here? Did that arrogant Nine-Tails drag me in?"
He followed the only visible path forward. Soon, he reached the end, where a massive iron cage loomed in front of him. A voice echoed from within:
"Closer... come closer."
Naruto smiled as he stepped toward the cage. Suddenly, a huge claw reached out, attempting to grab him—but it was blocked by the bars.
A roar of frustration shook the space, and Naruto finally saw the fearsome form of the legendary Nine-Tails.
Still smiling, Naruto said, "Was that really necessary? Can't we just have a normal conversation?"
The Nine-Tails glared at him. "You don't seem surprised... I suppose you already knew about my existence. Very well. Then tell me, boy—what's going on with your Byakugan? Don't try to lie. I've watched you grow up. I know all your secrets."
Naruto chuckled. "Haha, I thought you'd ask about my Sharingan. Didn't expect you to bring up the Byakugan first. So, you know about that too, huh?"
The Nine-Tails scoffed. "I don't care about the secrets of the Byakugan. What I care about is how you—child of Uzumaki Kushina and Namikaze Minato, neither of whom had the Byakugan—ended up with it naturally. It's not like your Sharingan, which was transplanted using Uchiha blood. Your Byakugan is innate. That's why I'm curious."
Naruto blinked. "So that's what caught your interest? You're quite the curious one, huh? You should've been a scientist. Curiosity is where all knowledge begins, after all."
The Nine-Tails snarled. "Stop dodging the question! Are you going to tell me or not?!"
Naruto scratched his head. "I never said I wouldn't. Why are you in such a rush? With that temper of yours, is this how you ask someone for information?"
Before the Nine-Tails could explode again, Naruto quickly added, "Alright, alright. I'll tell you. But first—Kyuubi, do you know the Sage of Six Paths? Oh wait—wrong question. You're one of his creations. So you must know about him. But do you know about his life? His mother? His brother?"
The Nine-Tails narrowed his eyes. "What's your point? I don't know much about those things, but I know you do. Still, what I want to know now is where your Byakugan came from."
Calming slightly, the Nine-Tails listened as Naruto smiled and said, "Don't worry. I'll tell you everything. But I hope you'll help me in return. Speaking of which—what's your name? We've been talking for a while, and I still don't know what to call you."
"My name? Hah. Since when do humans care about the names of tailed beasts? Isn't all you humans ever care about how to use our power? Don't joke with me!"
The Nine-Tails' voice rose with anger.
Naruto replied gently, "I don't know why you're so angry. Maybe you've just been betrayed too many times. But you can't judge everyone the same way. Not all humans are bad... and not all are good either."
He looked the Nine-Tails in the eye. "But I can promise you—I bear you no ill will. I just want to be friends. I want to help you let go of that hatred... because hatred never brings happiness. Living only for hate... that's no life at all, right?"
"You want to eliminate my hatred? Who do you think you are?" the Nine-Tails roared.
Naruto smiled. "Because we're friends. Isn't the bond between a Jinchūriki and a tailed beast supposed to be the strongest kind of friendship? Our lives are linked. If we share our lives, why not our hearts too?
"I'm not just saying this. I want to earn your trust. I won't force you. I want us to help each other—like real friends."
The Nine-Tails burst out laughing. "Friends? A human and a tailed beast? That's the funniest thing I've ever heard!"
But when he looked at Naruto again, expecting a rebuttal or a joke, he found Naruto staring at him with unwavering determination. There was no mockery in his eyes—only sincerity.
That gaze stirred a memory deep within the Nine-Tails. He recalled the words of the Sage of Six Paths, spoken long ago:
"You will suffer much pain, but one day, you will meet someone who sees you for who you are. A friend who will guide you, someone worthy of trust and understanding."
The Nine-Tails looked at Naruto and wondered, "Could this boy... be the one the Sage spoke of?"
He asked seriously, "If you consider me a friend, then prove it—remove the seal in front of you."
Naruto replied, "I was going to anyway. But you have to promise me something first. When I do remove it, don't lose your temper. Stay calm, alright?"
The Nine-Tails was confused. "Why would I get angry? I should be happy to be free."
"Good," Naruto said with a sigh of relief. He stepped forward, ready to unlock the gate.
The Nine-Tails hesitated. "Aren't you afraid I'll take over your body once I'm free?"
Naruto tilted his head. "Why would you do that? Wouldn't it be easier to just tell me what you want and have me help you? We'll get things done faster that way. And if you ever want full control of my body... just ask. No need to take it by force."
Nine-Tails was caught off guard and felt a jolt in his chest. The boy was serious. He truly saw him as a companion, not a weapon or monster. But the Nine-Tails had already voiced his demand. Taking it back now would be admitting weakness. So, he stayed silent, acting aloof.
Naruto squinted at the fox, frowning. "Silent again? Hmph, pretending to be all mysterious... You're such a weirdo. Got quite the unique personality, huh?"
That did it. Nine-Tail's eye twitched, and his patience snapped. The massive beast rose with a guttural growl and bellowed, "Aren't you going to unseal me or not?! Stop dragging your feet!"
Startled, Naruto scrambled toward the seal gate, muttering under his breath, "Getting all worked up because you're embarrassed... This prideful attitude—ugh, just like Sasuke's."
Nine-Tail's eye twitched again. For a moment, he seriously considered launching a Tailed Beast Bomb at the boy. "These brats nowadays… absolutely insufferable."
Naruto reached the gate, and with a pulse of chakra, Nine-Tails floated closer to the seal.
Just then, Naruto turned back with a grin and asked, "Hey, by the way… what's your name? I mean, not 'Nine-Tails'. Your real name."
The great fox huffed, looking away arrogantly. But after a few moments, Naruto heard it. Soft, gruff, and proud.
"…Kurama."
Naruto's smile widened. "Nice to meet you, Kurama. From now on, you're not just the nine-tailed demon fox that everyone fears… You're my partner. A comrade of Uzumaki Naruto, ninja of the Hidden Leaf."
There was a beat of silence. Then Naruto flashed a genuine smile—and to his surprise, Kurama smiled back. For the first time in centuries, the fox felt warmth in his heart.
'Finally,' Kurama thought. 'The one the old man spoke of… I've waited so long. Far too long.'