Author's Note:

Hey everyone! We're making some great process through this arch. I know it just started but there's so much to know and details to pay attention to, so keep that in mind. I love hearing from you guys your feelings about the story so far and predictions. Keep them up and you might be the next contest winner!

Speaking of winner's this month's Reviewer Contest winner is: I-Love-Trunks 1. Congratulations! I have sent you an email for your prize. I look forward to hearing from you!

Alright guys let's keep pushing forward! Onto the next chapter.

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Chapter 46: Beyond the Falls of Truth

Normal P.O.V.

Naruto had just defeated the evil within his heart with kindness. Now, the blond alpha needs to continue with the ritual if he plans on completing the ritual.

"Before we go any further. You should wear these, yo," Killer B hands Naruto his jumpsuit, "Don't need to be fighting the Nine-Tails naked, ya heard me,"

"Thanks,"

Naruto quickly gets dressed.

"Alright guys, your next challenge is behind these falls. Now don't be getting yourself killed, yo. You die in here, you die for real, ya fool,"

"The fight between you and Kurama shouldn't be that hard. If anything, he might go easy on you," Sasuke says with his arms crossing.

"You wrong, ya fool. When a jinchuriki must complete this ritual, their tailed beast will lose control and they must fight for dominance. Your relationship with your demon has no effect on their behavior once the fight begins. So, anything you have to say to the Nine-Tails, you better do it before the fight starts, ya got that boi?"

"Yeah, Kurama was saying something about that when we had the conversation a while ago. I guess I'll just have to beat him. I'm ready, B. Take us through the Falls!"

"My man! Follow me,"

Killer B, Sasuke, and Naruto walk through the Falls to see a shrine in front of them.

"What is this place?"

"This is the secret shrine where all jinchuriki fight their demons, fool, ya fool,"

"Are we… still inside of my head…?"

"No, fool, ya fool. We're back in the real world. The transition between defeating your inner demons and the waterfall feels as if no time passes or that you're not in the real world. This a sort of genjutsu the Falls create for anyone who passes through. It's meant to keep the two opponents focused on the battle, ya got that?"

"Why don't the statues have heads? It seems pretty creepy," Sasuke asks while looking around.

"That's done on purpose. We're here," B says as he stops in front of a demon's head with several half swirls around it.

"What is here?" Naruto asks.

"This is where you will open the door to fight the Nine-Tails. This is setup in a special way so you can talk to your Tailed Beast. If there is no darkness in your heart, then the door will open,"

"How do I open it?"

"Simple, stick your head is the demon's mouth,"

"What?!" Naruto and Sasuke yell simultaneously.

"You expect me to stick my head into that statue's mouth?! Are you insane?!"

"This about respect and being tested. Like I said, if there is no darkness in your heart, then the gates will open no problem. But… if there is even a sliver of darkness, then the demon statue will bite your head off and tear you apart. All those headless statues we passed were previous jinchuriki without pure hearts… Do you consent?"

Naruto felt his heart tremble with anxiety. This was the moment he had been waiting on. He would defeat the Nine-Tails in this shrine and increase his tail number to seven. But, if he failed here then he would die; a risk he must take.

While swallowing a hard lump, Naruto jumps at the touch of something on his shoulder. He looks to his side to see Sasuke's hand there. The blond turns to his beta with uneasiness. But, Sasuke's small smile gives him the needed reassurance. With a deep breath, Naruto takes a step forward. He leans down and sticks his head inside. Anxiety runs through everyone's mind as the blond's goes deep into the statue's mouth. Suddenly, Naruto starts to shake and scream.

"Naruto?! Naruto?!" Sasuke runs over and yanks Naruto's head free. But, when the comes out, his head is missing. "Naruto?! Naruto! Naruto, no!" Sasuke screams as he shakes the blond.

The feline takes a step back in horror as Naruto's body falls onto its knees. Suddenly, tan hands reach up and pulls Naruto's jacket down to revile a laughing blond fox.

"Fooled ya. It's only a lever,"

Sasuke just stares blankly at Naruto for a moment, a pale eye lid twitching in frustration. Naruto continues to laugh until Sasuke's fist hits him on the head. Sharingan lit eyes glare hard at the frightened blond.

