Chapter 7: Meeting Them


Unbetaed.

Standard disclaimer issued.


Naruto propped her hands over her knees as she tried to catch her breath. She was sweating a lot and she was starting to feel lightheaded. She tried standing straight but her body just wouldn't listen. When she sensed an incoming attack, she tried to move but she wasn't able to. She silently called for Kawarimi no Jutsu and when she felt the replacement happened, she let herself fall on the forest floor. She plopped her back on the soiled ground as she continued breathing heavily. She looked up. The leaves were covering her from direct sunlight, creating dark patches around her. But there were still rays that escaped, touching her skin.

She tensed when she heard the sound of simultaneous creaking of branches, followed by crunching of twigs. She made a sense of the incomers but didn't bother hiding herself. She was so darn exhausted. A few moments later, two men landed on her side and she was met with faces filled with worry. Unlike her, the two didn't look worn-out but they, too, seemed tired. Well, a little tired.

"Training ends now, Naru," Minato said as he sat beside her. "You've done well, today," he added with an affectionate smile.

"You lasted more than we expected," Jiraiya added, smirking at her.

She didn't know if she should be glad or disappointed at the praises. Today was the first time her father faced her seriously and she witnessed how superior his skills were compared to her. Adding to that, Jiraiya-sensei— yeah, she called him 'sensei' when he was training her— was a war veteran like her father. They weren't even going all out. It was sheer luck that she had lots of stamina to last this long, and tire-out two seasoned shinobis even a little. Battling them at the same time was just too much. But she wouldn't complain because she was the one who insisted facing them. She wanted to test how far her training progressed and they indulged her, albeit reluctantly.

She closed her eyes. She listened to their assessment but the words became garbled. She couldn't understand what they were saying anymore. Darkness was slowly creeping over and she couldn't fight it. She openly welcomed it.

She giggled tiredly. "I think I overdid it," she mumbled at the last moment of her conscious state.

But instead of a heavy sleep, she found herself standing on a familiar industrial sewer. Her eyes widened but she strode through the watery passageway and went inside the wide space she remembered. This was her mindscape.

And then she saw it. Kurama…

The nine-tailed fox was slumped lazily inside the cage, its eyes closed. It looked like it was sleeping but she noticed its ears twitching. She walked faster and stopped in front of the column of tall bars. She didn't know how she got here or why but she was glad it finally happened again.

"Kurama-san," she called out.

The fox didn't move nor opened its eyes but its ears twitched again.

"You're just pretending to sleep," she said.

The mighty fox snorted out a breath before it opened its eyes. "The little mortal had the audacity to talk like this in front of me," it remarked snidely.

She couldn't help smiling. She had always wanted to talk to Kurama. "I'm glad to finally meet you again, Kurama-san." She wanted to commune with the Bijū since she found out it was sealed inside her. But out of respect to her father's wishes, she didn't try accessing her mindscape on her own.

The Kyūbi stared at her for a while. "It's been four years."

"Did you summon me here?" she asked.

"Why would I, the Kyūbi no Kitsune, stoop low and summon who holds me prison?"

Naruto squinted her eyes and studied the fox. And then, she giggled. "You're not being honest, Kurama-san."

"Kurama-san, Kurama-san… Don't say my name so familiarly," the Kyūbi grunted, but it only made Naruto giggle even more.

"Okay. Then, I'll call you Grumpy Kurama."

As if fed-up, the huge creature simply snorted loudly.

She remembered why she wanted to talk to the Yang Kurama. There was one thing she wanted to ask. "Hey, Kurama," she began. "Do you hate me?"

Long silence surrounded her mindscape as the Kyūbi merely stared at her. She met its sharp gaze and tried not to be intimidated. But she began fidgeting when it continued staring at her.

But then, it finally spoke. "No," it answered. "As much as I wanted to, I can't. Your innocence and your warm chakra affect me."

She was surprised at the response but she felt relieved knowing it didn't hate her. She smiled in earnest. "Thank you for being honest and for not hating me."

