From the Nine-Tails' perspective, Fujimoto Tōma didn't look particularly impressive.
He had the build of an ordinary human, and the pressure he gave off wasn't even close to the Fourth Hokage's. The only thing that stood out was the killing intent clinging to him, sharp enough to draw Kurama's attention.
But when Kurama looked closer, something felt… wrong.
There was a faint trace of a higher-tier presence around Tōma. Thin, almost negligible, yet unmistakable.
For a brief moment, Kurama's eyes flickered with memory.
The Sage of Six Paths?
No. That wasn't it. Kurama was certain Tōma wasn't a successor of that man. And yet, that trace existed. Barely there, but real. Enough to make Kurama uneasy.
Because having even a fragment of that aura meant one thing.
This human had the potential to step into a realm most never reached.
Kurama stared harder, noticing a vague, unfamiliar mark near Tōma's forehead. It didn't resemble any seal or symbol Kurama recognized.
Tōma, of course, had no idea any of this was happening. From his point of view, the fox had just been glaring at him the entire time.
He was more concerned with a practical problem.
How exactly was he supposed to prove he was "qualified"?
Beating Kurama into submission was clearly not an option right now.
"Hmph. Get to the point," Kurama said at last, withdrawing his gaze and lying down again. "You're not there yet, but you're at least worth listening to."
"…Huh?" Tōma blinked, confused by the sudden shift in attitude.
Kurama offered no explanation.
Not questioning his luck, Tōma moved straight to the reason he'd come.
"You want me to willingly lend my power to that brat?" Kurama exploded the moment he heard it. "Dream on!"
"Easy," Tōma replied calmly. "You've been sealed away all these years, but you must've sensed how Naruto's been treated, right?"
Kurama snarled. "And why should I care? Humans steal my power, then turn around and fear the ones who carry it. If you're so afraid, then release me. Let me leave!"
"That's not how the world works," Tōma said flatly, ignoring the red chakra boiling around him. "Humans rule this world. Power like yours will always be targeted. Even if you escaped, where would you go? You'd just be hunted again. Best case, you get sealed. Worst case…"
He smiled faintly.
"You get killed."
"I won't die!" Kurama roared.
"Maybe. But which is easier?" Tōma asked quietly. "Killing a tailed beast, or sealing one?"
Kurama froze.
The answer was obvious. Sealing was far harder.
"And even if you're killed," Tōma continued, "you eventually reform. But tell me, Kurama… are you sure the 'you' that comes back is truly the same?"
The crimson chakra halted mid-surge.
Kurama fell silent.
"…You know too much," he said coldly, though the rage had dulled. He lay back down, anger buried, not gone.
"I know enough," Tōma replied. "Enough to believe you should at least give Naruto a chance. He's different."
"All humans are the same," Kurama scoffed.
"You'll see," Tōma said, stretching lazily.
Then, in a blur, he vanished.
"What—!" Kurama's eyes widened.
Before Kurama could react, Tōma appeared right in front of him and reached out.
He patted the Nine-Tails on the head.
"Not bad," Tōma said thoughtfully. "Tail and neck fur would probably feel even better."
Then his form shattered, dissolving as he exited the seal.
Kurama stared at the empty space, stunned.
…That human really came in just to pet him and leave?
Ridiculous.
And yet… strange.
—
Back in the real world, Tōma felt no fear. He'd always known he could disengage instantly if things went wrong.
He flexed his fingers, recalling the sensation.
Honestly, the fur felt pretty good. Though compared to Kurama's younger days, it probably didn't even come close. Most creatures lost their cuteness once they grew up.
Still, he hadn't gone in to provoke or convince Kurama outright.
All he wanted was to make sure the fox wouldn't shut Naruto out immediately.
If Kurama was willing to talk, that was enough.
Now came the outside work.
"Naruto," Tōma said seriously, "if I leave a mark on you, I'll always be able to locate you. Your life would technically be in my hands."
Naruto didn't hesitate. "It's fine. I said I trust you. And I mean it. That's my ninja way."
The words hit Tōma harder than expected. He'd almost forgotten that phrase.
"…Alright," he said softly. "Let's begin."
He focused completely.
The Flying Thunder God mark was easy. The real challenge was layering a modified Four Symbols Seal on top, one that only Tōma himself could activate using his chakra and blood.
Anything else would turn Naruto into a walking vulnerability.
Time passed. Dusk crept in.
At last, Tōma exhaled. Finished.
Carefully, he loosened a small section of the outer Eight Trigrams Seal. Just enough. Too much would be reckless.
He stayed alert, ready for Kurama to lash out.
Nothing happened.
Tōma relaxed slightly. Guess the fox had listened more than he let on.
Then—
"Grrr…"
A sound came from Naruto's stomach.
Tōma stiffened. For a terrifying second, he thought something had gone wrong.
"…Uh, Tōma?" Naruto said sheepishly. "Are we done? I'm starving."
"…We're done," Tōma said flatly, smacking Naruto's head. "Come on. I'll treat you to barbecue."
"Eh? Not ramen?"
"Eat properly. You're still growing," Tōma said. "At this rate, you'll stay shorter than Sasuke. Girls don't like that."
Naruto froze, thinking of Sakura.
"…Fine."
As they left the apartment, Tōma noticed a figure in the distance. The ANBU Commander. A brief nod. Then gone.
So the Third had prepared contingencies.
Good.
Mental note: don't overlook that again.
Naruto, oblivious, happily followed him toward the barbecue place.
And as they walked, Tōma thought back to Kurama's reaction.
That encounter had given him more than he'd expected.
...
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