"You thought that was funny?! If that damned fox doesn't kill you, then I will. Who do you think you are pulling stupid shit like that?! What are you doing, trying to kill me? I swear I'm going to end your life, Naruto Uzumaki!"

"I'm sorry, Sasuke! It was just a joke, I swear!" Naruto pleads while Sasuke shakes him.

"That was a good one, dog! I did the same thing to my brother when I was here. Naw, fool, ya fool. Those statues are broken. There's no magic history behind their heads being missing,"

Sasuke tsks as he drops Naruto and smacks his hand over his face.

"Idiots,"

As Naruto stands and B finishes laughing, a door opens.

"That must be the door," Naruto asks.

"Yes. Now, when you step inside, close your eyes and focus. Just like at the Waterfalls, you'll be summoning and talking with your Tailed Beast,"

"But, I can already do that in my mind,"

"All jinchuriki can do that. This is different. Remember the genjutsu I told you about in the beginning? This is part of it. Do you remember what type of seal they put on Kurama?"

"Yeah, it was the Tetragram Seal, I think?"

"A Tetragram Seal, huh? That's impressive," B admires. "Do you have the key?"

"The key? What key are you talking about?" Naruto asks.

"With every seal comes a key that will unlock and lock the seal in place. Did those fools not give it to you before? Do you know who might have it?"

"That would be me you're talking about,"

Everyone turns around to see a dark orange and green toad approaching them.

"Who are you?" Naruto asks.

"The name's Gerotora. Master Jiraiya sent me to you,"

"Pervy Sage sent you to me? Where is he? Is he back on the island?"

"No, he's off fighting some tough opponent he said. This guy has to be pretty powerful if Master Jiraiya had to transfer me to you,"

"Do you know who he's fighting?" Naruto asks.

Besides him, Sasuke nervously bites his bottom lip.

"No clue, but he said I should find you immediately and give you this," The toad opens up to revile the key to Naruto's seal, "Just place your chakra signature into the square over there to sign the contract. Once you do that, the transfer will be complete and you will have your key,"

Naruto does as he is told and focuses chakra into his fingers. He walks towards the seal and places his signature into the box. Once the scroll accepts his signature, Gerotora rolls himself back up and sits on the floor.

"Ok, now what?"

"Now, we do the storage. I will store myself inside of you until you need me again,"

"How are you going to~"

Suddenly, Gerotora jumps towards Naruto and squeezes himself indie of Naruto's mouth. B and Sasuke watch in horror as the toad force himself down Naruto's throat. After a little bit, the toad finally enters Naruto's body, causing the blond to fall onto his knees with tears in his eyes.

"That… was the most… disgusting thing… ever…"

"That was… horrifying…" B comments.

"Is it too late to break our mating bond?" Naruto glares at Sasuke, "I'm kidding. I'm kidding… kind of…"

"Alright, well… that solves that, I guess… You ready, fool?"

"Wait, that "key" that Naruto is currently digesting… that will unleash the Nine-Tails?" Sasuke asks?"

"Yes, fool, ya fool. Every jinchuriki has a seal to keep their Tailed Beast from escaping. Here is where the jinchuriki unleash their beast and battle to control them,"

"And if he loses?" Sasuke questions.

"Then we will seal it inside of here until a new jinchuriki emerges. That is what this place was built for. It keeps the Tailed Beasts sealed whenever something happens to their vessels. They are sealed away until a new vessel arrives, and the ceremony commences,"

"But that's too risky! Naruto could die and the Nine-Tails could be unleashed into the world! If that happens~"

"It won't," Sasuke whips around to see Naruto smiling back at him, "Come on, have some faith me, ya? I'll be fine, believe it,"

"Come, sit with me,"

Naruto sits in front of Killer B with his legs crossing, "Bump your fist with mine, close your eyes, and focus," Naruto does as he is told while breathing deeply, "Now focus. Enter your mind and greet the Nine Tails. Just remember, stay focus and confident. You can do this, fool, ya fool,"

Naruto closes his eyes and focuses. When he reopens them, Kurama is laying on his side with his hand holding his head. A toothy grin is shot at the young man standing before the all mighty Nine-Tails.

"About time you showed up here, boy. Ready to get this over with?"

"Ready when you are, Dad,"

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To Be Continued…