Kairen explained, "I hit puberty a bit early—my development was just a little faster!"
Shinku complained inwardly—this wasn't just a little faster.
Kurenai said to Kairen, "Because Dad came back, I've already moved out of the Death Forest."
Kairen nodded. Kurenai now had family—Shinku couldn't just leave her outside.
Yūhi Shinku patted Kairen on the shoulder.
"Do well tomorrow—fight for your own fame!"
Kairen laughed to himself. If his deeds weren't being sealed off by the higher-ups, his name would already be known across the ninja world.
But over in Sunagakure, Kairen had long been a big name on the wanted list.
Kurenai noticed an orange-yellow fox on Kairen's shoulder, gnawing on dumplings.
Her eyes sparkled. "Such a cute little fox! Kairen, where did you find it?!"
Shinku noticed it too and laughed.
"Why is a grown man carrying such a little animal—going out to pick up girls?"
The Nine-Tails had just finished a dumpling. Hearing the father and daughter, it snorted.
"Humans, I am the Nine-Tailed Fox!"
"Haha…"
Shinku burst out laughing. Of course he didn't believe this adorable little fox was the Nine-Tailed Fox.
"Kairen, your little fox is pretty funny! How could it possibly be the Nine-Tailed Fox?"
Kairen shook his head and smiled. This was the ordinary world—without realizing it, the big shot in him wanted to show off again.
Seeing Shinku's mockery, the Nine-Tails' temper flared instantly—this was the kind of weakling it wouldn't even glance at before.
Letting such a creature speak to it was already a great mercy, yet he dared to laugh at it.
The Nine-Tails' fox pupils turned vertical, a tremendous pressure radiating from its body, like thunder descending upon the world.
As an elite jōnin, Shinku became alert in an instant—every pore on his body heaved with heavy breathing.
The feeling was like being on the battlefield, trembling amid raging flames.
Shinku hurriedly shielded Kurenai, focusing his gaze on the little fox on Kairen's shoulder.
That nauseating, suffocating pressure was coming from this tiny fox.
"Nine-Tails, stop!"
Kairen commanded.
The Nine-Tails stopped releasing its pressure, turned its head, and no longer deigned to look at the weak ant.
Shinku moved closer to Kairen and pointed uncertainly at the Nine-Tails.
"It… it?!"
Kairen nodded. "It's the Nine-Tails!"
In an instant, an icy chill surged from Shinku's feet to his heart.
He stared at the little fox in terror. From ancient times to the present, the Nine-Tails' reputation had always been negative.
Wherever the Nine-Tails appeared, there was slaughter and bloodshed.
Yūhi Shinku didn't know how strong the Nine-Tails was, but a legendary creature like this was absolutely not something to approach.
"K-Kairen… wasn't the Nine-Tails sealed inside Uzumaki Kushina?"
Kairen replied, "I just let it out."
"T-This… won't it lose control?!"
Kairen reached out to pat the Nine-Tails' head.
The Nine-Tails tried to dodge. Kairen's gaze sharpened, and the Nine-Tails immediately squatted obediently.
Kairen stroked it. "Shinku-san, look—Nine-Tails is very well-behaved!"
Yūhi Shinku swallowed hard, not daring to meet the Nine-Tails' murderous eyes.
"Kairen… I just remembered the laundry at home isn't collected yet. Kurenai and I will head off first!"
Shinku truly didn't dare stay near the Nine-Tails and immediately grabbed Kurenai and ran.
As she left, Kurenai still said, "Kairen, let's do our best together at the Chūnin Exams tomorrow!"
Kairen waved in response.
...
After watching Yūhi Shinku and Kurenai walk away, Kairen transformed into a giant eagle. With two gliding sweeps, he flew into the sky, taking the Nine-Tails with him to the Death Forest.
Soon, Kairen arrived at the Death Forest.
Looking down from above, the entire military base was filled with a fiery atmosphere.
There were tanks, Canon, and groups of shadow clone soldiers conducting drills.
This force would ignite the entire village tomorrow.
Kairen descended from the sky. Doctor Snake and Academic Genius gathered around him.
"Main body, we currently have 5,000 soldiers, 100 tanks, and 1,000 Canon… I think this force still isn't enough to take the entire Leaf Village. We should create more shadow clones."
Kairen nodded. "No problem. My chakra is inexhaustible—and now we also have the Nine-Tails."
"The Nine-Tails!!"
Doctor Snake and Academic Genius noticed the little fox on Kairen's shoulder.
A chill ran through the Nine-Tails' heart—their gazes made it feel as if it had been dissected hundreds of times.
Kairen asked, "Where is Tsunade?"
The fire stirred up by Mikoto and Kushina was still pent up in his heart—he needed someone to vent it on.
"Boss, Princess Tsunade is in a meeting with Shige and the others."
Kairen nodded and instructed them, "Continue training the troops, and at the same time infiltrate the village."
"Got it! Boss!"
...
Kairen's figure flickered as he headed to the place where Tsunade and the others were holding their secret meeting.
Deep in the bamboo forest, several civilian ninjas dressed as retainers of the Senju clan stood guard around the area.
Shizune held a kunai, her face full of seriousness—paired with her tender little face, she looked extremely cute.
With a flash, Kairen appeared behind her and locked her arm with one arm.
Shizune's heart jolted in shock, panic rising—but Kairen's voice soothed her heartbeat.
"Little Shizune, you've still got a long way to go!"
Shizune quickly turned around and looked at Kairen happily.
"Kairen, you're back."
Kairen nodded. "It's been a few days—come on, give me a kiss!"
He lowered his face. Seeing no one around, Shizune hurriedly kissed him.
"Kairen, Tsunade-sensei is inside, discussing something important!"
"You keep watch here. I'll go take a look!"
"Okay!"
...
Kairen led the Nine-Tails deeper into the bamboo forest.
Along the way, the Nine-Tails laughed.
"Though I don't understand human emotions, I'm well aware of your various behaviors."
"From a human perspective, you're a man of many affections."
Kairen chuckled. "What's wrong with me having a few women?"
"But… Kushina already has a husband!"
The Nine-Tails raised a question of morality.
That stumped Kairen. He immediately rubbed the Nine-Tails' fox head.
"Why does a fox care about this? Just be an obedient pet!"
"Hmph!"
A gentle breeze brushed past; bamboo leaves rustled softly.
Walking on the soft ground of the bamboo forest, the fragrance of bamboo filled the air. Kairen finally remembered something.
His two pandas were still in the Snow Country!
Tomorrow would be a grand undertaking—he couldn't be missing the two gentlemen Wolon and Fenchu!
"Summoning Technique!"
...
I recommend checking out my new Pokémon fanfic, "Pokémon System: Me, the Strongest Champion of the League"! It features a system that isn't overpowered, keeping the story balanced and engaging. The main character isn't Ash, but an original, cool MC, which makes it even more enjoyable to read. I'd love to hear your feedback!