"Oi! You ate the last fish!" Naruto yelled, pointing across the table with wide eyes.
Anko leaned back, chewing smugly. "It was in my line of sight. That means it was mine." Her smirk only grew as she swallowed.
"Unbelievable!" Naruto cried.
"You're both children." Kurenai chuckled softly behind her teacup.
"I am a child!" Naruto said, arms flailing.
"Don't argue over food. We still have more rice." Sakura said as she placed another bowl of rice in front of Sasuke, hiding her smile.
"Rice isn't fish!" Naruto pouted, folding his arms.
Ranmaru sipped his tea quietly beside Sasuke. He looked calm, but his eyes flicked back and forth, amused by the chaos.
Kakashi, sitting at the head of the table, watched with a faint smile. His arms were crossed, silver hair catching the light from the morning sun streaming through the windows. The room was warm. The scent of grilled fish and steamed rice hung in the air, mixed with the sound of soft laughter and clinking dishes.
This strange group, some shinobi, some not felt more like a family than anything else.
"Naruto," Kakashi said finally, stretching as he stood. "With me. We're going to train."
"Really?! Like… real training?" Naruto instantly sat up straighter.
"Yes. But this time, it'll be… different. Come on." Kakashi nodded.
"Sweet!" Naruto jumped to his feet, still chewing the last of his rice as he followed.
They walked side by side through the woods. The trees whispered with the breeze. Naruto glanced up several times at Kakashi, trying to read the expression on his sensei's face. But Kakashi was serious today. Quiet and Focused.
When they reached the familiar training ground, Kakashi stopped.
"Sit," he said.
"Huh?" Naruto blinked.
"I said sit. This isn't a spar."
Confused but obedient, Naruto plopped down cross-legged.
"I need to speak to the fox," Kakashi said.
"The fox? Why?" Naruto tilted his head.
"I'll handle it. Just sit still," Kakashi replied.
His left eye spun, the Mangekyō Sharingan blooming into life. In one motion, he reached into Naruto's mind with his chakra. A light trance took hold.
Inside Naruto's mind, the air turned heavy and damp. Kakashi landed with a soft splash in the dark sewer-like world of pipes and echoes. The massive cage with thick black bars stood before him, and behind it, red eyes snapped open.
Kurama rose to his feet, growling low as he saw who had entered.
"You," he rumbled, his voice like thunder. "What are you doing here?"
The giant fox slammed a paw against the bars, sending a tremor through the air.
"I need to talk with you." Kakashi stood tall.
"Then speak. But don't waste my time, human." Kurama bared his fangs.
He glanced briefly at Naruto's still figure nearby.
"He won't remember this," Kakashi said softly, waving his fingers. "Sleep."
Naruto faded into the background of the mindscape.
"What trick is this? Trying to separate us?" Kurama's ears twitched.
"No trick," Kakashi said calmly. "Just listen."
"You dare command me?" Kurama snarled, tail swiping the air.
"I said listen, Kurama."
The air froze.
"That name… How do you…?" The Nine-Tails' eyes widened.
"I know things," Kakashi said, still watching him closely. "Things about the future. I said your name to get your attention."
"You're not lying. Strange. You don't fear me. Not even a little." Kurama narrowed his glowing red eyes.
"Because I didn't come here to threaten you. I came to warn you." Kakashi nodded once.
"Warn me of what?" Kurama's voice lowered to a growl.
"There's a Rinnegan user out there. Hunting tailed beasts," Kakashi said.
"Rinnegan? Don't insult me." Kurama snorted, amused.
"He calls himself Pain," Kakashi added. "And there's another. Claims to be Madara Uchiha wearing a swirly mask."
"Swirl mask... He's the one who ripped me out of Kushina." Kurama's growl deepened, fangs bared.
"It wasn't really him," Kakashi said softly. "Just a remnant. Someone is using his name to continue the plan."
Kurama stared. His breathing slowed.
"Only a reincarnation of Indra mixed with an Asura's chakra can awaken the Rinnegan," Kakashi continued. "That's what Madara did, he created a vessel strong enough. And they'll try to bring back the Ten-Tails."
Kurama's massive body shifted uneasily. His tail flicked once, then twice.
"You… really do know," Kurama said at last. "Asura and Indra…"
"I do. Naruto is Asura's reincarnation," Kakashi said. "He's going to need your help."
The Nine-Tails didn't respond at first. He stared long and hard at Kakashi, searching his face for any sign of deception.
"You want me to help him," Kurama said quietly.
"Yes," Kakashi replied. "Teach him. Share your chakra. Make sure he survives what's coming."
"The prophecy…" Kurama slowly sat down again.
"He's the one," Kakashi said. "The blue-eyed boy."
Kurama closed his eyes. A long sigh escaped through his nose.
"You're a strange one, Hatake Kakashi," the fox murmured. "Fine. I'll help the brat."
"Thank you. And maybe share a bit of that chakra with me too?" Kakashi smiled gently.
"Greedy rat." Kurama opened one eye.
And with a flick of his paw, he kicked Kakashi out of the mindscape with a pulse of chakra.
…
"Huh? Did… did it work? Did you talk to him?" Naruto blinked awake, rubbing his eyes.
"We had a talk. He agreed to work with you." Kakashi said while dusting off his pants, calm as ever.
"Wait, seriously?! He did?!" Naruto's mouth dropped open.
"He did. Now sit and meditate. Focus. He'll contact you soon."
"YES! I'm gonna master this! You'll see!" Naruto grinned, excitement rushing in like a wave.
Kakashi turned, already walking back toward the house. "Make sure you do. I'll try to save some food."
"Thanks, Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto shouted behind him, already sitting cross-legged again.
Kakashi smiled to himself. Things were moving. Sasuke had the Serpent Seal. Sakura was growing stronger with every day. And now, Naruto would walk the path toward Kurama's power, with Kurama's cooperation.
But trouble still loomed like a storm on the edge of the horizon.
…
"So… I just sit here and wait?" Naruto fidgeted in the middle of the training field, tapping his knee.
"He agreed. Just stay calm. Focus. You'll feel it." Kakashi leaned against a tree, arms crossed.
"He better not prank me or something…" Naruto sighed, puffing out his cheeks.
Before he could finish his sentence, his vision blurred and the world around him vanished.
The damp, echoing mindscape returned.
The ground rippled under his feet. Naruto stood before the giant gate again. Kurama's red eyes were already locked onto him.
"You're slow," Kurama growled. "Took you long enough."
"You could've knocked, instead of yanking me in." Naruto blinked.
"You're lucky I didn't knock you out again. We're here to train. Not exchange pleasantries." Kurama smirked, teeth gleaming behind the bars.
"Fine! Let's go, then!"Naruto crossed his arms.
"Don't act tough, brat. You don't even understand chakra control." Kurama's tails flicked behind him.
"Hey! I've been practicing! I'm very good at it!" Naruto squinted.
"Not enough," Kurama snorted. "Sit down."
Naruto hesitated, then sighed and did as told.
"We're starting from the beginning," Kurama said. "You have too much chakra and no control. That's like trying to paint with a fire hose."
"…That's a weird example." Naruto blinked.
"Focus," Kurama snapped.
"Right! Sorry!" Naruto nodded quickly.
As he closed his eyes and began to breathe slowly, he could feel it, warmth moving inside him. It wasn't his chakra. It was deeper, wilder. Hot like a flame. Alive.
Kurama's chakra.