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Under the combined comfort from Naruto and the Third Hokage, Kushina's spirit finally stabilized. With her chakra exhausted, her spectral form dissipated into the air, leaving the Hokage's office in heavy silence.
Sarutobi Hiruzen picked up his fallen pipe, slowly turning it in his hands as he gathered his thoughts. Outside, the cheerful chirping of birds contrasted sharply with the tension in the room, a hollow reminder of Konoha's surface harmony, built upon the sacrifices of a few.
After a long pause, Hiruzen spoke. "Naruto, I'll do everything in my power to change the villagers perception of you. But these things... they take time."
The situation was like trying to undo a spreading wildfire of rumors. Danzo had planted the lie that Naruto was the Nine-Tails incarnate, and it had taken root overnight. Dispelling that hatred would require ten times the effort, if not more.
Naruto, however, remained unmoved. "Like I said before, I'm doing just fine as I am. You should focus on your duties as Hokage, Lord Third."
Since awakening his memories, Naruto's sense of loyalty to the village had dulled. The Will of Fire now felt like a political tool rather than a creed. The village itself meant little to him, only the few people within it truly mattered.
Hiruzen, a Hokage for decades, recognized the unspoken meaning behind Naruto's words. As the boy turned to leave, the old man opened his mouth but found no words to call him back. How could he ask Naruto to love the village like Minato and Kushina had?
The moment Naruto stepped out, Iruka burst into the office. "Lord Hokage! Who would dare attack Naruto?!"
Hiruzen's pipe slipped from his fingers. His first thought was Danzo.
True to his word, Hiruzen didn't press Naruto further, at least, not in any noticeable way. The only change was the shift in surveillance. The ANBU operatives assigned to watch him no longer hid in the shadows.
Officially, they were there for his "protection."
Naruto didn't care. To him, they were just free babysitters.
As time passed, the dormant potential of his bloodline awakened fully, Senju and Uzumaki heritage merging into an overwhelming well of chakra.
By graduation, Naruto had already begun loosening Kurama's seal. His own chakra reserves had grown so vast that he could suppress the fox's power without the seal's help.
The two years since had been a period of explosive growth. Though the system remained silent, granting no new abilities, Naruto's strength had skyrocketed regardless.
On the eve of the graduation exams, Naruto stood before his apartment mirror, examining himself.
The boy from two years ago had matured slightly, though only just. With his father's sharp features and his mother's vibrant energy, he'd grown into one of the most striking faces in the village.
Gone was the loud orange jumpsuit. Now, dressed in a sleek white coat, he carried himself with a quiet confidence that drew attention effortlessly.
The Hyūga incident had also left its mark. After Naruto thwarted the Cloud's kidnapping attempt, the Hidden Cloud envoys had tried to strong-arm the Hyūga clan, only to be met with lethal resistance from Hiruzen.
When the survivors returned empty-handed, the Raikage had stayed silent. The Cloud's reputation as bullies who feared true strength had cemented itself further.
Satisfied with his appearance, Naruto left his apartment, now perpetually flanked by ANBU.
The moment he stepped outside, a purple-haired kunoichi spoke up. "Naruto, where are you headed?"
"Training ground," he replied casually.
YÅ«gao Uzuki didn't press further, simply signaling her team to follow. Ever since the Root's assassination attempt, ANBU protection had become borderline obsessive.
Naruto made his way to the nearest training field, scanning for a secluded spot. Once he found one, he murmured, "Today's the day, Kurama. Time to keep my promise."
A deep chuckle echoed in his mind. "I knew I backed the right human."
Without hesitation, Naruto loosened his shirt, revealing the intricate seal on his abdomen. With a pulse of chakra, the markings began to fade.
Kurama's energy surged outward, swirling into the open air like a crimson storm.
ANBU descended instantly.
"Seal Team, move in!" a white-haired operative barked.
Naruto's gaze sharpened. "Stay back. I'm releasing him willingly."
The ANBU froze. 'Willingly? Had the village's ostracism finally broken him?'
But that made no sense, Naruto's life at the academy had been enviable. Doted on by Hinata, surrounded by admirers, he'd seemed... happy.
As the Nine-Tails chakra coalesced, Naruto warned again, voice low. "Last chance. Don't interfere."
The ANBU hesitated, watching as the blond boy stood calmly, hands in his pockets, while the beast's power manifested.
By the time Hiruzen arrived, it was too late.
With a ground-shaking roar, the Nine-Tails materialized in full, a towering monstrosity of crimson fur and malice.
Hiruzen's voice was strained. "Naruto... you're truly going through with this?"
He'd known about their deal: Kurama's help in rescuing Hinata in exchange for freedom. But he'd never believed Naruto would honor it.
Sweat beaded on Naruto's forehead from the strain, yet his tone was steady. "Of course."
Kurama stretched, relishing his newfound freedom with another deafening roar.
Naruto sighed. "Must you be so loud? You're free. Just go."
The fox lowered its massive head, eyes gleaming with something almost like amusement.
"Naruto," Kurama rumbled, "do you know why Hashirama Senju distributed the tailed beasts in the first place?"