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Chapter 242: Golden Radiance
"Red chakra? Are you referring to Kurama's chakra?"
Kurama? Hearing this intimate yet respectful title, Jiraiya's heart suddenly stirred. 'Could what the old man said be true? Has Naruto truly formed a friendship with that fierce beast inside him, and can even use its power without burden?'
Jiraiya had once witnessed firsthand on the battlefield the world-destroying power of a Tailed Beast. Now, Konoha also possessed this power, and in such a... peaceful way?
When Jiraiya expressed his desire to personally witness Nine-Tails' chakra, Naruto had no objections. He skillfully formed hand seals with both hands. The next moment, a scorching, violent yet strangely docile crimson chakra began flowing out from around his body like living flames, enveloping his form.
Jiraiya stared intently at Naruto's still relaxed expression, yet his heart involuntarily tensed. After all, he'd witnessed the tragic consequences of a jinchuriki losing control. He mentally prepared himself to intervene at any moment to stop a rampage.
Within seconds, the Tailed Beast cloak covering Naruto's body rapidly transformed—from its initial form with just one swaying tail, gradually solidifying before finally transforming into a small Nine-Tails form with four substantive chakra tails, radiating an aura that made hearts palpitate!
However, while in his four-tailed state, Naruto's mind actually rose with confusion. Though Kurama had earlier impatiently grumbled, "That's all the chakra! Take it or leave it!"
Naruto could clearly sense that the vast sea of chakra deep within the seal still responded to his call, far from its limit.
Then... let me try further. Naruto decided to continue guiding.
Gradually, he felt the Tailed Beast cloak covering his body's surface beginning to condense into more solid matter—a dark red bone-like structure that outlined the contours of a fox skull and more robust limb bone structure against the chakra exterior.
He turned his head slightly and caught sight of the tails swaying behind him—their number had increased to six!
'As expected... that "that's all" was completely tsundere talk.' Naruto understood internally.
Under his continuous guidance, Kurama's chakra continued flowing endlessly, undergoing deeper form transformations.
He didn't notice that Jiraiya beside him had already stood completely dumbfounded. The small Nine-Tails before his eyes was undergoing form evolution while maintaining clear consciousness?! He could even see those claws covered in bone performing hand seal gestures?!
Finally, Naruto felt he'd reached a critical point. The Eight Trigrams Seal seemed to temporarily cease supplying more chakra. He slowly opened his eyes, instinctively first looking at the area behind him.
Not a single tail?
Jiraiya stared blankly at Naruto's confused expression, his mind nearly ceasing function. He'd witnessed complete Tailed Beast transformation before... but complete transformation, could it possibly look like this?!
Naruto realized his form was abnormal. He quickly walked to the nearby creek, leaning down to gaze at the mirror-like water surface.
What was reflected in the water wasn't the expected crimson demon fox, but a figure enveloped in brilliant, dazzling golden chakra cloak that shone like sunlight.
Nine-Tailed Beast Chakra Mode?!
Watching the brilliant golden figure reflected in the water, Naruto was momentarily incredulous. He carefully divided a trace of consciousness, probing toward the seal space in his heart.
"Ku... Kurama?"
Within the seal space, Kurama still lay languidly sprawled on the grass. Hearing the call, it merely slightly lifted its eyelid, casting a sidelong glance at Naruto.
"What?"
"Nothing..."
Acting impatient while actually feeling somewhat guilty, Kurama turned its head away. It itself hadn't anticipated that over these years, with Naruto's modifications, the space within the Eight Trigrams Seal had become more stable and comfortable. The seal's restraint on chakra had correspondingly loosened considerably, allowing far more power to leak than expected.
Right now it was taking this attitude simply because it didn't want to admit it actually tacitly approved of, even promoted this change—wouldn't that make it seem like a two-faced creature? Too embarrassing!
Naruto immediately understood Kurama's transparent tsundere behavior, his mind clear. He wisely chose not to pursue further questioning, simply silently noting this gratitude.
Since he could now mobilize such vast chakra, even condensing into this form... did that mean if he tore open the seal, he could use the complete Nine-Tailed Beast Chakra Mode in perfect synchronization with Kurama?
The moment this thought arose, an inexplicable unease suddenly swept through Naruto's heart. He suddenly recalled something—in a state of true heart-to-heart connection with the Nine-Tails, complete chakra fusion, it seemed both parties could view each other's deep memories and true thoughts!
At that time... wouldn't Kurama discover that the story about "dreams" and being the "Child of Prophecy" had actually been a strategy to gain its trust?
When that time comes... how would Kurama view him? Would it think all his friendliness and efforts were built upon that initial deception?
Regret and worry surged into his heart. Due to lacking affection during his growth, Naruto harbored an instinctive fear of losing important bonds deep in his character. At this moment, he couldn't help but worry excessively, simultaneously underestimating the genuine affection Kurama had accumulated for him through years of companionship...
Jiraiya looked suspiciously at the golden-gleaming Naruto before him, confused why after grasping new power, he suddenly appeared somewhat dejected.
"Hey, Naruto, what's wrong?" Jiraiya spoke in a deliberately casual tone, trying to break the depressing atmosphere. He forced a carefree demeanor, walking halfway around Naruto while examining him up and down. "This new appearance of yours... is quite distinctive! All golden and glowing—but how's the actual power? Don't let it just be for show!"
His tone of clearly being incredibly curious yet forcing indifference successfully pulled Naruto back from his chaotic thoughts to reality.
Watching Jiraiya's forced composure, Naruto took a deep breath, temporarily pressing his Kurama-related worries to the back of his mind.
Forget it, let me handle the present situation first. Naruto privately decided. With current power, as long as I don't encounter enemies on Rinnegan Nagato's level, it should be sufficient.
I'll confess and apologize to Kurama when the relationship becomes more stable and certain in the future...
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