Chapter 145 – The Nine-Tailed Fox
Yusuke brought Naruto back into the village and resumed his training, using the same method Jiraiya once used to teach the Rasengan.
With the help of thirty Shadow Clones, it still took Naruto an entire day just to complete the first stage.
"This won't do," Yusuke muttered, rubbing his chin.
"Uncle! I finished the first step!" Naruto said proudly, panting but smiling from ear to ear.
"I figured you'd come out by now," Yusuke said casually, glancing to his left.
A deep laugh echoed through the training ground.
"Hahaha, so you noticed me after all."
From behind the trees emerged a tall, broad-shouldered man with long white hair that flowed down his back, red markings stretching from his eyes to his jawline. He walked forward with lazy confidence, wooden geta clacking against the dirt.
"It's been a while, Jiraiya-nii," Yusuke greeted him with a faint smile.
"Yusuke… I didn't think you'd actually come back," Jiraiya replied, his tone a mix of surprise and nostalgia.
"Of course I did. I promised Minato that I'd only return once his son became a real shinobi," Yusuke said with a light chuckle.
"Minato…" Jiraiya's expression darkened. "It's my fault. I should've returned sooner."
Yusuke waved his hand dismissively. "Even if you had, it wouldn't have changed anything, Jiraiya-nii."
Jiraiya sighed. "Still the same irritating brat as ever. The years haven't changed you at all."
"Haha, you say that like it's a bad thing," Yusuke said, grinning.
Jiraiya rolled his eyes. "Anyway, since you're back, you should be the one training Naruto. You're better suited for him than I am."
"I already planned to," Jiraiya admitted. His gaze softened as he watched Naruto running laps around the training ground. That blond hair… that face… he's the perfect mix of Minato and Kushina.
Minato had been his proudest student—brilliant, composed, and endlessly loyal. Looking at Naruto now stirred a familiar ache deep inside.
"Naruto, take off your shirt," Jiraiya said.
"Eh? Okay," Naruto replied, confused but obedient.
"Now use that chakra of yours," Jiraiya continued.
As Naruto focused, a strange seal became visible around his navel—lines spiraling outward like the pattern of a toad.
So this is the Nine-Tails' seal… Jiraiya thought. A double Shishō Fūin layered together—but there's a Five Elements Seal suppressing it from the outside. That explains why the boy's chakra flow is unstable and mixes with the fox's chakra.
He pressed his hand gently against Naruto's stomach.
"Hahaha! That tickles!" Naruto laughed.
"Ah, sorry about that," Jiraiya said with an awkward grin.
Definitely Orochimaru's work, he realized grimly. He gathered chakra at his fingertips, each one glowing with a different elemental hue.
"Alright, Naruto. Raise your hands."
"Huh? Okay…" Naruto lifted both hands, still confused.
In one swift motion, Jiraiya slammed his palm against Naruto's stomach.
Five Elements Seal – Release!
Naruto was thrown backward, hitting the ground with a thud.
"Ow! What the heck was that for?!" he yelled angrily.
"To help you relax," Jiraiya said with a smirk. "Now try standing on the water again."
Naruto hesitated, then ran toward the nearby stream. This time, his feet held firm against the surface.
"I did it! It's working again! Ever since Orochimaru touched me, I couldn't control my chakra—but now… I can!" he shouted, laughing with pure joy as he jumped up and down on the water's surface.
But then—his chakra suddenly flared. The energy around him turned crimson, boiling like fire.
"This isn't good," Jiraiya muttered, eyes widening as he saw the red aura swirl violently.
Naruto's body began to twist and morph under the surging power. A single tail formed—then a second, a third… until four tails writhed behind him.
Sweat rolled down Jiraiya's forehead. Four tails… at this rate, the boy could die.
"Unless you want to die… stay down," came a cold, commanding voice.
In an instant, the red chakra vanished. The tails dissolved into mist, and Naruto collapsed, unconscious but unharmed.
Jiraiya exhaled deeply. "That was way too close."
"Still as soft and timid as ever, huh, Jiraiya-nii?" Yusuke said from behind him, his tone calm but mocking.
"Hmph. Not everyone's a monster like you," Jiraiya muttered, rubbing his temple. "At least the seal's stable now. Naruto can continue training safely."
"True," Yusuke said. "But there's still one more thing I need to do."
He approached Naruto and slowly lifted the white cloth covering his eyes. Beneath it, his bright blue gaze began to glow faintly.
The world around him shifted. The training field dissolved into darkness—humid, echoing, like the inside of a vast underground tunnel.
Ahead of him stood an enormous gate sealed by paper talismans, and behind it, two blazing eyes glowed like twin lanterns.
"Well, well. The great fox himself," Yusuke said, smirking. "You don't look happy to see me."
"Hmph. What business do you have here, human?" the Nine-Tails rumbled, its voice deep and ancient.
"Relax. I'm not here to punish you. Just a little talk," Yusuke said lightly.
"Don't tell me you want me to stop influencing the boy. I can't. My chakra leaks out on its own," the fox growled.
"I know. As long as you're not doing it intentionally, I don't care," Yusuke replied calmly.
"You speak with such arrogance. I've watched this child since birth. I've seen his pain. If the day comes when he begs me for power, I'll destroy Konoha myself," the beast said coldly.
"Haha… you misunderstand," Yusuke said, tilting his head. "First, the fate of Konoha isn't my concern. Second, even my 'useless little brother' could beat you—and he's nowhere near my level. You're only half of yourself here, after all."
Kurama's eyes narrowed. "You dare mock me?"
He knew of Kakashi—Naruto's teacher—and remembered how even that man couldn't match the one standing before him now.
But still, the Nine-Tails was pride incarnate. His chakra was endless, his hatred ancient. Even half-sealed, he refused to yield.
"Let's be serious for a moment, Kurama," Yusuke said, his tone turning sharp.
The fox froze. "W-What did you just call me?"
"Kurama," Yusuke repeated evenly.
The enormous beast's eyes widened. That name—his true name—was known only to the other Tailed Beasts and the Sage of Six Paths himself. No ordinary human should have known it.
"How… how do you know that?" Kurama demanded.
"Don't be so surprised," Yusuke said, smiling faintly. "I just have one question. Where is Indra's vessel?"
Kurama's pupils constricted. "Indra? How do you know about—"
"Calm down," Yusuke interrupted. "But fine, since I'm in a good mood, I'll give you a little hint."
He closed his eyes. When he opened them again, the bright blue had vanished—replaced by a pair of glowing lavender Rinnegan, each etched with six tomoe spinning slowly in a calm, deliberate rhythm.
Kurama's jaw fell open. "Rinnegan…?!"
Yusuke's faint smile didn't waver. "That's right. Now, shall we continue our conversation?"
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