"Naruto, you now hold the key to immense power. Use it wisely," Kaito said, his voice firm yet calm, like a blade sheathed in velvet. The spiritual air hummed with suppressed energy around them.
"And remember," he continued, his gaze piercing, "true strength comes not just from power, but from the will to protect those you care about."
Naruto, still dazed, his hands slightly trembling, nodded slowly. His mind reeled from the weight of truth crashing over him. "I...I understand," he said, but his voice was barely more than a whisper.
Kaito offered a faint smile, one that held both reassurance and unspoken plans. "Good. Now, let's get you back on track to becoming the Hokage you aspire to be."
Naruto blinked, his eyebrows drawing together. "Why should I become Hokage?" His voice cracked—not from age, but from emotional whiplash. "Is it even worth it?"
Kaito's smile faded into a solemn line. "Of course, it's to avenge your parents' murder."
The word hit like a kunai.
"Parents..." Naruto repeated in a hollow murmur, as if the term had just now gained meaning.
Then, all at once, his body tensed. His eyes widened and then narrowed, flashing red with unbridled fury.
"Yes! I want revenge!" he growled, voice raw. Chakra surged around him instinctively—wild, unstable.
"But... who should I seek revenge on..."
Naruto slowly raised his head, and only then did he notice the world had shifted again.
Gone were the clouds and ethereal warmth. Now, he stood in a space of infinite darkness, lit only by the flickering red light of a massive gate bound by seals and paper charms. The air was thick with malevolence and ancient hatred.
His pupils shrank violently.
"The Nine-Tails?!"
Behind the bars, two slitted eyes opened—glowing embers of living malice.
Kaito nodded slightly, his tone now clinical. "This is the sealed space in your body. Where the Nine-Tails is held."
Naruto's breath caught. He clenched his fists as fragmented memories surged into his mind—visions of red chakra, screams, the terrified faces of villagers.
"I just saw this guy... he killed my parents!"
He dropped to his knees, tears of rage burning down his cheeks. With a guttural roar, he screamed at the monstrous silhouette behind the cage.
"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"
Kaito winced, a hand rising to his temple. A sharp pulse of migraine-like pain flared behind his eyes. The Asura chakra suppression had worked—but too well. Naruto was spiralling into unchecked darkness.
Still, he understood.
"He's overwhelmed," Kaito thought. "Without Asura's passive influence, his trauma surfaces like a cracked dam. It's better this way—better than being a smiling puppet."
And so he stood aside, watching.
Naruto got up, wiped his eyes roughly, and charged at the Nine-Tails, crossing through the cage like a phantom. He launched himself forward, fists and feet flying in a frenzy of blind hatred.
Each strike was pointless—thudding harmlessly against the beast's massive snout, chest, and claws. Yet he didn't stop. Again and again, he screamed, hit, kicked, bit, and howled.
The Nine-Tails barely stirred. It couldn't. Kaito's control bound it like invisible chains. If not for that, a single swipe of its claw would have reduced Naruto to paste.
"He's just a child after all," Kaito murmured, folding his arms. "But this fury... it might just be what saves him later."
Time stretched. Over thirty minutes passed. Naruto raged until his limbs grew numb. Until the pain set in. Until grief overwhelmed anger.
He collapsed, gasping, tears returning.
"Are you done venting?" Kaito asked, and with a thought, Naruto reappeared beside him, the spiritual construct collapsing like a fading dream.
Naruto stared at him. Then, without warning, broke into sobs.
"I'm so useless," he wept, voice cracking. "I can't do anything... I couldn't even scratch him."
Something inside Kaito stirred—an old memory, perhaps. Of someone else once saying something similar.
He crouched beside Naruto and gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
"It's okay. You're only eight years old. They didn't train you. Hiruzen and the others kept you weak to keep you under control. Of course, you feel powerless."
Naruto looked up through bleary eyes. "Then... what now?"
Kaito met his gaze with quiet conviction. "Now, I help you grow. I give you the power to get your revenge."
A hopeful gasp escaped Naruto's lips. "Really...? Really?"
Kaito nodded. "Of course. But you've got the wrong target. The Nine-Tails is just a pawn. A tool. The real enemy is someone else."
