"What do you want?" The Fox opened its second eye.
"It's about your chakra... It concerns your chakra."
More silhouettes appeared around, and there were seven of them. They all looked the same, for the Nine-Tails. Their eyes were bloody red. Only bloody red. Nothing else.
The surroundings were desolate. More precisely, near Kurama. The sky was black, but where it met the horizon, it took on a dark green color. Although there was no source of light here, you could see where you stepped.
The silhouettes surrounded the Fox. The Nine-Tailed understood that these weirdos would give another lecture or ask for something. And it would be boring.
"Well then..." The demon decided to continue the conversation.
"You are gaining power, Kurama," the silhouette continued. "Your chakra is becoming too much for the world of the Dead. It has started to seep into the world of the living."
"Really?!" Kurama stood up.
"Where is it? That place?" The Fox approached the silhouette. The leader turned in a direction and pointed with their finger.
"I see." Kurama moved in that direction.
The world of the Dead was horrifying. The Nine-Tails deliberately chose a place far away from where the dead were tormented. They all screamed and screamed. It was impossible to sleep in such an environment. That's why Kurama found a place to rest. A place where it could sleep all the time, but sometimes had to participate in tortures for special specimens.
The world was divided into seven parts, and each part had a ruler - one of those silhouettes. Kurama passed by people. They screamed and shrieked, but the Nine-Tailed had become accustomed to it and paid no attention. And so, it reached the place from which light emanated. It was a small crack in the ground, revealing a view of the world of the living, where there was a vast forest.
"And this is it?" Kurama asked into the void.
"Yes," the silhouette that had appeared replied. "The chakra that no longer fits here seeps through this crack into the other world, enlarging it. It gathers in one place."
"That's good," a smile appeared on the Nine-Tailed's face.
"But you won't like where. In one boy..."
"What?!" Kurama struck the ground with its tails.
"You will be sealed within him as soon as you leave here."
"I see," Kurama lay down near the crack. "Then I will wait here, and when the time comes, I will leave from here."
"It won't come soon," the silhouette vanished. "Damn you, Fourth!"
Hospital of Konoha
The stretcher carrying Naruto was quickly wheeled into the operating room by nurses. Kakashi ran alongside it.
"His breathing and pulse are weakening!" one nurse shouted.
"We're here now!" yelled another nurse. The stretcher entered through the open doors of the operating room, followed by doctors who quickly closed the door behind them. Kakashi sat down on a chair near the operating room and waited anxiously. He was deeply worried about Naruto. But he didn't understand what had happened during the fight. And at the moment, it wasn't as important as ensuring his student survived.
"How are you?" the Third asked, sitting down next to Kakashi.
"Hokage-sama," Kakashi attempted to stand up, but the Hokage's hand on his shoulder stopped him. "For now, I'm fine," Kakashi hinted at Naruto's condition. The Hokage said nothing; they simply sat in silence for some time.
"I've decided to appoint him as a Chunin," the Third broke the silence. "He has shown how strong he is."
"And then?" Kakashi inquired.
"He wanted to join ANBU, didn't he?" The Hokage took out his pipe.
"He's not quite ready for it now, but he has great potential," Kakashi remarked based on his experience. "Let him go on a few missions with older and more experienced shinobi, and then we'll see."
"That's what we'll do," Hiruzen put away his pipe, as he remembered where he was.
Cloud Shinobi Ward
"Congratulations, Nii! You're cooler than Gyuki! Congratulations once again. The rhyme doesn't work in Konoha. I'm losing my talent here for some reason. Ah, no, it's perfect! Let's celebrate this victory of ours, splendidly," Bee had been congratulating Yugito for about fifteen minutes, and only now, on the fifteenth attempt, he managed to rhyme. There were three beds in the room. Yugito sat on one, Cee on another, and Darui lay on the third; he hadn't fully recovered from Naruto's lightning attacks yet, but he could move now. The Misfit Trio, Bee's team, was also here: Karui, Omoi, and Samui.
"Thanks again, Bee," Yugito expressed her gratitude. "But you didn't have to strain yourself to congratulate me."
"No need for thanks, keep them to yourself. Let's celebrate in a corner restaurant instead."
"I'll celebrate on my own!" Raikage stood in the doorway, startling everyone with his shout.
"Hey, little sis, let's sit down. Let's talk and settle everything."
"No!" roared A, and lightning sparks started to flash, but Bee's team quickly rushed to his side, blocking his way.
"We're not at home, A-sama!" Samui shouted so that the Raikage could hear her in his current state.
"You can't break and destroy anything here!" Karui supported her teammate.
"Or there will be consequences!" Omoi didn't care, but he didn't want to receive a lecture from Karui.
"Alright, you guys sit down, settle everything, and I'll go for a walk," Yugito got up from her bed and headed for the exit. She didn't want to stay here.
"Hey, sis, you almost had a perfect rhyme there, cool!" Bee yelled after her, from his position as the second jinchuriki of the Eight-Tails.
