Just when Fujimoto Tōma thought Naruto had finally understood, the blond scratched his head again.
"But… what's the point of all that?"
Tōma went quiet for a moment. Then he sighed and decided to spell it out properly.
"Shadow Clones aren't just for fighting," he said. "You can have them study ninjutsu and theory for you. When they disperse, everything they learned comes back to you. Meanwhile, your real body can keep training physically. That's something clones can't do for you."
He paused, then added, more seriously, "For most people, that kind of feedback would overload their body and mind. The strain would be unbearable. But your physique is different. You can handle far more than normal. Still, don't overdo it at first."
Naruto's eyes grew brighter with every word.
"So that's why you said the Multi Shadow Clone Technique is basically made for me?"
"Exactly," Tōma replied. "Want to try it now?"
"Of course!" Naruto didn't hesitate for a second.
"Multi Shadow Clone Technique!"
A massive wave of chakra surged through the room. Tōma felt it immediately and couldn't help thinking back to how Naruto, in the past, sometimes used the technique and only produced one or two clones. It wasn't a mistake. It was control. Each clone carried an absurd amount of chakra.
This time, five Narutos appeared.
"Alright!" Naruto grinned. "You guys know where the books are. Go study!"
What happened next made Tōma's eye twitch.
The clones immediately started refusing. Arguments broke out. Somehow, it escalated into a full-blown brawl, and a moment later all the clones vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving only the original Naruto behind.
"…Right," Tōma muttered, rubbing his forehead. Teaching Naruto to study really was a challenge.
"Hey, what was that about?" Naruto asked, completely baffled.
"Each Shadow Clone is its own individual the moment it's created," Tōma explained. "They share your thoughts and personality at the time of creation. Which means…"
He gave Naruto a flat look.
"…none of you wanted to study."
Naruto froze, then his eyes widened in realization. Yeah. That tracked.
After thinking for a bit, Naruto formed seals again and created four new clones. This time, he started talking to them. Persuading them. It took a while, but somehow, against all logic, the clones eventually agreed and ran off to study.
Tōma watched in silence, deeply confused. The clones should have known Naruto's thoughts already. Why did he need to convince them?
And why did it work?
In the end, he just shrugged. Naruto was Naruto. Logic didn't always apply.
"Yes!" Naruto flashed a triumphant grin and gave Tōma a thumbs-up.
"Well done," Tōma said, ruffling his spiky blond hair.
Different texture than Sasuke's. Rougher. Stiffer. Still… not bad.
Naruto laughed, clearly pleased.
Then Tōma's expression turned serious.
"Naruto, there's something important I need to ask you about. I can't decide without your consent."
Naruto swallowed. "What is it?"
Tōma took a breath and explained everything. The Nine-Tails. The night it rampaged. The fact that it had been controlled. The truth that Naruto's parents had died protecting him.
He didn't say who they were. That was something Naruto deserved to discover himself.
Finally, Tōma told him his plan. To loosen the seal slightly. To allow Naruto to communicate with the Nine-Tails and, if possible, borrow its power.
When he finished, Naruto fell silent.
Tōma didn't rush him. This wasn't an easy choice.
After a while, Naruto spoke quietly. "The Nine-Tails… it's been locked up this whole time, right?"
"Yes."
"Then it wanting to break out makes sense," Naruto said slowly. "Especially if it was being controlled back then."
Tōma looked at him. "So?"
Naruto scratched his head and smiled. "Let's do it your way. I don't know if I can forgive it yet. So I want to meet it myself. And if it's gonna live inside me, it should at least pay rent with some of its power."
Tōma stared at him for a second, then nodded.
That was Naruto. He hadn't known his parents. He'd never truly felt parental love. His anger toward the Nine-Tails was tangled with years of isolation more than hatred.
"Lie down like before," Tōma said. "Lift your shirt."
Naruto complied. His bed had been moved since last time, hidden from the window. He'd listened to Tōma's advice, even if he didn't fully understand why.
Tōma placed his hand on Naruto's stomach. The seal emerged clearly, no need for Naruto to force chakra this time. Tōma closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, he stood in a dim, flooded space. Murky water lapped around his ankles. Pipes ran along the walls.
"So this is the seal…"
He followed the flow of chakra until the tunnel opened into a vast chamber. Water pooled across the floor. At the far end stood an enormous gate, a single kanji emblazoned across it.
Seal.
Beyond the bars was darkness.
"Hoh?" A deep, malicious voice echoed from within. "A visitor? How rare. Come closer, brat."
Tōma walked forward calmly.
"For a first meeting, Kurama," he said evenly, "keeping the lights off feels a little rude, don't you think?"
Silence fell.
Then, slowly, the darkness receded.
The Nine-Tails revealed itself. Massive. Orange fur bristling. Bloodshot eyes burning with hatred as they locked onto Tōma.
"How do you know that name?" Kurama roared.
"Oh, from other tailed beasts," Tōma replied casually. "Don't worry. You won't be able to confirm it."
Kurama exploded in fury, the roar shaking the entire space.
"Which one told you?! I'll tear them apart!"
"Relax," Tōma said, shielding his eyes from the gust. "That's not why I'm here."
Kurama narrowed his eyes, finally studying him properly.
And then, for the first time, genuine shock crossed the Nine-Tails' face.