"Phoenix Flower Crimson Claw… Uchiha Style: Sword Leap Flame… Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique—huh? You even got experience using Susanoo?"
Naruto clicked his tongue in surprise, then smiled faintly.
"This is interesting, Kurama. Your rewards are way better than mine."
"Hmph. What good are they?" Kurama snorted. "I can't train human ninjutsu."
Inside the sealed space, Naruto and the fox each withdrew the fist they'd used to link chakra. Kurama sounded annoyed, but through the chakra connection Naruto could tell the truth—Kurama was in an excellent mood.
In the Mirror World, Kurama had nearly lost his mind at first, being toyed with by Uchiha Shisui's Body Flicker. But after watching Naruto's recorded battles, he realized there were many ways to win.
For example, he learned to choose terrain that favored him, then prepare a Tailed Beast Ball at close range before the match began. The moment combat started, Shisui would be forced to activate Susanoo instantly just to survive. Once Shisui's chakra burned out and his ocular power faltered, Kurama could crush him without effort.
Or Kurama would start by retreating far away—outside the effective range of Mangekyō genjutsu—then use sensing to lock onto Shisui's position and bombard him with Tailed Beast Barrage, attacking at long range while continuously backing off.
Shisui could fly in Susanoo to pursue and return fire, but his chakra reserves were nowhere near Kurama's, and his range was shorter. In the end, he still got erased by Kurama's strongest technique.
As for the rewards afterward, Kurama didn't care in the slightest. He was a tailed beast; he couldn't cultivate human ninjutsu anyway.
So after leaving the Mirror World, he linked chakra with Naruto and dumped all those rewards onto him.
Truthfully, Naruto had wanted Kurama to try this much earlier. He knew Kurama might not get rewards that helped Kurama directly—but Kurama could still pass them to Naruto through chakra linkage afterward.
The problem was that Kurama always thought the Mirror World felt too unreal—too much like certain unpleasant memories. Naruto hadn't wanted to force him.
But now, it seemed that worry was gone for good.
The Third Hokage finally finished his speech on the platform.
After saying goodbye to Shikamaru and the others, Naruto quickly returned home.
He was just about to study the rewards Kurama had obtained when he sensed the Third Hokage approaching—bringing someone Naruto cared about.
Nara Clan Compound
Shikaku had barely stepped through the door when he saw something shocking.
His son was holding a book.
"Yoshino… is Shikamaru reading?" Shikaku asked, stunned.
"He is," Yoshino said. "The moment he got home, he picked up a book. It scared me too. Normally he comes back with zero motivation, naps somewhere, or just sits around waiting for you to come home so he can play shōgi."
Shikaku gave an awkward laugh and didn't dare argue—because she was right.
He walked out of the kitchen, sat beside his son, and asked, "Why the sudden interest in books?"
Shikamaru flipped a page lazily. "At the Academy anniversary today, Naruto suggested I read more when I have time. Looks like he was right."
"Oh?" Shikaku smiled. "And what have you realized?"
Shikamaru lightly set the book down—
—and Shikaku's brow immediately furrowed.
Because the page Shikamaru had opened to was clearly a record of the Nine-Tails incident.
Shikaku picked it up and made a quick pass through it. He saw countless arrows and notes. On nearly every page, the dates and the Fourth Hokage's photo had been circled.
Shikaku glanced toward the kitchen where his wife was busy, then lowered his voice.
"Shikamaru… what are you trying to do?"
Shikamaru put both hands behind his head and lay back. After a moment, he spoke.
"The Fourth Hokage is Naruto's father… right?"
Shikaku's expression dimmed. He didn't answer.
"…Sigh."
A long, quiet breath dissolved into the air.
Mount Myōboku
Jiraiya met the Great Toad Sage again—this time, he'd been summoned by Fukasaku.
"Great Toad Sage," Jiraiya reported, "I reinforced the Dragon Vein seal again. I also secretly informed Sunagakure about Mukade's plan to steal the Dragon Vein. They've captured him."
There was no response for a long moment. Jiraiya looked to Fukasaku, confused.
"Great Elder… is the Sage still—"
Before he could finish, the Great Toad Sage finally spoke.
"Fukasaku. Give it to Jiraiya."
Fukasaku picked up a scroll from the stone platform, hopped down, and handed it to Jiraiya.
Jiraiya opened it—and froze.
"You want me to protect Iwagakure's Five-Tails jinchūriki?"
From atop the dais, the Great Toad Sage spoke slowly.
"Yes. In my dream, I saw the organization you've been investigating—Akatsuki—planning to capture all the tailed beasts. Their goal is tied to the future fate of the shinobi world."
"And the current Five-Tails jinchūriki… is their first target."
"Capture all the tailed beasts…" Jiraiya's expression hardened. "Great Toad Sage, I need to report this to the village immediately. But shouldn't Iwagakure handle their own jinchūriki?"
The Great Toad Sage shook his head.
"Iwagakure won't make it in time. The Five-Tails jinchūriki is currently in the Land of Hot Water. Akatsuki is almost there. Only you can intervene."
Jiraiya's face reddened slightly.
Ever since the Great Toad Sage forbade him from going to the Land of Rain, he'd been simmering with frustration. So after handling Mukade, he'd drifted to the Land of Hot Water—planning to "find inspiration" for his writing before returning to Konoha to seek the answers he wanted.
Konoha
At the same time, the Third Hokage had just left Naruto's apartment building.
Beside him walked a tall figure with white hair.
After they'd gone some distance, the Third Hokage stopped and looked back toward Naruto's building.
"So," he asked, "what do you think of Naruto?"
The man beside him turned as well, answering in a low, lifeless voice.
"I feel like… Naruto doesn't like me."
Black mask. Forehead protector tilted to cover one eye. In the end, only a third of his face showed.
The Third Hokage's lips curved slightly. "Not necessarily. I'd say he's curious about you."
"Kakashi—next month you'll be assigned as a jōnin instructor. Don't be too harsh on your students."
Kakashi's expression didn't change. "Ah… I'll try."
The Third Hokage nodded. "Now—let's go check on Sasuke."
Near the Naka River
In the small woods by the river, Sasuke had just finished a round of training when his vision blurred—
Naruto appeared.
Whoosh!
In the next instant, Sasuke found himself at the lakeside dock he used to frequent.
"What happened?" Sasuke demanded. "You wouldn't bring me here for no reason."
Naruto looked at him and smiled.
"The Third Hokage went to your place—on a 'home visit.' He brought someone with him."
Sasuke's expression tightened. "Who?"
Naruto's smile didn't change. His voice stayed light.
"He has a title famous across the shinobi world. During the Academy anniversary, he stood not far behind the Third Hokage."
"And he's someone who's… risen above low tastes."
"Didn't you notice him?"
Sasuke's heart jolted.
"Hatake Kakashi!"
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