Naruto saw that Kurama's expression was worsening.
This gave him a sense of urgency—he needed to handle his little crush before being discovered by Hinata.
"Kurama, please listen to me," Naruto said instinctively.
Kurama, however, proudly crossed his arms and turned his head, refusing to admit affection for anyone.
"Isn't that right?" Naruto asked, confused. "Why should I even explain to you?"
Kurama: "..."
Inexplicably, Kurama felt panicked and finally asked Naruto, "How about… you better explain?"
"Oh," Naruto said calmly. "It's probably because I found another fox—a relatively complete fox."
"Do you understand me?"
Kurama slumped onto the ground.
No!
Snow—flowers fluttered.
North wind—howled.
The world felt so vast.
…
No one could understand Kurama's mood at this moment.
Perhaps only other tailed beasts could.
Kurama felt conflicted.
It cherished its relationship with Naruto.
After all… how did humans see it?
Senju Hashirama: "Nine-Tails, your power is too great. I'm sorry, but I cannot let you roam free."
Uchiha Madara: "Nine-Tails, your current form is only temporary. It is just a fragment of dispersed power, unstable and lacking wisdom.
The only one who can guide you is Uchiha!
You tailed beasts are servants of your host. Obey me!"
Uzumaki Mito: "If you use your power recklessly, you will invite hatred. Remain peacefully within me."
Uzumaki Kushina: "Neither of us is truly lucky. You can suppress the world, and I can suppress you."
Uzumaki Naruto: "Kurama, now that you're free, are you willing to stay in Konoha?"
If a tailed beast must have a Jinchūriki, Kurama could trust this.
In the entire ninja world, there was no better Jinchūriki than Naruto.
But now, Naruto had another fox inside him.
And this fox was stronger than Kurama.
Regret.
Hatred.
Why had it left in the first place?
Uzumaki Naruto!
He even opened a passage to the outside world so the new fox wouldn't be lonely.
Which Jinchūriki would trust a tailed beast so much, when that beast had been despised by thousands?
But now… Naruto no longer belonged to Kurama.
Because Naruto already had a stronger tailed beast.
Kurama didn't know where it had come from.
All it felt was grievance.
Wrong…
Suddenly, Kurama's mind seemed to light up.
It had realized a critical point.
There was only one Jinchūriki per tailed beast—but there was no rule saying a Jinchūriki couldn't host multiple tailed beasts!
Thinking this, Kurama perked up.
It straightened and asked Naruto, "Uzumaki Naruto, have you ever heard of someone hosting multiple tailed beasts?"
"Huh? This…" Naruto hesitated.
Could he control two Kurama?
Moreover, the complete Kurama in his body was still enraged.
It would take time to gain its trust.
Two Kurama… could Naruto suppress them both?
Even with Senju and Uzumaki blood, and abundant chakra, he didn't think he could control both before they matured.
It seemed impossible.
Seeing Naruto hesitate, Kurama's expression turned sinister.
"Naruto, I don't know where the fox inside you came from, but I'm sure it wants to kill you right now."
"Because of how you were back then?" Naruto rolled his eyes at Kurama.
Kurama's fox lips twitched as it ignored the question.
"I'll make it clear: I can help you suppress it!"
"Oh?" Naruto looked surprised. "You want to be a traitor?"
Kurama frowned. "Traitor?"
"Bah, bah, bah!" Naruto said quickly. "No, he's a tailed beast… technically a traitor."
Kurama sighed. "Sometimes your honesty makes my hair stand on end…"
Anyway…
Now Naruto had not only the full version of Kurama from the simulated character, but also the half Kurama he released himself.
At this moment, Naruto had two Kurama inside him.
Within the sealed space:
Inside the iron gate: a complete fox.
Outside the inner door: a half fox, half human.
They stared at each other.
Seconds passed.
The full Kurama roared: "ROAR! Who can tell me what's going on?!"
(From here on, the full fox is called Nine-Tails, and the half-fox is called Kurama.)
Naruto stepped forward: "Let me explain…"
But Nine-Tails interrupted.
"Damn humans!"
"No, I'm explaining—" Naruto tried.
"Damn bugs!" Nine-Tails yelled.
"I'm going to kill you all!"
Kurama raised a hand to his forehead. "Uzumaki Naruto… where did you find this weird thing?"
Nine-Tails glared. "What did you say? You're only half a fox, and you dare provoke me? Let me out! I'll eat you alive!"
"Eat me?" Kurama rubbed his chin, eyes glinting greedily.
Nine-Tails panicked. "What are you going to do?!"
Kurama didn't answer, only said to Naruto: "He's dishonest. Let's absorb him."
"Ah? Can this one be absorbed too?" Naruto asked, surprised.
Kurama nodded. "Yes! To be precise, all tailed beasts are made of chakra. This one is dishonest, so we'll absorb its chakra to strengthen ourselves."
Naruto's eyes lit up.
Two Kurama combined? A synthesis of the Nine-Tails?
Nine-Tails shouted: "What are you doing?! I'm warning you—I'm not someone to be trifled with!"
Naruto ignored Nine-Tails and asked Kurama: "Can I absorb its chakra too?"
Kurama shook his head. "No, but I can."
"Think, Naruto: if I absorb its chakra, won't I become stronger?"
Naruto nodded. "Yeah."
Kurama: "I'll become stronger. When you fight, I can support you with greater chakra."
"Doesn't that mean you're stronger in disguise?"
Pa!
Naruto slapped his head.
"Yes!"
In this case, if he gets the Nine-Tails reward from the simulation again…
Couldn't he combine it with Kurama to develop a new, stronger Nine-Tails?
Bah!
It should develop into an even stronger Kurama.
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