After I had recovered during the rest of the day and slept until tomorrow, we traveled back to the mainland and headed to a less populated location in the land of fire since I didn't want to destroy Genbu island during my training while Jiraiya had been contacted and he showed up before I prepared myself for 'Kurama's Bootcamp from Hell' but I was surprised when it started with a simple talk.
"Okay Seth, ever since the seal was released, you may have noticed a slight difference of power once you gained access to all of my chakra so, to put it shortly, you can use my full power and you can also control the amount of power you can access easier.
Before the seal was released, the number of tails determined the amount of power you could access while you experienced that briefly with the version 1 three-tailed cloak and if you had reached four tails, you would've entered the version 2 cloak but that's not the case now since, from now on, your power is going to be influenced by what type of cloak you enter.
For example, you have version 1, version 2, and then full tailed beast mode so version 1 allows you to use my own power to augment your own and, while you still have access to your own attacks, you don't have the option to access my abilities but version 2 is where you set aside your own techniques and begin to tap into mine, though the version 2 cloak is still but a fraction of my own power and that's reserved for the full tailed beast mode," Kurama explained as I listened carefully and knew what he was talking about while the others were watching my progress nearby.
"I know what you mean since I did notice a difference of power when I released the seal and it paled in comparison to the version 1 three-tailed cloak, though I haven't used the version 2 cloak so I'm not familiar with it and the full tailed beast mode was something completely different compared to the version 1 cloak," I pointed out mentally while my face showed a thoughtful expression.
"The cloaks, both versions 1 and 2, are only a fraction of my power so we'll start with the version 1 cloak and go from there," Kurama told me before I unleashed the version 1 cloak with eight tails and it felt like I was engulfed in a warm bath while my eyes had become blood-red with slit pupils and thick whisker marks appeared on my cheeks as my nails and teeth became sharp.
"Good, now try hitting that large rock over there with your fist," Kurama instructed before I turned to look at the large stone he pointed out, then I charged forward at lightning speed and leaped up into the air above the rock until I threw a fist and struck the rock during my decent, then I was shocked when the rock completely shattered from the force and a crater was made.
"Holy shit, that's definitely going to shatter bones and kill somebody instantly," I commented to Kurama in disbelief.
"That's because your body is currently using some of my chakra, which will make your elemental jutsu more powerful and you saw that it had enhanced your speed and physical strength as well," Kurama stated before we continued after that.
For the remainder of the day, Kurama had shifted from explanation to experience as he drilled into my head on how to make full use of the version 1 cloak while I had noticed that all of my jutsu had gained an increase in their overall potency, which was expected for both me and Kurama as I had learned more about the significant increase in my speed, agility, and physical strength to some extent.
Despite that, Kurama had proven to be a rather hard drill instructor as he taught me how to best use the version 1 cloak's enhancements to better my own fighting style before the next day came with Kurama beginning his tutelage on training me with the version 2 cloak, but not before revealing to me that we could switch each other's consciousness' before demonstrating by taking over and conversating to the others while I thought it was useful as the second day of my training began.
"Now, the biggest advantage with the version 2 cloak is the unpredictability associated with it and, along with accessing more of my power, you also gain the ability to extend the chakra outward from you, giving you a sort of chakra arm.
Until now, you've only accessed the version 1 cloak so now it's time to experience version 2 before I teach you a technique called the tailed beast ball, an attack that you once witnessed eight years ago when I fired it at the Hokage mountain while I was under the control of that masked bastard and there's so much more you could do with it other than fire a massive purple ball of chakra at your enemy, so let's begin and enter version 2 cloak," Kurama explained until I took on the version 2 cloak as dark red chakra completely engulfed me and nine tails appeared behind me, then a vulpine skeleton began to form around me and I was astonished at how different the version 2 cloak felt compared to version 1.
"Quick question, what the hell are these bones supposed to be used for? I've never seen anything like this before so what purpose are the bones for?" I asked in confusion.
"The reason why is because you've never taken on the version 2 cloak and as for the bones, you can actually control whether or not they are there and the bones can be beneficial if you're fighting in close range, though bear in mind that they'll also be a hindrance when fighting at range so it's up to you if you want them or not.
