Chapter 85: The Current State of Team Seven, The Gritting Nine-Tails
Time passed quickly, and the war of words between the Mist Village and the Leaf Village gradually subsided from the initial intense exchanges.
However, neither side showed any intention of stopping.
Before Kakashi could awaken, the Third Hokage would not allow the Leaf Village to take any unnecessary actions.
The only thing that surprised Sarutobi Hiruzen was the Mist Village's attitude, which was exceptionally firm this time, yet they had not taken any substantive measures.
This was the real reason for Sarutobi Hiruzen's unease.
If the Mist Village had made excessive demands, Sarutobi Hiruzen would not be as worried as he was now.
Sarutobi Hiruzen gently rubbed his temples, a trace of fatigue on his face. Recently, due to the Mist Village's actions, some impact had been caused to the village.
However.
A faint glint flashed in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes. The Chunin Exams were about to begin.
Through this Chunin Exam, he could demonstrate the stability and strength of the Leaf Village from another perspective. Perhaps this matter could help eliminate some negative impacts.
In a forest.
Iruka's eyes showed a worried look as he gazed down at the three people below who were on a herb-picking mission.
The problems between these three seemed to have become more severe than before.
Just from their positions, one could analyze some useful information.
Sakura stood near Sasuke, which was the same as before, but unlike the past, Sakura was consciously avoiding Naruto's direction.
It was impossible that Naruto's tailed beast transformation had no impact, but compared to the other two's problems, this was the easiest to resolve.
With the passage of time, Sakura's problem would naturally resolve itself.
As for Sasuke.
Iruka frowned. Although Sasuke appeared to be seriously picking herbs below, his mind was probably not on it at all.
Moreover, Sasuke's current state gave the impression of being both inside and outside this small team.
Sasuke didn't seem to have any special feelings for this three-person team, which was not a good state.
This ordinary herb-picking mission was one thing, but if it were a combat mission, with Sasuke's current state, there would be no teamwork whatsoever.
As for Naruto.
A worried expression appeared on Iruka's face. Although Naruto still looked the same as before, with his usual carefree expression.
As one of the few people in the entire Leaf Village who understood Naruto, Iruka could vaguely feel that Naruto seemed to be confused about something.
Was it because of Hatake Kakashi? Or was it because of the Nine-Tails?
Iruka guessed in his heart. However, neither of these issues was something he could discuss now. He could only comfort and encourage Naruto from another angle.
And this method was ultimately limited.
"After the mission is complete, I'll treat everyone to ramen."
Iruka said with a gentle smile, looking at the people below who were picking herbs.
"Really!"
Naruto, who was under a large tree, was stunned for a moment, then shouted happily.
On the other side, Sakura lacked enthusiasm but still responded symbolically.
"I won't go. I have training tonight."
Sasuke looked at Iruka and said in a flat tone, then turned to continue searching for the herbs they needed for their mission in the forest.
His fists clenched tightly, Sasuke's peripheral vision glanced toward Naruto's direction, and he couldn't help but recall that powerful chakra.
Could such immense power be hidden within that dead last's body?
Sasuke's eyes held unwillingness as he looked at the ground. He needed to become stronger as quickly as possible, not do these utterly boring missions!
"Alright, that's a shame then. But be sure to train in moderation."
Hearing Sasuke's words, Iruka scratched his head and said helplessly.
He needed to find something that could capture all three of their attention, while also allowing them to understand each other and work as a team.
Iruka looked at the three people below, thoughtfully considering this.
Night.
Naruto walked home alone. At Ichiraku Ramen, although Iruka had said a lot to him, very little of it had sunk in.
Naruto really wanted to ask Iruka-sensei if he knew anything about his parents, or about the thing inside his body called the "Demon Fox."
But in the end, Naruto still didn't say it. How could Iruka-sensei possibly know?
If he knew, he would have told me already.
During this time, Naruto had seen the Nine-Tails several times. Its massive, mountain-like body and the enormous iron cage surprised Naruto, but also seemed to make him understand something.
Unfortunately, every time Naruto saw the Nine-Tails during this period, for some reason, the giant fox inside his body was always asleep.
As a result, besides looking, Naruto could do nothing.
Naruto did not know that the reason he had been seeing the Nine-Tails so frequently recently was entirely intentional on the Nine-Tails's part.
Although the Nine-Tails could not defeat Yuto and was unclear about Yuto's purpose in approaching Naruto, if it could disgust Yuto, it was an extremely satisfying thing for the Nine-Tails.
Unfortunately, when Yuto had seized the chakra within the Nine-Tails's body, he had left a special seal on it.
This seal was a sealing jutsu from the Warring States Period that Yuto had specifically sought out to prevent himself from being controlled by genjutsu. At the time, it had cost Yuto a considerable amount of time.
After using it, Yuto discovered that this sealing jutsu's effect against genjutsu was not as good as he had imagined, but it had one particular advantage: it had an immediate effect against jutsu similar to consciousness invasion.
In short, only one consciousness could be dominant within a person's body. Yuto planted this sealing jutsu directly onto the Nine-Tails, resulting in the following:
Whenever Naruto's consciousness appeared in the mindscape, the sealing jutsu on the Nine-Tails would forcibly activate, compelling the Nine-Tails into a deep sleep.
This was the main reason why every time Naruto saw the Nine-Tails during this period, it was asleep.
Of course, as soon as Naruto's consciousness left, the seal would automatically release, and the Nine-Tails would awaken.
The result was: Nine-Tails awakens—Naruto leaves—Naruto enters—Nine-Tails sleeps... and then an infinite loop.
At first, the Nine-Tails thought it was misremembering, but after this happened several times in a row, it finally realized the problem.
Now, just thinking of the name "Yuto" made the Nine-Tails grit its teeth in hatred.
However, during this time, Naruto suddenly discovered that for some unknown reason, the flow of chakra inside his body had become faster than before, and even easier to control.
The Clone Jutsu, which he had been least skilled at, he could now use effortlessly during this period.
Although he couldn't understand why, for Naruto, this was a good thing.
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