"Tick...tick ...tick..."
The sound of water dripping against metal echoed in his ears, and the dampness of the ankle-deep water seeped into Naruto's senses.
Navigating through the labyrinthine corridors, he turned corner after corner until, with a sudden flash of blinding light, a massive iron cage loomed before him.
As usual, the sharp claws of the Nine-Tails had already thrust through the bars, projecting a menacing presence toward Naruto.
Inside the cage, an ominous darkness churned, obscuring vision. There was no need for sensory perception; the overwhelming red chakra emanating from within was suffocating, striking like a rampaging tide.
It was a monstrous power, dense as the depths of the ocean, causing his breathing to grow heavy and his skin to prickle with discomfort.
Naruto placed a hand on the cold, iron bars.
Glancing inside, he saw the Nine-Tails lying still, its crimson eyes shut as if in slumber.
"Hey, wake up, Nine-Tails!"
Naruto called out, but there was no response.
Annoyed, he reflexively swung his hand, slapping the beast's massive face.
"Serves you right for scaring me all the time, huh? Looks like you've kicked a bucket now."
He sighed, realizing that the first task issued by the system wouldn't be so easily resolved.
"Completely clueless... What now?"
Naruto leapt onto the Nine-Tails' enormous head, resting his chin on his fist in contemplation.
A moment later, a spark of inspiration lit up his face.
"I can use the Yamanaka Clan's secret technique!"
He recalled a mission he'd once undertaken with Ino. Back then, they'd used the Mind Body Switch Technique—though, admittedly, it had been to steal a photo of Sasuke.
This technique allowed one to invade another's mindscape. With a slight twist in approach, it might even let him access the Nine-Tails' dreams.
Forming a triangular seal with his hands, Naruto concentrated his chakra and directed it toward the Nine-Tails.
---
Inside the Nine-Tails' Mindscape
Fragments of the Nine-Tails' past flashed rapidly before Naruto's eyes.
Sage of Six Paths: "From this day forth, your name shall be Kurama."
Kurama: "Old man..."
Madara Uchiha: "You tailed beasts are nothing more than tools for those with superior power. Obey me!"
Kurama: "Shut up... Shut up!"
Hashirama Senju: "Kurama, I'm sorry, but your power is too dangerous. I must seal you."
Kurama: "..."
Mito Uzumaki: "Kurama, stay quietly within me. This is your fate."
Kurama: "Hypocrites..."
Kushina Uzumaki: "Kurama, we're both unlucky, but for the sake of Konoha's peace, stay here with me."
Kurama: "Damn woman..."
"All of them... self-righteous hypocrites..."
"It's so dark... Why is my strength slipping away?"
"Maybe... I'll just rest for a while..."
Darkness consumed everything.
Suddenly, a faint glimmer of light pierced through.
"Oi, Kurama, get up! It's already noon!"
[Who is it?]
"Come on, show some reaction, you dumb fox! Lazy fox! Stupid fox! Old fox! Get up!"
[So noisy... like a fly... and the voice—ugh—sounds like that idiot Jinchūriki.]
"Oh, I get it now. You must be drained, huh? Pathetic. Aren't you supposed to be... you know... manlier than this?"
"Silence, you brat! Shut up already!"
In an instant, a pair of blazing red eyes snapped open, slitted pupils locking onto Naruto.
"You little runt, how did you get in here?"
This was his mindscape—a space intrinsically linked to him, and no Jinchūriki before had dared to intrude so easily.
Naruto smirked. "Oh, your glare hasn't lost its edge."
[And you're still as irritating as ever.] Kurama thought silently, his gaze narrowing.
Suddenly, Kurama paused. The brat... he looked smaller.
"Kid, what's going on?" Kurama's voice carried a rare note of confusion, his deep tone like an old radio crackling to life.
"It's... complicated. Hard to explain in words, and honestly, you probably wouldn't believe me anyway. So, let's settle this my way."
Naruto extended his fist toward the fox.
Kurama hesitated but eventually mirrored the gesture, his massive paw meeting Naruto's small hand in a symbolic connection.
For a moment, it seemed almost comical—man and beast locked in such an oddly human gesture.
Memories flowed between them, weaving together like threads in a tapestry.
Kurama recoiled slightly, his eyes widening in shock. "Such absurdity... I can hardly believe it."
"But it happened." Naruto grinned.
"Fine, brat. Now leave me alone. I'll rest easier without your incessant chatter."
"Sure, sure." Naruto waved dismissively. "Just don't forget—teamwork makes the dream work!"
Kurama scoffed. "Get lost already, idiot!"
---
When Naruto awoke, sunlight was already pouring through the windows. He had spent the entire night in meditation.
Rubbing his stiff neck, he changed into fresh clothes and began preparing breakfast.
Ding!
[Congratulations, Host, for completing the task: Awaken the Nine-Tails.]
[Reward: One Weapon Lottery Draw.]
"Huh? That was quick. Let's see what I get," Naruto murmured, a flicker of excitement lighting his face.
[Initiate the draw?]
"Do it!"
A massive roulette wheel appeared in his mindscape, adorned with various weapons:
Excalibur
Zanpakutō
Sword of Kings
Nichirin Blade
Thunder God's Sword
Ding!
[Congratulations, Host! You've drawn... a Zanpakutō.]
Naruto's lips curved into a grin. "Now this... this might be fun."
====================
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