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Chapter 200 What happened to the Fox?
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The Land of Waves had not felt this alive in years. Lanterns swung from ropes strung across the main street, music drifted from a dozen little stalls, and the smell of grilled fish, sweet rice, and sea salt wrapped around the crowd. With Gato gone and Tazuna's bridge nearly finished, everyone finally had a reason to breathe and to celebrate.
Naruto nudged Oscar with his shoulder as they stepped out into the lights. "Still can't believe Tsunami-san bought everyone new clothes for the festival," he said.
Oscar chirped approvingly and eyed Naruto's outfit like a fashion critic.
Naruto grinned. He had on a bright yellow hooded jacket with a zip front, cuffs snug at the wrists, hem elastic at the waist. One sleeve was pushed up and a black wrap hugged his forearm. The matching yellow pants had cargo seams and extra pockets, little straps and clips along the hips that clicked when he moved. He had even pinned some small clips in his bangs to keep his hair tidy.
"Here," he said, fishing out two lollipops, one for him and one for the lizard.
They walked up to where Tsunami was fussing over Inari's scarf and Tazuna was already deep in a loud conversation with Kakashi. Kakashi, somehow, had made "comfortable" look accidental but cool: a dark red trucker jacket with a fuzzy cream collar, worn open over a cream henley, straight-fit jeans, a tiny earring, and that same old green book in hand.
"At least my clothes are eye-catching," Naruto said, half-joking.
"I don't think Kakashi cares," came a dry voice at his side.
Jiraiya had drifted up without Naruto noticing. He wore a long black robe tied at the waist, a hint of red lining at the collar, sleeves loose enough to hide a dozen tricks. He looked like he had stepped out of an old story.
"You clean up nice, Pervy Sage. Enjoy the festival. And make sure not to peek."
Jiraiya sweatdropped. "I don't do that all the time."
Naruto arched a brow.
"Well… most of the time I'm busy with research. But I'm also a man of culture. For example, appreciate the aesthetics over there."
They both turned as Kurenai stepped into the lantern glow. She wore a fitted white dress cut like a cheongsam, gold edging catching the light, red stones glinting at the collar and waist. Short gloves, a red-star charm with a tassel at one wrist, a fan with a red feathered edge in her hand. Her black hair was tied back with a strand of pearls and a neat red ornament.
"You look so cute," Tsunami said, hands clasped as she and Kurenai traded quick spins to show off their outfits.
Jiraiya smiled, pleased.
Naruto gave him a look.
"What? Am I not allowed to admire a pretty lady?"
Naruto grumbled around his lollipop. "Kurenai-sensei does look really nice tonight."
"I wonder what Kurenai-sensei will say to that," Kiba teased, his words chased by a sharp bark as Akamaru trotted up at his heels. Kiba wore a dark leather zip-up jacket with a big fur-lined collar and a snug turtleneck peeking at the throat.
Akamaru stopped nose-to-nose with Oscar and puffed his chest. He dipped his head to show off a tiny hat someone had jammed between his ears.
Oscar stared at the hat, then slowly turned to Naruto with a pointed look.
"Alright, alright," Naruto said, already fishing in his storage. "I came prepared." He pulled out a sorcerer's cap and set it on Oscar's head. The crystal lizard chirped in delight and posed like a noble.
"How much you wanna bet those hats get lost or chewed up before the night's over? Look at them, they're already trying to trade."
Oscar and Akamaru had, in fact, begun a very serious exchange program of headwear, pawing and tapping, both hats wobbling dangerously.
"Twenty says Oscar keeps his," Naruto said.
Before Kiba could answer, a quiet voice drifted in from behind dark wraparound shades. "You will lose that bet, Naruto."
Shino stepped into the lantern glow. Olive-green hooded jacket, loose fit with a dark band at the waist. A long dark shirt hung below the hem. Trousers loose and clean, bunched just right at the calves. He looked like he had wandered out of a fashion scroll.
Kiba's jaw dropped. Naruto's did too. They looked at Shino, looked at each other, then pointed back at him.
"Shino," Naruto said, awed, "you look good."
"Thank you."
"You should ditch the usual," Kiba said. He did a circle with his hand. "Keep this."
"No."
