Chapter Four, Few Answers
Too Many Questions
Naruto spent most the night meditating as he wanted to get into contact with Kurama, most the night being peaceful as Kisuke had set up a barrier to help hide Naruto's presence from the Soul Reapers. Allowing Hollows to to believe it was safe for them as well, bringing the town back to its normal state.
Within Naruto's mind, he would be in darkness, the only light being off his body's chakra. He wondered for hours with no sign of Kurama until he finally found his chakra, being very weak compared to how he used to be. Naruto unknowingly went into his Zanpakuto's chamber.
(Note, the mental home of a Zanpakuto spirit is in a different spot than one's mental state or mind. They react very differently depending on the mind of the person. One will remain the same regardless of the mental state while the other changes with the mental state.)
Kurama was napping as Naruto appeared in the mindscape, Naruto smiled at the familiarity. Walking up quietly not wanting to wake him just yet. He sat down nearby, the mindscape being a lush forest, giant trees being all around Kurama as he was sleeping on a stump of a chopped-down tree. Being about the size of a big wolf. Speaking softly
"Hey Kurama, long time no see."
Kurama would wake up softly, smiling as he saw Naruto
"The runt finally wakes, how's your new body?"
Naruto let out a chuckle, happy to hear his voice again.
"Well I haven't felt tired, sleepy, or hungry yet so I'd say it's been nice."
Kurama let out a sigh, happy his plan seemed to work. Sitting up as his tails waved behind him.
"Good, if all goes well you should be like me now. The first Jinjuriki to be the new Tailed Beast."
He said proudly, his tails wagging happily. Though Naruto was a bit more confused.
"Wait, hang on, what do you mean by that?"
Kurama let out an evil chuckle
"Well you were asleep, we were in the void. Thanks to your seal, even after it was open I couldn't reform outside you. So to prevent your and my death I forced your soul to only need my chakra. Eventually, your body learned how to make it, and simply evolved to it. So you're a new Tailed Beast born off my chakra."
He said smugly, knowing he was the only one to do this for many reasons. More hiding his joy from Naruto surviving the endeavor. Still, Naruto went into thought as he looked at Kurama.
"So how long has it been? I know the world's changed but most of what I've seen hasn't been anything like what I'm used to. Plus I can't sense any useful amounts of chakra in people."
Kurama would go into thought, trying to figure it out.
"Not for certain, I can guess we're passed maybe five years but my focus was on you. I have no idea how long it would have passed."
Naruto nodded, understanding his answer.
"So why are you within the sword? I mean I've held onto it but I'm not really sure why I have."
Authors Note, hey guys I wanted to address one big topic this fanfic would have. Its the relation of Chakra to Spiritual Pressure. While this might be obvious or not I wanted to take the time to address this for anyone who wanted to know, skip to the end of this little segment if you're not interested.
From everything we know of Chakra it is the combination of the physical energy and mental energy of the person. Combining both allows the person to perform techniques with set energy. However, a big factor of this is that the person needs to be of the living to utilize set energy. So keeping this in mind Soul Reapers and Hollows cannot utilize it. Being a soul they do not have the life energy the living do. Also while the Quincy can utilize this they do not possess the teachings needed for it.
As for why no Hollows were around in Naruto, its a combination of two things. First was the Tailed Beasts, being immortal monsters of power(even sealed) any Hollow could feel the power of the nine. As for what happened to the other 8 Beasts, it will be revealed in the future. For the second reason, the Hollows and Soul Reapers can interact with chakra attacks. So this is why the Soul Reapers weren't needed, but the disappearance of the beasts made the change needed.(For simplicity we'll say the Royal Guard had a bigger hand in it)
Lastly, while Chakra can impact Soul Reapers and Hollows they would still need to see the Spirits to actually fight them. Que random soul reaper in the middle of Madara's and Hashirama's fight xD.
So I believe that should explain everything but feel free to message me or leave a review on questions anyone might have. I'm happy to reply to them
Kurama took a moment to think, having come up with a few theories.
"Well.. I'm not fully certain but I think its something about being dead. Before I was immortal in a sense. Being made up of chakra it was a tad hard to actually die. However even with the seal opened it kept me bound with you, so when you died I was brought with you. I can care less about it at this point but it seems the life of being dead is fairly different than the living. As an example think of where I was in your mind. It was a representation of your mental state. However, you now being dead my soul needed a new place to remain with you. The seal was no longer on you due to you being a spirit. So after using my chakra to change your being into one of Chakra it still stayed with you in death. So you have all my chakra but in a weird way you can't wield it yet. Though it does mean your seen to the living and dead. Your in between life and death. I'm not sure what to call you if I'm being honest."
