The Tsundere Fox
Tōma knew the Nine-Tails understood the stakes.
If Kurama left Naruto's body completely, the seal would collapse and Naruto would die.
For Kurama, the choice had never been simple freedom versus captivity.
It was freedom… or Naruto's life.
The miniature Nine-Tails hesitated for a long time.
In the end, it stepped forward and slipped back through the gap in the seal gate.
Almost immediately, it tried to step back out again.
Blocked.
This seal only allowed entry, not exit.
"Tch."
The small fox clicked its tongue, as if it had expected nothing less.
Its chakra surged, swelling outward, and in moments the familiar massive form of the Nine-Tails reappeared inside the prison. Kurama lay there lazily, glancing sideways at Tōma, who was watching with a knowing half-smile.
Kurama snorted and turned its head away.
"I'm just being realistic," it said coldly. "Even if I left, you'd just beat me down and stuff me back in. Better to save myself the trouble."
"I see," Tōma replied, nodding solemnly. "That makes sense."
Inwardly, he was laughing.
He was perfectly happy to give this prideful fox an excuse to save face. If he pushed too hard, Kurama would throw a fit, and Naruto would end up suffering for it.
So Tōma let it go.
He lowered his gaze to Tsukiel and flicked its forehead lightly.
"You really don't know how to behave when you sleep, huh? Sneaking off in the middle of the night."
Tsukiel simply rubbed its head against his palm, silent as ever.
That made Tōma pause.
Did I forget to give it vocal cords when I shaped it?
It really didn't seem capable of making any sound at all.
While Tōma was pondering that, Kurama stared at Tsukiel more closely. A thought formed in its mind. A ridiculous one.
…No. That couldn't be right.
"Hey," Kurama growled. "Where did you find this thing?"
Tōma raised an eyebrow.
"First, its name is Tsukiel. Not 'this thing.' Second, I didn't find it. I made it, using Yin–Yang chakra. Third, your tone could use some work. You sounded much nicer when you were talking to Tsukiel earlier."
Kurama burst out laughing, clutching its stomach like a human.
"Hah! You?" it scoffed. "Creating life? Do you even understand what that means? Someone who's never even seen a Truth-Seeking Orb talking about making life?"
"Oh, you mean this?" Tōma said calmly.
A black sphere appeared in his palm.
Kurama's pupils shrank instantly.
After a moment, it sensed the sphere more carefully and relaxed.
"…Just a shell," Kurama sneered. "I thought for a second you actually had one."
"I formed it to show that I've seen them," Tōma replied lightly. "And trust me, you're better off never seeing the real thing I made."
Kurama snorted. "Cheap tricks."
Tōma didn't argue. Instead, five more chakra natures flared around him, distinct and unmistakable.
Kurama froze.
Seven.
Seven different chakra natures.
That hadn't been the case the last time Tōma entered this space.
"…So," Tōma continued, "I wanted to make a proper Truth-Seeking Orb. Turns out I couldn't."
Kurama exhaled in relief.
Then Tōma smiled.
"So I tried the opposite approach. I forcibly compressed all seven natures together. You can imagine what happens when that kind of instability detonates, right… Kurama?"
Kurama exploded.
"STOP!" it roared. "ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ALL OF US?!"
Even imagining such a blast made its fur stand on end. If that thing detonated here, Naruto wouldn't even leave a trace.
Tōma dismissed the sphere calmly.
"Believe me now?" he asked.
He'd never actually do it here. If he did, half of Konoha would vanish before he could blink. Still, the threat made its point.
Kurama fell silent for a long moment.
"…Even so," it muttered, "I still don't believe you truly created that thing. Life isn't that simple."
"I know," Tōma said evenly. "Honestly, I don't fully understand it myself. But Tsukiel is real. And the Slug Sage can confirm it."
Kurama's gaze sharpened.
The Slug Sage.
If she acknowledged it, then…
Slowly, Kurama exhaled.
"…Then maybe it really was a miracle."
"A miracle," Tōma agreed softly.
He lifted Tsukiel to eye level. The little creature tilted its head, crimson eyes filled with curiosity.
"Feel free to come play here again," Tōma said. "Just don't bring Kurama out of the cage next time."
Tsukiel blinked… and nodded.
"Hey!" Kurama snapped. "This is my territory. Ask permission first."
Tōma turned to it with a grin.
"Well? Do you approve?"
He set Tsukiel down in front of Kurama.
"Oh, by the way," Tōma added casually, "I used some of your chakra when creating Tsukiel. So you're closer than you think."
He sighed theatrically.
"Shame it can't talk. Otherwise it could call you 'Big Brother Kurama.'"
Kurama stiffened.
Every hair on its body stood on end.
Tsukiel stared up at it, unafraid, eyes bright with interest.
That familiar feeling finally made sense.
…So that was why.
"Tch," Kurama said, turning away. "Fine. Let it come if it wants. I won't play with it next time."
Tōma chuckled.
A classic tsundere.
Kurama had already accepted Naruto long ago. It was just waiting for Naruto to tear down the seal himself and defeat it properly.
Reconciliation had to be Naruto's choice.
And Kurama knew it.
"Tsundere fox," Tōma murmured.
Kurama exploded behind him.
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING TSUNDERE?!"
Tōma was already gone.
Left alone, Kurama lay back down, a faint smile tugging at its muzzle.
Life, it seemed, was getting more interesting.