Now, as I said, you can't use any of your techniques in this form but you can access some of mine so let's get started with one of my personal favorites, where you can now gather up chakra and create a shockwave that'll tear up the environment in front of you with a roar or a swing of your arms," Kurama told me and I knew what he was talking about since I was nearly blown away by it once eight years ago.
"Yeah, I saw it first-hand and it looked deadly so let's begin," I replied before we got started.
Kurama gave me instructions on how to use the tailed beast shockwave and the tailed beast ball before I found out that I could actually whip up a large twister by swiping with my claws, though said twister was unfortunately in the direction of the others who were observing me.
"Dammit, will you two watch where you're aiming?! Ninetails, I thought you said that we wouldn't have to worry about being hit while you're training Seth!" Jiraiya shouted irritably after he and the others dodged the unintentional attack, then Kurama took over before my body moved on its own with my head turning to the others while he grinned amusingly.
"I said that you all won't have to worry about being flattened by a tail, but I didn't say anything about a twister," Kurama remarked before he burst out laughing, making the others sweatdrop since there was no doubt that B and the others were now Kurama's personal punching bags.
"Well, can you please aim it away?" Yamato pleaded tensely and Kurama pouted while I was unamused by how the large fox was enjoying the fact that I nearly hit the others by accident.
"Damn, you're no fun...fine, seeing as what we're planning on doing next would actually kill you," Kurama said with a chuckle before handing control back to me, then he began to explain to me the next ability I had access to in the version 2 cloak and, fortunately for the others, I made sure to control my aim this time as I shot out a highly concentrated beam of heated chakra that carved through the rock faces of the surrounding cliffs and mountains like a hot knife through butter.
"Jesus Christ, you weren't bullshitting when you said that could kill somebody, most definitely would vaporize someone from the face of the planet," I commented in disbelief until Kurama chuckled.
"Heh, what did you expect? I'm not the strongest of the tailed beasts for nothing," Kurama bragged smugly before he added, "You also have access to the tailed beast shockwave in this form but I already taught you how to use it, now what I really want you to work on are those chakra arms but for that, we need a training partner and I have the perfect one in mind."
Kurama took over and called Jiraiya over before the tailed beast indicated to him that I needed a training partner to get a better hang of using the chakra arms, then the toad sage sighed wearily as he reluctantly agreed before offering up a few shadow clones as a sacrifice.
Over the next few days, I had gotten the hang of using the chakra arms and the version 2 cloak thanks to a few unfortunate shadow clones and for me being a fast learner so, after a whole week of training in this location, Kurama decided that I would catch onto the version 1 and 2 forms quickly but it was the full tailed beast mode he wanted me to work on the most before my training was completed before he told me that it would take a couple more weeks to master it, so I had one of the Anbu escorts send a message to the Hokage explaining the delay and now was the day I got ready to train in the full tailed beast form.
"Okay Seth, this is only the second time you've used my full form and, as of now, you can still only hold it no more than ten minutes at a time, which means that we're going to have to make the most of our time when you enter tailed beast mode and that means the ten minute limit will increase as your body adjusts more to the increased amount of my chakra in your system, so let's get started," Kurama instructed before I got ready.
"Understood," I responded as I tapped into Kurama's full power and my form changed into the giant fox's so, once the transformation was completed, I had been completely replaced by Kurama's appearance as I now stood as a massive nine-tailed kitsune instead of a red-haired male shapeshifter who was a veteran shinobi before I focused on my tails and made them controlled and flowing.
"Very good on controlling the tails, now you just need to keep doing that long enough so that they are out of the way and, as long as they're not interfering with you or anyone else, you can let them do what they want right now so for the most part, just guide them and take full control of them when you need them, now do that and use them as a sort of shield," Kurama instructed and I complied by arching the tails over myself as if I was using them to block a massive projectile attack.
"Not bad, now try using them as additional limbs by ripping a few trees out from the ground and using them as projectiles since it'll help with your dexterity," Kurama told me and, following his instructions, I wrapped one of the tails around a nearby tree before ripping it out from the earth and chucking it over me, sending it flying to the far end of the valley.
"Well, that was kinda lame," Kurama commented and I was taken aback by that.
