Chapter 1 Fox Demon partnership.
4-year-old Naruto dashed down the street, brimming with excitement for his first day at the Ninja Academy. He paid no heed to the hostile stares from the villagers, his anticipation overriding any negativity. This was the day he wouldn't be alone anymore, the day he'd finally find companionship. With determination propelling him forward, he sprinted as fast as his little legs could carry him, finally arriving at the Academy door, panting heavily. Pausing to catch his breath, he gazed at the red door before him, feeling his heart race and his palms grow clammy. With a deep breath, he reached for the door handle, mentally preparing himself for the new chapter in his life.
Entering the building, the whiskered boy searched for his classroom, navigating the hallways with eager eyes. He took in the posters adorning the walls, featuring images of the fourth Hokage alongside inspirational quotes. Naruto couldn't help but imagine the fourth Hokage as his own father, swiftly dismissing the thought. Refocusing on his mission, he continued his search until he finally found the right door. His heart fluttered once more as he steeled himself for what lay ahead.
Just as he was about to enter, a boy with spiky black hair and a black shirt emerged, brushing past him. Naruto followed, noticing the Uchiha symbol adorning the boy's back. As they entered the classroom, the girls erupted into excitement, causing Naruto to blush and scratch the back of his head. However, he soon realized their attention was directed at the Uchiha boy. Brushing off the disappointment, Naruto made his way to his seat, muttering under his breath.
Glancing at his classmates, Naruto recalled his practice from the previous night. Summoning his courage, he coughed to get their attention before extending his hand in greeting. The boy next to him smiled warmly, his demeanor inviting even to a stranger.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Naruto Uzumaki. What's your name?" Naruto spoke with practiced confidence, flashing his brightest smile. However, the boy's smile quickly faded into a glare, leaving Naruto stunned and unsure. Before he could react, the boy had already turned away, ignoring Naruto completely. Feeling dejected, Naruto withdrew his hand and hung his head in shame, pondering what he had done wrong. As he sat in silence, he resolved to try again later, determined to make a connection during lunch or outdoor activities.
A teacher with long, white-blue hair entered the classroom, clutching a clipboard. Naruto noticed the slight trembling in the man's legs, a sign of nervousness. Clearing his throat loudly, the teacher signaled for the girls surrounding Sasuke to take their seats, eliciting annoyed whines from them. With the classroom now settled, all eyes turned to the teacher, ready to begin the lesson.
"Mitsuki here, your instructor." he greeted, his grin wide but tinged with a hint of nervousness that briefly flickered across his lips. As he called out names for attendance, Naruto couldn't shake the feeling of being back on the streets, surrounded by the adults' disdainful glares. It seemed like half the class directed their hostility toward him, but he brushed it off as a figment of his imagination. Despite finding the lessons dull, all Naruto wanted was to make some friends.
During the break, Naruto eagerly scanned the room, his instant cup of ramen in hand, hoping to finally connect with someone. Spotting a group of kids, he hurried over to them, but before he could utter a word, they all turned their stares on him, mirroring the callous hatred he'd endured his whole life. Ignoring their glares, Naruto moved closer, determined not to be alone. But before he could speak, one of the kids knocked the ramen from his hands, shouting hurtful words that drew the attention of the entire class.
Feeling the weight of their collective gaze, Naruto's chest tightened, and his legs began to shake. Desperately searching for help, he found only more disapproving eyes, confirming his belief that he wasn't wanted anywhere. Unable to bear it any longer, he fled the academy, collapsing outside in tears, longing for a friend to talk to, someone to play with.
As Naruto sat on a swing, wiping his tears with his sleeves, he felt the Nine-Tails stirring within him, sensing his host's sorrow. With a clever idea in mind, the Nine-Tails gritted its sharp teeth, its glowing red eyes surveying Naruto's pitiful state. Just then, Naruto lifted his head to see a boy before him, dressed in clothes from a century ago, with orange hair, red eyes, sharp teeth, and silk black robes.
"Nice to meet you, my name is Kurama." the boy spoke in a dismissive tone, as if forced to converse with a detested child by their parents. Shocked by the unexpected greeting, Naruto quickly hopped off the swing, extending his hand, his body trembling with nervousness at the chance to finally make a friend.