Kurama grunted. "Naïve little human."

"Do you still remember what I said after my dad woke up?" she asked. "I told you I was sorry that you had to be sealed inside me. And that you must've been lonely here because you have no one to talk to." She gave Kurama her most sincere gaze. "I meant it then and I mean it now. If you are bored or anything, you can talk to me any time."

The Kyūbi snorted. "Why would I talk to someone not even a quarter of my age?"

Naruto smiled meaningfully. "Yeah, I think you do. You're just shy. It's kinda lonely here, yah know."

Kurama snarled at her but no matter how much it tried to be terrifying, she couldn't feel any malevolence from its chakra. In fact, her mindscape was a lot warmer compared to the first time she was there.

She gathered her courage and walked inside the cage. She noticed the Kyūbi stiffened but she ignored it and stood in front of Kurama's snout. And then, she wrapped her small arms around it.

"You are warm," she said.

She hadn't even hugged the Kyūbi for two seconds when she felt the vast space shifted and suddenly, the area was lit-up with golden light.

"What a touching scene we have here…" another throaty voice said.

Startled, she immediately let go of Kurama and turned around, only to find out there was another Kurama outside the cage. Its color was darker than her Kurama. And then, there was— she furrowed her brows.

"Dad?"

"Naruto?" Minato uttered in confusion and astonishment. "What…" He looked around trying to find out what happened.

"Are you in my mindscape?" she asked. If the creature behind her father was also the Kyūbi, it only meant it was the Yin half of the Bijū.

Minato blinked his confusion. "You passed out from exhaustion and I carried you back to the cabin. Sensei was suddenly reverse-summoned and then, I'm here," he explained. He took a glance at Yang Kurama before he gazed at her. "What are you doing there? Did you just hug the Kyūbi?"

"I don't know why I was brought here," she answered before she beamed. "Yes, I did."

Her father stared at her for a moment before he smiled back fondly. "Come here."

She walked away from the Yang half of Kurama. When she stood in front of her father, he lifted her by her armpits before he placed his arm under her thigh and carried her like she was still six years old.

"Dad, put me down! I'm ten!" she shrieked in embarrassment, wrapping her arms around his neck for support.

He shook his head in amusement and pride. "Hugging a Bijū, only you can pull something like that." He chuckled, kissing her cheek. He turned his attention to the Yang half of Kurama. "May I inquire why you summoned my daughter, as to why your Yin half and I are here?"

Naruto turned her head to her Bijū. "Yeah, Kurama. You didn't really tell me why I'm here for."

The Yang half didn't speak for a moment. It just stared at her and Minato for a while, as if studying them. "I summoned Namikaze Naruto and the other half of me summoned you, Namikaze Minato, because we believe it's time for us to have a little talk."

Naruto's gaze drifted towards the Yin half of Kurama. It was also staring at them. She squirmed way out of his father's hold and stood in front of the Yin Bijū. "I'm glad to finally meet in you, Yin Kurama," she greeted and bowed courteously.

The Yin half merely stared at her. What was with these both halves of Kyūbi Bijū and their stares?

"I have not forgotten what you said to me four years ago, Namikaze Naruto," the darker-colored Kurama said. "Your gratitude towards the one who made your life miserable is something I still cannot comprehend."

She frowned for a moment. "Do you mean I shouldn't have thanked you for keeping my dad alive? Then, what do you want me to do? Hate you? If so, will hating you turn back time and give us chance to prevent what happened? Will hating you bring back the people who lost their lives during that night?"

The Yin Kurama was shut silent for a moment before it smirked menacingly. "You should know that even if Madara didn't appear that night, I was trying to escape from your mother's seal and I was planning to destroy your village."

"I doubt you would've escape if he didn't appear," she said. "My parents were strong. It's just that the interference of that man was an unforeseen situation. Who would've thought that he's still alive?"

Yin Kurama narrowed its eyes at her. "You are one impertinent child."