"Think about it," Naruto tried. "The shades. The jacket. It works."
"No."
Kiba and Naruto launched into a tag-team pitch about cut, color, and cool points. Shino listened in complete silence, then tilted his head as if cataloging insects on a leaf.
Their campaign died when Sasuke walked up. He wore a light gray zip jacket with clean black piping and a high collar. A thick dark blue scarf wrapped his neck. Straight dark gray pants. Hands in pockets. Eyes half-lidded like he had not dressed up at all and still pulled it off.
Kiba took one look and started laughing. Naruto joined him.
"Hey, Sasuke," Naruto wheezed, "Shino called. He wants his clothes back."
"You look more emo than usual," Kiba said, on his knees now for effect.
Sasuke ignored them and looked at Shino. "I might have grabbed your outfit by accident."
"You seem to wear it well," Shino said.
Sasuke gave a small nod. The two of them stood like matching bookends while Naruto and Kiba died on the cobbles.
"What is so funny?" Sakura asked as she walked up, and the boys' laughter cut off.
Sakura's outfit caught the lantern light and held it. A short white sleeveless top that ended above her belly button with a small front zip. Low-rise maroon pants with clean seams and a wide silver-blue belt with a big rectangle buckle, extra strap tails hanging loose. A few simple bracelets and rings that chimed when she moved.
Kiba whistled before he could stop himself. Naruto and Sasuke both smacked him on the back of the head.
Sakura giggled behind her hand. "Just wait until you see Hinata."
"Oh no… this is a little embarrassing," Hinata said from the edge of the circle, cheeks warm with color as she stepped closer.
Her dress was a dark navy slip with a straight neckline. The fabric fell smooth and clean, folding softly near the hem. It fit closer at the chest and waist, then eased as it went down. Two sets of straps framed her shoulders, light beige underneath and a darker set on top. A thin rope belt wrapped her waist twice and tied at the side with small tassels. A gray band with a simple criss-cross pattern sat on her upper arm. A small watch, a couple of rings, a single drop earring. Her hair was a short dark bob with straight bangs and a slight flip at the back.
The boys forgot how to stand.
Kiba went still. Shino's collar hummed with a barely-there buzz. Sasuke slid his scarf a little higher like the air had changed temperature to hide his blush.
"You look pretty," Naruto said, plain and honest, before his brain could overthink it.
Hinata's blush deepened, but she smiled, soft and bright. "Th-thank you."
"Okay, kids, you all look good," Kurenai said, smiling at how the genin cleaned up for the night. They were not children anymore, technically adults by the village's standard, but she still could not help calling them her kids. "You're shinobi, yes, but tonight I expect you to enjoy the festival and not cause trouble."
Every single head turned toward Naruto.
"Oi, that's discrimination!"
Kakashi ignored him. "Just stay out of trouble and enjoy the night to your hearts' content."
The genin cheered and scattered like firecrackers, rushing into the lights of the festival.
That night, the Wave village bloomed with paper lanterns and colorful streamers. Stalls lined the streets, selling grilled eel skewers, steamed buns, and glowing candy apples that shimmered in shades of green and gold. Musicians played flutes and shamisen near the square, the notes rising with laughter and chatter. Children darted through the crowd with sparklers in hand.
Naruto was already cross-legged near the food stalls, happily stuffing his face with dango. Sakura sat beside him in her dress, carefully wrapping her takoyaki in a napkin to avoid stains.
"You're eating like you haven't seen food in days," she said, frowning at the fourth empty skewer.
"I've got a lizard's metabolism," Naruto mumbled through a full mouth. "It's a real thing."
"Try not to choke on your real thing," Sakura replied dryly, dabbing her napkin.
Down the street, Kiba and Akamaru were in the middle of a rowdy game of festival tag with Oscar. The crystal lizard had apparently mastered the art of rolling into a ball and smashing through narrow gaps like a living bumper car. Vendors yelped as stalls shook, and Akamaru barked wildly in delight, chasing Oscar down the lane.
"Akamaru! Don't tackle the fireworks cart!" Kiba bellowed, weaving through the crowd in hot pursuit.
Hinata stood nearby, her hands clasped politely in front of her, watching the chaos with a small, amused smile. She lingered at a stall selling hair ornaments carved from seashells, her pale eyes catching the lanternlight.
