Zanpakutō, huh.
It's not a Nichirin Blade—that's a pity. Deep down, Naruto had been eager to try out the dazzling Breathing Techniques.
No matter. A Zanpakutō isn't all that different from a Nichirin Blade, though it remains to be seen whose Zanpakutō this one is.
A flash of light burst from Naruto's hand. As it gradually coalesced, it formed a long blade, resting firmly in his palm.
In that moment, information about the Zanpakutō surged into his mind.
This…
The system had handed him an Asauchi.
Heh, Naruto chuckled bitterly. The system truly lives up to its unreliable nature.
The Asauchi, a blank sword, was something commonly issued to fresh graduates of the Shinigami Academy. With prolonged spiritual energy refinement, one could nurture a zanpakutō spirit and unlock more potent powers.
But Naruto had no spiritual energy. Nurturing a zanpakutō spirit? That was out of the question—pure nonsense.
"A useless blade," Naruto muttered. "What a scam."
Setting the Asauchi aside, he turned away, heading for breakfast.
No expired milk. But there was rice mixed with sand. No instant noodles lacking nutrition either. Life was as happy as it could be.
While eating, Naruto couldn't stop thinking about the Asauchi.
"Maybe I can have a zanpakutō spirit after all."
As someone from the Modern Age, Naruto's thoughts weren't bound by his current era. Letting his imagination run wild was practically second nature.
After hurriedly cleaning up the dishes, he returned to his room, placing the Asauchi on his lap. He calmed his mind, entering a state of meditation focused on the blade.
When he had received the Asauchi, a method for interacting with it had also been imprinted in his mind.
This was Naruto's first time using a technique other than his own to enter the spiritual world.
Swish—
Hmm?
The place seemed brighter.
The narrow sewer, once dim and dreary, was now oddly illuminated.
Without delving into the reason, Naruto's gaze fell to the sealed door at the end of the waterway.
Behind it, the Nine-Tails' crimson eyes gleamed with confusion.
"Brat, why are you here again?"
Naruto ignored the fox's question, rushing toward it with an enigmatic smile.
"Say, Kurama, do you want to be free?"
"Are you out of your mind, kid?"
The only way to free a Tailed Beast was to break the seal, but that would mean the jinchūriki being consumed—disappearing entirely.
"Stupid fox. Who starts a conversation with an insult?"
"Idiot."
"…"
---
"Anyway, that's the gist of it."
"A weapon like that actually exists? I've never heard of such a thing."
"Let's move on. Touch the blade with me and form a contract."
"Fine. But don't order me around, you little runt."
A hand and a claw simultaneously touched the blade.
After a long silence—
Nothing happened.
"You little brat! How dare you trick me!"
Kurama roared angrily, cursing. Ever since growing more familiar with Naruto, the once aloof and regal Nine-Tails had become increasingly eccentric.
Crackle, crackle—
Suddenly, the sealed door began trembling violently. The sealing tags spontaneously ignited, burning without fire.
Kurama's eyes widened in shock. "This is—!"
Naruto narrowed his eyes. "The seal is collapsing."
He's coming, Naruto thought to himself grimly.
As the sealing tags burned away completely, the door crumbled into ruins in the blink of an eye.
At once, Kurama's nine tails lashed through the air, intertwining in graceful arcs, exuding an air of elegance.
"Haha! I'm finally free!"
Just then, Naruto felt a hand appear above his head.
Before he could react, the hand rested on him.
It was warm. Comforting.
"Long time no see, Naruto," a gentle voice said.
Naruto looked up to see a man with blonde hair and blue eyes, his delicate features framed by a crimson Hokage cloak.
The man's face radiated warmth, sending a shiver down Naruto's spine.
"You're… the Fourth Hokage."
"Damn you, Fourth! Get over here and let me rip you to shreds!"
Before Minato could answer Naruto, Kurama exploded with rage, its chakra surging like an ocean in turmoil. The water underfoot churned violently.
"Calm down, Kurama," Minato said softly.
"I told you, don't order me around!"
Though Kurama protested, its body betrayed it. The turbulent chakra settled.
This surprised Minato. The broken seal should have led to chaos, not this strange harmony between Naruto and the Nine-Tails.
What's more, Naruto seemed to be the one in control.
After composing his thoughts, Minato spoke again. "Yes, Naruto. I am also your father, Namikaze—"
Slash!
Before Minato could finish, Naruto's Asauchi pierced through his chest.
Minato felt no pain. After all, he was merely a manifestation of chakra.
Naruto's expression was cold as he stared at Minato. "No reason. I don't feel like explaining."
"Just disappear, Fourth Hokage."
As the words fell, Minato's form shattered, dispersing into countless motes of light.
The Asauchi in Naruto's hand seemed to react, drawing the motes of light toward itself.
In an instant, Naruto's mind was flooded with information—Minato's combat memories:
An improved Body Flicker Technique.
One-handed hand-seal techniques.
Uzumaki clan sealing arts.
The Flying Thunder God Technique.
The method to forge Flying Thunder God kunai.
Wind release chakra manipulation.
The path to Sage Mode.
Countless life and death combat experience.
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