"I am just saying I believe in my parents. You are the one who fought them. You should know."

"Keh. Impertinent father and daughter."

Naruto's lips formed a small, thoughtful smile. "But it's not hard to understand why you want to escape, you know. Had it been me who's locked-up for a long time, just because I am different and they fear me, I would've done the same. And I will probably hate everyone, too."

"Why are you accepting me so easily?" Yin Kurama asked. "Because of me, your mother died."

"Yes, but that wasn't all that happened. Someone controlled you and I think everyone, humans or tailed-beasts, won't appreciate being manipulated."

"Do not forget that I hate you humans," The Yin Kyūbi insisted. "And had it not crossed your mind that I kept your father alive because I would've died, too, if he did? That I was just waiting for the right time to kill your father, destroy your village?"

Naruto smiled. "I think you just want me to hate you so you'll have a reason to hate me and my father back. I won't, you know. Like I said back then, if it wasn't for your chakra, I wouldn't have a chance to have a father. My Dad is alive because of you. That alone is enough to be thankful for." She took a deep breath. "My mother died protecting me from you. You are now cut in half and sealed inside two containers. Don't you want to have some semblance of peace even for once? My Dad and I mean you no harm."

"Naru..." It was her father.

The Yin Kurama growled at her. The Yang half, however, gave a throaty chuckle. "I told you, bastard. There's no winning against her."

"Keh," the darker-colored Bijū grumbled. "Naïve father and daughter."

Naruto turned her gaze at her father when he took her hand. He was looking at the half tailed-beast he contained. She knew he didn't hate the Kyūbi. If there was someone he probably loathed, it was Uchiha Madara. When he was educating her about their situation, he never once blamed the Kyūbi even for her mother's death.

Minato gave the Yin Kurama a small smile. "I haven't really thanked you for keeping me alive. Gratitude, Kyūbi," he said and bowed his head a little.

The Yin half snorted and didn't respond. It eyed her father for a moment. "I know you want to know why I avoided you since you woke-up, mortal." Minato nodded. "Your emotions were erratic after you woke up. I am the Yin half, the negative, the dark, the shadow or the cloud— whatever you may call it. Can you imagine what would happen if my chakra fused with your anger and rage?"

"Then, all the more to be grateful to you," Minato said. "You saved me again."

"It's not like I have a choice!" the Yin half snarled at him.

"Do you forgive me, then, for doing what I did ten years ago?" Minato tested.

"Forgive? That is a strong word, Yondaime. I do not forgive so easily." The half tailed-beast grunted. "However, I'd rather be sealed inside a foolish and naïve mortal like you than be controlled by an Uchiha."

Minato smiled awkwardly. "Thank you, Kyūbi."

"It's not that I like you better, you puny mortal!" the Yin half snarled.

Naruto couldn't help laughing at the exchange. Both halves of the Bijū were uncomfortable when they were being appreciated. Yep, they were shy.

"That's enough," the Yang half said. "Your wonderful friendship is aggravating to watch."

"Don't worry, Kurama," she told the Yang half. "We'll have our own wonderful friendship."

"Silence, you!" the lighter-colored beast snarled.

Minato cleared his throat. "So, is there another reason why we gathered here?"

It was the Yang Kurama who answered. It raised its head imperially, its neck standing tall. "I'm thinking of acquainting my chakra with you and your child, Yondaime."

"Your chakra?" she asked the Yang Kyūbi. "But it's the Yin half that is sealed in Dad."

"I am one Kyūbi no Kitsune merely divided into two. Yin and Yang is me. But yes, it's my Yin half he has to control."

"Wait," Minato interrupted. "I don't think Naruto—"

"Stop interrupting," the lighter-colored Kyūbi bit out before turning to Naruto. "I am giving you permission to access my chakra, to use it when you are in need. But child, there is a difference between accessing my chakra and fully controlling it. I am allowing sharing mine if you need it but controlling me is far from coming. You are still young."

