The Next Day – Konoha Ninja Hospital
Naruto's bright blue eyes stared blankly at the white ceiling, his expression filled with helplessness.
Dressed in the blue-and-white uniform of a hospital patient, he lay quietly on the bed. The room was permeated with the sharp, acrid scent of disinfectant, causing Naruto to wrinkle his nose in slight discomfort.
The previous night, just as he was preparing to head home, Tsunade had forcibly dragged him to the hospital under the pretense of a "health check-up."
"Sigh, the legendary strength of the Princess of the Senju Clan is no exaggeration," Naruto muttered.
He sat up and pushed open the window.
In an instant, the gentle morning sunlight spilled onto Naruto's face. It wasn't harsh but carried a warm, ticklish sensation.
Not far from the hospital, the cherry blossom trees swayed in the breeze, their delicate fragrance wafting into the room.
Suddenly, a crisp, mechanical voice echoed in Naruto's ear.
[Ding! Reminder: Host has an unclaimed mission reward.]
[If not claimed within 24 hours, the reward will disappear automatically.]
[Would you like to claim it?]
A 3D projection appeared in front of Naruto, accompanied by the voice.
"Claim it," Naruto said decisively.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have received the mission completion reward: the other half of the Nine-Tails' chakra.]
As the system's voice fell, a scarlet glow erupted from Naruto's body.
The crimson light swirled through the room before settling into the palm of Naruto's right hand.
From the energy in his palm, Naruto sensed a familiar power—mysterious and unfathomable, just like the presence already within him.
Naruto smirked faintly and closed his eyes. With a single thought, his consciousness dove into his mental world.
"Nine-Tails, call me 'Dad,' and I'll give you something good," Naruto said, a sly grin spreading across his face.
"Get lost! You don't take care of your body properly, and you think you can handle me? Ridiculous!"
"Using me to chop down mountains? I'm starting to think there's hot water sloshing around in your head!"
The Nine-Tails roared in frustration, its temper flaring. Anyone whose power was being used so recklessly would feel the same.
"Ah, don't sweat the small stuff," Naruto said, a bead of cold sweat forming on his forehead. "Come on, Nine-Tails, wouldn't it be worth it to call me 'Dad'? The reward is really something special."
Naruto's tone was like that of a devil tempting an innocent soul.
"Get lost! I'm not in the mood for your games!"
"Such a shame, Nine-Tails," Naruto said, shaking his head with mock regret.
With that, he loosened his grip on the energy in his palm.
Immediately, the rich chakra of the Nine-Tails spread throughout the mental space.
"No... this can't be happening!"
The Nine-Tails froze, its deep voice trembling with disbelief.
"Nothing is impossible," Naruto replied with a teasing smile. "So, one last time—are you going to call me 'Dad' or not?"
After a moment's silence, the Nine-Tails muttered, "…Dad."
Its upright ears drooped as it spoke the word.
"Hahaha! Nine-Tails, you actually said it!" Naruto laughed uncontrollably, clutching his stomach and collapsing to the ground.
"Idiot! Where's my reward? You can't bully a fox like this!"
The Nine-Tails glared at him, puffing up angrily.
"Relax, Nine-Tails. Here it comes."
As Naruto's words fell, the crimson glow in his hand burst forth, illuminating the entire mental space.
Without needing any guidance, the light rushed straight toward the Nine-Tails.
As the energy surged into it, the Nine-Tails let out a triumphant roar.
"ROAR!!!"
The thunderous sound rippled through the space, shaking everything.
Under Naruto's astonished gaze, the Nine-Tails' body grew visibly larger, its form expanding with restored power.
Exhaling deeply, the Nine-Tails rumbled, "Ah, it's been too long since I've felt complete. Once again, I, the great Nine-Tails, am unstoppable!"
Naruto shielded himself from the fierce winds generated by the beast's exuberance. "This guy… he's getting way too carried away."
Just then—
"Click!"
The door to the hospital room swung open abruptly, pulling Naruto back to reality.
A red-haired girl stepped in, carrying a basket of fruit.
It was none other than Kushina Uzumaki, one of his "victims" from the previous night.
Following behind her were Mikoto Uchiha and Orochimaru.
"Idiot! Patients aren't supposed to get out of bed so casually!"
Kushina set the fruit basket on the table and hurried to Naruto's side, her tone filled with concern.
"Tch, I'm not even sick. Why shouldn't I move around?" Naruto shrugged and took a deep breath of the fresh morning air.
Kushina's sharp eyes immediately caught the crack in the skin of Naruto's right hand.
Grasping his hand gently, she asked softly, "Does it still hurt?"
"It's fine—just a minor injury. It's almost healed. No need to worry," Naruto replied calmly, meeting Kushina's caring gaze.
Meanwhile, Mikoto arranged the flowers she had brought into a vase before meticulously slicing an apple.
In moments, she presented a beautifully arranged fruit platter.
"Naruto-kun, say ah," Mikoto said, holding a piece of fruit up to him.
Naruto turned slightly, opening his mouth to accept it. "Delicious!"
"Ah, Mikoto, you're so sneaky!" Kushina huffed, grabbing an apple to peel.
However, her attempt left the fruit uneven and jagged. Frustrated, Kushina ended up crushing it in her hand.
In the corner, Orochimaru silently observed the lively scene, his expression unreadable.
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