Kurama had discovered something profound, something that filled the empty spaces in its existence: the rush of victory in digital combat. The feeling of controlling the battlefield, of outmaneuvering opponents, of achieving triumph through skill and strategy.
With this game in my paws, I command worlds.
It was intoxicating. This wonderful sensation could bring spiritual joy that the darkness of the seal had never provided. This could make Kurama' future bearable, even enjoyable. Even if it did return to being sealed in its jinchūriki, it could play games to pass the time.
Naruto watched Kurama yelling excitedly at the screen, completely absorbed. He cleared his throat. "Kurama, how about we go outside? See how the people of Konoha actually react to you?"
"No time!" The fox didn't even look up. "Don't talk to me right now! You almost made me miss that combo. Fortunately, my reflexes are excellent!" Its paws moved frantically across the controller. "Why would I go outside when I can do this?"
Naruto sighed. Kurama had become completely addicted. No point in trying to drag it away from the game now. At least Himawari would have company.
This worked out anyway. With Himawari and Kurama occupied, Naruto could go make friends with the adult versions of his friend. After gathering some final information about this world, he'd be ready to return home.
This wasn't his world, after all. Everyone here had their own lives, their own paths. His continued presence was a disruption to their normal flow. A temporary visitor shouldn't overstay their welcome.
"Kurama, Himawari, I'm heading out for a bit. You two have fun."
"Go, go..." Kurama waved a paw dismissively, eyes never leaving the screen.
Himawari looked up from where she'd been watching Kurama play. "Where are you going, Young Dad?"
Naruto knelt down, meeting her eyes with a gentle smile. "Dad has some important work to finish. Be good and play with Kurama. I'll be back soon."
"Okay." She nodded obediently, already turning back to watch the fox's gameplay.
Naruto headed for the door, then paused. An idea struck him. His facial muscles began to shift and flow like water, the bone structure beneath adjusting. Within seconds, his young, handsome features had matured into the exact likeness of the Seventh Hokage. The resemblance was perfect.
But height and hair remained problems. Naruto concentrated, willing his hair follicles to retract, his spine to compress. Bones shifted. His frame shortened. Soon, he stood at the exact height of this world's Naruto.
Perfect. Even Hinata wouldn't be able to tell the difference visually. Only her Byakugan could reveal the truth, the difference in their internal structures, one body young and compact, the other aged and worn.
With his disguise complete, Naruto vanished via Instantaneous Movement. Time to visit his friends from this world, the ones who'd grown up and gotten married.
In his world, Sasuke had been his first friend. He'd already reconnected with this world's Sasuke. Following that same pattern, his second friend should be next.
Chōji Akimichi.
Finding people was effortless with Naruto's sensory abilities. Within moments, he'd locked onto Chōji's chakra signature. This world's Chōji had grown even larger after adulthood and marriage.
Larger meant more durable. More durable meant longer friendly exchanges. Perfect.
Naruto materialized directly in front of Chōji without warning.
"Wha—!" Chōji jumped, nearly dropping the bag of chips in his hand. His eyes widened, then relaxed when he recognized the figure. "Naruto? Shouldn't you be at the Hokage Building? What brings you here?"
"I came to be friends with you."
Chōji blinked, processing this strange statement. "Haven't we been friends for years already?"
"Then let's become friends again!"
"Uh... okay?" Chōji had no idea what was happening, but sure, why not.
The moment agreement left Chōji's mouth, Naruto moved.
His fists blurred through the air in a precise sequence. Body shots. Leg sweeps. Measured strikes that wouldn't cause permanent damage but would definitely leave an impression.
Twenty minutes later, Chōji lay sprawled on the ground, his face decorated with fresh bruises, both eyes swelling shut.
"There we go." Naruto helped the larger man to his feet with surprising gentleness. "I've seen your sincerity, Chōji. Now we're friends." He brushed some dirt off Chōji's shoulder. "Take care of yourself. I'm short on time today. Got to make friends with several more people. Excuse me."
He vanished, leaving Chōji standing alone, bewildered and in pain.
"Shikamaru! Let's be friends!"
Shikamaru didn't even look up from the document he was reviewing. "No time. I have a mountain of work to finish." He waved dismissively. "Don't you have your own work, Naruto? Hokage-sama? Shouldn't you be at your desk instead of bothering me?"
But once someone embarked on the path of making friends, there was no room for refusal. Not once. Not ever.
"I'll take that as a yes."
"Wait, what—"
Twenty-five minutes later, Naruto looked down at Shikamaru's prone form. The genius strategist lay on the ground, his face matching Chōji's swollen condition.
"So, Shikamaru." Naruto raised his fist meaningfully. "Are we friends now?"
I'm going to kill him, Shikamaru thought viciously. Since when did Uzumaki Naruto, the mature and stable Seventh Hokage, go completely insane and start beating people up while calling it friendship?
But then Naruto's fist rose higher, and Shikamaru's survival instinct kicked in.
"Yes!" He forced a smile that probably looked more like a grimace. "I would be honored to be Naruto's friend!"
"Excellent." Naruto helped him up with the same gentle care he'd shown Chōji. "I'm glad we understand each other."
Next came Kiba Inuzuka and his partner Akamaru.
Naruto believed in fairness. Since Kiba's fighting style relied on partnering with his ninken, it would be unjust to face him alone. For the sake of fairness, and to prevent Kiba from feeling guilty about the mismatch, Naruto created a shadow clone.
Now it was two versus two. Perfectly balanced.
Ten minutes later, both Kiba and Akamaru sported matching injuries. The human had a face covered in fist-shaped bruises. The dog's snout was swollen to twice its normal size.
"Akamaru..." Kiba clutched his partner close, tears streaming down his face. "We made it through together, buddy. Our bond is stronger than ever."
"Woof..." Akamaru whimpered, nuzzling against Kiba's chest.
After Naruto left, Kiba sat there holding his dog, processing what had just happened.
"I shouldn't have bragged to Konohamaru that Naruto's Hokage position should have been mine," he muttered. "He must have heard about it and decided to teach me a lesson. How petty can you get?"
Neither Kiba nor any of the others realized they'd been beaten up by a completely different Naruto from another world.
But Naruto's journey of friendship was far from complete. He had many more people to visit, many more bonds to forge.
His next target: Shino Aburame.
The quiet bug user wouldn't know what hit him.
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