Life in Konoha was boring, yet leisurely.
If one didn't consider the cold stares and whispers of the villagers every time he went out, this place was actually quite suitable for settling down.
Several months passed slowly, and Naruto's daily routine remained a two-point line between home and the forest.
Occasionally, Shikamaru and his two friends would come to find him, and the three of them would barbecue by the river.
Initially, Naruto would hunt and fish, but later, the three of them would also bring some ingredients from home, or even pre-made bento boxes, allowing Naruto to finally eat a few proper meals.
Due to the onset of winter, Naruto also hunted many wild boars, wild cattle, and wild rabbits, which he air-dried on his balcony as winter provisions.
Although the small apartment was dilapidated, Naruto was quite fond of the attached small balcony, as it was convenient for drying clothes and meat jerky.
Inside his belly, Kurama was still persistently eroding the seal, and Naruto's happiest moments each day, besides stocking up on food, were watching his own Chakra gradually grow stronger.
According to Kagura Mind's Eye's perception, his Chakra volume was now completely on par with the Nine-Tailed inside his belly!
This meant that by the time he was eight, he would have the Chakra volume of an entire Nine-Tailed, at twelve it would be one and a half, and at sixteen when Kaguya was unsealed, it would be equivalent to two complete Nine-Tailed.
Of course, such a Chakra volume was also very obvious; for a sensory Ninja, it was like fireworks exploding in the night, no longer just a matter of being distinct and outstanding.
The Uzumaki Clan had a method of concealing Chakra, and although Naruto couldn't use it yet, fortunately, it seemed no one had come to investigate him so far; at least, Naruto hadn't noticed any actions from the higher-ups, and there was still only one Anbu monitoring him.
So, as long as he didn't idly play around with barriers, he generally wouldn't be noticed.
However, what others didn't know, Kurama in his belly, was perfectly clear about Naruto's changes.
As his Chakra volume expanded further, finally one night, he was pulled into the sealing space by Kurama.
Looking at the enormous, ferocious fox behind the sealing gate, Naruto couldn't help but open his mouth wide, his eyes filled with awe.
How did such a large creature fit into his body?
Clang—
Sharp fox claws extended from the gate, their tips scraping against the bars, creating a dazzling shower of sparks.
"Hey, brat, come here!"
"Do I look like an idiot?"
Naruto scratched his hair, and the boy and the fox stared at each other for a few seconds, the atmosphere inexplicably awkward.
"Hmph, cunning human brat…"
"You're the one trying to trick me…"
Seeing Naruto's inexplicable expression, Kurama's emotions became somewhat disjointed for a moment.
It had intended to scare this foolish human cub and ask why there was its own Chakra on him, but this brat wasn't scared at all.
"So he's not an ordinary brat after all…"
Kurama lowered its body, lying behind the gate, and squinted its eyes, scrutinizing the little bean in front of him: "Hey, brat, why do you have this old one's Chakra?"
Naruto pondered for a few seconds: "Probably… possibly… perhaps… because you're inside me?"
"This old one isn't asking you that!!"
The giant fox behind the gate roared furiously: "This old one is talking about you! Why is your Chakra nature exactly the same as this old one's? Why does a human like you have such an enormous Tailed Beast Chakra! Do you think this old one is as foolish as those Konoha guys? You stinky brat!!"
The giant fox's roar brought gusts of wind, blowing Naruto back two steps.
"Haha, I've been found out…"
Naruto smiled and spread his hands, not hiding much: "Any external energy that has a negative impact on me will be completely nullified and copied onto me, you can understand it that way for now."
From the original plot, it's not hard to see that the most basic condition for dealing with a Tailed Beast is honesty.
Moreover, the reason he could accumulate so much Chakra was largely due to Kurama's persistent erosion of the seal, which disrupted his Chakra.
As his own Chakra grew, the act of 'shearing the wool' would inevitably be discovered sooner or later, so it was better to be honest; they could cooperate for a win-win situation, as he and Kurama had no conflict of interest, and the possibility of cooperation was very high.
Kurama's pupils suddenly constricted: "That's impossible!"
"But the facts are already before your eyes."
Naruto spread his palm, and a small sapling sprouted from his palm: "Three people once left Chakra on me: my parents, and a guy with Wood Release ability."
"Wood Release…"
Kurama narrowed its eyes, its heart filled with apprehension.