Sasuke leaned against a festival pole, sipping a cold drink with his arms crossed, expression unreadable.
"You're gonna brood the decorations off the wall if you keep standing like that," Naruto called from his spot.
"Hn," Sasuke grunted, which Naruto translated as happy festival to you too.
Not far away, Shino moved slowly past a stall displaying festival masks shaped like animals and beetles. He stopped in front of the insect masks, studying them with quiet intensity. A small child waddled up and offered him a piece of candy. Shino inclined his head. "Thank you." He did not smile, but his voice carried a strange sincerity that made the child beam before darting back to their family.
Meanwhile, Jiraiya was in his element. A circle of elderly women had drawn him into a game of mahjong at one of the stalls. To his delight, the old ladies were both sharp with their tiles and generous with their attention.
"Oh, Jiraiya-sama, look at those hands!" one woman giggled as he placed a tile with a flourish. "So strong and steady. You must be very skilled with them."
Another leaned closer. "And that hair! So thick, so white. Most men your age are bald as river stones."
A third cackled behind her sleeve. "He even smells nice. Are you sure you're not hiding perfume, Jiraiya-sama?"
"Ladies, ladies, please. One at a time. There's plenty of me to go around. And for the record, what you smell is the natural scent of a man of culture. Refined, worldly… and utterly irresistible."
The women laughed, clapping their hands like young girls.
That was the sight Kakashi walked in on. "Jiraiya-sama," he drawled, "I see you're enjoying the company of some real beauties tonight."
The old women blushed and giggled, fanning themselves.
"See, Kakashi?" Jiraiya declared, wagging a finger. "A true man of culture doesn't discriminate. Beauty has no age limit. A flower is a flower, whether it blooms in spring or in winter."
"You're shameless," Kakashi said flatly. His visible eye crinkled in faint amusement. "And a little dramatic."
"Better to be dramatic than boring," Jiraiya shot back, slapping a tile down. "So what brings you here? Surely not jealousy."
Kakashi ignored the bait. "Actually, I came to ask how your mission to apologize is going."
"Apologize? Oh, that. I figure I'll take care of it tomorrow. Why ruin the festival mood with something unpleasant?"
"Tomorrow?" Kakashi flipped a page casually. "You may not have the luxury of waiting."
"What do you mean?"
"She's here."
Jiraiya followed his gaze. Tsunami stood outside, framed by the glow of paper lanterns. She leaned against the railing, her face calm but unreadable as she looked out over the festival.
Jiraiya rose, bowing with exaggerated gallantry to the old ladies. "My lovelies, duty calls. But do not despair." He shot them a roguish grin. "I'll be back."
"Oh, don't worry," one of them said slyly, eyes sliding toward Kakashi. "As long as your friend here keeps us company."
"Heh. I'll try to keep up."
Jiraiya flashed him a thumbs-up before heading toward the riverside.
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Tsunami turned as he approached. Her posture was straight, her hands folded neatly in front of her. She gave a small, polite nod. "Kakashi-san already explained. Let's just get this over with."
"Right. Well… I'm sorry. For peeping on you."
Tsunami drew in a long, steady breath, then let it out. "That is not much of an apology, Jiraiya-sama. As a woman, it makes me want to slap you across the face."
Jiraiya raised his brows, forcing a smile. "If it makes you feel better, you can hit me."
Her expression did not change. "Shooting you would be better."
"Come on now, I meant no harm. It was just a little peeking. A harmless mistake."
Tsunami's lips tightened. "You really don't see it, do you?"
"See what?"
"I've buried two husbands. Men I loved. My body… my dignity… those are not jokes to me. I have a son who still cries when he thinks no one's looking, and a village that lost its pride long before you ever looked into my window."
Her voice never wavered.
"You're a powerful man. A famous one. I'm just a widow in a quiet village. But I still have self-respect. And I can't accept your apology, not truly, because what you took isn't something you can return. I would rather walk away than forgive you."
Jiraiya opened his mouth, then shut it again. "Then why are you here, speaking to me at all?"
