Unexpected Development

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Kakashi Hatake graduated from the Ninja Academy at the astonishing age of five. By twelve, he had already been promoted to Jōnin. Had it not been for the tragic events that followed, he might have become another Kage-level shinobi in Konohagakure, following in the footsteps of his sensei, Minato Namikaze, before the age of twenty.

Menma Uzumaki didn't aspire to such heights, nor did he think it realistic to aim for Jōnin status in just a few years. Kakashi's rapid rise was a result of his extraordinary talent, coupled with the intense growth forced upon him by countless battles on the blood-soaked fields of war.

Menma knew he wouldn't have those same opportunities—or trials. Instead, he focused on laying the strongest foundation he could. If he couldn't reach Jōnin, then Chūnin would be a more achievable goal.

At this crucial stage in his development, even the smallest improvement could have a profound impact on his future.

From the beginning of January until the April admissions period, Menma devoted himself entirely to the refinement and control of his chakra.

When you're fully immersed in something, time seems to fly by. What felt like an eternity to Menma was, in reality, just a little over three months. By the end of March, the early breath of spring had arrived.

From a chakra control perspective, Menma had reached a level that could be considered quasi-ninja. He could move at high speeds beyond the ability of ordinary people, and with a single leap, he could reach astonishing heights.

All of this was the result of his relentless training over the past few months. He had concentrated on perfecting his abilities, step by step, without rushing.

Menma's chakra was like a wellspring. Although he could only extract a small fraction of his potential, it was already more than what most shinobi in the world could achieve. This was one of Menma's greatest strengths.

In the original story, Kakashi once mentioned that Naruto's chakra, which had to suppress the Nine-Tails, was already four times greater than his own. Without the need to suppress the Nine-Tails, Naruto's chakra was said to be a hundred times that of Kakashi's.

It was unclear if Menma now was comparable to the Naruto from the original series, but as a member of the Uzumaki clan, Menma's chakra reserves were undoubtedly vast.

Even if he was only tapping into one percent of his potential, it was already a terrifying amount.

'That should be enough for today. Tomorrow is the day I start at the Ninja Academy. I should head home early to rest and prepare!' Menma thought.

Ending his practice for the day, Menma stood up, stretched, and glanced at the setting sun. Estimating the time, he began packing up to return home.

Although Menma felt the urgency of time, he was disciplined in his training. Even though the physical strength of people in this world far surpassed that of his previous life, Menma was still a child. He needed to pace himself.

His current training focused on the basics. More advanced techniques, such as tree climbing and water walking, would come later. Menma knew he wasn't ready for those yet. After all, he had only just begun refining chakra this year.

Training had to be approached step by step, one bite at a time.

Menma returned home earlier than usual. After a shower and dinner, he meditated briefly and then went to bed, eager to face his first day at the Ninja Academy with full energy.

However, tonight would not be as uneventful as Menma had expected.

It was a dark, quiet night, with the crescent moon slowly rising in the sky. Under the tranquil atmosphere, Menma drifted into a deep sleep, his breathing steady and calm.

But then, "Drip, drip," a clear sound of water echoed somewhere in the distance.

Menma's consciousness abruptly awakened.

"What is this?" he muttered, his eyes snapping open as he took in the dark, unfamiliar surroundings.

But it took only a second for recognition to set in, and a shiver ran down his spine.

He knew this place all too well.

Menma realized he had entered the sealed space within his body—the spiritual world where the Nine-Tails, Kurama, was confined.

'So, this is happening now,' Menma thought, feeling a mix of surprise and excitement. Although it was much sooner than he had anticipated, meeting the most powerful of the tailed beasts ahead of schedule was a welcome turn of events.

Despite Kurama being subdued by the likes of Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha in the past, there was no doubt about the beast's overwhelming power. In just a minute, Kurama could remind anyone why he was feared.

Kurama's power was going to be a cornerstone of Menma's strength in the future.

Menma began walking forward, heading towards the source of the ominous, dark energy.

The passage was long and dimly lit, with his footsteps echoing in the eerie silence. After taking a sharp turn, he arrived at a massive circular archway. Beyond it, a thick tide of scarlet chakra, visible even to the naked eye, slowly flowed.

Menma's small body trembled slightly. Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself and took a step forward, striding into the chamber.

Inside, the space opened up, and the light seemed to grow slightly brighter. A massive, floor-to-ceiling metal gate loomed before him, resembling a giant prison cell.

"Boom!"

Menma's arrival seemed to provoke the being within. A brilliant flash of red light burst forth, followed by a terrifying surge of chakra that shook the very ground beneath him. Waves of energy rolled through the air, hitting Menma with a gust of force.

Menma's expression hardened as he prepared himself.

"Hey, kid, come closer. Come a little closer."

A deep, seductive voice echoed in Menma's ears.

For a moment, Menma's mind went blank, and he subconsciously took a step forward, moving closer to the ominous presence before him.

