"Naruto, I—huh? You're back already? Did you get the forbidden jutsu?"
Kurama sounded surprised. The three Tailed Beasts had spent most of their time lately in the Mirror World, and Kurama had just come across a strange secret technique. It had come out to ask Naruto about it, only to find him already home.
"No. Someone sabotaged my plan… ahead of time."
Naruto's consciousness entered the seal space. He raised a fist and said, "To be precise—it wasn't a 'person' who interfered."
"Not a person? Wait… don't tell me…"
Kurama's expression darkened. It raised its paw and bumped fists with Naruto. A moment later, it muttered grimly, "So it really was the toads of Mount Myōboku meddling behind the scenes."
Naruto's face darkened too. "Kurama, what do you think Mount Myōboku is trying to do? I only suspected their involvement in the Land of Hot Springs and Land of Demons incidents. The one in Hot Springs even felt like a show of goodwill. But this time, they're clearly interfering openly."
"No idea."
Kurama's voice turned serious. "That toad's prophecy ability is exactly why the Sage of Six Paths was always wary of them. But based on your analysis, it seems they're not openly hostile—yet. Otherwise, you'd have been exposed already. Honestly, the way they 'warned' you… it's almost like they wanted you to know it was them."
Naruto nodded slowly. "Exactly. That old toad already knows a lot of my secrets. If they're not enemies, they should stay out of my way. And if they are trying to show goodwill, then they should know exactly what I want. Why not just have Jiraiya bring me the key to the Nine-Tails seal?"
Kurama was silent for a moment, then lowered its head and asked, "Naruto… do you believe in that toad's prophecies?"
"No."
Naruto answered firmly. "I don't know how their prophecy ability works, but based on what I've experienced… it's just a special kind of information analysis. If you can access the right intel ahead of time, anyone can make accurate predictions. The problem is, once people believe in the prophecy, they start following that path—and then the ending is no longer theirs to decide."
"In my opinion, prophecy is just a means to an end. Just like what I'm doing now—if I wanted to, I could easily spout some prophecy that others would believe without question."
"Come on, Kurama. Do you really believe in that frog's fortune-telling nonsense?"
"Heh! As if I'd believe in a toad's prophecy!"
Kurama shut its eyes, then lifted its head with a sneer. "At first, I trusted them because of the Sage. But after a thousand years, I've lost all faith in humans. And in the Mirror World, I see enough filth every day to prove I'm right."
Naruto nodded. "You're not wrong. In a way, what I'm doing now is just as filthy—but it's all about perspective. The shinobi world was crooked from the start."
Kurama smirked. "At least you're honest. But what do you mean by 'crooked from the start'?"
Naruto smiled faintly. "What if, instead of calling you Tailed Beasts monsters, the ninja world had honored you as guardian spirits from the very beginning?"
Kurama's eyes went wide. "That's ridiculous!"
"Why is it?"
Naruto tilted his head curiously. "Don't tell me you've bought into that nonsense about Tailed Beasts being inherently evil?"
"Of course not!"
Kurama huffed, clearly annoyed. "The reasons are complicated, and I don't feel like explaining. But let's just say—I've never seen anything more evil than humans."
"Especially that little Uchiha brat you hang around. Evil runs deep in his soul."
Naruto chuckled. "I know you hate the Sharingan, Kurama. But come on, what secrets about Sasuke don't you already know? Aside from his obsession with revenge and finding the truth behind the Uchiha massacre, he's just a quiet, hot-headed kid. Where's the 'evil' in that?"
Kurama scowled and held out its fist again. "Wait till he grows strong enough to rival Uchiha Itachi. That's when you'll see his true colors."
Naruto blinked. "Are you saying the more powerful the Sharingan becomes, the more it warps a person's nature?"
"How would I know?"
Kurama's ears perked up. "Stop talking and bump fists already. I need to head back to the Mirror World. I got a new secret technique from Itachi—it'll prove the Uchiha are truly twisted."
"Secret technique?"
Naruto met the fist, and his eyes lit up in surprise. "Fusion technique for the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan? Kurama, you—huh? You're already gone?"
