Author's Note: Thanks everyone for continuing to support this story and being loyal fans. I appreciate all of your love and support. I hope you guys enjoy this new chapter as well!

Special Fan Shout-Outs: Tauries4597, inuyasha16451, and I-Love-Trunks1. Keep the reviews and comments coming!

EDIT: I caught the typo about there only being two NOT captured Tailed-Beasts. Thank you everyone who pointed it out, and I did realize it after uploading it. So, you don't have to worry about reading this chapter again. I just edited this one, so please continue onto chapter 40. Thanks guys!

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Chapter 39: Uneasy Conflicts

Naruto's P.O.V.

Naruto's Apartment- 2 Weeks Later

I wake up to the feeling of the morning sun coming through the window. The summer's sunrays are bright and warm on my tan skin. I slowly open my eyes but focus on the white ceiling above me. Two weeks ago, Shikamaru defeated Hidan, leaving only a few Akatsuki members left, according to Sasuke. But, it doesn't help ease the conflict within me. Even though I'm helping eliminate some of our strongest opponents, I don't feel like I'm strong enough to help prevent this war. Hell, I wasn't strong enough to bring Sasuke back. I had to trick him into realizing that he wanted to come home. Now he's sitting in jail until Grandma deems him safe to release back into society. I may have the mental and emotional strength to defeat my enemies. But, what does it matter if I don't have the physical strength. I can't seem to~

"Whine, whine, whine. Is that you new hobby, or do you like to just piss me off?"

"Oh god, you're awake?"

"I'm a demon, Kit. You know I don't sleep. Especially with you whining this early in the morning,"

"Well forgive me for having human emotions and doubt; unlike your emotionless ass," I tease.

"With a mouth like yours, it makes me wonder who raised you,"

I sigh as I sit up and rub my hand over my tired face, "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Not really. I just choose to bother you. Have to return the favor to my only son,"

"I would really appreciate it if you didn't. I'm not really in the mood right now. I have a lot on my mind,"

"You mean besides using your wet dreams of Sasuke to wake your morning wood?"

I look down between my legs to see my dick standing as proud as the morning sun. Deciding to ignore it, I tap my knuckle to my forehead with a glare, "It's involuntary, and you know that,"

"Right "involuntary". Is it "involuntary" when you whisper his name while jerking off in the middle of the night too?" he chuckles.

"I'm really not liking you this morning. Now shut up before I silence you,"

"What have I told you about empty threats," he sighs as I feel him shifting inside of me. I continue my glare, but he just ignores me, "Anyways, I also wanted to mention something that will help you with your little problem,"

"If this is another crack at my dick or about Sasuke, I swear~"

"No, shut up. I was actually talking about your lack of physical strength. Unlike you, I acknowledge the strength and abilities that you have gained thus far. I mean, the fact you now have four tails should tell your stupid ass how strong you are, but I guess not. Anyway, if you want to gain more strength, we could always merge our powers together,"

"Wait, I'm confused. I thought my biological father merged us when I was born?"

"He only sealed me inside of you. When a Tailed Beast is sealed inside of their vessels, that's just it. They do not merge their powers together. Both become separate entities and, usually, we torment our vessels. It is very rare for the two to merge together,"

"So, what is the difference between merging and us staying the same?"

"You'll be able to access more of my powers without the fear of me escaping. Basically, you would free me and bond the two of us together until you pass. You'll also gain more power and three more tails; totaling seven tails,"

"Only seven? I thought you said I would gain nine tails?"

"You will but merging with me will open you up to more opportunities to gain more power. Think of it like skipping a few levels until you get the last two tails. Merging with me will not mean that you have tapped out on power. Even with gaining all nine tails, you'll continue to gain more power, strengths, abilities, etc. As long as you remain my vessel and continue to train, you can ascend to the level of God,"

"That's amazing. But wait, what will happen when I have children?"

"Some of my features, powers, abilities, and strengths will be passed to them. But, they won't have complete access to me unless YOU yourself transfers me or you die. Those are the only ways our bond will sever,"

If I die… will you die with me?"

"Yes,"

"But, how is that fair to you?"

"It's not. That's one of the negative sides effects of being sealed inside of someone. But, I can be transferred. So, say for instance, if you make it to your old age, and you wanted me to continue living, then you can transfer most of me into another vessel while also leaving a small amount inside of yourself. This is a failsafe in case someone was to extract me from you. They'll only get that small part of me, but you'll remain alive,"

"But, that just puts the next person at risk,"

"Again, another negative effect of having a sealed Tailed Beast. But, that's beside the point,"

"It's not. That's a big responsibility on me as your vessel,"

"It is, but there's nothing that can be done. As my vessel, you're just as cursed as myself. But, it's up to you if you decide to go through with the ritual,"

"Will this still apply, even if I decide to not go through with the ritual?"

"Not all of it. You won't have access to all of me, I won't be free, nor will I be able to be transferred, only extracted. And if you pass, then I will too,"

"Damn, this is too much to think about,"

"It is, but you need to know. If not, I'm only hindering both of us,"

"Thanks for that. I'll definitely give it some thought,"

Kurama nods before laying down. I turn towards the window with his words on my mind. The pressure feels heavy on my shoulders as my thoughts run wild. I don't know how much time passes when I hear a knock at the door.