"Because Kakashi told me something important." Her gaze softened, though only slightly. "That you're the only one who can check Naruto's seal. That only you can keep him safe. And Naruto…" She exhaled. "Naruto saved me. Saved my son. Saved this whole village. For his sake, I will pretend to forgive you."
Silence stretched between them, filled only by the distant sound of festival music and laughter.
"Tsunami, I am truly sorry. Just give me a second chance."
"Second chances come after proof of change," she replied evenly, "not before."
Jiraiya froze, her words landing heavier than any blow.
"Enjoy the festival," Tsunami said after a long pause. "I'll tell Naruto you apologized, so he doesn't carry the weight of this."
She turned, her steps steady, lanternlight glinting across her profile. But just before leaving, she stopped at the doorway, her back to him.
"One question, before I go. Have you ever loved a woman? Truly loved her?"
"Yes." The word came out without hesitation. In his mind, Tsunade's face burned bright.
"Then tell me. How would you feel if someone peeked on her?"
Jiraiya's blood boiled at the thought of someone leering at Tsunade. "I'd be furious."
"Remember that feeling," Tsunami said. "That fury. That is nothing compared to the humiliation women live with when men like you treat us as pieces of meat. I hope you stop before your action hurts someone."
She walked away without another word, leaving him alone.
Jiraiya stood there in the glow of lanterns, the sounds of celebration carrying. For once, he had nothing to say. Her words settled heavy on him, heavier than any battlefield wound.
He was left with more to think about than he cared to admit.
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As the time for the fireworks drew near, Naruto tapped Hinata's shoulder. "Hey, come with me."
"W-where are we going? The fireworks are about to start."
Naruto grinned, jerking his thumb upward. "Just wanted to get a better view. C'mon."
They leapt from stall to roof, their sandals tapping softly against the tiles until they landed atop one of the taller houses at the edge of the square. From there, the whole village stretched out beneath them. A sea of lanternlight and shadow, glowing stalls dotting the dark like tiny embers.
Hinata pressed her hands to her chest, her breath catching. "It's… beautiful."
"Yeah," Naruto said with a grin, though his eyes were more on the sky than the view below. "Way better than being stuck in a crowd."
One by one, villagers began extinguishing the paper lanterns, the glow winking out until the streets faded into darkness. Above them, the stars stretched across the night in a river of silver light.
And then a sharp crack split the air.
The first firework burst upward, exploding in a bloom of red and gold that lit up Hinata's wide eyes. Another followed, scattering green sparks that drifted like falling leaves. Blue streaks twisted into the shape of flowers before fading.
The sky bloomed again and again, each explosion thunderous and radiant, painting the night with colors brighter than any festival lantern.
Naruto leaned back on his hands, watching with an open smile. "Now this is a good view."
Hinata's gaze flicked between the fireworks and Naruto, her cheeks pink in the shifting glow. She nodded softly, almost whispering. "It is."
Another firework shot high, bursting into a thousand white sparks that showered the village like falling stars.
Both of them sat in silence, the sky alive with fire and color.
With his hawkeyes, he checked on Oscar. Down below, the little lizard was perched beside Akamaru, who trembled at every blast. Oscar pressed close, his gems glowing faintly as though reassuring the pup.
Naruto let out a breath and smiled. Seeing that, he finally relaxed until the last streak of light faded and the night settled into darkness again.
"We should go down," Hinata said softly, rising to her feet.
"Ya know," Naruto said, still gazing upward, "I'm curious. When you fix the Hyūga clan… will I get to see fireworks then too?"
Hinata turned and saw him holding something glinting in his palm.
"Of course. I'll make sure it's the biggest fireworks show in the world."
"Hell yeah," Naruto grinned, tossing the ring toward her.
Hinata fumbled, nearly dropping it, before catching it in both hands. Her fingers brushed against the carved hornet insignia. "What is this?"
"This is the Hornet's Ring," Naruto explained. "It boosts the power of critical attacks. And since your Gentle Fist basically lands a critical hit every time… this'll make you unstoppable."
"…Naruto, this seems like a really powerful item."
"Yeah," he said with an easy shrug, as if it weren't a big deal. "That's why I'm giving it to you. If it makes things easier, it's yours. But only on loan." He straightened, brushing off his pants. "When you've fixed the clan, you'll give it back. On the night we watch those fireworks together."
