Inside the sealed space, Menma watched as Tobirama and his chakra clone vanished into the Shinigami's stomach, finally averting his gaze.
"The setup here is complete. Now it's the Akatsuki clones' turn..."
Menma muttered, reaching out to stroke Kurama's fur.
The System had been clear about the takeover: Naruto had to genuinely believe and accept it from the bottom of his heart. Genjutsu wouldn't work. Even the strongest suggestion, like Kotoamatsukami, could be dispelled, slowly reverting Naruto's thoughts.
So, tricking Naruto into agreement wouldn't be enough. The Trust Level needed to hit 80%.
Kurama, feeling the touch, looked back at Menma.
"What's next? Hiding from the brat?"
"No need," Menma replied coldly, lost in thought. "I'll cast a genjutsu on Naruto. When he enters, he'll only see you. He won't see me."
The massive fox head nudged Menma's hand, eyes narrowing in pleasure.
"I don't know what you're planning, but don't worry. I'll cooperate fully."
"And that brat? I'll make sure he knows he's nothing without you – that he can't do a damn thing right!"
With the same chakra and the same hatred, Kurama had essentially become Menma's pet, desperate for a companion after centuries of isolation.
...
In a Konoha Hospital room, Naruto bolted awake.
"No... don't go!!"
He screamed, body drenched in sweat, thin clothes clinging to his skin.
"Naruto-kun!"
A soft whimper came from beside him. Naruto turned his head, bewildered. Hinata sat there, towel in hand, face etched with worry. She had already wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"You're awake?!"
Sakura rushed in from the bathroom, carrying a fresh basin of water. Seeing Naruto conscious, her worry faded into a scowl.
"High fever, unconscious for three days, and talking in your sleep? You're so fragile!"
"If Hinata hadn't been here the whole time, and Ino helped sometimes... I would've been dead. The Hokage and Kakashi worked me to the bone!"
At the mention of her name, Hinata flushed with shyness, waving her hands frantically.
"I-I didn't do much... Sakura-chan did almost all of it..."
Sakura blinked. "But you even slept right next to his bed..."
"Waaaah!"
A sound like a train whistle filled the room. Hinata, face beet red, fainted on the spot.
If this were the old Naruto, being nursed back to health by a harem of girls would have sent him into a euphoric coma. But right now, his mind was trapped in that nightmare—the nightmare of Menma leaving.
Naruto clenched his fists, ignoring the girls.
Menma! Bro, are you there?! Just say something! Anything!
Hey! Get out here! I said answer me right now!!!
Menma! Menma! Menma!!!
No matter how much he screamed or cursed, that familiar voice was gone. It felt like Menma had never existed at all. Just loneliness.
Sakura waved a hand in front of his vacant eyes.
"Naruto? What's wrong?"
"You were out for three days. Did you hit your head?"
"Three days?" The words flipped a switch in Naruto's mind.
The memories flooded back. The split personality. The Second Hokage becoming a spirit and entering his body. Menma screaming for help. Being locked in the dark by Ino's father. And finally, the chakra mass containing the Second Hokage and Menma being swallowed by a giant, white-clad monster.
A tear slid down Naruto's cheek, followed by another, and another, until his vision blurred.
"Naruto, why are you crying?" Sakura asked.
"Naruto-kun... you look so sad..." Hinata whispered, having woken up.
Naruto turned to them mechanically; his face was a mask of sorrow, pain, resentment, regret, and loss. Deep in his eyes, there was only despair and hatred.
"Brother... Menma... they're gone..."
"They're not gone. Just temporarily sealed," Kakashi said from the doorway.
"Naruto, your emotions are unstable. Be careful. Don't let Kurama control you. Don't become another Menma."
"Just a seal? And Kurama?" Naruto's eyes lit up. He turned to Kakashi.
Kakashi nodded, delivering the lie the village had crafted for him.
"Originally, you and Menma could have been separated easily, but Menma was already being controlled by Kurama. He tried to break the seal while you were being split. That's why the Second Hokage had to change the separation technique into a seal."
"So you have to be wary of these negative emotions. Don't let Kurama exploit your weakness like Menma did. Don't give it a way to break out."
Naruto froze.
"So... Menma is still alive?!"
Seeing Naruto's recovery, Kakashi nodded again, pulling out the White Zetsu clone.
"That's right. As long as you master Kurama's power, you can remove its influence on Menma. Then the village will find a way to break the seal."
Kakashi spoke without emotion, just repeating the script.
But Naruto didn't see a script; he saw hope. He saw a goal. He nodded vigorously.
"I'll save him! I'll master Kurama, no matter what!"
---