"Hold on, didn't you see the distance I got on that? Hardly lame in my opinion," I argued before Kurama sighed in exasperation.
"Here, let me take control for a moment," Kurama said before I gave up control and Kurama rolled his neck around before stretching his body and tails out like a cat to no doubt loosen the joints.
"Oh yeah, it sure feels good being able to stretch out my tails for the first time in so many years," Kurama groaned blissfully and, making controlling his body look easy, he grabbed a tree of his own with a tail before he flung it at the nearby cliff and the tree shattered while creating a large hole in the process.
"Holy fuck!" I exclaimed in shock after I watched everything.
"Please, that nothing and again, I'm not known for being the strongest of the tailed beasts for nothing so I could've easily destroyed that cliff and you should see my brother Son do this since the tree and the entire cliff would've been reduced to nothing," Kurama commented proudly while B cleared his throat to get his attention.
"Yo, what are you two up to, nine-o?" B asked before Kurama looked at him.
"Just helping Seth out with a little target practice," Kurama replied until he focused on firing a large chakra beam to carve a target into the side of a nearby cliff, just as he transferred control back to me and the tailed beast form suddenly receded into me.
"Hmm, looks like 11 minutes is our limit right now so take some time to rest and perhaps work on something else because once you're good to go again, start chucking trees at the target until I stop you at a certain amount," Kurama instructed and I nodded before I had an idea.
"You know, if you want to come out every now and then, I don't really mind as long as we're in a location that's uninhabited and people won't get the shit scared out of them, so just don't do anything crazy," I offered and felt the surprise coming from Kurama.
"In other words, don't do anything you would do," Kurama remarked wryly, making me sweatdrop before he continued, "Anyway, I'd like that so I'll consider it for now until we can hold this form for much longer and I won't do anything stupid."
"Of course, I'll be waiting for your answer until then," I replied before I went to meet up with B and the others so that I could take a break.
For nearly the past two weeks, Kurama had me working hard to bring myself up to a point that was acceptable to his standards, and now the giant fox had told me that I would benefit more from actual combat experience while I had agreed before I had Jiraiya summon Gamabunta, the boss summon of Mt. Myoboku and I recognized him as the giant toad that damn near crushed me eight years ago when he fell from the sky and landed onto Kurama.
"You sure about this, Jiraiya?" Gamabunta questioned uncertainly while I was in my full tailed beast mode and standing across from him.
"Trust me on this Bunta, I've had my doubts at first but even I'm beginning to see that the Ninetails is truly on our side now since the seal's been removed for a few weeks and he hasn't tried to break free or purposely kill us yet," Jiraiya assured while he was situated on top of the large toad's head.
"That still doesn't mean I feel comfortable sparring with the Ninetails itself!" Gamabunta complained hotly and I sweatdropped at that.
"Oh lighten up, my dear boy, because even I'm interested to see where Seth and the Ninetails have gotten in terms of progression," Fukasaku stated, who had been summoned here to give Jiraiya a boost in strength while the boss toad groaned slightly.
"Fine, but I'll be having you personally buy sake for a long time after this," Gamabunta grumbled as I gazed at him and Jiraiya, studying them for any weaknesses and coming up with a few strategies before I got ready.
I started off by dashing over to Jiraiya and Gamabunta as I closed the gap between me and the giant toad with ease before Gamabunta barely had time to jump and avoid the claw swipe until, with a quick pivoting motion, I whipped my tails around in an intention to strike the boss toad like a whip.
By the time my tails came around, Gamabunta just regained his footing and it allowed him to catch the tails, only the power behind the attack was too much to dampen and the boss toad was sent flying back before he collided onto the area before me and got back up with a scowl.
"Oi, watch the tails you brat!" Gamabunta shouted irritably before he fired several water spheres at me, making me react by either dodging swiftly or using a few low-powered tailed beast balls to intercept the rest as explosions erupted.
Growling, Gamabunta drew his tanto and lunged at me before I acted accordingly by gracefully sidestepping the lunge and before the boss toad could follow up with a slash, I used one of my tails to wrap around his hands and disarm him before Gamabunta was forced to jump back so he could avoid me wrapping him up to restrain him with the other eight.