"Naruto Uzumaki." He introduced himself, his practiced smile hoping to strike the right balance and not come off as too unsettling. Kurama resisted the urge to sneer at the boy's perceived weakness.
"Let's play human games, follow me, I know a fun place." Kurama announced in a monotone voice, lacking enthusiasm for the idea himself. Naruto quickly discerned Kurama's true nature from his demeanor and attire, realizing they were both outcasts. A sense of relief washed over Naruto, knowing he wasn't alone anymore. Together, they walked away from the academy, unnoticed by any teachers.
"So Kurama, what do you want to be when you grow up?" Naruto inquired, seeking to understand his new friend better. Kurama sighed in irritation but played along, expressing a desire for freedom akin to a prisoner longing for escape. Naruto sensed the sadness in his voice but brushed it off, unwilling to disrupt his newfound companionship.
"What are you going to do when you're free?" Naruto pressed further, prompting Kurama's annoyance to grow. Reluctantly, Kurama revealed his simple desire to find a peaceful place to nap. Naruto nodded in understanding, occasionally wishing he could escape too. As Kurama grew impatient with the questions, he decided to hasten his plan, darting away from Naruto.
"Come on, slow human." Kurama teased, prompting Naruto to laugh and chase after him, relishing the joy of finally having a friend. Ignoring the stares from disapproving adults, they raced through Konoha until they reached a rundown house. Naruto hesitated, recognizing it as the Fourth Hokage's residence, deemed off-limits out of respect. However, remembering his own loneliness and the disdain he faced from others, he followed Kurama without hesitation.
They ran through Konoha, getting stares from adults, but Naruto didn't care because he was making a real friend. They arrived at an unkempt house that looked abandoned. But then he remembered whose house this was, And remembered it was the fourth Hokage residence. Naruto hesitated, thinking it might be a prank. Remembering that everyone hated him, he shrugged it off and approached Kurama, who was waiting by a tree.
The angry Fox demanded, Naruto just nodded and got onto his knees placing his palms on the ground.
"What's chakra? And how do I channel it?" he asked, a confused expression knitting his brows. Kurama facepalmed, realizing it was Naruto's first day at the Academy and he wouldn't know much about chakra.
"I forgot you just started the Ninja Academy today." Kurama sighed. "Close your eyes and focus on the energy inside of you. After you feel it, try to push it through your hands." he instructed, hoping Naruto would figure it out. With a determined look, Naruto closed his eyes, concentrating on the task at hand.
As Naruto delved into his inner energy, he discovered a vast pool of chakra within him. Sensing it was not the problem, he struggled with manipulating it. It felt akin to moving an ocean with just the tip of his finger. Sensing Naruto's struggle, Kurama decided to lend a hand, channeling a small fraction of his chakra to help Naruto. It was mentally exhausting for Kurama, as he pushed Naruto's chakra into his fingertips. The seal made the process even more taxing.
After a few moments, the ground beneath them shifted, transforming into a hatch. Fortunately, Minato had modified the seal when Kushina was pregnant, allowing Naruto and her to share a body while barring any other chakra signatures. Overjoyed, Naruto began jumping and dancing in excitement. Kurama coughed to get his attention, and when Naruto turned to him, he was met with a giant smile.
"Come on, we don't have time for this." Kurama urged, sparking Naruto's curiosity. Together, they descended the ladder into a dark hallway. As they proceeded, Naruto coughed from the dust, attempting to wave it away with his tiny hand. Kurama, rolling his eyes, observed Naruto's struggle to breathe in the dim, dusty space. Despite the discomfort, they pressed forward, Naruto coughing persistently while Kurama growled softly under his breath.
Passing through several doors along the hallway, Naruto's curiosity got the better of him. He peeked into rooms, spotting an old, dusty kitchen with a small dining table for two, and a storage room stocked with essential supplies.
"Quit looking, let's go." Kurama grumbled, snapping Naruto back to reality. Naruto rubbed the back of his head, feeling a bit embarrassed for his wandering gaze. Kurama took the lead, power-walking ahead, with Naruto hastening his steps to keep up.