"Coming!" I call out before getting out of bed. I stretch and work out some of the kinks before opening the door. "Oh, good morning, Kakashi-sensei,"

"Morning Naruto. I hope you slept well," he smiles with his hand in the air.

"I did, but why are you here so early? Do you need something?" I ask.

"Yes, actually. We are being summoned by Lady Tsunade and Master Jiraiya, so I came to get you,"

"They're calling another meeting this early in the morning? I wonder what it's about?"

"You'll find out soon enough. Get dressed. I'll wait for you outside. We can walk together," h smiles.

I nod before closing the door and getting dressed.

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"Ah, good morning you two. Thank you for joining us," Grandma Tsunade smiles as we enter her office.

"You're awfully cheerful this morning. Must've had your morning sake," I joke.

She glares softly, "Watch it, young man. You should learn to respect your elders,"

"Lady Tsunade, why did you summon us here so early anyway?"

"I'm glad you asked, Sakura. I actually have some important news for all of you. We have been tracking~"

Drown out her words as my mind wonders. I look around the room to see Pervy Sage and Shizune standing behind Grandma's chair. I'm in-between Sasuke and Sakura, Sai is to the left of Sakura, and Kakashi and Captain Yamato stand behind us. The office is full of my teammates and my senseis. It feels weird having everyone surrounding me, but a nice feeling non the less. Grandma's words are still muffled in my ears, but I can tell she's talking about the upcoming war and the Akatsuki. I know I should be listening; however, my mind won't leave the conversation from this morning.

There are a lot of benefits to merging with Kurama, but the cons are what have my mind conflicted. I have been Kurama's vessel for 16 years, but there is still so much for me to learn about him. He has suffered for centuries and been passed around like a bottle of sake. I can understand his hatred for our kind and the humans long passed. I would feel the same if I was forcibly sealed into someone because they thought of me as a threat. I can't imagine how he feels, imprisoned with no way of freedom except in death. I wonder if merging with him will give him some kind of release? I can gain power on my own, but will it benefit him too?

"Naruto! Are you listening, brat?!" Grandma screams, jolting me back to reality.

"Uh, yeah. Yeah, I'm listening. Sorry, just drifted off," I chuckle lightly while scratching the back of my head.

"Idiot," Sakura groans with her arms crossing.

"Dobe," Sasuke slightly smirks.

"Care to share with us what you think is more important than this meeting?" Grandma says with an eyebrow raised.

"Well, I was thinking about the conversation Kurama and I had this morning,"

"Oh, you were talking to the Nine-Tails?" Sakura asks.

"Kurama. He prefers to be called by his name. I learned that the hard way," Sasuke adds.

"Anyway, he was telling me about this ritual that will allow us to merge together,"

Everyone gasps, "You mean you two aren't merged now?" Kakashi asks.

"Not really. He was only sealed within me. But, by merging with me, I'll be able to have access to his full power and he'll be freed within me,"

"Hm, sounds like a lot of responsibility for you," Grandma says.

"It is, but I think it's something that needs to be done. After all, we're trying to prevent a war. If that can happen, then I need to become stronger," The atmosphere shifts to uncomfortable between Grandma Tsunade and Pervy-Sage, "What's wrong?"

"Naruto, we~"

"Let me take this one, Tsunade," Pervy-Sage says as he steps forward, "Naruto, we can't have you participating in this war any longer,"

"What?!" everyone gasps again.

"Why the hell not?" Sasuke glares with his fists clenched.

"He's the Nine-Tails' vessel. He's one of the main pieces missing from your clansmen getting the upper hand. Naruto, what if they capture you and get the Nine-Tails? Then we'll lose both of you. That's a risk we can't afford to take. I'm sorry, but you'll be sealed away until the war is over. That's my final decision on this," Grandma says firmly.

"But, what about what Naruto wants? Milady forgive me for speaking out, but we need Naruto to win this war. Sasuke, don't get offended, but even combined with the other nations, we are not strong enough to defeat the remaining Akatsuki without Naruto,"

"Sakura is right. I usually am the one to agree and want Naruto to sit out, but based on the information we've gathered and the remaining members, we might be on the end of defeat in this war,"

"Kakashi is correct in this. Master Jiraiya, we have all seen how strong Naruto has become. Especially combined with Sasuke's powers, they might be the ones to tip the scales in our favor," Captain Yamato argues.

"What part of "this is my final decision" are you guys not understanding? I know this is hard for you guys to accept, but this is something we must do to protect ourselves, Naruto, and the Kyuubi. I'm sorry Naruto, but this is how things have to be,"

"… … You're not sorry…" I glare with clenched fists.

"Excuse me?" she growls with her hands on the desk.

