The hospital ward was still, save for the faint hum of lanterns and the steady rise and fall of Naruto's breath. White curtains swayed faintly with the night breeze, carrying with them the sterile scent of medicine and clean sheets. His body begged for rest, but his mind refused to quiet. Every time he closed his eyes, shadows pressed against the edges of his thoughts: Sasuke turning his back at the Valley of the End, Akatsuki's red clouds looming, the heavy words Jiraiya had spoken on the monument.
If I'm going to control this power… if I'm going to survive what's coming… I can't ignore him any longer.
Naruto sat up, wincing at the phantom ache of wounds already healed. He folded his hands together and closed his eyes. Slowly, his breathing evened out, falling into the rhythm he had practiced so often when trying to center himself. The room faded, the smell of antiseptic giving way to damp earth and the cold bite of stagnant water.
When he opened his eyes again, he stood ankle-deep in a corridor of endless darkness. Water stretched out in rippling waves until it ended against towering iron bars, etched with a seal glowing faintly with ink. Beyond them, a suffocating pressure filled the air.
And then they opened—two eyes like twin suns of malice, red and burning, vertical slits narrowing with ancient rage. The sheer killing intent pressed down on him until the water rippled in violent waves.
"So," the Kyūbi rumbled, voice like thunder across the chamber, "the little jailor finally comes to face me. What is it you want, boy? My power? My mercy? Or perhaps… to tremble in fear?"
Naruto's pulse spiked, but he forced his legs forward, each step sending ripples across the water. His voice came steady, cutting through the oppressive weight.
"I didn't come to beg. I came to talk."
A low, mocking laugh shook the bars. "Talk? With me? You are nothing. A fragile vessel. A brat clinging to a dream that means nothing."
Naruto's fists clenched, but he stood firm. His voice sharpened, carrying conviction.
"You're wrong, Kurama."
The fox stilled, ears twitching. Its eyes narrowed dangerously.
"…That name. How could you possibly know it? No one alive dares call me that. Not your Hokage. Not your teachers. Not even the fools who sealed me before."
Naruto pressed his palm against the bars, feeling the burn of the seal. "Because I'm not just the Naruto you think I am. I know what's coming—and you deserve to know too."
The great beast leaned lower, hot breath steaming against the bars.
"The Akatsuki are already moving," Naruto said. His voice was low, unwavering. "They'll hunt down every jinchūriki—every one of you—until all nine tailed beasts are captured. They'll claim it's for peace, but the truth is worse."
Kurama growled, claws dragging against the stone floor of his cage. "And what truth would a child know?"
Naruto's eyes hardened. "They're following Madara Uchiha's plan. He wants to gather all the bijū and fuse them back into the Jūbi—the Ten-Tails. With it, he'll cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi, trapping the entire world in a genjutsu. No freedom. No choice. Just a lie of peace that only he controls."
For a moment, silence stretched. Then Kurama's lip curled back, a snarl boiling out of him. "…Madara. I remember his eyes. Those cursed Sharingan that sought to bend me like a dog. You claim he still lives?"
Naruto shook his head. "Whether it's him or someone using his name, it doesn't matter. The plan is real. If it succeeds, you'll be erased. No more freedom. No more pride. Just fuel for his illusion."
The fox's voice dropped to a dangerous growl. "You presume to lecture me on chains, boy? I have been bound for centuries, sealed into one vessel after another. Why should I care if the world burns?"
Naruto slammed his hand harder against the seal. "Because this isn't just about humans chaining you anymore! If Madara wins, you disappear. Forever. No Kurama. No nine-tails. Nothing."
For the first time, the fox faltered. Its eyes narrowed, suspicious yet searching.
"…You speak as though you've seen this future."
Naruto's fist trembled, but his gaze didn't waver. "I haven't just seen it. I've lived it. And I won't let it happen again."
Kurama's tails lashed in agitation. "Every jinchūriki swore they would tame me, free me, bend me. They all broke. What makes you different? What proof do you offer?"
Naruto stepped forward until the seal glowed beneath his feet. He raised his fist and thrust it forward through the bars.
"Proof? Then feel it yourself. If I'm lying, crush me here. But if I'm telling the truth—you'll know."
Kurama stared, the silence stretching heavy. Then, slowly, one massive paw rose, claws curling inward. With a rumble that shook the chamber, he pressed it forward.
Their fists met.
The impact was a shockwave.
Chakra surged violently between them. Naruto staggered under the flood of hatred—centuries of betrayal, loneliness, rage—but he pressed back with everything he had. Kurama, in turn, felt Naruto's truth: the pain of Sasuke's betrayal, the looming shadow of Madara, the Ten-Tails awakening, and the blood-red moon of the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
The connection snapped.
Both drew back, breathing hard. Naruto's knuckles tingled, his grin stubborn. "That's the truth. If Madara wins, you're gone. But if we fight together, we have a chance."
Kurama rumbled, eyes narrowing. "…You're either the most foolish vessel I've ever known—or the most dangerous. Very well. You have my attention. But not my trust."
Naruto lowered his fist, smile softening. "That's fine. I'll earn it."
Kurama chuckled darkly, echoing like thunder. "…We'll see."
The chamber dissolved.
Naruto's eyes opened to the pale morning sun in the hospital room. His knuckles still tingled. For a long moment he lay there, chest rising and falling, a quiet grin tugging at his lips.
⸻
The door slid open. A nurse stepped in with a clipboard—and froze when she saw him out of bed.