Her lips trembled with the smile she tried to hide. "You really are… overwhelming. Always doing too much, just because you can."
Naruto scratched his cheek with a sheepish grin. "Hehehe." He watched her slip the ring onto her finger.
"Well," he added, tilting his head, "you can do me a favor in return."
"Of course," Hinata said quickly, too quickly.
"You remember the fight against Guren, right? Since your Byakugan can copy jutsu to an extent… could you write down how her Crystal Release worked? I think Oscar could really use it."
Hinata blinked, surprised by the odd request, then nodded. "I'll try."
"Great." Naruto yawned and stretched his arms over his head. "Alright, let's head back. I wanna eat and take a massive dump and then sleep." He crouched, ready to leap.
"Naruto, wait."
"Hmm?"
Her mouth went dry. Her chest pounded. This was it. Her chance. She could feel it rising in her throat. The words she had carried for years. She wanted to tell him. To say what he meant to her.
But then her gaze dropped to the ring. The Hornet's Ring, sitting snug on her finger.
Power lent to her, not earned.
A promise of fireworks she hadn't yet proven she could deliver.
Her courage cracked. The words stuck in her throat.
"…I think we should eat some ramen," she blurted.
Naruto blinked, confused, then broke into a grin. "Oh, you think they've got ramen stalls? I didn't see one. Wait—" His eyes darted down toward the street before lighting up. "There! Let's go!"
And with a laugh, he vaulted off the rooftop, vanishing into the festival glow.
Hinata stood frozen, staring at the space where he had been. Her chest tightened, and her eyes stung.
Stupid… this was your perfect chance to confess.
Her hand trembled as it pressed over the ring. She closed her eyes. No. Not yet. I can't. Not as I am now.
I want to be someone worthy of standing beside him. Not a timid shadow, not a hopeless dreamer. I want to be great, too. Naruto deserves someone great to stand beside him.
Her eyes opened again, filled with quiet fire.
I will fix my clan. I will give him the biggest fireworks show in the world. And one day, I will give him my heart.
She leapt down after him, landing softly on the street below. Naruto was already lost in the crowd, darting toward the ramen stall, his laughter swallowed by the festival noise.
Hinata lingered for a moment, her hand clenched into a fist. She followed but far enough behind that he wouldn't notice the tears she was swallowing down.
We all want to be great.
We all want someone great to stand beside us.
But in chasing that dream, we forget that greatness isn't what draws people together. It's the quiet moments, the laughter, the small truths spoken when no one else is listening. And sometimes, by waiting until we think we're worthy, we let the moment slip away.
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The next morning, Tsunami quietly pulled Naruto aside. She told him Jiraiya had finally apologized, which meant there was no more putting it off, his seal needed to be checked.
"After breakfast," Naruto muttered.
The meal was unusually quiet. The clatter of bowls and chopsticks filled the air instead of chatter. Even Naruto didn't touch his food. He sat there staring at it until Sakura leaned over.
"Naruto, you haven't eaten anything," she said, wiping sauce from her fingers.
Oscar chirped softly, nudging against Naruto's arm. The boy rubbed the lizard's head for reassurance, then pushed his stool back and stood. Everyone's eyes followed him.
"Dudes," Naruto said, his tone serious in a way that made the genin glance at each other, "I wanna share my biggest secret."
Kiba groaned, leaning back. "Come on, man, you always drop something huge in the mornings—"
But he cut off when he saw Naruto's face. Everyone did. Whatever this was, it wasn't one of his jokes. This was heavy.
At the table's edge, Kurenai leaned closer to Kakashi, whispering, "Should we intervene?"
Kakashi didn't answer. Jiraiya did. "No. It's the brat's choice."
Sasuke slid a cup toward Naruto. "Then just tell us already."
Naruto picked it up, drained the water, then set it down. His voice was flat. "I'm the Kyūbi's jinchūriki."
The words hung in the air.
Silence while confusion flickered across the genins' faces.
"Naruto," Kurenai said gently, "they haven't been taught what that means."
Naruto sighed. "Twelve years ago, the Kyūbi attacked Konoha. Everyone was told the Fourth Hokage killed it. That's a lie. The Kyūbi couldn't be killed. So… it was sealed away." His fists clenched. "Sealed inside a person."