"…Still, that fusion ability's interesting. My shadow clone won't be back for another three hours, so I might as well run a test with the Byakugan."
And with that, Naruto vanished from his bedroom.
Mirror World
The moment Kurama arrived, it summoned Isobu and Matatabi.
"While Naruto's out, I need to talk."
Kurama's expression was solemn. "What do you two think of Naruto?"
Seeing Kurama so serious, Matatabi answered calmly, "His methods are a little extreme, but he's a human I believe in."
"Extreme?" Isobu's tails began to twitch furiously. "Matatabi, have you gotten too comfortable in Iwagakure? Forget Kirigakure—just look at Konoha. If Naruto didn't have this Mirror World, he'd be dead already. Even though I got along with Yagura, I haven't forgotten what it was like to be treated like a gift—sent off to the Land of Water in disgrace."
"I believe in Naruto. He's the second human I've met who acknowledges the dignity of Tailed Beasts."
"Uh…"
Matatabi looked awkward. "I trust him too, okay? And don't forget—Naruto saved me. But still, even if he helped you break free of genjutsu, you don't have to be that emotional. He's not your jinchūriki. If anyone should be emotional, it's—"
"Enough!"
Kurama cut her off with a growl. "Do you both remember what the Sage of Six Paths said in his prophecy?"
Two Hours Later – Mission Center
Team 7 exited the mission hall. Sasuke and Sakura each carried a scroll. Naruto had nothing.
"Kakashi-sensei, is there no ninjutsu suitable for my training?"
Naruto looked confused.
"You already have that A-rank technique the Hokage gave you. Isn't that enough?"
Kakashi met Naruto's stare with a calm voice. "What I gave them was basic jutsu. You still haven't fully mastered walking on water—your chakra control is lacking. Once you've passed that hurdle, I'll give you something better."
Naruto froze for a moment. "…I understand."
"Training Ground #5, by the river. 2PM."
Kakashi vanished with a body flicker, leaving Sakura starry-eyed with envy.
By the time she snapped out of it, Naruto was already walking down the nearby street. She ran to Sasuke's side.
"Sasuke-kun~ What did sensei give you? I got C-rank Water Release: Wild Water Wave!"
Sasuke unrolled his scroll. His eye twitched. "Same rank. Mine's Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique."
Sakura lit up. "Same rank? Wow! We got out early today. Wanna—"
"I'm going home."
Sasuke cut her off and walked away.
Sakura was stunned. Watching him go, her inner self was screaming in frustration.
Sasuke had already caught up to Naruto. He walked past him on the right, then disappeared into the crowd.
This was their code: If Sasuke wanted to meet, he'd pass Naruto's right side and wait at Full Gear Weapon Shop. Whether Naruto showed up or not was up to him.
30 Minutes Later – Full Gear Weapon Shop
A transformed Naruto stepped inside. Yamato saw him and immediately reported to the Hokage.
"You're really here," Sasuke said quietly, also transformed—using the same disguise from their visit to the pawn shop.
"I'm where I'm supposed to be."
Naruto nodded and waved to a clerk.
"I'll get to the point. Next time—can I come with you?"
Sasuke's voice was eager. A smiling female clerk walked toward them.
"Of course. If the time is right, go wait at the usual place," Naruto replied just as she arrived.
"Looking for something, sir?"
Naruto pointed to a massive windmill shuriken on the rack. "Please wrap that up for me."
Meanwhile – Hokage's Office
The Third Hokage glanced at Yamato's report. "So… Kakashi didn't give Naruto any jutsu?"
Yamato answered seriously, "Correct. Kakashi wants him to finish chakra control training first."
The Third nodded and placed the report on the desk. "How is Naruto getting along with his teammates?"
"Not bad. He often helps Sasuke and Sakura during missions."
"Helps them?" The Hokage sounded surprised. Then, "Does Naruto actively approach anyone else?"
"Others?"
Yamato paused. "Not really. He just goes home after missions. Today he visited Full Gear Weapon Shop again—same as always, transformed before entering."
"…That's not good."
The Hokage frowned. "Naruto knows too few people. And with how things are, fewer and fewer villagers will even recognize him. Meanwhile, the perfect jinchūriki in the Hidden Cloud is respected by the entire village."