"You know, this was a lot easier with Minato," Gamabunta commented in exasperation while I could see Jiraiya rolling his eyes.
"As I recall, all you had to do was drop down on top of the furball and restrain him, so shall we?" Jiraiya suggested before he and the boss toad made hand signs, then I hardened my eyes and got ready for whatever they were planning next.
"Fire style: Toad Oil Flame Bullet!" Jiraiya declared as he and Gamabunta shot out oil and fire to combine it into a massive ball of flames that started heading towards me, then I countered by shooting white-hot flames out of my maw and the two attacks collided in the middle, adding to the massive inferno that lit up the ground between us.
'Fuck me, good thing no one lives here or that would've really ruin their day,' I thought just before Jiraiya suddenly came falling from the sky with a gigantic Rasengan.
"Sage art: Massive Rasengan!" Jiraiya cried out loudly as he dove down to hit me with the giant ball of chakra.
Thinking fast, I arched a few of my tails up into a shield before the supercharged Rasengan collided with them and because they were tougher than titanium, the giant ball of chakra couldn't break through the defense just before I noticed Gamabunta doing something out of the corner of my eye.
"Water style: Rampaging Torrent!" Gamabunta growled before he fired a massive stream of water at me, the attack too wide for me to dodge so I quickly turned my head and unleashed a tailed beast shockwave with a roar before both attacks hit each other and by the time the powerful water attack reached me, it had been dissipated into nothing more than a misty spray as I swung my tails that were blocking the Rasengan and sent Jiraiya flying until Gamabunta saved him by letting the older man land onto his head.
"Well, I think that's going to be it for now," Fukasaku said and once he called the spar to an end, Kurama's form retreated until I was standing on a cliff before I met up with the others, then Kurama took over with my eyes turning red with slit pupils, thick whisker marks appearing on my cheeks, and my teeth and nails growing sharp.
"So, do you think he's finished?" Jiraiya asked Kurama, who took up a thoughtful expression for a few moments until he nodded.
"I'll admit that he's come a long way since we started and, had he been fighting offensively instead of defensively, then you three wouldn't have stood a chance against him and even though he's still not as good as I am, he's a lot better than before and adapted quickly because of his inhuman physiology so I'm done with him for now," Kurama explained before he handed control back to me.
After that, we said our goodbyes to B and headed back to the leaf village once the toads reverse-summoned themselves back to Mt. Myoboku before we arrived back home and reported to the Hokage about my training being complete for now, then I was taken to see Sasuke and brought him home while he stayed silent the entire time until Naruto saw him and was looking more than puzzled as to why his rival was going to be his new brother, just as I took the blond into the kitchen for some privacy and explained the best I could while withholding the more gory parts until I ended it by saying that Sasuke needed all the support we could give him.
Naruto seemed to understand that something very bad happened because of the villagers looking more solemn while I was gone and he agreed to help Sasuke, though I was very concerned for the young Uchiha since I once picked up him mumbling quietly with a dark look that he would make Itachi pay and I knew that he needed therapy while I had to steer him away from revenge since something like that never ends well for anyone.
Before I knew it, four years had gone by while Sasuke's recovery was a long one with the academy's curriculum being changed by the Hokage on the suggestion of me and Jiraiya where many of the academy's standards had risen significantly while many students weren't able to keep up with it for long and transferred to civilian schools until only twelve students in Naruto's class remained as I also spent time in practicing with Kurama's chakra while he coached me from time to time, then the time came for the exam now before Naruto, Sasuke, and the rest of the students that remained in the academy had passed until they came to see me in the front of the academy while I smiled.
"Dad, we did it!" Naruto cheered as he hugged me and I chuckled.
"I know, so I'm proud of you two," I said as I looked at Sasuke, who nodded at me with his hands in his pockets and I was glad that I was able to steer him away from revenge and get him to want justice for the Uchiha massacre by bringing Itachi and the masked man back to the village to face trial for their crimes.
"Well, let's celebrate tonight until you get your photos taken for your new IDs and are assigned to your new unit tomorrow," I said after I stood up and bushed off any dirt that was still on my pant legs, ignoring the glares that were sent at me and Naruto while Sasuke hummed thoughtfully.