"Don't you walk away from this conversation!" The lightning disappeared, but Bee's team still stood near Raikage, fearing possible consequences.
Rock Team Ward
In contrast to their noisy neighbors, the Stone team, as well as the Tsuchikage, behaved calmly. The Tsuchikage immediately declared that he would promote them all in rank, but didn't hide his disappointment. He was most dissatisfied with Kurotsuchi, as she was the strongest of the trio, although Deidara was the strongest overall, but that's another story. His granddaughter had lost, but she had already recovered and felt normal. Akatsuchi had recovered as well, but there were still traces of the blows he had taken.
"Kurotsuchi, you need to study more. As soon as we return, I will take care of your training. You must become stronger," his granddaughter nodded, and the Tsuchikage continued. "Deidara, once again, you underestimated your opponent and lost. I've told you so many times that if the enemy gets close, it means they are worth something. But you always ignore my words."
"I lost, I lost! There were more clouds, and that guy..." Deidara fell silent.
"That's enough. I will meet him again," the Tsuchikage interrupted him.
"Well, you have the drive, but you awakened it too late."
"Oh, shut up!" Deidara covered his head. Ohnoki was used to Deidara treating him disrespectfully, but he didn't reproach him for it. The conversation between him and Deidara ended there. Ohnoki began reprimanding Kurotsuchi. Kurotsuchi understood that it would take a while, so she decided to leave the ward.
Both Yugito and Kurotsuchi headed toward the operating room. They had their own reasons. Yugito wanted to see how her opponent was doing, she was worried about him and hoped for the best. Kurotsuchi had different reasons. She didn't fight Naruto, so it was something else. She couldn't understand it herself. They met at the corner, even though they came from neighboring wards, but at different times, and Yugito had gotten a bit lost. The kunoichi exchanged questioning glances but didn't ask the question that interested them. Kakashi and the Hokage continued to sit. They were silent. Hatake noticed the two shinobi and was surprised, just like the Hokage, but neither of them showed it. The kunoichi were surprised to see the Hokage and approached, bowing.
"No need for formalities, we are all equal here!" the Hokage pointed to the available seats. The kunoichi sat down. "Have you recovered?" the old man asked, to which they nodded. "That's good," he smiled.
"May I ask who you are? I haven't seen you anywhere before," Kurotsuchi decided to find out the masked boy's name. "I'm Hatake Kakashi," he introduced himself briefly and clearly.
"The Legendary Copy Ninja?" Nii's face showed surprise.
"Nice to be recognized," Hatake smiled under his mask.
Kurotsuchi looked at the blonde in incomprehension, and she just shrugged.
"Have you reconciled after that battle?" the Hokage recalled the kunoichi's fight during the exams a few days ago.
They simply smiled, realizing themselves that they had been rivals.
"What happened in the arena, stays in the arena!" the brunette declared. "And how is Naruto doing?" Yugito asked the question that interested both kunoichi, but no one dared to ask.
"No one has come out for an hour," Hatake's words sounded anxious. "Who are you?" he addressed the blonde. "I saw your fight. I don't know what happened to Naruto. But you... what appeared for a moment from the dust cloud. You're a jinchuriki, aren't you?" Nii sighed.
Raikage told her to keep it a secret from everyone. She looked at the Hokage, his face showing interest. Kurotsuchi's face was filled with surprise, so much so that her eyes almost popped out of her forehead.
"Raikage asked to keep it quiet. But I'll answer if you really want to know and keep it a secret," they all nodded in unison.
"Yes, I am indeed the Two-Tails' jinchuriki. But... isn't your shinobi also a jinchuriki?" The faces of the Hokage and Kakashi became the same as Kurotsuchi's, except that Kakashi's visible eye showed surprise.
"No, he's not a jinchuriki," the Third dispelled their doubts. "It's just that chakra... and I thought..."
"It's nothing, we all have a right to our opinion." At that moment, the doors to the operating room opened.
Everyone leaned forward and approached the doctor who came out. Understanding that they needed him, the doctor started first.
"He will live," he began with joyful news, which pleased everyone. "But I don't know when he'll regain consciousness."
"Is he in a coma?" the Hokage guessed.
"No," the doctor denied. "I don't even know what it is. It's like a coma, but not quite. It's more like a prolonged recovery. I don't know what happened there in the arena, but it exhausted him too much. He'll recover soon, I'd say he can stay unconscious for a maximum of a month. Excuse me, other patients are waiting for me." With that, the doctor left.
Kurotsuchi pulled Yugito somewhere.
"Where are you dragging me?" the blonde shrugged her off.
"When are you leaving?"
"Probably tomorrow," Nii answered.
"We need to stay until Naruto wakes up!"
"Why?" the jinchuriki didn't understand.
"I don't know about you, but he helped us in the second stage, I would like to help him, to say goodbye face to face."
"Well, we also became friends a little bit," Nii pondered. "Alright. I'll talk to Raikage, and you talk to Tsuchikage. Let's meet in the corridor."
