In the sealed space, the darkness swirled softly, lit only by the faint golden glow of the chakra seal etched into the walls. Kaito looked at the Nine-Tails with a calm, steady smile, one hand tucked casually behind his back.
"Don't worry," he said, voice smooth as silk, but layered with something unspoken. "I am very reputable. Since you and I agree, I will never let you be turned into the Ten-Tails! Even… I can give you freedom at that time."
Kurama's crimson eyes were half-lidded. Its massive form let out a long, quiet breath, then slowly collapsed onto the stone floor with a tired huff. The ancient fox's fur bristled with chakra fatigue—after all, losing a third of its source was no small matter.
"That's good." The Nine-Tails lay down, its voice heavy with weariness. Despite the boastful tone, the price it had paid wasn't something it could ignore. Still, when it heard Kaito mention the word "freedom," it didn't let its hopes rise.
After all, in this world, it had grown all too accustomed to the greedy hearts of humans. Freedom? A laughable concept. Who wouldn't covet its power?
And yet…
"Right!" Kaito's voice broke through his thoughts, sudden and sharp. His eyes narrowed slightly with interest. "I remember—your chakra can sense the good and evil of others, right?"
Kurama nodded slowly, offering no resistance. There was no reason to lie.
"Yes," it rumbled, tail flicking lazily behind the bars. "Because I can absorb all kinds of emotions from the ninja world, I can also judge the nature of people's hearts. Good. Evil. Malice. All of it." It paused, then tilted its head slightly. "But you're… an exception. I can't feel anything from you."
Kaito shrugged, unbothered. "It's impossible for you to perceive." There was no boast in his voice—just fact.
"Then," he said, eyes turning toward Naruto's unconscious form, "you'll share this ability with Naruto. From now on, he'll see the world for what it is."
"Mmm…" Kurama let out a low grumble, not resisting. Its golden chakra flowed forward in a sharp, fluid motion—like a river bursting its dam— and instantly poured into Naruto's body. The glow surrounded him, seeping into his skin, his soul.
Kaito watched the transfer with a faint nod. Then he turned to Naruto and said, almost gently:
"Now that you can perceive good and evil, observe Konoha. You're not a fool, Naruto. I think you already understand—some truths are better left unspoken."
He turned slightly, his cloak fluttering softly with motion."I won't hide that I came to visit you tonight. When you see Hiruzen Sarutobi, tell him this: 'Kaito said he told me everything about my life.' Then look at him—use that new ability, and see what lies behind the smile of your third grandfather."
A shadow crossed Kaito's expression—brief, but sharp.
"But don't worry," he added darkly. "At this point… Sarutobi won't dare to touch you."
Naruto stirred. His eyes blinked open slightly, still heavy with sleep and lingering chakra. His voice was soft, hesitant.
"Are you… going?"
There was a note of reluctance in his tone. Despite the short time together, something in Kaito's presence felt… safe. Familiar. Like an older brother who stood quietly in his corner, offering no judgment, only truth.
It wasn't a genjutsu. It wasn't some calculated charm. Naruto had spent his whole life reading the sneers, silences, and side-eyes of villagers. He had learned to detect cruelty hidden behind politeness and resentment buried under smiles. But Kaito… felt sincere.
In truth, it was the sealing of Asura's influence that made this possible. For so many years, that divine will had muffled his rage, softened his perception, made him naive to betrayal. But now, that filter was gone—and Naruto's instinct, the one honed by pain and loneliness, was raw and sharp again.
And Kaito was the only one who ever truly listened.
Kaito spoke softly, gaze lingering on the child's face.
"I have to take my clan and leave the Land of Fire."But I'll return to Konoha in a few years."Until then, observe the true faces of the villagers. Figure out your place in this world."
He took a step closer, voice dipping lower.
"Learn to control the Nine-Tails' power. That's my gift to you. It will be your shield… and your sword."
Then, almost as an afterthought, Kaito retrieved the small sphere of chakra again—its core burning softly like a star in his palm.
"This," he said, raising it slightly, "is something we'll discuss next time. You can't integrate it yet."
Without another word, he reintroduced the ball of Asura's chakra into Naruto's body. The seal glowed faintly, absorbing the divine energy.
Sealed. Dormant. Locked by a system no sage could break.
Kaito's eyes hardened for a moment. As confident as he was in taming Naruto, he took no unnecessary risks. Until Naruto's place in this world was decided, having the Nine-Tails was enough.
Then, without flair or flash, Kaito's figure vanished—dispersed like a whisper in the wind.
The silence returned like a weight.
Kurama's eyes turned toward Naruto. His voice was low, gravelly with restrained emotion.
"Boy," he said, "I can feel your hatred toward me. So… he told you."
Naruto didn't look up. His voice, quiet and cold, barely masked the ache within.
"You killed my parents."
Kurama did not flinch.
"I did."When I killed them, I wasn't in control. I made the choice."
Naruto's fists clenched, teeth grinding.
"Why?!" he asked, voice strained with grief more than fury.
Kurama's gaze dimmed, as though seeing beyond time.
"Because I wanted freedom."
He stood slowly, tail swaying behind him.
"After the Sage of Six Paths created me, I remained hidden in the world, as he willed. I watched silently. I guarded the weak."
"But when the Sage passed… and his sons… the world changed."
Kurama's voice grew quiet, older.
"The Sage gave me the ability to absorb emotion, to purify malice. But your kind's greed… it overwhelmed me. My chakra began to twist. I started to change."
"To avoid harming the world, I hid in a forest, far from man."
A bitter smile curled across the beast's maw.
"But humans still found me."They came with chains, jutsu, and lies. I drove them away. Over and over. But my hiding place was no longer secret."
"Then… Madara Uchiha found me. Used me to fight Hashirama."When Madara lost, Hashirama sealed me in his wife."
Kurama's voice hardened.
"I lost my freedom. Again. No trial. No crime. Just fear."I never destroyed the world. I only fought back against those who tried to use me."
A long silence.
"Then came Konoha—turning my power into their war machine. Every sin they committed in battle… they blamed on me."
Kurama's eyes burned.
"Tell me, Naruto: do you think I should lose my freedom for that?"
Naruto said nothing. His lips parted, but no words came. The roaring righteousness that once lived in his chest had gone still.
He was no longer the loud, naive boy who shouted about Hokage from rooftops.
The emotional dam, once sealed by Asura's pacifism, had cracked. And now… Naruto saw..
Kurama's words weren't a justification. They were a scar.
Kurama's next words were devoid of warmth.
"It's true I killed your parents. But your feelings mean little to me."