"Are you going to be a Jonin sensei?" Sasuke inquired until I smiled playfully.
"That's a surprise and I don't want to spoil it now, but I can guarantee that you both will love it," I remarked with a foxy grin before I took Naruto and Sasuke home, then I narrowed my eyes when I saw Mizuki waiting for us.
"Mizuki, what are you doing here?" I asked, not trusting the man at all but not letting on that I didn't trust him as the silver-haired Chunin smiled at me.
"I was hoping to see if I could speak to Naruto in private, so is that all right?" Mizuki inquired and my suspicions of him greatly increased while I wondered what he was up to as Naruto and Sasuke also didn't trust him either from what they told me once.
"Well, as long as it's okay with Naruto," I said as I looked at the blond, then he nodded and Mizuki took Naruto up to the rooftops while I made eye-contact with Sasuke.
"Sasuke, go inside the house and wait for us because I have a feeling that this will take a while," I told Sasuke, who went inside before I followed Mizuki and Naruto at a distance so that the chunin wouldn't see me until they stopped on a rooftop and I altered my hearing to listen in better.
"So, what did you need to talk about?" Naruto asked.
"Well, there is a little extra test for you this year," Mizuki began and I narrowed my eyes in suspicion.
'What the hell are you up to, Mizuki?' I thought and continued listening.
"Oh? But I'm already a genin so why would I need more tests?" Naruto questioned in confusion, but I could tell from that slight tone in his voice that he was suspicious as well.
"Well, this is a special advancement test only given to the rookie of the year and Sasuke may have been given the title officially, the teachers at the academy agreed that you'd be more deserving of it.
Anyway, we are offering the advancement test to the best genin and, if you pass, you'll be named elite genin and added to a team of your own choosing as a secondary leader with the authority to command the other genin," Mizuki explained and I couldn't help but stifle a scoff at how ridiculous that sounded since there was no such thing as an elite genin, maybe an elite chunin or jonin but not an elite genin.
"Wow sensei, I could be an elite genin? What's the test?" Naruto asked, and I could see that he was faking his excitement since I had taught him time and time again to watch out for people who would try to manipulate him for their own ambitions, though Mizuki didn't seem to notice that Naruto wasn't fooled by him most likely because of his arrogance taking over and thinking that he had Naruto in his grasp.
"All you have to do is sneak into the Hokage library and retrieve the scroll of sealing located within but, while you need to avoid the Anbu patrols, they've been told to go easy on you so once you have the scroll, you'll need to take it to the southwest checkpoint house in the forest outside the village and do you know where that is?" Mizuki instructed as Naruto nodded.
"Dad told me about it once, so I'll find it," Naruto said and Mizuki grinned.
"Good, just get it there before midnight tonight and you pass," Mizuki added while I was scowling and openly glaring at the disgusting excuse of a shinobi for trying to manipulate my son into committing a serious crime.
"Okay sensei, I accept so I'll get the scroll and bring it to the checkpoint before you know it, ya know!" Naruto declared, throwing his verbal tick in for good measure to convince Mizuki, then the traitorous chunin left after that.
"Seth, the old monkey should be notified about this so go get Naruto and head to the Hokage's office," Kurama told me and I sent him a mental agreement before I quickly headed over to where Naruto was until he spotted me as I landed onto the roof he was on.
"Dad, were you here the entire time?" Naruto asked and I gestured at the place I was hiding.
"I was nearby, but that doesn't matter because I heard everything and we need to tell the Hokage about this," I stated with a serious look, then Naruto nodded and we quickly headed over to the Hokage's office before entering the building and approaching the secretary.
"Excuse me, we need to see the Hokage so let him know it's urgent," I said stoically, causing the woman to look surprised before she sent the message and moments later, Naruto and I were standing before the Hokage while the elderly man nodded at us.
"Naruto, I see you passed the exam, so excellent work but what's so urgent that you and your father wanted to talk to me about?" Hiruzen inquired and I gently nudged Naruto forward to let him speak.
"Well, we headed home and discovered some moles digging the foundation," Naruto said, then Hiruzen's face tightened immediately since moles were spies and digging at the foundation meant that they were also established ninja of the village, so the elderly Hokage made a hand sign before five Anbu operatives suddenly appeared and activated privacy seals around the room until they vanished.