Both rushed to their wards and began persuading their leaders and teammates. Yugito's situation was as follows. Raikage didn't want to let them go, of course. The team wasn't against it, especially Darui, who wouldn't mind spending another day in the hospital. Team Bee was heading back to the Cloud, as they had a mission to become Chunin, since Raikage refused to promote them after the exams. In his opinion, they performed poorly, unlike Nii, Darui, and Cee. The argument continued until evening. No one wanted to give in. Everyone was prepared for any decision. But then Yugito subtly hinted that Raikage had a crush on a certain girl. A understood what it smelled like. Therefore, he agreed and left the ward. Everyone stared at Yugito in confusion. Then Team Bee left the ward, and Yugito herself went to meet Kurotsuchi. Meanwhile, as Yugito argued with Raikage, Kurotsuchi argued with Deidara. The dispute began here as well. While Yugito argued with Raikage, Kurotsuchi argued with Deidara. Finally, Ohnoki intervened. He made Deidara stay so that the entire team would safely reach the village. The old man even agreed to pay him for it, as a mission.
So the week passed by. Naruto lay unconscious, but the doctors said that his condition was improving and he would soon regain consciousness. The teams took turns keeping watch, along with Kakashi. They learned that he was their teacher and were once again amazed by Naruto. In the morning, the Cloud shinobi kept watch, at lunchtime it was Kakashi's turn, although he had limited time. He could only spend an hour with his student. After that, it was the Stone team's turn, but only Kurotsuchi and her chubby friend. Deidara refused and wandered somewhere in Konoha. Another week passed and then came a beautiful day.
"So, Kakashi-san won't be here today?" Yugito exclaimed in surprise.
"Yes, he said he couldn't make it today," Kurotsuchi explained. "So let's proceed right away..."
"Mmmmm..." the patient murmured. Everyone jumped up from their seats. Darui from the windowsill, Shi from the neighboring bed, Akatsuchi from the door, Nii and Kurotsuchi were already standing there. Naruto opened his eyes, but it was incredibly difficult as if lifting an elephant. He stared at everyone, not understanding what was happening.
"Do you not recognize us?" the brunette asked in surprise.
"It's a bit hard to come to your senses after that," Shi quipped cleverly.
"Don't be smart, or you'll find out for yourself," Yugito replied, slightly annoyed.
"Ah, so it's you guys, but then where am I? Did they kidnap me?" the blond didn't comprehend.
"You're in the hospital, in Konoha," explained Tsuchikage's granddaughter.
"Again? What for?" These words brought a smile to everyone's faces. They all started to explain what had happened and how. It turned out that Naruto had memory problems.
"But then, where's Deidara?" Naruto looked around.
"He still hasn't come to terms with his defeat and is wandering somewhere," the brunette shrugged.
"I see. So I lost," he said with a tinge of disappointment and pain.
"You fought like a beast, I can vouch for that," Yugito tried to lift the spirits of the jinchuriki.
"I'm still rehabilitating," Darui supported his teammate, and everyone laughed.
"Apologies once again, both you, Akatsuchi, and you, Darui, and you, Yugito, if I hurt you."
"It's nothing!" they all replied in unison. They spent the evening like this, talking about this and that, about themselves and their villages. Darui mentioned that the Raikage had promised to look after him. Shi wanted to become a medic and help out; he already had some skills. Yugito simply wanted a peaceful life, but something was preventing her from living that way. Only Kurotsuchi knew about it. The brunette herself wanted to become a strong shinobi and perhaps even the first Tsuchikage in the village, but those were just dreams. Akatsuchi himself didn't know what he wanted and said, "In search of a goal," and that was his goal.
Akatsuchi and Kurotsuchi wouldn't mind moving to Konoha. They said it as a joke but admitted that Konoha was better than Iwagakure. It felt cozier here. The Cloud shinobi argued the opposite and even suggested Naruto move to their village. This went on for a long time.
"Well, it's time for us to go. We're leaving tomorrow," Kurotsuchi said, looking at the clock. They all started to get up from their seats and head towards the door.
"Get well soon and take care! I'll write to you!" Kurotsuchi shouted at the door.
"Me too!" Yugito started pushing the brunette, as she was blocking the way and not letting anyone through. Finally, the room emptied. Silence filled the space. It felt somewhat unusual to Naruto.
"We'll meet again," he said to himself, turning on his side and falling asleep. Kakashi watched all of this from the roof of a nearby house, with Jiraiya standing beside him.
"Now he has truly earned himself some friends," Jiraiya said.
"With his character, that's not easy," Kakashi remarked.
"Connections in the villages are good; they will be of service to him. By the way," Jiraiya pulled out a book from his pouch, "this is for you."
"Thank you," Kakashi's emotions were bubbling inside, but he managed to conceal them. "And what will you do?"
"I'll probably go on a journey. I need some rest," Jiraiya replied.
"You never change."
"I'll be back, maybe I'll learn a thing or two along the way."
"I have a feeling that he'll teach you more than you'll teach him," Kakashi chuckled.