"You're not sorry. You know that I would fight until I die for those I love and this village. How am I supposed to be Hokage, if I can't participate in this war? You guys can't protect us forever. Are you guys going to stop me when I become Hokage and I have to fight in another war? Am I supposed to turn and run every time a threat arises. Kurama told me today, there are a lot of negative effects of being a Tailed-Beast vessel. Either of us chose to of this, but both of us will do whatever it takes to protect this village and our loved ones,"

"You mean the Kyuubi wants to actually help protect the village?" Shizune asks in shock.

"Yes. At first, he resented everyone in this village and could care less if it burned to the ground. In fact, decades ago, he wanted to do it himself~"

"Not helping,"

"But, he even said it himself, I helped soften his heart. Just like my body, he considers this village his home and wants to help protect it. Please, just give us a chance. Let me go through the merging ritual and I promise we'll win,"

Everyone remains quiet after I finish. I don't know if my words are going to change their mind, but I can only hope that they'll reconsider.

Grandma leans forward onto her folded arms, "Damned brat. You never make it easy on an old Hokage," Pervy-Sage leans over her and whispers in her ears. I don't know what they're talking about, but I don't have a good feeling about it. After a few moments of them talking, Grandma raises her head before standing up, rounding her desk, and leaning against it, "Alright kid, you win,"

"I do?"

She nods, "Yes. I'll allow you to fight. But, if there's even a chance that you might be captured, you're going to be sealed away with no argument. Agreed?"

"Agreed, and with no resistance either; I promise,"

"Fine. Alright Jiraiya, you're up," she sighs while walking back to sit in her chair.

"Alright kid, since you insist on fighting in the war, I have a little surprise for you. Have any of you heard of a place called Genbu?" everyone shakes their head "no", "Genbu, or better known as Turtle Island", is an ancient, gigantic domesticated turtle that lives on the Land of Lightning. On the turtle's back is a forest where most Jinchūriki go to train and merge with their tailed beasts. So far, the Akatsuki has obtained all but three of the tailed beasts. Only Kazekage Gaara and his One-Tails, the Eight-Tailed Beast, and you remain out of their hands. If they get you two, then the war will be over. However, if we have you two fighting together, then I think we can take victory,"

"So, that's where I have to go?" I ask.

He nods, "Yes. Kakashi, Yamato, and I will escort you there for your training. As long as you can complete the ritual, then you are free to come back here and fight until your heart is content,"

"You're serious?! Hell yeah! Let's do it!" I cheer.

"What are we to do while he's away training?" Sai asks.

"For now, you three will be continuing living as if nothing is going on and training. Sasuke, you'll have to be hidden even more with very little training. We still can't have people knowing your role until your probation is up. And even then, we still have to be careful. Understand?" Grandma explains. Everyone nods at her words before she continues, "Very well. I suggest Kakashi, Yamato, and you get ready for your trip. You've got a while until you get there,"

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After a few more irrelevant announcements, she dismisses us back to our homes and Sasuke to his cell. I go home to pack and lock up. I drop my keys off to Iruka-sensei and explain what happened this morning. He hugs me before sending me on my way. Before meeting my senseis, I stop by the prison to say bye to Sasuke. Currently, he's standing in front of me with his arms crossing over his chest.

"Are you going to be ok?"

"Awe, worried about me, baby?" He growls at my nickname. I chuckle while reaching through the bars to run my fingers through his hair, "I'll be fine. Aren't I always,"

"No, and that's what worries me,"

"That's not nice," He shrugs my hand off of him before turning away from me. Sensing his uneasiness, I release some of my chakra towards him while also getting closer, "I'll be fine,"

He sighs as he turns towards me. We meet at the prison's bars and grip them together, "It's not you I'm worried about. Didn't you get a strange feeling that they're planning something?"

"I did. I mean, it was pretty easy to convince her, and not knowing what Pervy-Sage said to her doesn't help either,"

"I don't like this,"

"I don't either, but what can we do? I mean, they're letting me go through the ritual, so they can't be hiding something major,"

He sighs while looking away in frustration. I reach through the bars to turn his face back towards mine. I place a quick kiss on his lips before pulling away slightly, "It'll be fine. Trust me. We'll be alright,"

He reluctantly nods with a sigh, "Be careful,"

"I will. I love you,"

He nods with a small smile before poking my forehead with his two fingers, "I'll see you soon,"

My smile widens to show my fangs, "Promise,"

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After leaving the prison, I meet my senseis at the gate before heading to the nearby docks. After several minutes, we arrive at the docks with large boat waiting on us.

"This, gentlemen, is the boat that will take us to the Land of Lightening,"

"Alright then, let's get going. I wanna get this over as soon as possible," I cheer.

"I hope you're ready for what's to come," Kakashi says as we board the boat.

"I have to be. I may not know what's out there, but I know I'm going to have to face it sooner than later,"

"That's a good attitude to have, Naruto. Looks like more than your power has matured," Captain Yamato smiles.

As we board the boat, I turn towards the direction of the village. Sasuke's words and my negative feelings haven't left me. In fact, they've grown more nagging.

"Something wrong, kid?" Pervy-Sage asks.

I don't look at him right away. Trying to push the feeling down, I finally turn around with a sigh and a convincing smile, "Nothing. Nothing at all,"

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To Be Continued…