"Okay, you two, tell me everything you know," Hiruzen ordered seriously before we started telling him about what we learned.
Naruto started off by describing everything about Mizuki's actions in the past that even I didn't know about, making me feel awful for the blond as I joined in with explaining what Mizuki said to Naruto about the so-called advancement test and Hiruzen scoffed at how stupid that was until we were finished and I looked down at Naruto with a concerned look.
"Naruto, if Mizuki was causing you that much trouble, then why haven't you reported him to the Hokage or told me about it?" I questioned and Naruto looked up at me.
"Well, if I came running to the Hokage every time some random idiot was mean to me, then I would never leave his office and I didn't tell you because I wanted to learn how to solve my own problems but this time, he is endangering not just me, but the whole village so I had to do something about it by telling the Hokage," Naruto admitted, causing me to look solemn since the poor kid really did carry so much on his shoulders.
"Very well, I can respect that but what do we do about Mizuki? He cannot be allowed to get away with this so, Naruto, you were the main victim of his actions so how would you like to play an instrumental role in Mizuki's capture? I'll pay the wage of an A-rank mission and put down your very first A-rank at the beginning of your career," Hiruzen offered before I ruffled Naruto's hair with a proud grin.
"You hear that? Your very first A-rank just after you graduated," I stated and Naruto beamed at that.
"Wow, that sounds awesome but I'm thinking of getting more than just money," Naruto said, catching the interest of me and Hiruzen.
"Okay, and what else do you wish to get than just money?" Hiruzen asked curiously.
"Well, I'm going to need a jutsu from the scroll to help speed up my training a little bit and gain more information faster while I also want to pick a teammate of my own choosing," Naruto told us and I started stroking my chin thoughtfully until an idea came to me.
"I know, there's one jutsu in the scroll that will suit you and it's called the shadow clone jutsu, which will help you gain information faster since these kinds of clones are all physical and you receive the knowledge they gather much faster once they dispel but, even better, you can create thousands of them because of the enormous amount of chakra you have," I explained before Naruto grinned at that.
"That sounds really useful, so I'll take that jutsu and, for my teammate, I'm going to pick Sasuke," Naruto stated while I was surprised to hear that and Hiruzen hummed thoughtfully.
"I see...why Sasuke and not Hinata?" Hiruzen questioned while Naruto placed his hands on the back of his head and shrugged.
"Well, I'm top shinobi and Hinata is top kunoichi while those two get put together anyway, so I was just making sure that Sasuke would be paired up with us," Naruto explained, and I couldn't help but see the logic in that.
"So, it's settled, now let's talk about coming up with a plan to deal with Mizuki," I said until we started coming up with a plan to stop Mizuki.
The plan was simple, Naruto would spend the afternoon learning the shadow clone jutsu before he'd take a fake copy of the scroll of sealing to the rendezvous point, then my Anbu unit and I would trail behind him from a distance before hiding and once Mizuki makes himself known and reveals his intentions, we would swoop in and arrest him but Hiruzen warned Naruto that he'd be notifying the other ninja about the scroll being stolen so that they would create a believable amount of outrage just in case Mizuki started getting suspicious.
With the plan set up, Hiruzen took Naruto out of the office and to a location in the building where the blond could practice his new jutsu in secret, where it only took about an hour for Naruto to learn how to create shadow clones since it was a fairly simple technique but it was used rarely and labeled a forbidden jutsu due to the insane chakra requirements that could kill the user and, at roughly 10:00 PM, Naruto met up with me and my Anbu unit on top of the Hokage monument while I was dressed up in my Anbu uniform and wearing my replacement wolf mask.
"Alright, Naruto, are you ready? Lord Hokage won't report the scroll's "theft" until we are out of the village," I said and Naruto nodded.
"Yeah, I'm ready and I'll be moving at top speed to make it look more convincing to Mizuki so will your friends be able to keep up?" Naruto inquired before I chuckled warmly.