---

A scarlet and violent aura began to swirl, forming a crimson cyclone of chakra slowly surrounding Menma.

As the force pulled him away from his original path, Menma, who had been walking forward with a confused expression, suddenly felt a jolt in his heart. His eyes cleared, and the brilliance returned to them as he regained his composure.

He steadied himself, halting in place.

When consciousness fully returned, Menma's face showed a look of lingering fear. The sensation, the temptation—it was overwhelming. He had to admit, it shook him deeply.

His gaze subconsciously lifted.

There, standing before him in all its terrifying glory, was the scarlet figure he had sensed—the most powerful of the tailed beasts, the Nine-Tails, Kurama.

"Haha, is this how you greet someone on our first meeting? That's not how a good tenant should behave, Nine-Tail."

Menma took a deep breath, calming the storm of emotions within him. He forced a faint smile as he looked up at the enormous figure of Kurama. Despite telling himself he had no reason to fear the Nine-Tails, his body instinctively trembled at the sheer terror of its presence.

Menma felt as though he were a small boat adrift in a violent storm, completely at the mercy of the waves. The power of the Nine-Tails—he could now grasp just a fraction of it.

And this was only half of the Nine-Tails' chakra at its peak.

Even with just half, Kurama was still on a level beyond that of any ordinary shinobi. Nagato, the man known as the gatekeeper of the Super Kage, couldn't suppress the Nine-Tails. His weakened Chibaku Tensei had utterly failed to contain it.

This wasn't just due to Nagato's weakened state—it also highlighted Kurama's terrifying power.

"Huh? It seems you've known about my existence for quite some time. You're no ordinary kid—truly extraordinary," Kurama rumbled, leaning down slightly to scrutinize Menma with his massive fox eyes. A trace of curiosity and surprise crossed the bijuu's features.

Even though Kurama was sealed within Menma, his perception couldn't be entirely suppressed. Over the past five years, he had sensed bits and pieces of the outside world through Menma. He had also been aware of Menma's emotional shifts and his outward displays that contradicted his inner feelings—enough to catch the beast's attention.

And now, this boy clearly knew about him.

Interesting.

This was getting interesting.

"Haha, of course I'm extraordinary. Otherwise, how could I be the vessel to seal you? This is actually the second time we've met, Nine-Tails. We're connected now, so how about we get along a little better?" Menma replied, casually sitting down cross-legged as if he were at home, smiling up at the beast.

"The second time? Kid, do you even know who I am!? You're joking if you think I'll ever share anything with you. Maybe if you handed over your body, I'd consider it!" Kurama sneered, the mockery evident in his tone.

Despite the boy's red hair and the aura of power he exuded, Kurama still saw him as nothing more than a six-year-old child.

Could a six-year-old even compare to his mother, Kushina Uzumaki, who had the power to control him with her sealing abilities?

Kurama didn't take Menma seriously.

"The first time was over five years ago,Nine-Tail

Oh, I know you won't die—you're the most powerful chakra entity. But if I die, it wouldn't be insignificant for you either, right? And as for giving you my body, well, if you think you can handle it, be my guest."

Menma smiled softly and, in a move that shocked Kurama, he stepped across the metal railing and walked directly into the beast's domain, all while Kurama's pupils narrowed in disbelief.

This was unexpected.

And what Menma said next was even more so.

"Over five years ago? Could it be… you!?" Kurama's massive eyes widened in realization as he stared at Menma, unsure of what to say.

"Of course it was more than five years ago. The masked man with the Sharingan, the seal our parents placed on you, my brother—Nine-Tail, I know everything."

Menma's voice was cold, his eyes lowering as he spoke.

Kurama froze for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"Hahahaha! So that's how it is! That old man thought you knew nothing. But this… this is interesting. You really are different, kid!"

Kurama's eyes gleamed with amusement and mockery. It was clear his disdain was directed at Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage.

Having lived for millennia, Kurama had a deep understanding of human nature. He knew exactly what Hiruzen had been planning. But now, from Menma's words, he could tell that the boy knew everything—his identity, his situation, and even his intentions.

And there was no doubt in Kurama's mind that Menma wasn't lying. As the embodiment of malevolent chakra, Kurama could sense negative emotions with ease. This was Menma's mental landscape—he couldn't read minds, but he could still judge that Menma was telling the truth.

This kid really had been conscious from the moment of his birth.

"So, doesn't that give us a basis for coexistence? Maybe even cooperation, Nine-Tail?" Menma asked with a sly grin.

"Hmph. Cooperation? Why would I ever cooperate with you, kid?" Kurama growled, looking down at Menma with disdain.

"Haha, I think there are plenty of reasons. If I die, it won't be good for you either, Kurama. Besides, don't you long for freedom? The kind of freedom that truly belongs to you."

Menma's voice was now seductive, his smile never fading as he met Kurama's gaze.

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