The ancients said, "The willing take the bait."
For a fisherman, fishing is a way to cultivate patience and enjoy the beauty of nature.
For a ninja, fishing is an art—a satisfying moment when the other side bites the hook.
In theory, every fisherman has a noble belief, an ambition to catch big fish, and a steadfast spirit that moves heaven and earth.
Unless the fisherman is using a straight hook.
Yes, I'm talking about you, Uzumaki Naruto!
How "straight" is his hook? Well, the moment he saw Nadare Rouga and realized he needed to "act," he immediately lay down on the spot, clutching his chest, and shouted,
"Oh no! I'm hurt!"
If the fish isn't dumb, there's no way it would fall for that.
Unless, of course, the fish *is* dumb.
The ninja of the Land of Snow, from top to bottom, seemed to be wrapped in an inexplicable confidence. Even when it was obvious that something was off, Nadare Rouga didn't hesitate to capture Naruto, acting as if no tricks Naruto had would work. Kurama could only watch, dumbfounded.
And so... Naruto ended up being brought straight to Kazahana Doto.
To be fair, the airship was impressive—huge, with a high-tech vibe typical of the Land of Snow. The lounge alone felt like a five-star setup, complete with fine wine and sofas. The only thing missing was a beautiful companion.
Unfortunately, Kazayahana Koyuki was Doto's niece, so that idea was off the table.
Naruto, tied up tightly like a dumpling, lay on the floor and flashed a bright, cheerful grin at Kazayahana Koyuki.
"Hey, Koyuki! I'm here to rescue you."
Kazayahana Koyuki stared at him, stunned.
"Naruto? What are you doing here?"
Naruto tilted his head in confusion.
"Didn't I say? I'm here to save you."
Seeing Naruto tied up and tossed on the ground, Kazayahana Koyuki was at a loss for words.
Kazahana Doto stepped forward, looking down at Naruto with a mocking smile.
"Well, well, a rat who delivered itself to my door."
Nadare Rouga knelt nearby.
"My apologies, Doto."
"It's fine," Kazahana Doto said, waving dismissively with a smug air.
"This guy claims he's strong, right? Put *that device* on him and take him back. Once I've secured the treasure, we'll have some proper fun with him."
"I understand," Nadare Rouga said, laughing.
The so-called *device* was actually a chakra-absorbing tool designed to drain a ninja's chakra completely. It was a deadly weapon against most ninjas since it rendered them unable to use chakra unless they could unleash far more chakra than the device's limit, causing it to overload and break.
That might work on an ordinary ninja, but unfortunately for them, the person in front of them was a Jinchuriki.
In the sealed space, Kurama was itching to act.
"Naruto, don't give them any face! Just go all out and blow up this airship!"
Naruto glanced at Kazayahana Koyuki, then spoke softly in his inner world.
"Wait for a moment."
"Wait for what? Blow it up!" Kurama raised both paws high.
"Art is all about the *big… explosion!*"
Naruto's forehead twitched.
"Weren't you just acting indifferent earlier? Why are you suddenly so excited now?"
"You don't get it," Kurama said, shaking his head with a gleam in his eyes.
"Anything flying in the sky is destined to return to the ground. I didn't think of it before, but now that I have, how can you let this thing avoid its fate of *plowing the earth*?!"
*Plowing the earth?* What was that supposed to mean?
Naruto didn't get it, and he didn't think he needed to. Honestly, he couldn't understand why something flying in the sky had to end up "plowing the earth."
Wasn't it flying? Why would it need to plow anything?
As expected, Kurama's logic had gone haywire again.
While the boy and the fox were bickering, Nadare Rouga approached Naruto with a smirk, holding a strange device. Without any hesitation, he roughly attached the tool to Naruto's stomach.
Almost instantly, Naruto's body twitched. He could feel his chakra being drained away.
Kurama's ears perked up as he noticed the chakra he had given Naruto was being absorbed as well.
"Huh. This thing's got some bite," Kurama muttered to himself.
But just as he was marveling at the device, a crisp *snap* broke the moment.