"Don't worry, these five are the fastest in terms of speed so they should be able to keep up as long as you move at a reasonable pace," I assured before I retrieved a large scroll from inside a seal and added, "Here, this is the fake scroll of sealing and it contains a trap seal that will tie up whoever activates it, so try and get Mizuki to inspect it to make his capture easier."
"Okay, let's go!" Naruto declared after strapping the large scroll on his back before leaping off the monument and rushing for the rendezvous point, then I signaled my unit to follow before we stayed right behind Naruto at a reasonable distance.
Normally, it would take two hours to reach the checkpoint house on foot, but with Naruto's speed, we made it there in half an hour as my unit and I hid before Naruto approached the house and stopped in front of it.
"Mizuki-sensei, I got the scroll!" Naruto called out and the man in question left the house, looking fully armed and equipped with two giant shurikens on his back.
"Well done, Naruto, now bring it here and I'll make sure it's the real thing just in case you decided to create a fake for the test," Mizuki instructed before Naruto smiled.
"I've got no problem with that, sensei," Naruto said as he unslung the fake scroll and handed it to Mizuki, who grinned widely and took the scroll before greedily ripping it open until it revealed a large seal formula that began to glow before doing...nothing, causing Naruto, me, and my unit to facepalm with a collective sweatdrop since it looked like whoever did the seal was out of practice.
"Wait, what the hell is this?! So, you thought you could lure me out here before capturing and killing me?! Not going to happen, you little demon!" Mizuki roared in outrage with a look of fury after he threw the fake scroll away and took out the two shurikens that were strapped to his back.
"Uh, actually, I didn't make that seal because someone working for the Hokage did it, which goes to show that I should never trust seals that uncle Jiraiya didn't make himself...oh well so, Wolf, a little help?" Naruto suggested with a deadpan look, then I signaled the rest of my unit to move in and we dropped down around Mizuki with our weapons drawn and pointed at him, making the man freeze at that.
"Chunin Mizuki, you are hereby placed under arrest for the attempted theft of a leaf relic, the attempted murder of a leaf shinobi, and conspiracy to commit treason so drop your weapons and keep your hands where we can see them or we will use force," I warned stoically as I stood between Naruto and the traitorous chunin, causing Mizuki to drop the shurikens and raise his hands in a placating manner.
"Whoa, let's take it easy here, Wolf! Can't you see that I was just here to stop Naruto from leaving with the scroll?! The demon was probably going to use its power to regain its other half and finish what it started twelve years ago by destroying the village!" Mizuki exclaimed defensively, then my eyes became hard as stone from hearing the lie that came out of his mouth.
"Genin Naruto Uzumaki and shinobi Seth Mercer reported your earlier conversation to Lord Hokage, who ordered young Naruto to deliver this fake scroll to you to determine your intentions with it and, judging by your equipment, you are planning to leave the village...Hawk, search him," I ordered and the Anbu operative with the hawk mask stepped forward to quickly strip Mizuki of all his weapons and pouches before searching them
From what I could see, there were mostly just ninja tools and travel supplies, as well as a copy of one of Jiraiya's Icha Icha books until Hawk finished his search by looking through the inside pockets of Mizuki's chunin vest.
"Captain, I've found a letter and a forehead protector bearing the insignia of the hidden sound village," Hawk informed me, handing the items in question to me and I frowned before I activated my Sharingan to check the letter for any traps, then I was satisfied when I didn't find anything and opened the envelope to read the letter that was inside until I looked up at Mizuki.
"Well, looks like we get to add aiding a known enemy to the leaf to your list of charges since this letter is from Orochimaru and, based on the contents, you have been in correspondence for quite some time.
Take Mizuki into custody and escort him to T&I, where they'll get the information out of him," I said to the other members of my unit, who proceeded to arrest Mizuki by cuffing his wrists while the now ex-chunin started glaring at me furiously.
"You want to know why I did it?! The answer is right behind you because that damn demon and its other half walk the same streets as those they tried to destroy when they were one being! They eat our food, breathe our air, and pollutes this village with their very presence so don't you see they already infected the Hokage and the council?! I wasn't about to stay and let them infect me too!" Mizuki ranted before I silenced him by grabbing his vest collar and yanking him forward.
