Inner World

Not bad. This year and a half of school hasn't been wasted."

Natsuki praised Naruto.

"I brought you to this place today to introduce you to the Nine-Tails."

"The suffering you've endured over the years is because of him. But back then, he came to Konoha because he was being controlled."

"Since you now know you are a Jinchuriki, you need to learn how to get along with the Tailed Beast."

"Getting along peacefully with the Tailed Beast will not only enhance your abilities but also fulfill your father's expectations for you."

When Naruto heard about his father's expectations, his eyes lit up.

"Don't worry! Senior Natsuki! I will definitely work hard!"

Hearing Naruto end his sentence with the familiar "Dattebayo," Natsuki knew Naruto had regained his energy.

Natsuki walked forward with Naruto. The current scene was just a mental illusion; the seemingly distant gate was not far away.

As Natsuki led Naruto forward, his Sharingan rotated.

The distance between Natsuki and Naruto and the gate rapidly shortened.

"You are an Uchiha!!"

A booming voice exploded in Naruto's ears, making him instinctively cover them.

"Clang..." A massive claw slammed against the gate, causing the "seal" character in the centre to emit a dazzling light.

"Argh! Damn it!" The Nine-Tails' claw was forcefully rebounded but fiercely struck the gate again, producing a series of muffled thuds.

"Calm down, Nine-Tails!" Natsuki's eyes widened.

The Nine-Tails' entire body stiffened and fell straight to the ground with a loud crash, unable to speak or move.

Such powerful ocular prowess!? Could it be that person!?

The discomfort from immobilisation was far less than the fear in the Nine-Tails' heart. He was afraid, having only once encountered such overwhelming ocular power: from Madara Uchiha!

Though Naruto couldn't see the Nine-Tails behind the gate, he could still sense its formidable presence.

And for Senior Natsuki to instantly subdue the Nine-Tails, just how strong was he?

The long-repressed thought surfaced again.

"Senior Natsuki! Can you be my teacher!?"

Huh? Natsuki was surprised. Today, he planned to bring Naruto into the organisation to check if "acquiring target specialties" was what he suspected.

Bringing Naruto into the organisation would be best under the guise of a master-disciple relationship. He had already tarnished Jiraiya's reputation, making it impossible for Jiraiya to be Naruto's teacher.

And Natsuki was confident he could help Naruto mature faster.

Before discussing this, he originally intended to deal with the Nine-Tails, but Naruto spoke up first.

As numerous thoughts passed through his mind, Natsuki smiled slightly without hesitation. "Of course. From now on, I am your teacher."

Naruto was overjoyed, never expecting Senior Natsuki to agree without any hesitation. If he had known, he would have asked earlier.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for significantly altering Uzumaki Naruto's life trajectory.]

Congratulations to the host for obtaining Six Paths Sage Mode (one-time use).

!!!

It's Six Paths Sage Mode! As expected of the child of destiny. But why not Heavy Particle Mode?

Natsuki thought greedily. After all, a one-time jutsu doesn't consume any resources.

[Ding! Successfully recruited Uzumaki Naruto.]

The reward for the host: Uzumaki Clan's Chakra.

Natsuki immediately cast aside his previous thoughts.

Uzumaki Clan's Chakra! Or rather, "Chakra Tons"!

Naruto relies on the unparalleled amount of Chakra Tons from the Uzumaki Clan to suppress the Nine-Tails while creating countless shadow clones and expending chakra wildly.

Nagato's Chakra Tones were even more exaggerated. They sustained two Rinnegan and constantly supplied the Gedo Statue with chakra. Yet he could still use the Rinne Tensei Jutsu to revive many Konoha ninjas.

Just as Natsuki had guessed, these were indeed the particular traits!

Natsuki carefully sensed his body's chakra, which had gradually expanded from a trickling stream, although it might take some time to complete.

At this moment, Natsuki released his control over the Nine-Tails. The Nine-Tails roared angrily but calmed down a bit.

He had realised that the person before him was not Madara Uchiha but another powerful Uchiha.

Natsuki lifted his chin slightly. "Let's officially introduce ourselves. I am the Deputy Clan Leader of the Uchiha, Uchiha Natsuki."

"Uchiha Natsuki." The Nine-Tails chewed over the not-so-unfamiliar name. He could sense the outside world through Naruto's body.

But Naruto's daily routine was simple: going back and forth between the Ninja Academy and home.

The rest of the time, he was in Konoha's Eighth Street.

The Nine-Tails' biggest impression was that the Uchiha had produced a very business-savvy Deputy Clan Leader, but he knew nothing about his combat abilities.

He hadn't expected him to be a powerful Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan user!

"I know you! Uchiha Natsuki! What are you doing here!?" The Nine-Tails was surprisingly cooperative, showing none of his usual defiance.

After all, it was wise to show respect to someone who could take his life at any moment.

Natsuki pulled the stunned Naruto over. "Nothing much. Just wanted to let you know that Uzumaki Naruto, your host, is my disciple. From now on, I'll be protecting him."

"When he extracts chakra, don't cause any trouble."

"Hahaha." The Nine-Tails let out a piercing laugh. "It's not that I intentionally disrupt his chakra flow; it's just that when he's nervous, my leaking chakra unconsciously affects him."

"This is his problem. You shouldn't blame me."

The Nine-Tails' enormous eyes were hidden behind the gate. While he could respect Natsuki, he had no intention of going easy on Naruto.

After all, he could control his leaking chakra, but why should he bother?

"Oh?" Although the Nine-Tails was telling the truth, his lack of respect displeased Natsuki.

As Natsuki was about to say something, Naruto tugged at his hand. "Teacher, let me handle this!"

Naruto told Natsuki, "Teacher, this is something I must face as a Jinchuriki."

"Alright." Natsuki nodded, curious to see how Naruto would deal with the Nine-Tails.

"What do you want, kid?" The Nine-Tails snorted, showing no affection for his landlord.

Despite the immense pressure, Naruto walked to the gate, looking at the fox whose head was more significant than a house, and mustered his courage.

"Nine-Tails! I want to be friends with you!"

"Ah..." Natsuki instantly felt a toothache. Was it going to be this method?

Natsuki watched as Naruto recounted his painful past, expressing his understanding of the Nine-Tails' suffering, and hoped they could work together in the future, blah blah blah.

Natsuki observed the fierce Nine-Tails gradually soften, feeling incredulous. Was this the power of Talk no Jutsu?

Had Naruto mastered the ability to "talk things out" so early? Or was this an inherent talent of Ashura's reincarnation?

Although the Nine-Tails ignored him after Naruto talked for a long time, Naruto didn't give up and kept babbling.

The Nine-Tails, extremely annoyed, roared, "Shut up," and then retreated behind the gate, refusing to come out no matter what Naruto said.

Seeing Naruto's undeterred spirit, Natsuki didn't have the time for his antics.

"Alright, Naruto." Natsuki interrupted Naruto's jutsu.

"You can talk to the Nine-Tails slowly in the future. I need to send you out now."

"Ah, okay!" Naruto scratched his head.

Natsuki instructed Naruto, "When you go out, still call me Senior Natsuki as usual, okay?"

"Why? Why can't I call you teacher?" Naruto's little head was full of questions.

Natsuki ruffled Naruto's hair. "It's just a title. Just listen to me."

Naruto pouted reluctantly but agreed.

Natsuki tapped Naruto's head, and Naruto slowly disappeared.