And so, Naruto finally accumulated 2100 system points, earning two opportunities for ten consecutive draws. Although the method of obtaining points was somewhat unexpected.
Who would have thought that Hinata, who dared not resist even when bullied, would secretly follow him? But after witnessing too many precocious children in the Ninja World, Naruto was too lazy to complain about such things anymore.
Unfortunately, his luck was poor in these two ten-draws, yielding only common '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 the level of eight Kakashis, and his taijutsu skill surpassed most ordinary Genin.
In terms of sealing jutsu training, progress was even unexpectedly smooth.
Under the system's talent bonus, Naruto found that the principle was actually very simple: writing formulas according to specific patterns and combining them with Chakra could produce different effects. This experience of 'looking difficult, actually difficult, but surprisingly easy to learn once you get started' made Naruto feel incredibly novel.
Currently, he was specializing in two sealing jutsus, or strictly speaking, two stages of one system: the Four Symbols Sealing Style and its advanced version, the Eight Trigrams Sealing Style.
Choosing these two jutsu was not accidental; the 'Sealing Jutsu Secret Scroll' clearly stated that the Eight Trigrams Sealing Style possessed extreme flexibility. It symbolized the eight elements of heaven, earth, thunder, water, fire, mountain, and swamp, a characteristic that gave Naruto a flash of inspiration.
If he could master this sealing jutsu... maybe he could get along with that tsundere fox?
Finally, day after day of diligent training brought about a gratifying breakthrough.
On a quiet night, Kurama, as usual, maintained its miniaturized form, lazily sprawled on the floor of the sealing space.
It was using its paw to flip through the stories Naruto had specially written for it. Unbeknownst to it, waiting for Naruto to come chat had already become its daily expectation.
Just at this leisurely moment, an unexpected change occurred—the stagnant sewage that had accumulated on the ground for years suddenly seeped into the ground at a visible speed, disappearing without a trace in an instant.
"What's going on?!"
Kurama's ears perked up sharply, and all its fur bristled. Its first reaction was actually worry: had something happened to Naruto?
As soon as this thought emerged, even it was stunned. In the past, it would only care if it could seize such an opportunity to escape; now it was actually worried about a human's safety?
Before it could ponder further, more astonishing changes followed. The originally barren ground suddenly sprouted tender green grass shoots, which instantly grew into a soft, lush lawn.
The dark and oppressive surroundings gradually brightened, transforming into a refreshing scene of blue sky and white clouds, and it could even feel a gentle breeze brushing through its fur.
Kurama stood rooted to the spot. It instinctively pressed its paw against the ground, confirming this was not an illusion. Just then, a familiar figure appeared outside the iron bars.
"Yo! Kurama! Feeling more comfortable?" Naruto grinned, leaning on the bars, his eyes sparkling with triumph.
"...You did this?" Kurama's voice held a hint of disbelief. It slowly lay down on the newly grown lawn, savoring the long-lost comfortable environment.
The breeze rustled its orange-red fur, and the sunlight warmed its back—a sensation it hadn't experienced in decades.
"Yep! The Eight Trigrams Sealing Style is super useful after all! Do you like this environment? If you're not satisfied, I can change it anytime! There's desert, caves, lakes, mountains, even volcanoes I can simulate! How's that? Pretty amazing, right?"
Kurama's ears twitched slightly. It deliberately turned its head away, avoiding Naruto's expectant gaze. "...It's alright, just keep it like this."
Kurama's voice feigned indifference, but a warm, indescribable current surged in its heart. Looking at Naruto's bright, 'seeking praise' smile, it really wanted to say something complimentary.
But the pride of being the strongest Tailed Beast prevented it from opening its mouth, no matter what. Kurama could feel its facial muscles relaxing uncontrollably, and it had to strain to keep its face rigid, maintaining that stern expression.
Memories suddenly flashed back to the day they first met. The small blond boy stood in the same spot and asked, "Big fox, how long have you been here? It's all water everywhere, aren't you uncomfortable?"
How did it answer back then? "Do you think I want to be like this? Don't just talk to this old man, brat." It indirectly admitted that the environment indeed made it uncomfortable.
But it never expected that this human cub, whom it had once looked down upon, would actually keep that sentence in mind. Even going so far as to spend a great deal of time learning such a difficult sealing jutsu, just so... it could live a little more comfortably.
Kurama buried its face in its front paws, not wanting Naruto to see its complex expression at that moment. Since the old man died, this was a feeling of beauty it had almost forgotten, but now it made its heart ache.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, Host: You have established a bond (Level 4) with the original character 'Kurama'!] [Reward: 800 points!]
Unexpectedly, Kurama's bond level had jumped two levels at once. It seemed this act of modifying the sealing space had indeed deeply touched the heart of this tsundere great fox.
Aside from the joy of receiving the reward, a bold idea suddenly popped into Naruto's head.
If he were to ask to pet its fur now... would it agree?
Just as Naruto was hesitating whether to speak, Kurama's deliberately lowered voice came from behind the iron bars.
"...Well done, Naruto."
Naruto's eyes widened abruptly, almost thinking he had misheard. This habitually stubborn, tsundere fox had actually praised someone proactively?! The increase in favorability was even more significant than expected.
And that address, from the initial 'brat' to now naturally calling him by his name 'Naruto'—this change even Kurama itself hadn't realized when it happened.
Perhaps during a casual chat, or perhaps on a night sharing stories, the name 'Naruto' had simply slipped out so naturally.
Kurama hadn't even noticed that its own mindset had undergone a world-shattering change. Once upon a time, it eagerly awaited an accident for its jinchuriki, wishing for this container that imprisoned it to die sooner. But now, if Naruto truly encountered danger... it definitely wouldn't remain indifferent.
——————
On a desolate path along the border of the Land of Fire, a seemingly ordinary figure was soaring at an astonishing speed. This man, dressed in simple traveler's clothes, left shallow indentations in the ground with every step, moving so fast that he almost left afterimages—undoubtedly, this was a well-trained ninja.
This was Naruto's Shadow Clone, disguised with the Transformation Technique. After quietly leaving Konoha using the Flying Thunder God Technique, he had been traveling continuously for a full day and night. He was now crossing the border of the Land of Fire, speeding towards the northeast.
The whistling wind rushed past his ears. Naruto's golden hair had turned ordinary brown under the disguise of the Transformation Technique. His destination was clear: the Land of Grass.
With another leap in his strength, Naruto finally set his sights on his fellow clan member.
He would take Uzumaki Karin and her mother away.