Anko went into the tent to rest.
Haruno Sakura, hearing the sound, cautiously poked her head out to check the situation.
Seeing it was Naruto, she quickly came out. "Naruto? Are you okay? What just happened?"
Naruto replied roughly, "A group of guys with bad intentions just got beaten away. There's no danger now, so don't worry."
"Oh…" Haruno Sakura felt her mind go blank.
She had never experienced real combat. She had never even seen real combat.
Not long after, Hinata rushed back with Iruka and several other instructors.
After understanding the situation, Iruka decided to end the survival drill early.
After all, something like this had happened…
Iruka and the instructors separated to gather the students.
Hinata saw that Naruto was unharmed, and the anxiety that had been weighing on her heart finally eased.
One by one, the students assembled.
Kurama's voice appeared in Naruto's mind again: "Naruto, this is an opportunity."
Naruto was a little curious and asked mentally, "What opportunity?"
Kurama said, "With your current physique, even if you are separated from me, you won't die.
After an experience like this, you'll definitely be monitored by more Anbu.
This place is near the border of Konoha. Find a secluded spot and let me out."
Naruto felt incredulous. "Can I really withstand that kind of injury now?"
Kurama snorted disdainfully. "Are you doubting my judgment? Hurry. If you're late, you won't get another chance."
If Naruto hesitated now, Kurama would think he was perfunctory.
Naruto didn't hesitate. "Okay! I trust you!"
In truth, Naruto wouldn't easily trust Kurama.
He knew his own limits and that he wasn't immune to the injuries caused by separation from a Tailed Beast.
But this was a bet.
If he won, he would gain Kurama's full support.
If he lost, there was nothing to lose.
Inside Naruto's sealed space, there was not only the Chakra of the Fourth Hokage but also Kushina Uzumaki's Chakra.
If Kurama wanted to harm Naruto, it would be trapped, and Naruto could cooperate with Kushina to reseal it.
So Naruto broke away from the main group and looked for a remote location.
Kurama lay in the sealed space, sneering at Naruto.
Arriving at a place just a finger's throw from Konoha, Naruto asked, "Kurama, is this okay?"
"Okay! Unlock the seal!" Kurama's voice sounded vaguely excited.
Naruto sat cross-legged and entered the sealed space using his mental power.
Not long after, he saw Kurama behind the sealed gate.
Kurama trembled slightly with excitement.
Naruto approached the iron door and touched its lock.
Then…
He lifted the last layer of the seal that restrained Kurama!
Kurama's beastly eyes narrowed. It thought, This guy… really trusts me?
The sealed door opened, but Kurama didn't leave.
It remained lying inside, calm and more composed than before.
Naruto was confused. "Hey! Kurama, aren't you leaving? The seal's gone!"
Kurama opened its eyes, glancing at Naruto mockingly. "Haha, I lied to you. With your current strength, you're still not immune to death."
Naruto clicked his tongue. "I knew that already!"
Kurama snorted and swept its tail over Naruto.
"You brat! How dare you test me?" it growled.
Naruto met Kurama's gaze confidently. "I'm not testing you. I'm just a kid testing my friend."
Kurama felt embarrassed.
It shrank its head and explained, "I just wanted to see if you truly wanted to release me. Don't be so angry."
Kurama put Naruto down gently. "I didn't expect there are still humans who trust Tailed Beasts unconditionally.
Boy, do you know what it means to break my seal?"
Naruto thought: It means if I fail, I'll be fully sealed again, along with my mother's help…
But on the surface, he said, "It means I could die at any time, but Kurama, aren't we friends? The old man in my dream said I'd be a friend to the Tailed Beasts and would save the world in the future."
Kurama looked at him thoughtfully. "So… you really are a bit like that guy…"
The guy was, of course, Ashura.
"Naruto, since you trust me so much, I'll never embarrass a Tailed Beast," Kurama continued. "I've been imprisoned for so many years. I don't care how many years you've grown.
When you truly gain the ability to survive death on your own, I'll leave!"
Naruto shrugged. "Whatever. Anyway, I think it's cruel to lock up little animals."
"Roar!" Kurama suddenly roared. "Who are you calling a little animal?"
Naruto replied, "Why are you so sensitive? Fine, fine, you're the great Nine-Tails…"
Kurama's expression stiffened.
It sensed a familiar presence.
Kurama's eyes locked on a ball of Chakra appearing out of nowhere.
The Chakra condensed into a human form resembling the Fourth Hokage.
It was…
Kushina Uzumaki!
Kurama felt fear. Oh no! Fortunately, I didn't try to force my way out. Otherwise, with Kushina here, Naruto could seal me again.
A gentle voice reached Naruto. "Naruto?"
He recognized it immediately—his mother—but still turned in surprise.
A beautiful woman with red hair and a gentle face smiled at him.
Naruto asked, "Auntie, who are you? How are you in my body?"
Kurama snorted sarcastically: "Naruto, that's your mother. You unfilial brat! You don't even recognize her."
Kushina's eyes were drawn to Kurama. Seeing it unsealed, she exclaimed, "Xiaojiu? Why weren't you sealed?"
"You! Don't call me Xiaojiu!" Kurama growled.
Originally, the name "Xiaojiu" was given by Uzumaki Mito.
Now Kushina called it that in front of Naruto.
If Naruto also called it Xiaojiu… where was its dignity as the leader of the Tailed Beasts?
The next moment, Naruto laughed loudly. "Kurama, so your nickname is Xiaojiu? Then I'll call you Xiaojiu from now on!"
Kurama: "…"
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