The underground sewer was pitch black and cold, devoid of almost any light, and filled with a suffocating sense of despair and loneliness.
This was Naruto's first time stepping into this place, and his first time facing the darkness and terror that was enough to swallow a person's heart.
"Where is this?" Naruto thought to himself. He only remembered doing as Jiu told him, then feeling a hand pressed against his abdomen before ending up here.
"The Sealing Space."
A familiar voice rang out from the side. Unlike the previous two times when it was quite faint, this time it was as clear as a normal person speaking.
Naruto turned his head sharply. What met his eyes was a girl about his age. She had beautiful red hair and was currently looking at him with a smile in her eyes.
Why? Naruto's mind raced, instantly confirming that the girl before him was "Jiu." However, when his gaze met that cute face, an indescribable sense of closeness surged forth, instantly filling his heart.
"Hmm? What's wrong? Is my face really that good-looking? Are you so captivated you can't even speak?" Amane's teasing made Naruto's heart feel inexplicably flustered.
Usually, he was the type to be friendly with everyone regardless of gender, but the moment he saw Amane's appearance, his heart couldn't help but feel nervous.
Could this be... love at first sight?!
This thought exploded in Naruto's mind!
[Hahaha, how interesting.]
Siblings or brothers and sisters connected by blood often feel a natural attraction to each other if they meet again after being separated since childhood.
If Amane asked herself, she did indeed feel a sense of closeness to Naruto, but it definitely wasn't that kind of feeling; rather, it was a closeness born of familiarity.
This was likely because of the original work, which meant that, in a sense, she had watched Naruto grow up.
However, Naruto's reaction at this moment was clearly being pulled by their similar genetic codes.
Amane's gaze drifted thoughtfully in another direction. In her perception, there were five portions of Chakra in this space, including hers and Naruto's.
She wondered what kind of expression their father, who was silently watching them the whole time, had on his face right now.
[I'll keep it hidden until I can't hide it anymore! Something this fun should naturally be played with for a bit longer. Anyway, even if Naruto finds out the truth and throws a tantrum... he still can't beat me. Heh heh heh...]
A sly smile curled at the corners of Amane's mouth. She grabbed Naruto, who had become somewhat shy and bashful, and said, "Come with me. I think there are some things I should tell you."
The so-called Sealing Space was actually a world of the mind. Naruto felt Amane's sweet laughter, her gentle tone, her friendly gaze, and the sensation from her palm... Amane, walking ahead, soon noticed that the Sealing Space—which was originally dark, oppressive, and resembled an underground sewer—was quietly undergoing a change.
Specifically... light was gradually dispelling part of the darkness, bringing a faint warmth; the ice-cold water that had reached his ankles was also starting to become clear and transparent.
[This is too much...]
A slight blush appeared on Amane's face; this change was far beyond her expectations. Although she had a bit of a "playful" intent, she hadn't expected that this small gesture could so significantly improve Naruto's inner world, making her feel a bit embarrassed.
But... this was a good thing, right?
Arriving before the iron gate deep within the waterway, Amane stopped and pointed. "Look at that, Naruto."
Naruto's gaze followed Amane's finger, and he was instantly broken into a cold sweat by what he saw.
Behind the gate, a giant beast with nine massive tails was sleeping. That terrifying Chakra, as vast as the sea, radiated a shivering sense of loneliness and evil. Just witnessing it was enough to trigger the deepest fears in one's heart!
"This... this is..." Naruto stammered, his voice trembling.
"This is the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox!" Amane revealed the truth and continued:
"Don't the villagers all call you that? Actually, they don't understand at all. The correct way to put it is that this Nine-Tailed Demon Fox has been sealed inside your body all along!"
These shocking words were like a thunderclap! But combined with the process of coming here and the ironclad evidence before his eyes, Naruto instantly accepted it in his heart.
However, the questions that followed surged forth uncontrollably like a bursting flood.
"Who?! Who sealed such a terrifying thing inside me? For what? If I'm not a monster... then my parents... who are they?!"
Naruto grew more agitated as he spoke, the confusion and pain he had suppressed for too long surging out. Since childhood, these questions had coiled around him like venomous snakes.
Why did the villagers call him a demon fox? Why did they look at him like an enemy? Why had he never seen his parents?
He had tried to ask Third Grandpa, but every time, he would brush him off with the story of the Nine-Tails' Riot.
Gradually, Naruto stopped thinking about it, instead using pranks to fill the gap left by the villagers' ignoring gazes and using the grand dream of becoming Hokage to gain the world's recognition.
Perhaps that would resolve all the knots in his heart?
But how could he possibly forget these questions!
It wasn't until the Graduation Exam, when he was egged on by Mizuki to steal the Scroll of Seals, that Naruto happened to learn the so-called "truth" from him.
That truth was that he was the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, the culprit who killed Iruka-sensei's parents and many villagers!
Iruka-sensei had acknowledged him through tears, and after that, he had somewhat let it go. Even if he really was the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, he would rely on himself to become Hokage and win everyone's recognition; that outcome wouldn't change, right?
But now, Amane's arrival allowed Naruto to truly come into contact with the questions he had always hidden in his heart. How could he not be agitated?
For a moment, a wild wind whipped up within the Sealing Space, and the water at their feet became as turbulent as a coastline ravaged by a typhoon.
Seeing Naruto so emotional, Amane quickly stepped forward and hugged him tightly.
The turmoil within the Sealing Space couldn't help but gradually calm down as he felt the warmth in his arms. Then, a voice reached Naruto's ears:
"Calm down, Naruto. I came here specifically to tell you a part of... the truth you should know."
Naruto also saw the way Amane was looking at him. For a long time, many people in Konoha Village had looked at him with eyes full of hatred and resentment.
Even Sakura, who was different from most villagers and willing to see him as a "person."
But Naruto understood that Sakura mostly felt a faint annoyance toward him, which was far from being like.
This was the first time Naruto had seen genuine concern in another person's eyes, making him feel that he was loved.
"Why can you look at me with those eyes... aren't you afraid?"
Hearing Naruto say this, Amane tilted her head slightly, appearing to think seriously, and then explained solemnly:
"Most of the fear in this world stems from ignorance of the thing itself and powerlessness. Regarding those two points, I have some confidence."
Naruto's expression froze, but then he snorted and laughed, intending to say something more.
However, he was interrupted by a voice.
"So noisy... brat!"
It seemed the violent changes in the Sealing Space had woken the sleeping tenant.
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