"Come on, Kurama, I just want to explore a bit." Naruto pleaded, trying not to upset his new friend.
"I mean, we're in a secret hideout at the Fourth Hokage's residence. There's bound to be a secret scroll where I could learn some amazing jutsu." Kurama huffed at Naruto's explanation, clearly unimpressed.
"Naruto, I know where those scrolls are. That's where we're going, so quit snooping and hurry up." the grumpy Fox explained. Naruto's ears perked up, hearing the opportunity his new friend was giving him, and he began to follow Kurama eagerly.
Eventually, they arrived at their destination: a scroll storage room with shelves neatly organized by section. Kurama pointed to a corner with a small box bearing the symbol of a whirlpool. It was the only item stored improperly, just shoved to the corner to be forgotten. Naruto rushed toward the box without hesitation, lifting the lid to reveal a red scroll. He took a moment to admire it, thinking that this would finally change his life and make him accepted by the people around him if he became as strong as the Fourth Hokage.
Naruto took a big gulp before opening the scroll, his colossal smile immediately switching to despair when he saw that the scroll was empty. He unraveled it more and more, but there was nothing in it. He prayed that something would show up, giving a hint of its secrets. Kurama strolled next to his host.
"Naruto, the scroll has a seal to protect it from outsiders. The only way to gain the information is for an Uzumaki to bleed on the inside of the scroll." He explained, erasing Naruto's worries. The blond let out a big sigh, then pricked his thumb with his canines. He immediately jerked his thumb across the scroll, and symbols and formulas started appearing. A moment later, they started coming to life, moving across the scroll onto Naruto's skin. The confused boy tried to drop the scroll, but to no avail. His body felt petrified, only his terrified eyes could move, but soon he lost control over them as well. His eyes rolled into the back of his head, with his mouth agape. Naruto stayed like that for a few moments before collapsing onto the floor. The symbols finished their purpose, fading from the scroll and his body.
After about an hour, the unconscious new Uzumaki awoke. Naruto stammered to his feet, swaying back and forth before leaning against the wall for support. He started processing all the information that was transferred to him: every martial arts technique, every sword style, forbidden and common jutsu. He also learned unique ways to use his body; he now knew that his chakra could heal others and himself just by consuming it. Naruto looked around, trying to find his friend Kurama, but he wasn't in the room. He closed his eyes, trying his new technique, focusing on sensing the chakra around him, but found nothing that resembled his companion. That's when he noticed something strange in his body, another chakra source separate from him, inside his stomach.
The chakra itself was red, unlike his yellow chakra, and the amount of it was massive and overwhelming. Naruto pulled up his shirt, seeing the eight trigram seal on his stomach. The chakra inside started churning, then he noticed a pair of feet come into view. He slowly tilted his head upwards to see Kurama there, looking at him with his arms crossed, staring into the blue-eyed boy's soul. Naruto's spine shivered, and his pupils dilated.
"It looks like you know now. That's unfortunate. I was hoping you wouldn't figure it out so soon. I guess I'll just have to be more cautious in the future." Kurama spoke before his body started fading. But before he could completely fade, Naruto stretched out his hand and shouted, "Wait!" Kurama immediately stopped himself from fading, hoping to manipulate the boy further.
"I don't know what you are, but I don't want to be alone anymore, so can you please still be my friend? I promise, I'll do anything." the blonde pleaded, his voice tinged with desperation and a longing for companionship. Kurama, sensing the depth of his host's loneliness, allowed himself a small smile, realizing he still held sway over the boy.
"Remove the seal on your stomach and I'll be your friend." Kurama proposed, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he attempted to deceive the boy. Naruto lowered his gaze, pondering Kurama's offer before responding with a heavy sigh.
"I can't do that sadly, I need the key from the person who made the seal, but if I become strong enough with your help, I'm certain I can make a key to open this seal." Naruto explained, his pleading eyes betraying his desire for friendship. Kurama, considering the boy's words, finally relented with a reluctant agreement.
