Kage's office. Sarutobi is sorting through papers while smoking his pipe.
- Sparrow! What's wrong with the jinchuriki? It's been three weeks already.
- He's currently in his inner world.
- What does he do all day? Report.
- Hi! He has a set daily routine. He gets up at six in the morning, does a two-hour workout to stay in shape. Then he creates four to six hundred clones that go to train on the free training grounds. - The Kage chewed his pipe thoughtfully.
- Continue.
- The subject then prepares breakfast, after which he immerses himself in his inner world. He stays there until lunch. After which he takes a break to prepare and eat food. He does a set of warm-up exercises and again goes into his inner world. Similar actions in the evening. Immersion gradually turns into sleep. He sends clones for food and other required items.
- A very... serious approach to the task. Have you noticed any changes in behavior? Communication with a demon can have a negative effect on him.
-Changes in behavior are positive. The subject is constantly in a naturally elevated mood. There are no signs of mental changes.
-Anything else?
-Judging by the nature of the books taken from the library and some indirect signs, the bijuu has been trained in reading and writing, and is currently transitioning to the shinobi academy courses. The sensors have noticed a change in the chakra in the seal. It no longer has a pronounced malicious-emotional component, although it is still too strong for anyone who is not endowed with the appropriate blood heritage. - Here Sarutobi seriously doubted his mental health. But no, he did not hear correctly, the ANBU obediently repeated his phrase again.
-Were there any attempts to penetrate his inner world for observation?
-Attempts were made. The inner world is an extremely complex labyrinth, it was not possible to find the room with the bijuu. According to experts, this is normal, it is human nature to hide such...
-I see. Does Naruto know about surveillance?
-He knows from the very beginning. He has sensory abilities in a strange spectrum, standard methods of concealment do not work. He unerringly guesses the mood of other people. His attitude towards surveillance is neutral. Sometimes he sets the table for several people, exactly according to the number of people in the apartment. Um... he cooks well, there were no attempts at poisoning. - The ANBU added the last phrase with doubt, sensing that the northern fox began to actively sniff the air.
-And I only find out about this now??? - Hiruzen began to get angry. - Your... what the hell? Are you completely out of your mind?
-Excuse me, Hokage-sama. Stop contact?
-No. - A long pause. - Continue. My opinion of you has dropped a little. Invite the jinchuriki to me. I want to talk to him.
***
An invitation from the Kage is a serious thing. I get ready quickly, but carefully. I go along the upper paths, on the roofs. I guess what he needs.
- Hello, Hokage-sama. Did you call me? - a short bow.
- Yes. Naruto-kun. I would like to talk about your... task. What really happened with the bijuu? - from the intonation it is clear that I won't be able to talk my way out of it.
- It's difficult and takes a long time to explain... maybe you should take a look for yourself? - I decide on an adventure. If the Kage supports me, I won't have to hide the changes.
- Will you let me in, Naruto? Are you sure about this? - I nod in response. Sarutobi blows a stream of smoke in my direction, and the next moment we are already standing together in my labyrinth. I look back at the Kage. A young man with a neat beard, dressed in a standard jonin uniform. - No one wants to be old. - He explains to my puzzled look.
We move along the corridors, only I can find the way here, the rest will forever wander in circles, not realizing it. Simple protection, but extremely effective.
We go out into the hall with the cage. Grass, sun, forest, cozy house in Japanese style. Kage has a completely amazed look, because he probably remembered another picture - a dark cramped cage, which smells of anger and suffering, and in it the burning eyes of a demon, nailed to the floor with giant nails. The contrast is obvious.
The door swings open and Kuro rushes towards me, making simply huge jumps. Bang! Almost knocking me down, she hangs on my neck, swinging her legs.
- Ku-chan! Enough, I'm not alone today! - I free myself from the grip.
-Oh! Allow me to introduce myself, Kuro Kitsune, also known as Kyuubi-no-Yoko. - He bows with a serious face, and his left ear twitches slightly from excitement.
-Naruto, stop joking! Where is the bijuu?!" There was a hint of anger in his voice. In vain!
Baum! The Hokage was knocked down and powerfully slammed against the bars. The next moment, his tail wrapped around his neck lifted him off the ground and he was slammed against the steel pole again.
-Don't you dare raise your voice at him, old man! - a voice full of furious rage growled.
The girl has simply monstrous mood swings. A continuous tangle of emotions! Fire in her character, wind in her head. Demonic ki covered the space, it is difficult for me to breathe, even for whom the anger is not directed. I can't even imagine what the kage is feeling now, I hope the old man's heart doesn't stop. - Got it? - Another blow, and then the other tail is imprinted into Sarutobi's stomach.
I stop the enraged biju, covering the Hokage with my back. Surprise is reflected in Kuro's eyes, and then the furious redness leaves the whites, the iris returns to blue from black, the pupil slowly becomes round, and not elongated. Phew, calmed down! Outbursts of irritation in her can be extremely destructive. Well, and dangerous, of course.
- Yes, Kuro-san. - The kage somehow croaked. - I apologize.
He had hardly ever felt so helpless. Kuro is not only not weaker than the former Kurama, she is much stronger than her. She has two elements - air, which was inherited from my chakra, and fire. As is known, they enhance each other perfectly. Kuro has more chakra than the original, and her arsenal is richer. If Kurama simply lashed out with flaming tails and occasionally threw a biju bomb, now she uses a bunch of jutsu learned from me. Shadow clones are an exception. She doesn't use them under any circumstances! She manages to be jealous of her copies… hmmm.
-That's what happened to the biju. She was reborn. She became stronger, faster, much smarter than she was. - I inform the Hokage with undisguised pride.