Wood Release plus Adamantine Sealing Chains, if this brat really grew up, wouldn't he just hang it up and beat it? Damn it, let's not even talk about it!
However, this brat's Chakra had indeed given it a very familiar feeling long ago.
It had the scent of the Four Generation Couple, and… Ashura?
Thinking of this, Kurama snorted coldly: "Why tell this old one all this? What exactly are you plotting, brat?"
"I plan to release you."
As soon as Naruto spoke, Kurama was stunned.
"Of course, not now."
Raising a hand to signal Kurama to be quiet, Naruto explained: "One day I will leave Konoha, travel around, see the world, and then find a beautiful place to live quietly. Before that, I need the strength to support that freedom."
"Your power is immense, but nothing in this world is stronger than human greed. Keeping you with me will only bring unnecessary trouble, so rather than releasing you, it's more like releasing myself."
"Hmph, speaking so grandiosely…"
Kurama narrowed its eyes and snorted disdainfully: "Aren't you also coveting this old one's Chakra? Why should this old one believe you?"
Naruto clumsily formed a few hand signs, and with a hiss, the sealing paper on the gate instantly turned to ashes.
"The seal requires a key to open, but as the sealing effect grows weaker, with your ability, you should be able to break free forcibly. And I have your Chakra, so even if you break the seal, I won't die."
Naruto honestly said: "I only need you to continue disrupting my Chakra. As a sign of my sincerity, I will not reinforce the seal, nor will I restrict your actions. In ten years at most, I will definitely release you."
Looking at the sealing paper that had turned to ashes and vanished, Kurama's eyes widened in astonishment.
No, brat, are you serious?
"Naive fellow…"
Behind the gate, Kurama sat up, shaking its head like a large dog, then narrowed its eyes, looking down at Naruto from above.
"Although I don't know why you, a brat, know so much, since that's the case, you shouldn't have difficulty knowing that your parents died because of this old one, right?"
"And… since you've stolen this old one's Chakra, you should be able to feel it even more, right? That overwhelming malice outside! Your unfortunate life is all thanks to this old one, brat!"
"So I should be hysterical? Or cry bitterly?"
Naruto chuckled: "Speaking of which, I'm practically someone you watched grow up… well, not grown up yet. Do you think, with my personality, I would acknowledge those so-called parents? As for malice…"
Naruto scoffed, his disdain evident.
"Hmph, cold-blooded brat!"
"Shut up, you started this topic."
Naruto spread his hands: "And I don't feel unfortunate at all. Although this might sound strange, if I had to say whether I'm lucky or not, it seems my greatest luck so far has been meeting you."
"Lucky…?"
Kurama was stunned for a few seconds, then burst into laughter, as if it had heard a funny joke.
"Interesting brat! Lucky, huh… Alright, since you're so flattering, this old one doesn't mind playing along with you!"
Naruto blinked: "You seem very happy?"
"Shut up! I'll kill you, you stinky brat!"
Kurama yelped as if its backside was on fire, clinging to the cage and roaring.
"See, you're getting agitated again…"
Naruto chuckled: "Then it's settled. You continue to disrupt my Chakra, and within ten years, I will definitely set you free."
"Remember what you said, brat."
Kurama gave Naruto a deep look, then slowly lay down and closed its eyes, feigning sleep.
"Why are you lying down again?"
Naruto leaned against the sealing gate, eagerly looking at the large fox in front of him.
"Don't be so cold, we're sort of comrades with the same goal, right? Let's get acquainted, my name is Uzumaki Naruto, what's your name? You're not just called Nine-Tailed, are you?"
"Let's chat, Mr. Nine-Tailed—"
This stinky brat is really annoying…
Kurama impatiently twitched its ears and turned its head away.
Even though Naruto was so close to it, this was the sealing space. Since the seal wasn't open yet, even if it really swiped at Naruto, at most he would only suffer spiritual damage and sleep for a few days.
When this kid woke up, it would still be the one suffering.
This annoying brat wasn't old, but his Chakra volume was already comparable to that of a Tailed Beast, and it was all 'sheared' from it…
Seeing Kurama remain silent, Naruto flopped onto the ground, bored and rolling around.
It wasn't until he was almost asleep that Kurama's low voice faintly reached him.
"Kurama… Remember this old one's name, brat…"
"Tsundere."
Naruto mumbled, his consciousness vaguely leaving the sealing space, and in his sleep, he could faintly hear the furious roar of a certain large fox, embarrassed and angry.