"I agree for now." Kurama replied dismissively, tempering his expectations, wary of placing too much trust in a mere human. Naruto, though relieved, remained apprehensive, uncertain of his newfound friend's true nature. Yet, recalling Kurama's disinterest in destruction, he found solace in their shared goal, mustering his courage to face the unknown with determination.
"When and how were you sealed inside of me, and why?" Naruto demanded, prompting Kurama to sweat nervously. Composing himself, Kurama relented, agreeing to divulge his history, provided Naruto saved his questions for later.
"I'll start from the beginning. I am the nine-tailed fox. I was placed under a genjutsu by an evil Uchiha named Madara. He used me as a tool to attack the Leaf Village, after which I was placed inside of the first Hokage's wife. Eventually, I ended up sealed within your mother." Kurama explained, beginning his tale with a heavy sigh.
"What!" Naruto's shout cut through Kurama's explanation, earning a snarl from the fox. Sensing Kurama's irritation, Naruto bit back the flood of questions bubbling within him, determined not to further provoke the grumpy fox.
Kurama cleared his throat before continuing, his tone heavy with warning.
"The next time I was released was on your birthday, by another evil Uchiha named Obito, and he placed me under another genjutsu causing me to attack the village again. He was eventually stopped by your father, the fourth Hokage, and please do not interrupt!" Kurama's shout echoed through the room, a clear attempt to deter any further interruptions from Naruto.
However, Naruto's eyes sparkled with excitement, his body springing to its feet as he broke into a jubilant dance.
"My dad is the fourth Hokage, that means I'm going to be Hokage." he exclaimed, his joy evident in every movement as he celebrated his newfound revelation.
Kurama, struggling to contain his frustration, rubbed his temple, silently enduring Naruto's exuberance. Finally, as Naruto settled back down, the fox demon let out a sigh of relief, grateful for the respite from his host's exuberance.
"During our battle your father sacrificed himself, by using a sealing Jutsu to seal half of my chakra away, and placing the other half in you. While he was performing these jutsus, I attacked trying to kill you, but your parents blocked my attack with their bodies." Naruto's face stiffened after registering Kurama's words, he wanted to shout and scream at the fox, but decided to let him finish.
"I know you may think that I murdered your parents, but your mother was as good as dead. After I was released from her body, and your father already performed a Jutsu, sealing his fate."
Naruto heard the words carefully being spoken by the fox, his great blue eyes darkened. While his fingernails clenched into his thighs, digging into his skin.
"After that you were left in the third Hokage's care, but it seems like he has no interest in Taking care of you. It seems your godfather Jiraiya has also decided to abandon you, writing you off as a lost cause. But with my help and the knowledge inside of these scrolls, no one will oppose us." He finished his explanation, staring at Naruto seeing the waves of emotions wash over the boy. Feeling the joy and happiness, and the Despair and loneliness, from each word he spoke.
Naruto had no idea what to do. He wanted to be mad at the fox, but he couldn't because he was a victim as well, being trapped in a cage against his will for so many years was cruel. He replayed the words the fox said in his head again, and again knowing that most of what he did wasn't his fault, but was that of the Uchiha clan.
He knows it's possible to release Kurama safely, so he wouldn't die, but if he did he would be alone again. He thought about all the pros, and cons of joining forces with the nine tails. But he understood one thing, and one thing only the Nine-Tails was actually truthful.
"I've decided to join you 9 tails, but once I release you I'm coming with." And with that proclamation they began their training together. Naruto wanted to ask more about his parents, but when they were brought up Kurama just shook his head. Naruto figured that the fox was keeping secrets from him, and just had to break through his shell to get them. Kurama knew if he gave up more information, Naruto the loudmouth, would spread it across the village. Which in turn would put him in danger.
Naruto began learning chakra control for the first week, finding solace in the fact that he didn't have to attend the ninja academy. None of the teachers looked for him, nor did they bother informing the Hokage. After a grueling week of effort, he managed to ascend halfway up a tree without tumbling down. Following this modest triumph, Kurama introduced him to the multi Shadow Clone Jutsu, a skill inherited from his previous host.