Naruto listened and nodded.
"So why can't I use my chakra? If I'm in both I should be able to shouldn't I?"
Kurama took only a moment to respond.
"Thats simple, you no longer have my or your chakra. Your a new Tailed Beast, while its similar you need to relearn how to call it to your will. Me and my siblings had to learn before we were separated. Plus you being dead means you no longer have chakra points like the living. So you have to learn a whole new way of calling your chakra."
He said with an evil grin, recalling the painful memories he and his eight siblings had to go through.
Naruto gulped at the face Kurama was making.
"Wait so.. If I'm a new Tailed beasts, shouldn't I be able to find the others? And what does that make me? I'm not the ten tails.."
Kurama let out a sigh.
"You're in a way replacing me, you were born of my chakra. I'll teach you how to call it and such. When you have a sense of control over your new powers we'll begin on you're chakra. Truthfully I'm a bit too curious on what abilities you could use now. Oh that reminds me, you can still eat and such, sleeping as well but they aren't needed. You're immortal like me and the tailed beasts are. Even if your killed you'd just need to wait a few years to reform. Don't try to abuse that though, when you come back it'll take time for your memories to return, you'd be a beast like any of us were."
Naruto nodded, being just as curious and even more curious that both the living and dead would see him.
"Well either way it'll have to wait. I just hope I can use the techniques I learned from my life. Be a shame to not be able to use any of them."
With that Naruto would leave his mindscape, coming back to the real world as it would already be morning. Naruto spent most the night meditating to try and find Kurama. Though a more worried on his appearance as its gonna be hard to explain that to anyone who feels like asking.
"Maybe I can say the truth? Though unless I start a fight I doubt anyone would believe me, even more weird that I can see both living and dead. Why do I feel like this will be more trouble than its worth.."
Kurama laughing as he knows the pain Naruto is about to go through.
After a short time Naruto would stand up, not really being in any mood to nap as he walked out. Knowing it wasn't too early. He made his way to the dining area where he saw four figures eating breakfast. Kisuke eating his food happily, another older man enjoying his food, and the two children. The boy currently messing with the girl as they ate, still as Kisuke realized Naruto was in the doorway he waved him over to sit.
"Naruto don't be a stranger, come eat."
Making Naruto smile as he accepted the invitation, not needing to eat but seeing no reason to deny it. The other three soon had there eye's on him, the older man giving him a curious look, the boy looking at him suspiciously, and the girl shyly looking at him. Still Naruto happily sat next to Kisuke as he passed Naruto some food. Being some eggs and bacon, Kisuke would speak up soon after.
"So how did you rest Naruto?"
Naruto smelling the food making him smile.
"It was nice, though I didn't sleep or anything. I spent most the night trying to talk to Kurama, I came out not too long ago. I'm in a weird spot to say the very least."
Making Kisuke nod, being very curious.
"Before we get into all that lets just enjoy some food, after we eat we'll talk about what you learned and whatever comes next. First let me introduce you to my little family. First comes Tessai"
He would gesture to the older man.
"Next comes Jinta."
He'd gesture to the boy, with him trying to look intimidating.
"Lastly is my little Ururu."
He'd then gesture to the girl, making her try to hide behind the boy.
Naruto would smile to them all, finding the kids rather cute. The opposite personalities making him like them more, though he didn't know how to feel about Tessai as he gave off no emotion. He figured he'd get to know them in time.
"I'm Naruto Uzumaki, its a pleasure to meet you all. Oh wait.. Should I use my title? I am a tailed beast now?"
He said the last part a bit quieter but still loud enough for everyone to hear him fine. Though no one seemed to comment on it, pretending not to have heard it. The kids not knowing what it even was.
Tessai would be the first to speak.
"Its a pleasure Naruto, eat before you have to work. I'm sure you're eager to get started."