"Eh…"
Yamato looked awkward. "That's because Killer Bee was acknowledged by the Raikage as a brother from a young age. His acceptance came largely from that relationship. If you look at how another Cloud jinchūriki was treated, the contrast is clear—not every jinchūriki gets that."
"You're right."
The Hokage cut him off and picked up Naruto's photo. "Bonds between brothers are often stronger than emotional ties."
Yamato was about to respond when—
Knock knock knock!
"Come in!"
Hayate Gekkō entered, holding five letters.
"Hokage-sama, replies for the Chūnin Exams have arrived."
The Third frowned. "Only five?"
Hayate placed the letters on his desk. "Yes. Iwagakure and Kumogakure didn't respond. Kirigakure's letter couldn't even be delivered."
"Oh? Kirigakure is still isolated?"
The Third was surprised, but quickly understood. Intel from the Hidden Mist confirmed the village was in a bad state. Their isolation was likely to prevent outsiders from probing their weaknesses.
The mention of Danzo crossed the Hokage's mind. It had been Danzo who first proposed this year's Chūnin Exams. Now that the participant villages were confirmed, it was time to put him to work again.
He began reading the replies.
"Hm? The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, is personally attending?"
The Third Hokage's face darkened as he read the Sand Village's letter. Then he picked up another envelope and frowned again.
"This new 'Sound Village' from the Land of Fields has the strength to enter?"
That night, the Hokage lifted Danzo's house arrest, reinstating him as the head of Root—but not as his advisor.
"Naruto, the old man is thinking of getting you a 'brother.'"
"…What?"
Naruto had just finished a fight when he heard Kurama's teasing voice.
"It's true. And that Danzo guy who wanted to drag you into the ANBU? He's out."
Isobu opened a floating window. A live feed showed the Third Hokage discussing this very matter—considering who might bond with Naruto as a "brother." Shortly after, Danzo appeared, and things got interesting.
The Hokage took Danzo all the way to the Hokage Rock and started praising his years of service.
Naruto couldn't help but laugh. The Hokage Rock bore the faces of the Third's teachers, himself, and his student's student—Naruto's father.
Now they were up there praising Danzo? His expression must've been priceless.
The scene ended, and Naruto's eyes locked onto Danzo.
"I need to find a way to contact him."
Half a Month Later – February
"Kakashi-sensei, I can walk on water now!"
Naruto stepped across the river and stood proudly before him.
"Hmm. Keep it up," Kakashi said lazily, flipping a page of Icha Icha Paradise.
Naruto pressed, "Didn't you say once I mastered this, you'd teach me a new jutsu? Sasuke and Sakura have already learned several."
"Ah… I did say that."
Kakashi didn't look up. "But I haven't prepared a suitable Lightning Release technique for you. In the meantime, you can practice the D-rank Body Flicker."
Naruto gave him a flat look and walked over to where Sasuke and Sakura were watching.
An hour later, Kakashi dismissed them and vanished. Sakura stuck to Sasuke as usual, while Naruto walked home.
Just as he neared his house, Kurama's voice rang out.
"Naruto, the Third just summoned Danzo to his office."
Naruto broke into a sprint toward the Hokage Building. Behind him, Yamato paled and followed from the shadows.
Naruto stopped outside the first-floor entrance.
"So he's here to see the Hokage. But why isn't he going up? Afraid of the ANBU guards? He's been here plenty of times. And after the Scroll of Seals incident, didn't the Hokage say Naruto could visit anytime?"
Yamato relaxed, but still couldn't figure out Naruto's plan. Ten minutes later, Naruto finally stepped inside.
He ran straight to the third floor, but slowed as he neared the office.
Only two people inside.
Creak.
The doorknob turned. Naruto rushed forward.
A cane extended from the doorway. Naruto reflexively ducked back—
Thud!
He tumbled backward and landed at the door.
"Ah—sorry, sir. I was moving too fast."
Danzo's left eye narrowed, but he smiled and extended a hand to help Naruto up.
"Young men should be full of energy."
Naruto awkwardly dusted himself off. "Thank you. Um… may I ask who you are?"
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