"To control the Bijū's chakra is not something you can attain so easily," the Yin half added. "Even with only the half, it still is massive. It will take time for you to control my chakra." Its gaze turned to Minato. "I am allowing you to control me but not fully, Yondaime. I still do not trust you but I know your heart. I know your reasons. I do not see it as admirable but your intents are far acceptable than Madara's."

"Thank you, Kurama," Minato said.

"You know what seal to use." The darker-colored Kurama tilted its head. "I do not give my trust easily, Namikaze Minato. Do not take my generosity lightly."


When Naruto came into, she found herself lying on a futon. The sound of something shuffling alerted her still tired body. She turned her head to her left. Her father was seated on a legless chair, looking at a large scroll.

Sensing her movements, her father lifted his gaze to her. "Hey," he greeted.

She stifled a yawn and stretched her body. "Hey," she greeted back lazily.

"I was beginning to worry. You were asleep for a whole day now," he informed.

"It's the next day already?" She sat up abruptly when she remembered something. "Did we really…"

Minato smiled. "Yes, that conversation between both Kurama and us happened, Naru."

"Right." They were going to train accessing the Kyūbi's chakra soon but the priority was her father. She looked around when she remembered her godfather. "Did Raiya-ji come back?"

Her father snorted in disdain. "He's probably at the public baths right now."

She slipped out of the sheet and crawled towards her father. She sat beside the legless chair and leaned her body against him. "What are you reading?"

"This is the Scroll of Contract of the Toad Summons," her father said. "See my name here signed in blood?" He pointed his written name on the scroll, next to Jiraiya's. Their fingerprints were also stamped under their names. "This is a proof of the contract."

She stared at the large scroll. "Will I be forming a contract with the Toads someday?"

Minato chuckled and carefully placed the unrolled scroll on the low table. "Naru, it seems the reason why Jiraiya-sensei was summoned back to Mount Myōboku is because Ōgama Sennin had a premonition. Gamamaru-sama foresaw our meeting with the Kyūbi." He took a breath. "But according to sensei, it was also foretold that we will be at Mt. Myōboku. In order to do that, Jiraiya-sensei and I have to teach you Kuchiyose no Jutsu."

Naruto squealed in delight and hugged her father. "Yatta!"

Her father chuckled again but she heard him sigh. "Naru, I still think all these advanced training is too early for you. But I know this is happening for a reason." He hugged her. "It might sound awesome learning to control accessing the Kyūbi's chakra or the summoning technique but it also means you have to be responsible."

She pulled herself out of her father's embrace and lifted her right hand. She fisted it with only her pinkie finger standing upright. "I will be responsible, pinky-swear."

Minato laughed and entwined his own pinkie finger with hers.


"The hand seals needed are Boar, Dog, Bird, Monkey and Ram," Jiraiya-sensei informed Naruto as he explained the mechanics of the summoning technique. "The toad you'll summon will vary with the amount of chakra you'll use. Meaning, if you'll use a large amount, you could summon the powerful ones."

Naruto had just finished signing her name on the scroll, along with her fingerprints. The Toad Sage was seated on a rock while Naruto was crouched in front of him. Minato was leaning against a tree just a few feet away from Jiraiya, his arms folded across his chest.

"As you become an official summoner, you will be a part of their society," Jiraiya continued. "It means sooner or later, the toads could reverse-summon you to their home in case they need you."

"Has Dad been reverse-summoned since he woke-up, Raiya-sensei?" she asked as she set the scroll aside.

Jiraiya shook his head. "No, he hasn't."

"Should I expect something from them once I summoned any, like a test or something?"

Jiraiya cringed. "Uh… most toads don't have such requirement but, well… There's this toad, he's grumpy and annoying. He doesn't like taking orders from anyone and so far, the only person who stood on top of his head is Minato."

"Really?" she grinned at her father. "That's awesome, Dad!"

Minato simply waved his hand dismissively but there was a smile on his lips.

"It's the Toad Boss, Gamabunta," Jiraiya informed her.