Naruto smiling softly as he nodded, digging in as this was one of the few times he ate his breakfast with others. It being a nice morning, everyone eating and enjoying each others company. It felt a little weird to Naruto, it hasn't felt too long since he was in the war. The war was going rather well by the time Naruto got involved, though it took a few days for everyone to mobilize at full capacity. With Naruto on every front it was easy to cover any issue, the reason Naruto was late to arriving to the fight with the Ten Tails was because of that. With his speed, he was able to get to the medical devision to provide assistance before leaving a clone. Thankfully unknown to Naruto his clones didn't dispel after his death. Though they all knew he was killed after the first clone dispelled. So his clones gave enough support with the chakra they had to turn the fight into there victory. However a bigger evil arrived and killed the rest of the shinobi forces. However after that its unknown to how things went, no one being around to see what became of the rest of the world.
After everyone ate Naruto would chat with them a bit more, waiting till Kisuke wanted to start the training. He eventually would bring Naruto to his underground training area. Being a canyon-like area, Naruto looked around in amazement as he never knew someone could make anything like this.
"Wow.. Its like we're actually in the wild."
Kisuke let out a happy chuckle.
"Yeah, I'm pretty awesome like that."
Naruto looked to him, smiling as he leaned against a big rock.
"So what do you want to talk about first?"
Kisuke would become a bit more serious.
"Well lets start with the Tailed Beast comment from before."
Naruto nodded, letting out a sigh as he tried to think up a good explanation.
"Well to put it simply, whatever Kurama did evolved me into a Tailed Beast."
He gestured to his tails, now having all nine.
"I don't fully get it but to try and get the important points I'm the new Nine Tails, as well as can see and be seen by both living and dead souls."
Kisuke kept quiet, nodding to what Naruto was saying. Trying to take care and have any information he could about the blonde, Naruto continuing to speak.
"Kurama said he would teach me how to use my chakra, no longer being alive I can't really use the same method for it. Though his smile makes me a bit worried."
Naruto let out a nervous chuckle as Kisuke spoke.
"So you're now the Nine Tails.. Hmm.. well I should tell you things changed a lot from the past. To start the other Tailed Beasts vanished a long time ago. We don't know why and the ninja never told us beyond the great war. I was hoping you could shed some light on it but its not really a big deal either way. I assumed it was nature at work. Maybe no longer being needed? Either way that explains why you feel so weird but powerful."
Naruto nodded, being able to sense those around him being weird. Before it was a mixture of Sage mode and his Cloak but now he could feel everyone's emotions. So he knew Kisuke was taking him seriously, which made him glad.
"So what now? I can't hide my appearance and if people see me use my powers, whenever that may be, I think I'd cause more panic than anything."
Kisuke nodded.
"Well thats the hard part, if you were just a soul Reaper or even a hollow I'd just use a Gigai. However, your being wouldn't allow that. I know you can go to the Soul Society so thats good. I think it would be best to be in the open. You've already caused some ruckus so hiding would just make things harder. Talk with Kurama and get control of your powers. I'll try to set up something so you can speak with members of the Soul Reapers. If all goes well you should be able to establish a type of peace. I'd use the fact your the Nine tails to your advantage. Plus you have a Zanpakuto so maybe I can teach you how to open up the Senkaimon, hopefully you can use that instead of fighting here. I doubt the living want to see a monster appear."
He said the last bit jokingly.
"Though you being around normally will alert them to you. When you are ready I suggest you do it then. They'll make sure no damage goes to the town."
Naruto nodded, not being entirely against the idea.
"Wouldn't that be a bad idea? I don't want to cause a fight."
Kisuke shook his head.
"Use the title to bring those who'll you'll speak to. Its important to establish you as a not hostile entity. I'm not sure what they'll do seeing as your both living and dead. So its best to do it on your terms. This way you can control the outcome, oh and don't worry about me. I'm an ally of the Soul Society but I see you being a far greater ally if they don't make you an enemy, I'll give you the go-ahead before you go. Timing is everything, until then lets get you ready. I'd rather you be a controlled force of nature, rather than a rampaging one."
Naruto let out a laugh as he nodded, not minding the idea in the slightest. He could easily feel Kisuke's caution so he trusted his word.
"Alright, until then I'll remain here. I think its best, so even if I lose control, if I can even lose control it'll be hidden."
With that Naruto would find a nice place to meditate to speak with Kurama, his sword being held in each hand. Being on a peak of one of the rocks, he kept his mind and body calm. Balancing himself effortlessly as he went deep into his mind. Finding getting into his mindscape a bit harder.
Kisuke would watch him for a while, smiling as he was happy he was one of the first people to find Naruto. Thinking to himself.
"You have no idea Naruto, I have a feeling the chance will come much sooner than either of us think. Something over the horizon, we'll need all the strength we can get."
