Author`s Thoughts:
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Thanks, that is all, now enjoy the chapter.
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"I will transfer a part of my soul to you. You will be able to have some of my chakra and will be able to form a chakra cloak. Most importantly—"
The beast paused once more, the chains tightening and causing it discomfort. "Above all, you will find it much easier to communicate with me in the future. I may not know much about your physiology, but existing in this realm is demanding for any human, especially a child," Nine-Tails explained, struggling with its breath midway.
As it looked expectant at the child, Shin hesitated.
...
...
In the eerie silence of the dark landscape, time seemed to stand still as only two beings existed amidst the shadows. Two lone spots of light pierced the darkness—one radiating a bright orange hue, while the other appeared eclipsed by the brilliance of the first. In this peculiar realm, there was no discernible evidence of the passage of time, creating an atmosphere of suspended animation.
Shin contemplated the Tailed Beast`s offer, weighing the potential benefits against the looming risks. 'On, the one hand it could provide me a power boost. Who knows what it would develop into? I could get a Nine Tails chakra cloak as my power instead of regular Jinchuriki. But there is still a greater danger of losing control '
'On the other hand, why is he offering it? Is it just because of my unique gift or does he have an alternate purpose'.
Nine Tails watched the little soul with great patience. During the course of this observation, Shin shifted to raising his hands up and down, one at a time as if he was weighing the pros and cons on a big scale. With a serious expression on his face, the boy`s face depicted expressions that didn't belong to a child.
Intrigued by the depth of contemplation etched on the boy's face, Nine-Tails watched the boy for a while. 'Is he a brat or a grown man? Why do I get the feeling that I am watching an adult human'. Meanwhile, said brat had shifted from projecting his thoughts on a scale to drawing up imaginary lines in the air, thoughtfully assigning pros and cons to each column.
The Tailed Beast in its infinite patience could hear the boy occasionally muttering some small mutterings here and there during his thinking session.
"Um, yeah sure that can be an advantage too".
"No, no what would happen then".
Scratching his head, he plopped down and started the physical balance procedure once again. His gestures became more animated, his hands moving in a dance of uncertainty as he mentally juggled the potential outcomes. Frustration simmered within the Nine-Tails as it beheld the boy's indecisiveness, enduring multiple cycles of pain. Finally reaching its breaking point, the beast erupted in a burst of exasperation.
"Ghrrrr, Brat are you testing my patience". it growled, its voice laced with irritation.
Caught off guard by the Nine-Tails' outburst, Shin snapped out of his reverie, sheepishly scratching the back of his head as he realized the strain he had placed on the creature due to his inaction. "Sorry, I was a bit lost in thought", he confessed.
The Nine-Tails, now visibly agitated, huffed in annoyance at Shin's antics, its breath rougher than before as anger simmered beneath the surface.
"Can I ask something before?", Shin.
"Ask your question, I will consider answering after hearing it.", Nine Tails
In a calm tone, Shin queried the creature as it fixed its gaze upon him, "Why would you offer such a reward to me? We have just met. How can you trust me with a power like this?"
"I have my reasons. Your soul is unique, and even at your young age, you have unlocked chakra on your own," explained the Nine-Tails solemnly.
"Those are no small feats. You might become someone powerful in the future. When you do, free me from the shinobi that has put me under this torture.", explained Nine Tails".
"Hmm, that I can promise you. If I do get stronger, I will free you. But I have another question—can I control the power that you will give me? I have heard that people who have this power are monsters and are almost hunted everywhere.", inquired Shin in a grave manner.
The creature laughed maniacally, The darkened expanse resonated with the laughter and amusement of the colossal beast. As its laughter filled the abyss-like space, a faint glow seemed to emanate from the shadows. It continued, "Damn, even though I am in pain, I have not laughed like this for decades. Do not worry, brat. The power that I am going to give to you will be unlocked slowly. Until you have trained your chakra and willpower to a certain extent, it will not awaken", The Nine Tails reassured.
It stopped for a second, assuming the dignity of a noble Tailed-Beast once again, "However, Once this power does awaken, you will need help in controlling it. So ask your Shinobi master or whomever you trust to protect you.", It advised.
"Protect me from what?" asked Shin, his nerves evident at the beast's unnatural kindness. He knew the beast wasn't this nice in the original story. It had to have a secret agenda in offering this bit of power to him at this moment. Although Kurama would have a large improvement in its demeanor and attitude towards the Leaf in the future, that change only happened due to the bond that formed due to years of being in constant contact with Naruto and for Naruto being Naruto.
Shin briefly entertained the thought of possessing the Talk-No-Jutsu, before dismissing it as too unrealistic of a possibility.
"Bah... enough talk, come here," commanded the Nine-Tails, gesturing towards the boy, who was drawn towards it involuntarily, a sense of impending doom washing over him.
At the contact with Ninetails, He felt something inserted between his brown It travelled to his brain and then spread all over his body.
A wave of sleepiness came over instantly as the chakra or the power shared by the Nine-Tails traveled to each part of his body.
Still dizzy and in a stupor, he staggered back when the beast put him to his original place again. "What have you done to me?" Shin queried, bewildered by the sensations coursing through him.
"I gave you a gift. It is up to you how you use it. The path ahead is filled with difficulty and it is up to you if you manage to advance", the beast spoke with a menacing grin. It felt quite satisfied at how it manhandled the arrogant brat. It gazed down at the boy with amusement and curiosity. It didn't seem like, it was the first time the creature had shared its power with another being.
"Aaargh!!!!", The beast recoiled in agony, the pain intensifying with each passing moment.
"Guard this gift and cherish it, whisper not to untrusted ears".
"As that will surely cause greed if they are powerful and fear if they are weak"
Agreeing with a nod, Shin's mind raced with a multitude of unanswered questions. As he moved closer to speak once more, he noticed his body growing lighter and dimmer with each passing second.
Turning to the Nine-Tails, who had been gazing at him with curiosity, he asked "What's happening now".
"Your strength is running out. As I suspected, you really have a good amount of chakra for your age, Hargh... Kid you will really be a monster in the future if you don't die soon", It remarked, amidst a hint of discomfort.
Fearing betrayal, Shin questioned anxiously "What does that mean, why is my body glowing?"
"Nothing... You impudent child. You will return to your own body, since you have run out of chakra. Take care of yourself outside. Or you would suffer from a chakra exhaustion", Nine tails smirked as if enjoying the boy`s misery.
"Hmph, then I guess... I will see you soon"
"Allah Hafiz", Shin murmured.
With those parting words, Shin began to fade from view, his figure glowing brightly before vanishing completely, leaving behind only a faint echo of his presence.
Alone in the vast emptiness, Kurama sighed with visible exhaustion, massive drops of sweat pooling on its expansive forehead. Each heave of its chest came more quickly, the beast showing signs of strain from the effort of transferring a portion of its power.
"Hmm, What an interesting boy", Kurama mused to itself, a sense of curiosity lingering in its gaze as it contemplated the events that had unfolded.
The darkened space had no concept of up or down as it was a vast expanse of nothingness. However, to Nine-Tails all of it didn't matter anymore.
"Why did you create us, old man? Just to suffer this humiliation at the end. What's our purpose here?", It cried out in agony.
Then as if to seek respite from the pain, it reasoned with itself "Are we mere pawns to kneel before these mortals? I—I refuse."
The darkened space quaked with those words as if acknowledging the creature`s resolve, and the world dimmed once again, this time encroaching even on the vibrant aura of the beast.
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Author Note:
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Thank you Midez89, tyrese_lott, OnazarBoomO, Jayroy_63, Aurora_borealis12, dunkinb for your power stones.