"Oh. The one Dad summoned during the Kyūbi attack," she recalled. "If I managed to summon him, he'll give me some kind of test, then?"

Jiraiya chuckled drily. "Most likely. He's choosy and you have to earn his respect first before he considers you as his summoner."

"That's kind of hard," she commented. "Did you manage to earn his respect, Raiya-sensei?"

Her godfather scowled. "Bah! I told you, he's choosy!" he snapped defensively. "And this isn't about me, brat. This is about you."

She giggled. "Okay." She then took a deep breath. "I'm ready." When Jiraiya nodded his permission, she performed the hand seals and slammed her right palm on the ground. "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"

The summoning markings spread on the ground before a cloud of smoke appeared. When it cleared, she saw a light green toad in front of her with a size of a cow. It has purple eyes and yellow patterns from its forehead to its back. It wore a maroon bow on its back and… Does it have makeup on its face? There was a rather large red paint coating its lips and pink round blush on its cheeks.

Huh. It was a female toad.

"`The heck are you, brat?" came its deep and gravelly voice, with a gangster-like accent. "You summoned me here, huuuh?!" Its head loomed over her threateningly.

Naruto tried not to flinch at the hostile tone. She was wrong. It was a male toad.

"Maa, Gamariki-san," Jiraiya interrupted from where he was seated. "We're teaching her the summoning technique."

The toad turned to her godfather. "Oh, it's Jira-chan!" he cried in a, now, high-pitched girly voice. "It's been a while, my dear Jira-chan— huh?" The toad stiffened when he saw Minato leaning against the tree. "Minato-sama!" he cried, his voice turned back to its deep gravelly tone. But this time, he was a lot more respectful. "I am deeply touched to see you once again, Minato-sama!"

What the heck was wrong with this toad?

"It's been a while, Gamariki-san," Minato greeted back with a smile. "Please excuse my daughter, if she caused you inconvenience. Like Jiraiya-sensei said, we're teaching Naruto the Kuchiyose and you're the one she managed to summon."

The toad turned to her and when it spoke again, his voice went back to high-pitched girly tone. "So, your name is Naruto," he said sweetly. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Naru-chan."

"Likewise, Gamariki-san. So which is your normal voice?" she asked.

"This voice," Gamariki answered in a stagey manner, using his girly tone. He even batted his eyelashes.

Naruto's eyes twitched. "Uh-huh." The toad was clearly a male but his actions and appearance were more of a female's.

The toad hummed playfully as he studied her face. "You look so much like your papa, cutie Naru-chan. I bet you're as talented as he is."

Naruto smiled. "I hope so." She turned to Jiraiya. "What do I do now?"

"Nothing. Gamariki-san, you can go back now. Thank you."

"Sure, Jira-chan. Naru-chan." Gamariki turned to her father with a staid posture. "Minato-sama! Please summon me any time you are in need!"

Her father choked in discomfort while Jiraiya laughed heartily, as the toad disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"What?" she asked at their reaction. "What's funny?"

"Well, you see—"

"Sensei!" Minato called out, stopping Jiraiya from giving Naruto answers.


Myōbokuzan, the sacred land of the toads was a place Naruto never imagined it would be. She, her father and Raiya-ji were reverse-summoned by someone from here. They were standing in front of a vibrant-colored land. Tall plants surrounded the area, toads lazing atop of them. Large mushrooms sprouted everywhere. It was beautiful and full of life.

"Welcome back, Jiraiya-chan," a voice greeted.

Naruto turned to her right to see a short green toad with white Mohawk-styled hair, a very thick eyebrows and white goatee. Covering its body was a gray cape.

"Fukasaku-sama," Jiraiya greeted back before he grinned, gesturing Minato and Naruto. "I brought the goods."

The old toad turned to them and he smiled. "Minato-chan, it's good to see you again."

"Greetings, Fukasaku-sama," Minato replied, smiling back. "It's been a while."

"Do you still remember how to use what I taught you?" the toad asked.