It took Naruto only a day to master the technique, greatly enhancing his chakra control. He allocated ten clones to chakra control exercises, another ten to study fuinjutsu formulas and practice calligraphy, and a final ten to experiment with his nature release. Meanwhile, the original Naruto focused on physical training with weighted gear.
Heading to the third training ground, typically deserted at this hour, Naruto encountered three academy kids engaged in playful harassment of a girl with white eyes. He recognized one with brown hair from their first encounter when he accidentally spilled ramen.
"What are you waiting for, Naruto? That brown-haired brat disrespected you. Are you afraid?" Kurama whispered in his mind, taunting him. Naruto's fists tightened as he glanced around, but there was no one beside him.
"Of course I'm not scared, I'm here for training, not fighting." Naruto argued aloud, forgetting to use his inner voice. He heard Kurama's deep chuckle echoing in his mind.
"You're not scared of fighting, you're scared of being hated. But everybody already hates you, so why do you care how they perceive you?" Kurama asked, waiting for his host's response, a mischievous grin playing on his lips as he anticipated Naruto's decision.
Naruto pondered, questioning his motives. His initial plan was to leave with Kurama. Why should he care about the opinions of those who already despised him? His former dream of becoming Hokage was driven by a desire for respect, but now he found that respect from Kurama.
With determination, Naruto stepped forward toward the three boys, each stride quickening. He channeled chakra into his feet, propelling himself faster until he became a blur of yellow hurtling toward the brown-haired troublemaker.
The boy, oblivious and cruel, held a mud ball, poised to torment the white-eyed girl. But before he could carry out his cruelty, Naruto's fist struck his stomach with force. Pain seized the boy's abdomen, stealing his breath and leaving him gasping for air. Tears streamed down his face as he whimpered in agony, his pain a satisfying melody to Naruto's ears.
The blonde hero stood tall, his hand outstretched, his gaze piercing into the other two goons with a ferocity that spoke volumes. Naruto, observing their shock, saw no need for words. With a swift hand gesture, he summoned twenty shadow clones, surrounding the bewildered pair. Red-eyed glares bore into their souls, one whimpering in surrender while the other's fear manifested visibly.
The air echoed with the sound of blows landing, followed by the pained cries of the three delinquents. Amidst the chaos, the white-eyed girl fled, unnerved by Naruto's unsettling red gaze. Though she couldn't comprehend her emotions, she knew remaining would spell danger. She hurried home, the memory of the boy lingering in her thoughts.
As the trio lay writhing in pain, Kurama grinned in satisfaction, pleased with Naruto's prowess.
"Very good, Naruto. Now, let's ensure they remember. Which hand was it that spilled the ramen? Break it," Kurama commanded, testing the limits of the young shinobi's resolve.
With determination, Naruto's eyes shifted to blue, resisting Kurama's influence. He stared down at the boy, grappling with a decision. After a tense moment, he clenched his fist so tightly it elicited a popping sound. Eventually, he turned away, seeking another training ground.
"Why spare the worm, Naruto?" Kurama demanded, puzzled by his host's leniency. Naruto sighed deeply, his expression reflecting sadness.
"They're victims of their upbringing. While it's wrong, I can't blame them entirely. I'm content with this." Naruto explained, hoping Kurama would understand and not turn against him.
Kurama pondered Naruto's words, reluctantly acknowledging his perspective, though he found it naive.
"It's an acceptable stance, but should they challenge you again, don't hesitate. Crush them with all your strength and assert your dominance, for the strong must prevail." Kurama advised sternly, emphasizing the importance of strength.
Naruto nodded in agreement with the fox's advice.
After concluding his training for the day, Naruto returned to his apartment to find his clones gathered around the dinner table, diligently studying his father's kunai and the Flying Raijin technique. With a swift hand gesture, he dispelled the clones, deep in thought as he contemplated his progress. He realized that mastering the technique would take considerable time and effort, estimating about a year, even with Kurama's assistance in generating more clones. Without the scroll's knowledge, it might have taken him much longer, perhaps five years.
With his thoughts in order, Naruto lay down on his bed, eager for the coming year to pass swiftly so he could embark on his journey of true training.