"Who?!" Naruto snapped, fire reigniting.
Kaito's eyes narrowed, voice dropping low. "Someone high up. A figure in Konoha's leadership. He wanted the Hokage title—and was willing to sacrifice your parents to get it."
"When your mother was giving birth, they released the Nine-Tails. Your parents died, sealing it into you. It was a plot—a carefully orchestrated massacre."
Naruto went still. His small fists trembled again.
"You're not ready to face that truth," Kaito said. "But one day, when you are, I'll show you everything."
After a long pause, Naruto asked softly, "Who are you? Why are you telling me this? What's your purpose?"
The boy had cooled. Even Kaito was mildly impressed.
"I'm Uchiha Kaito. Sasuke's from our clan. Not long ago, our people were betrayed. The elders colluded with a traitor—Itachi. They tried to wipe us out."
Naruto's mouth opened in shock.
"But I stopped them. Now I'm leading my clan away. Before I go, I wanted you to see what they've done."
Naruto frowned. "So... are you using me too?"
Kaito shook his head. "No. I'm offering you the truth. I've broken ties with Hiruzen. Not Konoha. But he... he's the rot at its centre. I won't kill everyone for his sins."
He stood tall. Power surged gently around him like a burning sun.
"Someday, I'll return and reclaim what belongs to the Uchiha. But you, back then, you'll be only eleven, twelve. You won't be able to help."
He met Naruto's gaze again.
"So, I want your future."
Naruto blinked. "Future?"
Kaito smiled. "Yes. Someday, you'll be strong. I want you beside me then, not as a pawn, but as a force. But for that, you need to stop trusting everyone blindly."
He leaned in.
"Especially Hiruzen."
Naruto hesitated.
"You might think I'm lying. That's fine. Time will reveal the truth. And to help you get there—"
Kaito turned to the beast behind the bars.
"—I'll leave you a gift."
"A gift?" Naruto echoed.
Kaito's Sharingan spun. A pulse of chakra rippled through the sealed space.
The red haze in the Nine-Tails' eyes flickered—then vanished. It roared.
"DAMN YOU, UCHIHA AGAIN!"
The cage rattled as it slammed a clawed hand against the bars. Wind pressure knocked Naruto off his feet. Kaito didn't flinch.
"Still so temperamental," Kaito muttered. "But you're sealed. And weak. Even a basic Sharingan can dominate you now. Stay quiet."
"MADARA!" the fox bellowed. "Always interfering!"
Kaito smirked. "Madara? He's not worthy to order me. Nor is he an impostor"
"Imposter...!"
"I'm here for Naruto. You're just the tool."
"YOU DARE—"
"I'll make you a puppet if I must," Kaito snapped, his Sharingan flaring.
The Nine-Tails froze. It sensed the intent behind that gaze.
"...What do you want?" it rumbled.
"Help Naruto control your chakra. Teach him to wield it."
"NEVER!" it growled. "A tailed beast's dignity—"
"Save the speech," Kaito said. "Two-Tails, Eight-Tails, even the Three-Tails—they've bonded with their hosts. Perfect jinchuriki."
The Nine-Tails' pupils contracted. "Traitors... trusting humans..."
Kaito watched impassively. "What do you remember about the man who controlled you eight years ago?"
"He called himself Madara," the beast said. "But his chakra was wrong. He had Madara's summoning contract, though."
"That's because he was chosen by Madara. A successor."
"Successor?" The beast's tail twitched. "Madara had deeper plans."
"He did. He wants to resurrect the Ten-Tails."
The Nine-Tails went silent.
"You know what that means."
"He needs all of us," the fox whispered. "To recreate the God Tree... to summon that monster."
Kaito nodded. "Exactly. Help Naruto, and you might stop it."
The Nine-Tails grunted.
Naruto finally stepped forward, face pale but determined. "What do I need to do?"
Kaito placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Train. Master this chakra. Become a shield—and a sword."
Naruto nodded, teeth clenched, eyes blazing.
"I'll do it! I'll become stronger than anyone—strong enough to protect everyone!"
The Nine-Tails stared long and hard at him.
"Fine, kid. I'll help. But don't think for a second we're friends."
Kaito gave a satisfied nod.
"That's more than enough—for now."