Konoha Year 55 — Winter — Overcast Skies
Naruto was now eight years old.
It had been one full year since Kakarot disappeared, and also one year since the Nine-Tails returned.
And today, Naruto's mood was just like the weather—gloomy and heavy.
Even with Hinata beside him, he couldn't shake his distraction. After escorting her back to the Hyuga compound, he ran off to the training grounds.
Why? Because he'd hit a wall.
His growth had drastically slowed. Gone was the rapid, visible power increase—now it felt like days passed with barely a shred of progress.
His body was still growing. Most of his energy and nutrients were going toward development, leaving little to improve his ki. Until his body stabilized, it was clear that more intense training wouldn't yield much.
This bottleneck had made him restless and frustrated.
Even if he could now toss the Nine-Tails over his shoulder, even if Kurama avoided direct physical challenges with him and had to start relying on chakra, Naruto still felt his strength wasn't enough.
> "As Brother once said: All fear stems from insufficient firepower."
To Naruto, being stronger than the Nine-Tails wasn't impressive—there were plenty of beings in this world stronger than Kurama. And this wasn't even the full Nine-Tails—just half its chakra.
Even that had been sealed.
If the Nine-Tails could be sealed, he wasn't strong enough.
Which is why Naruto had made up his mind:
> "If I can't improve through physical or ki training… it's time to train chakra."
No one in Konoha would teach him, so… he turned to someone not human for help.
---
In the familiar seal space, Kurama watched Naruto walk toward the giant iron gate and immediately began to panic.
> "Kid! What now?! I—I don't feel well today!" Kurama shouted.
Recently, Naruto had developed a bad habit—coming in whenever he was bored to "play". Every time he left Kurama exhausted, whether physically or mentally. The kid was like a walking volume of One Hundred Thousand Why's—constantly asking questions, pestering him day and night.
Even as a chakra-based lifeform, Kurama was developing nervous exhaustion.
> "You're at that annoying age… eight years old—hated by people and dogs alike… and apparently foxes too…"
Naruto said nothing. His eyes were focused—not on Kurama, but on the seal tag on the iron gate.
Kurama froze.
> "Wait… You're not thinking of—?!"
> "Stop! Don't do it! I'm telling you, even if you undo the seal, I'm not leaving! I swear, I'll stay right here!"
Kurama wrapped one paw around the gate, the other pushing against Naruto's chest.
> "Don't try to tempt me! I'm staying! I'm not going out!"
> "Fine! I'll lend you my chakra! I swear I won't trick you this time!"
> "Just don't tear the seal—PLEASE!!"
Kurama was practically in tears.
But Naruto's hand kept moving—he reached out and began peeling back the edge of the seal tag.
That's when a warm hand gently covered his own.
From above, a figure descended from the sky.
Golden-blond hair. Bright blue eyes. A flame-patterned white Hokage cloak.
His presence was like sunlight breaking through storm clouds—bringing warmth, comfort, and a sense that everything would be alright.
His chakra filled the entire seal space, peaceful and powerful.
The Fourth Hokage—Minato Namikaze.
---
They called him the Yellow Flash.
Incredible jutsu. Tactical genius. Beloved by the people. Handsome. And a man with a presence so commanding, even enemies feared him.
From allies to enemies—even stone-faced ninja of Iwagakure had one universal command:
> "If you encounter the Yellow Flash… abort the mission immediately. You will not be punished for retreat."
He was the youngest Hokage in Konoha history, husband to the previous Nine-Tails jinchūriki, Kushina Uzumaki, and mentor to Kakashi Hatake.
To the world, he was flawless—a savior.
But to Naruto… this man had always been just a legend.
Until now.
> "Kurama…" Minato looked gently at Naruto, then turned his gaze sharply toward the Nine-Tails. "You tried to lure my son into—"
> "Forever Babysitter!" Kurama didn't even let him finish. His eyes lit up in joy as he pointed at Naruto.
> "Quick! Stop your kid before he tears the seal!!"
Minato: "???"
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