After a good few days, Arashi had finally woken up from his deep slumber, his body feeling anew.
[Transfer has been completed.]
Arashi was immediately pulled into his mental space, where he found himself standing in a dimly lit chamber with towering walls, dripping with water that echoed in the silence. In front of him lay a massive iron gate, marked with a single, intricate seal in the center. Beyond the bars, he could just barely make out a pair of massive, amber eyes glinting with a simmering mix of curiosity and impatience. Arashi swallowed, the weight of his decision finally hitting him.
From within the darkness, the faint outline of Kurama, the Nine-Tailed Fox, began to take shape. The beast was massive, far larger than anything he could have imagined, even from his past life's memories, he would have never guessed. But something was different — Kurama's form seemed almost smaller, younger, and less refined, as though he was still growing into his power.
"So, you're the one they've thrown me into," a low, rumbling voice echoed, filling the entire mental space. Despite his infant state, Kurama's tone held a hint of the fierce pride and sharp intelligence that defined him.
Arashi stared into Kurama's eyes, the weight of the tailed beast's presence pressing down on him, yet he managed to muster a grin. "Yes, you and I will make a great team." He chuckled, trying to mask the awe in his voice.
Kurama's eyes narrowed, scanning Arashi, his gaze calculating. "Don't think this makes you special, human. I may be in this infant form now, but I'm still the Nine-Tails. One wrong move, and I'll devour you from the inside out," he threatened, his voice a mix of warning and restrained malice.
Arashi took a deep breath, forcing himself to meet Kurama's intense gaze. "I get it, Kurama. You don't want to be here any more than I do… but we're stuck together now. So, how about we make the best of it? I'm not looking to control you, and I certainly don't plan on giving you a reason to 'devour me,'" he said, smiling in a friendly matter. "Instead, what if we work together? I will release you from this cage, you and I can be partners. I want to get stronger and you want freedom. A symbiotic relationship."
Kurama regarded him in silence, his massive form shifting slightly, tail flicking with mild intrigue. "Hmph. You're bold, I'll give you that. But don't mistake my temporary size for weakness. You'll need more than just bravado to handle my power. Still… we'll see." His eyes glinted with a hidden spark. "For now, I'll allow you access to a sliver of my chakra. Prove yourself, and maybe I'll consider lending you more."
[New Ability Unlocked: Nine-Tails Chakra (Limited Access)]
[Effect: Temporarily boosts physical and chakra stats by one level during critical moments. Prolonged use may lead to exhaustion. Full access pending compatibility and synchronisation progress.]
The notification pinged in Arashi's mind, and he could feel a surge of warmth flooding his body. Kurama's chakra, even in its limited form, was potent beyond belief — electrifying every nerve, enhancing his senses, and sharpening his instincts. He felt stronger, faster, and more alert than ever before. This was only a fraction of Kurama's potential, yet it was enough to make him feel unstoppable.
Arashi took a deep breath, letting the chakra settle within him as he exited his mental space and returned to reality. His heart raced with a newfound determination. His path was set — he was no ordinary ninja, and with Kurama by his side, the world was about to see just how powerful he could become.
A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Guess it's time to really start training."
**
Time passed slowly, as Arashi rarely saw his sister, he followed on racking up his ninja points to purchase stronger jutsus. The daily quest provided Arashi with 200 Ninja Points daily; his luck seemed to be bad as he hadn't received any new quests. This soured his mood.
Based on the rate of his progress, Arashi had decided he would graduate at the end of this year. With the alternate reality's young Kurama growing by his side, he didn't have to slow down for anyone. His stats were already growing incredibly, surpassing even regular chunnins.
'Status Menu'
[Name: Arashi Kyojin]
[Ninja Potential/ Aptitude:
[Age: 8]
[Level: 15]
[Exp: 0/ 1500]
[Ninja Points: 4,000]
[Ninja Rating:
[HP: 500]
[Chakra: B+]
[Strength: C-]
[Physique: C-]
[Speed: C+]
[Affinity: Earth, Water, Lightning, Fire, Wind, Space, Ying, Yang]
[Shop: Available]
[Jutsus/ Techniques: Nine-Tails Chakra (Limited Access), Substitution Jutsu (E), Transformation Jutsu (E), Clone Jutsu (E), Body Flicker Jutsu (D), Hell Viewing Jutsu (D), Genjutsu Cancel (D), Shadow Shuriken Jutsu (D), Hiding Like a Mole Technique (D), Fire Ball Jutsu (C ), Wind Bullets (C ), Mud Wall (B), Rasengan (A)]
[Quests: 'Daily Quest']
Arashi was deep in thought as he practiced his new jutsus, considering the road ahead. The tension between his growing power and the need for secrecy was becoming a constant presence in his mind.
The Sharingan and Byakugan would undoubtedly grant him formidable abilities, but the risk of drawing attention from the village's higher-ups was a major concern. He had already built up a solid base of techniques, but the more powerful abilities he acquired, the more challenging it would be to hide his true potential.
He glanced at the clock on the wall, the seconds ticking down. Four months, just four more months. The decision to graduate early was both exciting and nerve-wracking. He needed to prove himself capable without causing too much suspicion, but with each passing day, the temptation to push the boundaries of what he could do grew stronger.
Arashi's training had been intense—he was making significant strides in mastering jutsus that complemented his hit-and-run tactics, with the Body Flicker Jutsu and earth-based abilities at the core of his style. His next steps would determine his future, and he needed to be strategic in how he proceeded.
He stood up, wiping sweat from his brow, and took a deep breath. Stealth would be his greatest ally moving forward. While the Sharingan and Byakugan were within reach, there was no need to rush into them. Mastering the basic techniques, sharpening his physical skills, and strengthening his mental resolve were just as important—if not more so—at this stage. He also needed to learn some kenjutsu to add to his arsenal.
But the clock was ticking. He was already far ahead of his peers, and his desire to learn and grow stronger was only becoming more urgent. With the imminent threat of graduation approaching,
With a determined smile, Arashi decided he would need to carefully navigate this next phase of his training. His destiny wasn't to stay hidden forever, but for now, it was the only option.