"Shut up, Naruto and Seth have proven to be more honest ninja than you will ever be since they have done nothing to hurt this village and would go out of their way to help the victims of the Ninetails attack, even if they weren't the ones responsible so the next time I hear another word about them come out of your mouth, I will personally ensure that you won't see the inside of a courtroom because I'll kill you myself," I threatened coldly with my Sharingan warping to the Mangekyo stage.
After sending a concentrated burst of killing intent at Mizuki, he shuddered and fainted before one of the members of my unit slung him over his shoulder and I signaled them to get ready to leave before I looked at Naruto.
"Naruto, I'll report everything to the Hokage so you should go home," I instructed and Naruto nodded.
"Thanks, dad...man, I knew Mizuki didn't like me, but I'm a bit surprised that he hated me so much," Naruto admitted before I sighed.
"Don't listen to him since people like Mizuki will say anything to put the odds into their favor and their words are usually just them blowing hot air, now run along home since Sasuke is waiting for us to come back," I said as Naruto smiled at me, then he took off back home while I headed to the Hokage's office to hand in my report until I later came back home with a promotion to jonin before I had a nice dinner with Naruto and Sasuke until I went to bed and entered my mindscape to find Kurama lazing in the large field with a content look until he saw me.
"So, Naruto and the Uchiha boy are full-fledged ninjas now and I have to admit, it was pretty amusing to see that silver-haired traitor piss himself before passing out," Kurama told me with a chuckle and I smirked.
"Yeah, though he deserves more than me scaring him into unconsciousness since anyone who tries to hurt my son is going to learn a painful lesson," I stated seriously until Kurama began frowning thoughtfully.
"Still, are you certain that what you and the old monkey have planned will work? Something like what you two have come up with has never happened before in the shinobi system so those certain pansy asses in the council will bitch about it," Kurama pointed out and I scoffed.
"Let those assholes complain since I couldn't give a damn what they think and, what the Hokage and I have in mind, it should work theoretically," I said logically.
"Well, more power to you then so have fun with it," Kurama told me before I started looking hesitant and the giant fox gazed at me inquisitively.
"Hey...I wanted to ask you something and don't laugh, but is it alright if I...laid down against you?" I asked awkwardly, causing Kurama to do a double-take at that.
"Excuse me?" Kurama questioned in complete confusion while I cringed.
"S-Sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable or anything like that, I just wanted to do it because I haven't done anything like that ever since my dog died when I was a kid and I never had my parents get another canine companion after that," I admitted nervously, then Kurama sent me a deadpan look.
"So, in other words, you want me to be your pillow, correct?" Kurama asked dryly before I started grimacing.
"I'm sorry, this is stupid and I shouldn't have asked you so I'm gonna go," I said uncomfortably as I was about to leave my mindscape, only Kurama sighed and he held up a hand to stop me.
"Get over here," Kurama said as he gestured at the area next to him and I froze.
"Hey, you don't need to accept for my sake if this is making you uncomfortable," I pointed out before Kurama narrowed his eyes at me.
"Just do it before I change my mind and say nothing to anyone about this because I still have a reputation to protect," Kurama insisted sternly, making me walk over to his side tentatively until I laid down against him as Kurama stared down at me.
"Thanks...you didn't have to do this for me," I said with a small smile and Kurama huffed.
"Just don't drool on me and we're good," Kurama muttered before he looked away.
I enjoyed laying against Kurama while my eyes were closed before a fluffy thing went around me, then I opened my eyes and looked to see one of the giant fox's tails covering me like a blanket and smiled as I enjoyed his soft and lush fur before my eyes drooped and I drifted off to sleep, not noticing a strange look in Kurama's eyes as he gazed out at the mountains that were in the distance.
A/N Hey, hope you liked that nice moment between Seth and Kurama at the end and something is going on with the giant fox so what could it be I wonder? Either way, things have changed in a big way with Sasuke no longer desiring revenge and wanting justice instead and, I know you won't like this, but I'm going to keep the team placements canon since I want to work on Sakura and the other characters more and the pinkette won't be a useless fangirl anymore thanks to the changes that had been implemented in the academy while it helped her get over her obsession with Sasuke.
As for the others, they were motivated to work harder because of it so they'll have their moments as the story goes on so, let me know what you think and stay tuned.