One-Tailed Chakra Mode
"I am not a nine-tailed fox!"
Naruto froze, staring at the Third Hokage in disbelief.
"But… everyone hates me. No one ever told me about my parents… or about the whisker marks on my face…"
Mizuki's words, which had tormented Naruto's mind for years, now made his heart ache with confusion and grief. The accusation that he was a fox spirit had buried itself deep in his soul, twisting every memory and every moment of his life. Now, hearing the truth, the weight of those twelve years of misunderstanding crashed down on him.
"That's because no one knew… including Shuimu," Hiruzen Sarutobi said softly, placing a reassuring hand on Naruto's head.
"Twelve years ago, the Nine-Tails was sealed inside your body by the Fourth Hokage, at the cost of his life. You are not a nine-tailed fox."
"I… I'm not a fox spirit… I'm not a fox spirit!"
Tears streamed down Naruto's face, but they were not tears of sadness—they were tears of relief. The unbearable pressure of Mizuki's words had suffocated him for so long, and now it had been lifted.
Hiruzen watched him cry with a mixture of amusement and sympathy, letting him release his emotions before speaking again.
"Naruto… all the pain you've endured over the years… it has been a trial. A trial to allow you to master the power of the Nine-Tails."
"A trial… to master the power of the Nine-Tails?" Naruto's voice trembled through sobs. "Why me? Why not someone else?"
Hiruzen's expression softened knowingly.
"Because you are qualified. Because we believe in you. The Fourth Hokage and I both believe you can master the Nine-Tails' power and prevent it from harming the innocent. And use that power to protect the village… and everyone in it. Just like the Fourth Hokage."
Naruto's body trembled at Hiruzen's words. Slowly, hope replaced the tears in his eyes.
"Just like the Fourth Hokage… does that mean… I could become Hokage someday?"
Hiruzen's smile faltered for a brief moment, but he quickly regained composure.
"Naruto, the future is uncertain. But if you can use the Nine-Tails' power to protect the village, there is a high probability you could become Hokage."
High probability… not certainty. Failure was possible. But at Naruto's age, he only saw hope. Excitement surged through him.
"I… I will become Hokage someday! Hahaha!"
Hiruzen finally exhaled, relieved to see Naruto's spirits lifted. But there was still another matter he had come to address.
"Alright, Naruto. I've explained the Nine-Tails. Now it's your turn to explain something to me."
Naruto froze, his expression betraying panic.
"What… what was that thing that helped you kill Mizuki?"
Naruto's mind raced. If Hiruzen found out the truth, everything would be exposed.
Meanwhile, inside Naruto's consciousness, Feng Xu heard a flood of mental messages.
"I have… wind deficiency… what should I do?"
"Should we tell Third Hokage about our existence?"
"Won't we be treated like monsters?"
"Are we going to be dissected for research?"
Feng Xu let out a quiet sigh. "Relax. These things can't be hidden forever. And I'll come out to control the body many more times. Multiple personality disorder—Naruto is the dominant one. Nothing to worry about. Just explain things frankly, and there won't be a problem. Oh, and tell him I can control a small portion of the Nine-Tails' power."
Using his corruption points, Feng Xu exchanged for the One-Tailed Chakra Mode.
[Redeem Successful!]
[Darkness Value -2000]
[Current Corruption Level: 1400]
Naruto exhaled, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders. He turned to Hiruzen and began explaining everything, carefully recounting the events with Mizuki and the intervention of the mysterious consciousness inside him.
Hiruzen listened, completely stunned.
"Another… you… born from painful memories! Strong… has mastered a portion of the Nine-Tails' power… but cannot control its body!"
By the end, Hiruzen's mouth was wide open in astonishment.
He quickly asked again, his voice serious. "Naruto… can you really take control of your body?"
Naruto nodded solemnly. "Yes. When it was outside before, I just thought about it for a moment—and then I regained control."
Hiruzen's eyes lit up with a mixture of curiosity and relief. "Can I… see him?"
Naruto nodded once more. Then, his expression changed completely—warmth and innocence replaced by cold indifference and sharp malice.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Sarutobi. I am Uzumaki Fuuko, Naruto's alternate personality."
Feng Xu, now in full control, had no intention of playing along with pleasantries. If he weren't currently weakened, he wouldn't even call Sarutobi "Old Man."
"Uzumaki Fuuko… that's a fine name. From now on, you can call me Grandpa, just like Naruto," Hiruzen said, attempting to bridge the gap.
Fuuko ignored him entirely. Without a word, he activated the One-Tailed Chakra Mode.
"This is my initial mastery of the Nine-Tails' power—the portion I have complete control over."
A pale red chakra enveloped Fuuko's body. A thick, long, pale-red tail emerged from behind him, radiating strength and power. The air trembled with the violent, malevolent aura, filling the room with a sense of overwhelming danger.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes widened in shock. This was no longer just a child or a ninja—this was a presence as powerful and threatening as the Nine-Tails itself.
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