Btw can you guys go to my profile and increase my "power level" by tapping that heart thingy..ᕙ( ¤ ~ ¤ )ᕗ
Chapter 46: The Tsundere Core
Just like that, Naruto finally gathered 2100 system points, earning two ten-pull opportunities. Though the method of gaining these points was somewhat unexpected.
Who would have thought that Hinata, who didn't even dare fight back when bullied, would actually dare to secretly follow him? But after witnessing so many precocious ninja world children, Naruto was too lazy to complain about such things.
Unfortunately, these two ten-pulls had poor luck—all ordinary "blue sky and white clouds" rewards with no rare purple or gold items appearing. However, through this period of accumulation, Naruto's chakra reserves had reached eight times Kakashi's level, and his taijutsu skills had surpassed most ordinary genin.
In fuinjutsu training, progress was unexpectedly smooth.
With the system's talent enhancement, Naruto discovered the principles were actually simple—writing formulas according to specific patterns and combining them with chakra could produce different effects. This "looks difficult, actually is difficult, but surprisingly learnable once you get the hang of it" experience filled Naruto with novelty.
Currently, he was focusing on two sealing techniques—strictly speaking, two stages of the same system: the Shisho Fuin (Four Symbols Seal) and its advanced version, the Hakke no Fuin Shiki (Eight Trigrams Sealing Style).
Choosing these two techniques wasn't coincidental. "Secret Teachings of Sealing Arts" clearly recorded that the Eight Trigrams seal possessed extreme flexibility. It symbolized the eight elements of heaven, earth, thunder, water, fire, mountain, and lake—this characteristic sparked an idea in Naruto.
If he could master this sealing technique... maybe he could improve relations with that tsundere fox?
Finally, day after day of diligent training welcomed a delightful breakthrough.
On a quiet evening, Kyuubi maintained its miniaturized form as usual, lazily sprawled across the sealed space's floor.
It was using its claws to flip through stories Naruto had specifically written for it. Without realizing it, waiting for Naruto's visits to chat had become its daily expectation.
In this leisurely moment, sudden change occurred—the stagnant filthy water on the ground suddenly began seeping underground at a visible rate, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye.
"What's happening?!"
Kyuubi's ears shot up, all its fur standing on end. Its first reaction was actually worry—had something happened to Naruto?
The moment this thought emerged, even Kyuubi itself was stunned. In the past, such incidents would only make it wonder if it could escape; now it was actually worried about a human's safety?
Before it could think further, even more astonishing changes followed. The originally barren ground suddenly sprouted tender green grass shoots, instantly growing into a soft, lush lawn.
The oppressively dark surroundings gradually brightened, transforming into a refreshing blue sky and white clouds scene. It could even feel gentle breezes brushing through its fur.
Kyuubi stood frozen in place, instinctively pressing the ground with its paws to confirm this wasn't an illusion. Just then, a familiar figure appeared outside the iron bars.
"Yo! Kurama! Feeling more comfortable?" Naruto grinned as he leaned against the bars, his eyes sparkling with pride.
"...You did this?" Kyuubi's voice carried several notes of disbelief as it slowly settled onto the newly grown grass, feeling the long-missed comfortable environment.
Gentle wind brushed through its orange-red fur while warm sunlight spread across its back—sensations it hadn't experienced for decades.
"Yep! The Eight Trigrams seal is incredibly useful! Do you like this environment? If you're not satisfied, we can change it anytime! There's desert, caves, lakes, rocky mountains, even volcanoes can be simulated! How about it? Pretty amazing, right?"
Kyuubi's ears twitched slightly as it deliberately turned its head away, avoiding Naruto's expectant gaze. "...It's acceptable. Just keep it like this."
Kyuubi's voice affected indifference, but inside, an indescribable warmth surged. Looking at Naruto's brilliant smile that seemed to seek approval, it really wanted to say something praising.
But the pride of being the strongest Tailed Beast meant it couldn't open its mouth no matter what. Kyuubi could feel its facial muscles relaxing uncontrollably, forcing it to tighten its expression to maintain that serious look.
Memory suddenly flashed back to their first meeting. The small blonde boy had stood in the same position, asking, "Big fox, how long have you been staying here? There's water everywhere—doesn't it bother you?"
How had it answered then? "You think I want to be like this? Don't casually talk to me, brat." It had indirectly admitted this environment indeed made it uncomfortable.
But it never imagined this human child it had once scorned would actually keep those words in his heart. Even willing to spend enormous amounts of time learning such difficult sealing techniques, just to... make it more comfortable.
Kyuubi buried its face in its front paws, not wanting Naruto to see its complex expression. Since the old man died, this was a beauty it had nearly forgotten experiencing, yet now it made its heart ache with bittersweet emotion.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations Host: Bond Level 4 established with original character "Kurama"!]
[Reward: 800 points gained!]
Unexpectedly, Kyuubi's bond level jumped two levels at once. This seal space renovation had indeed struck right at this tsundere fox's heart.
Beyond the joy of gaining rewards, Naruto suddenly had a bold idea.
If he suggested touching its fur now... would it agree?
Just as Naruto hesitated whether to speak, Kyuubi's deliberately lowered voice came from behind the bars.
"...Well done, Naruto."
Naruto's eyes widened in shock, almost thinking he'd misheard. This stubbornly proud tsundere fox had actually taken the initiative to praise someone?! The favorability increase was more significant than expected.
And that form of address—from the initial "brat" to now naturally calling out his name "Naruto"—this change had occurred without even Kyuubi realizing when it happened.
Perhaps during some casual daily chat, or perhaps on some story-sharing evening, the name "Naruto" had just naturally slipped out.
Kyuubi hadn't even noticed its mindset had undergone earth-shattering transformation. Once upon a time, it daily hoped for the jinchuriki to have accidents, eagerly wanting this container imprisoning it to die quickly. But now, if Naruto really encountered danger... it definitely wouldn't remain indifferent.
---
On a desolate path at the Fire Country border, a seemingly ordinary figure was racing at astonishing speed. This man in plain traveler's clothing left shallow indentations with each step, moving so fast he nearly created afterimages—undoubtedly a well-trained shinobi.
This was precisely Naruto's shadow clone disguised with transformation jutsu. After secretly leaving Konoha using Hiraishin, he had been traveling continuously for a full day and night, currently crossing the Fire Country border and racing northeast.
Howling wind rushed past his ears as Naruto's golden hair was concealed under the transformation jutsu, appearing as ordinary brown. His destination was clear—Kusa no Kuni (Land of Grass).
With another leap in strength, Naruto finally set his sights on his fellow clan member.
To bring Uzumaki Karin and her mother away.
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