Naruto's brows creased in curiosity when her father took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Neither Raiya-ji nor the old toad reacted. They just watched and waited for whatever her father was doing. A few minutes later, an orange marking started to appear around her father's eyes and when he opened them, she couldn't help but gasp. His blue eyes were now yellow with irides like of a toad.

"That is so awesome!" she cried in amazement. "What technique is that? You have to teach me that, too, Dad."

Both father and godfather turned to her. "No!"

The old toad laughed. "This must be Naruto-chan. She looks like you, Minato-chan."

Naruto turned to him. "Fukasaku-jiji, can I learn that, too?"

The toad laughed again. "We'll see about that. But it's nice to meet you, Naruto-chan. I've heard things about you from Jiraiya-chan. He said you're a great student."

She nodded her head eagerly. "I am. So, can you teach me?"

"Brat, you don't even know what technique it is," Jiraiya berated.

She pouted and folded her arms across her chest. "Then, tell me."

"Maa, Naruto-chan. You three just arrived here. Let's not talk about trainings or studies right now," Fukasaku mediated. "Come, you three. My wife is waiting for us."

As they walked towards their destination, Naruto badgered the old toad and managed to get some information about the technique her father used. It was called Senjutsu and that her father was in Sage Mode earlier. Fukasaku-jiji didn't elaborate more but said that Senjutsu wasn't a technique anyone could use. She also learned that while her father had been taught Senjutsu, he had little experience using it in the field. They didn't reveal any more information after that.

However, she learned from Jiraiya that the old toad was a highly respected elder of the toad society, along with his wife. The toad couple was called the Nidaisengama, for they were the heirs of the Ōgama Sennin, and they had authority over Mount Myōboku.

When they reached the dwelling, Naruto met Fukasaku-jiji's wife. The female toad was very friendly and Naruto noticed how fond Shima-baachan was of Jiraiya. But both Namikazes also received a warm welcome from her.

"You will break hearts when you grow up, Naruto-chan," Shima-baachan told her. "Just like your father did during his time."

"Shima-sama, I never did that," Minato denied with an awkward smile.

"Oh, but you unintentionally did, Minato-chan. With your talents, charm and that face of yours," she teased. "But none captured your heart, my dear, except for one."

Minato smiled but there was a tinge of sadness in his eyes.

"So, Dad," Naruto interrupted. "Will I be taught Senjutsu?"

Her father heaved an exasperated sigh. "Naruto, it's too early for you to train Senjutsu."

"What about my Fūinjutsu?"

"You're way advanced at it already."

Cue puppy-eyes.

Minato sighed in defeat. "Fine. You have a year or so."

She turned to Raiya-ji and grinned conceitedly. "You heard him, sensei."

Jiraiya grunted but smiled indulgently. "Fine."

She beamed and turned her attention back to her father. "Will I learn other stuffs, like different ninjutsus? I want to have a productive time here while you train."

Minato tapped his chin with his fingers. "Let's see… Well, we can do that."

"You promise?" she cried in excitement. "You'd teach me?"

"Yes, I promise," he answered.

Little did he know, she found an opening. Putting Senjutsu aside…

"Okay!" She then, narrowed her eyes challengingly. "Even your famed ones."

Her father blinked once. Twice. "Eh?"

Time to use the daughter card. She jumped and attacked him with a hug, before showering kisses all over his face. "I love you, Dad!"

Jiraiya laughed heartily. "She got you there, Minato."

Shima clapped her hands once, getting their attention. "Now, now, lunch is ready, my dears."

Naruto felt her father tense but he didn't comment as they followed the couple to the dining table. And she understood why when she saw what was prepared for them. She sat between her father and godfather.

"Uhm… is that—"

"Don't say anything," Jiraiya whispered in a reprimanding tone.

When she looked at his face, she could see the grimace he was trying to hide. She looked at her father. Minato was trying not to swallow in disgust.

"Eat up, children!" Shima-baachan encouraged happily. "`Made extra special dishes just for you three!"