"Inside you," Shino finished quietly, adjusting his glasses. "That's what you meant before… when you said host."
Naruto nodded.
Sakura raised her hand halfway, as though in class. "Okay, I'm confused. You're the Kyūbi's what, exactly?"
"Jinchūriki are humans who have tailed beasts sealed inside them. Think of them as living cages. Their purpose is to keep the beasts locked down so they don't destroy everything."
The genin began whispering amongst themselves, the pieces clicking together. Why adults avoided Naruto. Why the stares, the whispers, the warnings not to play with him.
Naruto ran a hand down Oscar's back to calm himself. The lizard chirped again, sensing his pulse racing.
"Alright," Naruto said finally, forcing a grin. "Let's just go rapid-fire question round, clear the air, and move on with our lives."
Kiba raised his hand halfway. "Alright… so why are you even telling us this now?"
"Because you guys are my friends. If I can't talk about it with you, then who else? I don't wanna keep acting like it doesn't exist."
Shino asked, "Did my words, about being a host influence this choice?"
"Yeah. They did. Helped me realize I wasn't alone in feeling like this."
Sasuke leaned forward. "So what does the Kyūbi actually do for you?"
"My chakra reserves," Naruto said plainly. "They're huge because of the fox. That's the main reason I can make so many clones and keep fighting."
Sakura frowned, her hand hovering at her chin. "But… why you? Why seal it into a newborn? Couldn't the Fourth have sealed it into an adult?"
"I don't know. I've asked myself that, too."
Hinata's hands balled into fists on her lap. "Then that makes you the hero of Konoha. You carried it. You kept everyone safe all these years, even as a child."
Naruto blinked at her. "Hero? Heh… I dunno about that."
Kakashi finally spoke. "Hinata's right. The Fourth intended for Naruto to be treated as a hero. But the villagers let their fear twist it. Instead of honoring him, they branded him."
The genin shifted uneasily. Akamaru's ears lowered.
"Did you… did you know about this when we were kids?"
"Nope. I only found out a few months. The night after graduation."
That hit hard. The idea of being hated, shunned, without ever knowing why silenced the table.
Shino broke it. "Then the failure lies not with you, but with those who could not see beyond fear. A host is not defined by what he contains, but by the choices he makes despite it."
Kiba slammed his fist lightly against the table. "Damn right. I don't care if you're carrying the Kyūbi or a hundred foxes. You're still Naruto. Anyone who thinks different is an idiot."
Hinata leaned forward, her voice trembling but resolute. "I've always… admired you, Naruto-kun. The way you keep moving forward, even when everyone turned away. Knowing this… it only makes me admire you more."
Sakura looked down, guilt tightening her face. "I was one of those kids who avoided you. Because the adults told me to. And I… I'm sorry. You deserved better than that. I won't ever treat you like that again."
Sasuke crossed his arms, his tone flat. "You think this changes anything? It doesn't. You're still the same loud, stubborn idiot who never shuts up. That's who you are. If the Kyūbi ever tries to take that away… then I'll drag you back myself."
Naruto blinked hard, swallowing past the lump in his throat. He hadn't expected that from Sasuke.
"Looks like you've got some great friends, brat," Jiraiya said, reaching over to ruffle Naruto's hair with a crooked grin. "Now, let's check on the seal."
"Check?"
"Yeah," Naruto said. "After all the stuff that's happened in Lordran, I'm curious about what might've happened to the Kyūbi."
The genin exchanged uneasy glances.
Kakashi noticed their faces and said, "Relax. The Fourth Hokage's seal was the best in the world. Whatever happened, it's held this long. Nothing to worry about."
"That's right," Jiraiya said, waving a hand dismissively. "No big deal. Naruto, just lift your shirt and channel chakra."
Naruto nodded. He stood, took a steadying breath, and gathered chakra into his core.
Nothing.
"Don't mess with me, kid. Show me the seal."
"I'm not messing around. Hinata, could you use your Byakugan to confirm it?"
Hinata swallowed hard, then activated her Byakugan. Pale eyes traced over his chakra network… and widened.
"…I don't see anything. Naruto is using his chakra but nothing seems to be responding."