-Kha-kha. I understand, Naruto-san. - The kage is cautious. - Why did you need time?
-She was born without memory or any skills. Kuro was more of a beast than a rational being. I needed time to train her. - At these words, the demoness snorted irritably.
-I understand, Naruto-san. Can you carry out joint attacks? - The kage recovered from his shock.
- In theory, my body can withstand two or three tails, but to test our strength, we need a testing ground that would be worth rebuilding from scratch. It would be too reckless to use this power in a village.
Words and deeds did not diverge. For half an hour they led me along some corridors, taking me lower and lower into the depths of the kage mountain, they ordered me to put on my trainee mask, which still had no features. It was really given to me in advance, only so that my name could be indicated in classified documents. It will be a long time before I join the active special forces, and whether I will join at all is an open question. The position of a trainee is something like a conscript. They said that you can get into the special forces, but will you be able to withstand it, will you be suitable.
Finally, we arrived. A huge cave, seemingly of natural origin. Dry, reddish sand underfoot. A bunch of barriers and guard posts, it even becomes a little creepy. Danzo is present, as are the heads of several clans who have arrived in a hurry. I recognize Hiashi, Inoichi, and I can barely recognize the head of the Nara clan.
- Naruto-kun, show us the power of your demon. - Hiashi Hyuga's voice is a little cool, but generally benevolent.
- Well, Ku, let's try. - I whisper under my breath and open the seal. Instead of heat, cold cut through the channels, as if a bell rang sharply in my head, time slowed down.
No pain, no rage, a feeling of some kind of cool warmth, as paradoxical as it may sound. The power is pressing, I don't even think about holding back. The first tail. The cover shines like snow silver, sparks flash through. The second tail, fox ears appear on the head, the fur on the cover begins to show through. The third tail hits the nerves, dispersing perception, the world around is felt very brightly and sharply. I focus on the kage and see him inhale as if in slow motion. Incredible sensations! Power pulsates in me, beats from within, coming out as a shining cover.
I fan myself with snow-white tails, slightly twitch my new ears, run my tongue over my teeth, feeling powerful fangs. Ku does not try to break free, she, like me, enjoys the fusion. We do not even try the fourth, we feel that I will simply begin to tear apart from the power, it is still too early.
- The remaining six tails are still too dangerous for me, when released, the body will begin to collapse. - I inform the heads of the clans and bow. The darkness of the cave no longer means anything to me, the demon does not care about the light, he always sees equally beautifully.
- Impressive, Naruto-kun. Are you in complete control? Are you holding back the demon? Is it not trying to break out? - Nara asks.
- I have excellent control over myself, I feel excitement, but not malice. The demon does not need to be held back, it helps me and voluntarily shares its power.
- Just wonderful. Wonderful... yes. - Nara thought deeply.
- You have received a completely loyal bijuu, devoted to you. - Danzo speaks. - Do you have a purpose for using such power? - Provocation? Or simple curiosity? I am not strong in such things, not strong.
- Yes, Danzo-sama. I have a wonderful purpose for such power. - I bow with a sly smile.
- Would you like to share it with us? - Hiashi's extremely interested voice.
- Kuro and I's goal... - Drip-drip-drip. Drops fall from the ceiling at the far end of the training ground.
- Really?! - Hiashi laughs. - Worthy, more than worthy! As the head of the Hyuga clan, I approve of your goals, Naruto-san. - Abruptly switches to a businesslike tone.
- If you really want this, do not forget about the roots, they will support the tree. - Danzo's quiet voice. The most terrible person in Konoha gave the white light, this is worth a lot. True, when my goal begins to be realized, it is unlikely that he will be alive, after all, our head of intelligence is old, extremely old.
Nara refrained from answering, but in the emotions that are unmistakably felt under the veil, there is the anticipation of a player who has just been offered a good match. He is also for it, but cautious.
Sarutobi bites the pipe with a smile.
- What will you do for this, Naruto?
- First of all, I need to become stronger. Much stronger. Study the seals that are in the library of my clan. It would be desirable to undergo training with one of your students, Sarutobi-sama, and become a sannin myself. This is what I plan to do right after I become a chunin. - I bow to the Hokage and dispel the veil.
The veil leaves reluctantly, and I am not eager to let it go. One tail disappears, it becomes somehow sad, the darkness has power over my gaze again, my eyes no longer see the same way, my feelings are not the same, too weak, too dim. The second tail. Now the last one has melted away. The gray world, compared to the past, has opened its arms. I need to learn to keep the veil unnoticed, without external manifestations in the form of tails and ears. Yeah, I can imagine what the bijuu felt when they were sealed into people. Cut off their arms, legs, sew up their eyes and ask them to share their power and enjoy life. Ugh!
- Commendable, Uzumaki-dono. - I barely kept my face when the Hokage addressed me like that. - I have several scrolls with your father's techniques. Please accept them back. - Sarutobi made a slight bow with his head.
- I would be very grateful, Hokage-sama! - I bow respectfully.
- I also give you permission to visit protected training ground number two. This training ground. It is perfectly shielded and reinforced with barriers both from the inside and outside. Here you can master the power of your bijuu without fear. You can be free.
I bow again. Well, I think I will be a frequent guest here. Kuro sends a wave of approval from within. I was able to loosen the seal a little, it is still a long way from a mental conversation, but we can exchange emotions. It turns out to be a very peculiar dialogue. Yes, she is also eager to merge again.
- Naruto-kun, would you like to join me for a cup of tea? - Hiashi's voice catches up with me.
I turn around. The head of the Hyuga looks on with a smile. The invitation is not in an official tone, so etiquette will not be particularly important, but one should not forget about manners. The conversation will be almost friendly.
-With pleasure, Hiashi-san. - I accept the invitation.