After parting with Orochimaru, Naruto practiced beneath the farm's waterfall.
For Naruto, nothing held more importance than training. Only strength was eternal.
As for the Hokage position, if he didn't want it anymore, he could simply give it to Tsunade or Kakashi. After all, in the original timeline, after Hiruzen Sarutobi's death, Jiraiya and others had convinced Tsunade to inherit the Fifth Hokage position.
The Sixth Hokage had been Kakashi-sensei.
Practice time passed quickly. Before he knew it, dinner hour had arrived. Kurama rode over on a goat to summon him.
"Naruto! Time to eat!" Kurama sat perched on the goat's back, placing its forelimbs near its mouth to amplify its voice as it shouted toward the base of the waterfall.
Hearing Kurama' call, Naruto immediately stopped his training. He pulled on his clothes and walked over to meet his companion.
The goat beneath Kurama shifted uneasily, clearly uncomfortable.
"Already finished cooking, Kurama?" Naruto asked with a smile. Ever since experiencing Kurama from that other world, Naruto felt even more appreciation for his own.
Who else had a Kurama that could cook, do laundry, and warm the bed? Where could you find such a perfect companion?
Kurama rode on the goat's back while Naruto walked alongside them, heading back for dinner together.
Looking at Kurama, Naruto suddenly remembered beating up the other world's Kurama. The sensation had been rather satisfying, actually. He wondered if his own Kurama would feel the same.
For some inexplicable reason, Kurama walking ahead suddenly felt a chill run down its spine. It turned around, fixing Naruto with a suspicious stare. "Are you planning something bad?"
"No." Naruto's denial came immediately.
"No?" Kurama' eyes narrowed. "I don't believe you. I clearly felt malice from you just now, even though it's gone currently."
Hearing the accusation, Naruto started slightly. He'd almost forgotten Kurama could sense others' malicious intent toward it. "Kurama, you're mistaken. I really don't have any bad intentions. You've given so much to this family. How could I possibly feel malice toward you?"
"Fine." Kurama didn't intend to argue further. But it added firmly, "Naruto, you brat, don't get any ideas about me."
"I won't, I won't." After responding, Naruto continued, "Kurama, I found your other half, the Yin attribute chakra, in the Shinigami's stomach. Whenever you want to fuse with it, just let me know and I'll give it to you."
When Hiruzen Sarutobi had died, Naruto had seized the opportunity to steal both Kurama's Yin chakra and his father's soul from the death god. Between succeeding as Hokage and traveling to Boruto's world, he'd never had a proper chance to discuss it with Kurama.
Learning that its other half resided with Naruto didn't surprise Kurama. But worry crept in. What if the Yin Kurama had a completely different personality? After fusion, would their personalities split? Would it develop a negative attitude toward Naruto?
These concerns troubled Kurama deeply.
It liked this life. If integrating with the Yin Kurama would disturb its current existence, Kurama would rather remain incomplete.
Thinking this through, Kurama glanced at Naruto. "Let's talk about it later."
Seeing Kurama show no interest in its significant other half, Naruto smiled knowingly. "Kurama, after fusing with the Yin Kurama, your strength will increase dramatically. There are other Tailed Beasts too, One-Tail through Eight-Tails. If you also absorbed chakra from some of them, you'd become even stronger."
"Greater strength?" Kurama spoke to itself more than Naruto. What use was strength? It didn't need combat power for washing dishes and cooking. Kurama remained uninterested. "Naruto can handle everything anyway!"
Hearing those words, Naruto felt momentarily stunned. What Kurama said was absolutely true. He possessed overwhelming power, capable of walking sideways through the entire shinobi world. He genuinely didn't need Kurama for combat.
In Boruto's world, the Seventh Hokage's strength couldn't completely crush the ninja world. He needed to fight alongside Kurama constantly to resolve challenges along the way.
However, Naruto's mind was sharp. He'd noticed Kurama' expression during that answer, a flash of something deeper. "What's Kurama worried about? Actually, wouldn't being complete be better?"
Since Naruto had asked directly, Kurama couldn't hide its concerns. It truly regarded Naruto and Sasuke as family now. When it came to anything Naruto or Sasuke asked about, Kurama wouldn't conceal anything.
Family meant unity. Facing all difficulties together. Sharing all happiness equally.
So Kurama immediately explained its worries. After listening, Naruto smiled. "So that's what concerns you. Wait a moment. Let me see how to solve it."
Immediately, Naruto communicated with the System in his mind. The Yin attribute Kurama was currently stored there. [System, if the Yin Kurama and the Yang Kurama fuse into one, will Kurama lose its personality? Will it be negatively affected by the Yin Kurama?]
[The dominant personality will not be lost,] the System replied. [However, after fusion, Kurama will become colder and more aloof. This represents its instinctive temperament as a Tailed Beast.]
Naruto received the answer and immediately relayed it to Kurama.
"Becoming cold and aloof..." Kurama' tails swished with agitation. "Then that wouldn't be me anymore. I don't feel cold or aloof at all right now." It shook its head firmly. "That would still affect my personality. If it only increased my strength without changing who I am, then fusion would be acceptable."
Naruto acted as messenger, relaying Kurama' concerns back to the System.
The System laughed. [Haha! Kurama is naturally cold and aloof. It can harmonize with you because of your bond. Toward others, it remains distant and proud at its core. This is the nature of Tailed Beasts. It's simply hiding that aspect in front of you.]
[You can tell Kurama this problem isn't significant and can be resolved. The fusion will only increase its strength without affecting its fundamental character.]
"Really? Then I agree!" Kurama responded immediately. In truth, it instinctively desired completion. Not wanting to remain only half of itself forever. This was the Tailed Beast's deepest nature.
"Alright, we'll fuse after dinner." Naruto smiled. "Let's go eat."
Returning to the residence, they found Orochimaru already there. Sasuke waited for them to begin the meal.
Orochimaru appeared particularly enthusiastic. He'd planned his strategy for the evening. After eating, he'd engage Naruto in discussion about the farm's future development, encouraging him to drink plenty of tea.
That way, Naruto would need to use the bathroom.
However, contrary to his expectations, immediately after dinner concluded, before Orochimaru could speak, Naruto addressed him directly.
"Orochimaru, we have some private matters to handle. You should head back and rest early. You've worked hard all day."
Naruto had spoken. Orochimaru could only comply and leave.
The future is long, Orochimaru consoled himself as he departed without visible emotion. There will be other opportunities.
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