Jiraiya froze. His hands, once poised and steady, fell uselessly to his sides. The color drained from his face. For a man like him silence was louder than a shout.
Kakashi's lone eye narrowed. "Jiraiya-sama." His tone was careful, deliberate. "What does that mean?"
When Jiraiya finally spoke, his voice had no trace of humor left. "It means… Naruto is no longer the Kyūbi's jinchūriki."
The words landed like a hammer.
Kurenai shot to her feet. "What?!" Her voice rang with disbelief. "How is that even possible?!"
The genin stared at Naruto, their faces pale, their minds spinning.
Naruto just stood there, his hand pressed to his stomach, the absence where the seal should've been somehow heavier than its presence had ever felt.
"I don't know," Jiraiya admitted, his voice low and laced with something between shock and dread. "But if the seal is gone… and Hinata sees no trace of the Nine-Tails' seal… then the only possibilities are that it was removed…"
"Or escaped," Kakashi finished grimly.
For a moment, Naruto's mind went blank, disbelief crackling through him like static. He should have felt a lot, as though a weight had lifted after years of carrying a living disaster inside him. But instead, an icy chill spread through his chest.
If the Kyūbi wasn't sealed inside him anymore…
Where had it gone?
More so… How does someone lose a bijuu?
"There are only two known methods," Jiraiya said. "Either the seal is manually undone which kills the host immediately, or the jinchūriki dies in battle and the bijuu is released."
"And what happens to a tailed beast after that?" Naruto asked again, tone growing sharper.
Kakashi responded this time. "When the host dies, the bijuu's chakra dissipates into the surrounding environment. Over time, it gathers and reforms into a body again."
The table grew quiet again.
Most of the genin were too stunned to speak, their minds catching up to the enormity of what had just been said. Kiba looked almost pale. Sakura's hand had gone to her mouth. Shino's brows were furrowed, hidden under his glasses. Hinata was visibly trembling, as if uncertain what this meant for Naruto or what it might mean for him going forward.
But Naruto… he already knew, because he had died in Lordran. A lot.
And in that moment, it all clicked together with chilling precision.
The Kyūbi didn't escape into the Elemental Nations. It escaped into Lordran.
"…Shit," he whispered.
Jiraiya caught that. "You know something."
Naruto hesitated. He opened his mouth, truth dancing on the edge of his lips. He could tell them. Tell them about Lordran, the firelinking, the bonfires, Gwyn, the Dark Sign. Tell them about the deaths and the fact that somewhere in that cursed, broken world, the Kyūbi now roamed.
But a thought stopped him.
This was an opportunity.
"Pervy Sage," Naruto said, "do you know anything about Lordran? Since you were the Fourth Hokage's teacher."
"What does Minato have to do with Lordran?"
"Well… because the Fourth is the one who put the Darksign into the Forbidden Scroll of Seals," Naruto replied. He pulled out the three-pronged kunai.
Jiraiya's eyes widened. In an instant, he snatched the kunai from Naruto's hands, turning it over to inspect the sealing formula etched into the handle. His voice dropped. "This is Minato's."
Kakashi's visible eye narrowed in thought. He stayed quiet, deep in his own memories, until Kurenai placed a hand on his shoulder.
"What's going on?" Sakura asked, glancing between them.
"Basically… the Fourth Hokage went to Lordran a long time ago. It was so secretive that no one knew about it. Except a redhead."
"Redhead?" Sasuke repeated.
"Yeah. When I found this kunai, I was told that he and a redhead fought alongside the legendary Knight Artorias to defeat the evil of Oolacile."
Kakashi shook his head slowly. "Sensei never told us any of this."
"Guess even heroes keep secrets."
"Tch. Apparently," Jiraiya muttered, though the way his hand tightened on the kunai betrayed unease. He sighed. "Fine. Minato had his secrets. But how is this connected to the Kyūbi being gone?"
"Because… think about it. The answer to what happened to the Kyūbi lies in Uzushio."
"What?"
"I spoke to the cat, Alvina," Naruto continued, "and she told me about Minato and the redhead. Apparently, Lordran had ties to the Uzumaki clan. Deep ties."
Jiraiya frowned, his mind turning over possibilities. "And you believe… because you went to Lordran, something in Minato's seal pulled the Kyūbi away? To Uzushio?"