Naruto's twitching stopped, and the device on his stomach began emitting black smoke before...
It broke into pieces.
Naruto: "…"
Kurama: "…"
Nadare Rouga: "…"
Kazahana Doto: "..."
This was truly a speechless moment.
Kurama stayed quiet for a moment before looking at Naruto:
"Narruto, how much chakra did that thing absorb from you?"
Naruto stared blankly at the shattered remains on the ground and replied:
"About... one-third, I think."
"Now I get it," Kurama nodded. "Ever since you stopped needing to suppress my chakra, your chakra levels returned to normal. With such an enormous amount, that little thing couldn't handle it. And it even tried to absorb the chakra I shared with you."
Naruto no longer needed to waste chakra to suppress Kurama. Their chakra had fused together like a bottle of juice mixed with water—inseparable.
And this little gadget managed to absorb one-third of Naruto's chakra plus an unknown fraction of Kurama's before it burst. That was pretty impressive.
The black tech of the Land of Snow truly lived up to its reputation.
Nadare Rouga was dumbfounded, glancing helplessly at Kazahana Doto:
"Doto, this..."
Kazahana Doto was equally stunned, but he preferred to believe the device was just malfunctioning. He waved his hand dismissively:
"That thing's been in use for a long time. It must be broken. When we get back, we'll replace it for the brat."
"Understood."
Nadare Rouga sighed in relief,
picked up the shattered pieces from the ground without another word, and left Naruto lying there.
Kazahana Doto turned to Kazayahana Koyuki:
"We've gotten off track long enough. Snow Princess, you have the hexagonal crystal, don't you?"
Standing beside Naruto, Kazayahana Koyuki clutched the pendant at her chest tightly.
With her old personality, she might have handed over the crystal right away to save herself. But now, as she looked at Naruto lying on the ground (Naruto: "?"), she remembered his words...
The next second, determination flashed in her eyes.
"I refuse."
Kazahana Doto squinted, his right hand tightening unconsciously.
"Snow Princess, you should know that refusing won't change anything, right?"
This was his territory. He could easily snatch the crystal by force. The only reason he was being polite was to give his niece a last shred of respect.
"So don't make things harder for yourself," Kazahana Doto said, his gaze flickering with a hint of killing intent.
The cold malice made Kazayahana Koyuki take a step back instinctively. But the next second, she clenched her teeth, gripping the hexagonal crystal even tighter.
Summoning her courage, she stepped forward, her frail body standing protectively in front of Naruto. Her eyes were filled with fear, but even more so, with resolve.
"I believe Naruto will save me. Just like how he never gave up, I won't give up either."
Even if... it means dying!
"You think a miracle is going to happen?" Kazahana Doto chuckled angrily.
"Relying on a mere brat?"
He was done showing any respect.
"If you won't listen, then I'll use reality to teach you—miracles don't exist!"
"I don't believe in miracles," Kazayahana Koyuki said, curling up on the ground, shielding the hexagonal crystal with her body.
"But I believe in Naruto!"
Kurama watched this scene and grinned. Crimson chakra began leaking from the cracks in his seal, flowing like liquid and enveloping Naruto completely.
"Well said. I don't believe in miracles either, though those who believe in miracles can be just as remarkable."
And so...
"Naruto!"
"Got it!" Naruto's head shot up, his eyes glowing blood red. Crimson chakra flowed from the seal, wrapping around him entirely. Two tails swayed behind him as immense power shattered the ropes binding him in an instant.
Stepping forward, Naruto picked up Kazayahana Koyuki. With her stunned gaze fixed on him, he grinned.
"Believing in someone is just as amazing as believing in a miracle—because miracles are created by people!"
"I will never betray this trust!"
Naruto's gaze burned as he stared at Kazahana Doto. In Doto's angry and shocked eyes, Naruto raised his left hand, holding a Tailed Beast Bomb the size of a head.
"With this Tailed Beast Bomb as my vow, Koyuki, I swear I'll protect you!"
Kurama was right—things that fly in the sky always end up grounded. I didn't understand it before, but now I fully agree!
"You're in my way, so get lost!"
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