"Uzumaki-san! What are you doing?! You're supposed to be recovering!"
Naruto grinned sheepishly, tugging at his gown. "Heh… but look, see? Not even a scratch!"
Her eyes widened. She remembered the broken ribs, the blood loss, the gashes across his chest. But his skin was flawless.
"…That's not possible."
Naruto shrugged, already hopping back into bed before she could scold him. Inside, though, he whispered: Thanks, Kurama.
A low growl answered in his mind. Tch. Don't misunderstand. I only healed you so you wouldn't waste my time with your whining.
Naruto smirked. Sure, partner.
The fox huffed. Insolent brat.
⸻
That evening, Naruto slipped out of the window with all the stealth of a shinobi who had never once been stealthy. His destination was obvious.
"Ramen time!"
Kurama groaned. Pathetic.
Naruto darted down an alley, only to stop short when a soft voice called out.
"N-Naruto-kun?"
Hinata stood there, clutching a small basket of herbs, pale eyes wide.
Naruto scratched the back of his head. "Ah, Hinata! Hey! Guess I'm all better. Wanna get ramen?"
Her face turned crimson. "R-ramen?! W-with me?!"
"Yeah! With you!"
She stammered, then nodded quickly, too flustered to speak.
⸻
At Ichiraku, Naruto greeted Teuchi and Ayame like long-lost family, then proudly dragged Hinata to the stool beside him.
"Order anything you want, Hinata. My treat!"
Her blush deepened. "J-just one small miso, please."
Naruto leaned in with a grin. "Thanks for being there when I woke up. Really meant a lot."
Hinata ducked her head, voice barely above a whisper. "…I just wanted to make sure you were okay."
Naruto's grin softened.
They ate together—Naruto inhaling bowls at record speed, Hinata sneaking glances.
"Oi, Hinata, you keep staring. Impressed by my noodle technique?" he teased.
She squeaked, nearly dropping her chopsticks. "N-no!"
Naruto laughed so loudly Ayame had to hush him.
But when Hinata smiled shyly, whispering, You always make me smile, Naruto-kun, his laughter stilled into something quieter, warmer.
⸻
Afterward, Naruto pulled her by the wrist, dragging her through winding streets until they reached the Hokage Monument.
"Best view in the village!"
Hinata gasped softly at the rooftops glowing under the setting sun.
Naruto plopped down, patting the stone beside him. "I used to come here as a kid. It felt like the only place I belonged. Someday, when I'm Hokage, this'll be the view I protect."
Hinata's eyes softened. "Y-you've always belonged, Naruto-kun. Even when others didn't see it… I did."
Naruto blinked. Her quiet strength caught him off guard. He smiled, sliding his hand into hers.
Hinata's breath caught, but she didn't pull away.
"See? Not so scary."
They sat in silence, the breeze brushing against them, until Naruto leaned in, heart pounding. Their lips met softly—tentative but real.
"Ehehehehe!"
Both jerked back to see Jiraiya crouched on a nearby branch, notebook in hand, scribbling furiously.
"The shy maiden's blush! The bold kiss of youth! This'll outsell everything I've written!"
"PERVY SAGE!?" Naruto roared.
Hinata squeaked, covering her face.
Jiraiya cackled all the way into the trees.
Hinata leaned forward in a sudden burst of courage, pressing a kiss to Naruto's cheek before darting away down the monument steps.
Naruto froze, hand lifting to his cheek. "…Hinata…"
A low chuckle drifted from behind. Jiraiya again, this time with his notebook shut, face more serious.
"Enough flirting. We need to talk."
Naruto turned, still red. "About what?"
"The Akatsuki. They're moving, and they're after you."
The weight in Jiraiya's tone cut through the evening air.
Naruto's fists clenched. "…So we leave?"
Jiraiya nodded. "A training trip. Soon. You'll have days to say goodbye. After that—we go."
Naruto grinned, fire blazing in his eyes. "Then bring it on. I'll train harder than anyone. I'll come back strong enough to protect everyone."
Jiraiya smirked faintly, pride flickering in his gaze.
"Get some rest, brat. You'll need it."
⸻
Later, as Naruto left to pack, Jiraiya felt the sudden tug of summoning chakra. In a swirl of smoke, the village vanished.
When the haze cleared, he stood among the misty stone spires of Mount Myōboku. Fukasaku and Shima greeted him with grim expressions.
"Jiraiya-chan," Fukasaku said. "The Great Lord Elder has called for you."
They led him into the cavernous hall. The massive toad stirred on his cushion, ancient eyes half-lidded yet glimmering with vision.
"…Jiraiya boy," the Sage croaked. "The vision I once gave you… has shifted."
Jiraiya's chest tightened. "The Child of Prophecy?"
"Yes… the child still shines bright as the sun. But now… another flame burns beside him. Two currents, once apart, now joined. The river forks… and merges again, deeper, darker. What was once one fate… is now two. What was clear… is clouded."
Jiraiya's breath caught. "Another? Then Naruto isn't alone in this destiny?"
The Sage's gaze turned distant, lost in fog. "…Not alone. Not separate. Two suns beneath one sky. Salvation… or ruin. I cannot say which hand will tip the scale."
The cavern echoed with silence as the Sage drifted back into slumber.
Jiraiya remained kneeling for a long time, words heavy in his chest. At last, he rose, muttering under his breath.
"Heh… figures. Naruto, you never make things simple."
He turned into the mist, the prophecy's weight pressing down like a curse.
Two suns. One sky. Salvation… or ruin.