Naruto's voice was calm, almost too calm. "I think… if we want to know what happened to the Nine-Tails, then we need to go to Uzushio. That's where I was told, by my people in Lordran, that I'll find the answers."
The room fell silent.
Naruto reached for his cup, gulping down water to steady himself. The lie had slipped from his lips more easily than he expected, half-truths twisted with mysteries, wrapped just tightly enough that no one could untangle them. And with him being the only one who could travel to Lordran, they had no choice but to accept it.
A pit of guilt coiled in his stomach. He hated lying to them. But he reminded himself why he had said it.
He needed to reach Uzushio. He needed to claim the legacy waiting for him there.
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Author Note:
Well, that was a plot twist. I'm sure some of you guessed Kurama was kinda gone, but now we're digging into it in more detail. Time for a quick Q&A before the next chapter.
1 – Why did I give the Hornet Ring to Hinata?
The short answer is plot. The long answer is because the Hornet Ring in Dark Souls 1 is one of my favorite rings. It increases critical hit damage and changes the critical hit animations, which is such a fun, brutal detail. I still remember wearing it and backstabbing players online, and the rush of it stuck with me.
So why Hinata? Because the Gentle Fist is essentially a martial art that turns every strike into a critical hit. The Hornet Ring would logically amplify it, making her already deadly style even more lethal.
I already have plans for how the ring will change Hinata's Gentle Fist in future fights, but I'd love to hear your ideas.
How would you like to see the Hornet Ring evolve her style?
2 – Why did Naruto lie to Jiraiya and the others about Uzushiogakure and the Uzumaki connection?
Two words: Danzō Shimura.
A lot of you might've forgotten, but back in an earlier setup, Danzō promised Naruto that if he kept their meetings a secret, he'd give Naruto information about his mother, including pictures and records. He even gave Naruto an Uzumaki clan book written by Tobirama, which hinted at a legacy hidden in Uzushiogakure.
Now, Naruto doesn't know that Danzō was branded a traitor by Hiruzen. From his perspective, he's just honoring a promise and holding onto the only source of family knowledge he has. That's why he lied: to protect the secret and to reach Uzushio, where he believes his true legacy is waiting.
3 – Now onto the big thing: DS Naruto isn't the Kyūbi's jinchūriki?
Yeah, that's right. It's been fairly obvious for a while. We're almost half a million words into this story and Kurama hasn't shown up once. No chakra leaks, no whispers, no interference. If you were paying attention, the clues were there all along.
Here are just a few hints off the top of my head:
Naruto took three whole days to heal on his own (something that wouldn't happen with Kurama's regeneration).
He's had no problem with chakra control, which is usually one of the biggest issues for a jinchūriki.
During life-or-death moments, Kurama never once tried to influence him.
There are plenty more scattered through the chapters, but those are the clearest ones.
So why did I remove Kurama from DS Naruto?
Originally, when I was first plotting this story, I had this wild idea of writing an Everlasting Dragon Naruto vs. Kurama fight during Shippuden. That concept eventually evolved into something else: Naruto losing Kurama altogether. Because logically, the day Naruto died in Lordran, Kurama would've been released. That's just how jinchūriki work. When the host dies, the beast is freed. And DS Naruto has died a lot of times in Lordran.
Now… where is Kurama?
That's the big question, isn't it? Don't worry, I'm not leaving you hanging forever. The next chapter will be dedicated entirely to Kurama and his time in Lordran. By popular demand—and I mean seriously popular demand—the fox is finally getting the spotlight.
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That is it for now.
As always, thank you to everyone who reads, comments, and throws questions my way. You make the ride worth it.
Adam
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[ Personal Note: First off, thanks a ton to all of you for sticking with this story. Seriously, you guys are awesome. Now, if you're interested in supporting me on P@treon, let me just say that over there, I post these massive 5k-word chapters. But heads up, if you're jumping to P@treon, you'll need to start from Chapter 92, since that's where this chapter lines up with the content there.
To everyone here just reading along, please don't forget to leave a comment! Honestly, your comments make my day, and they let me know you're as invested in this story as I am. So yeah, thanks again, and I hope you have an amazing rest of your day!