Chapter 253 : Nine Tails is an old Tsundere!

The scene freezes, as if marking the end of the tailed beasts' era.

For viewers from other worlds, the bond between Naruto and the Nine Tails—where the beast sacrificed its life for him—was touching and almost impossible to imagine. 

But for those within the ninja world, it shattered their perceptions of what it meant to be a tailed beast.

It was already shocking enough for a tailed beast and its Jinchūriki to coexist peacefully, but a tailed beast willingly sacrificing itself for its human host? That was unheard of.

Even though the initial reveal of "Death of Nine Tails" hinted at Kurama's demise, no one seemed particularly worried. After all, everyone knew that tailed beasts could eventually be resurrected. 

According to the records of the various villages, if a Jinchūriki died, the tailed beast would eventually reemerge somewhere in the ninja world after about twenty years.

However, no one expected Nine Tails to permanently vanish after using the Baryon Mode. 

In the footage, Nine Tails himself mentioned that he was heading somewhere else, suggesting that his journey was toward the afterlife or the Pure Land. 

He even joked that if Naruto didn't change his impulsive nature, he'd find him in the next world soon enough.

This hinted at the possibility of another Nine Tails emerging in the ninja world decades later, but it wouldn't be the same Kurama with the original soul and personality.

Back in the village, Kushina's eyes were bloodshot, overwhelmed by a whirlwind of emotions. Her spirit felt drained, teetering between hope and despair. 

The Baryon Mode might not kill a Jinchūriki, which meant that Naruto's future wasn't set in stone.

Despite feeling sorrow for Nine Tails, Kushina was grateful that her son could still survive. It was a mix of relief and happiness.

Others like Jiraiya, Minato, and Itachi felt a sense of relief and calmness as well, their expressions relaxing as the gravity of the situation lifted.

However, Naruto felt different. His face was pale, his head downcast, and his hair obscuring his eyes. His expression was a complicated mix of despair, fear, anger, and frustration.

"Naruto,"

Kushina gently stroked Naruto's hair, her touch soothing, but Naruto suddenly looked up, his expression troubled.

Tears streaked down his cheeks, surprising everyone around him.

"I'm sorry, Dad, Mom!"

And with those words, Naruto vanished.

The shock rippled through the gathering like a bolt of lightning.

"Flying Thunder God!?" Jiraiya exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief as he turned toward Minato.

But Minato was equally stunned. He took a deep breath, then managed a strained smile. "He kept asking me to teach him, but after a while, he stopped. I thought he lost interest."

"Turns out he figured it out on his own," Minato said, a mix of pride and concern in his voice.

Jiraiya was astonished. "It took you more than a year to master that technique, right?" he asked, trying to make sense of what just happened. "And it only took Naruto ten days? That's amazing!"

He added, "Maybe it's the Uzumaki pure bloodline, or maybe it's because the Nine Tails' chakra doesn't interfere with him. Naruto's true potential is finally showing!"

But Kushina wasn't celebrating. She gripped Minato's shirt tightly, panic in her eyes. "Minato, hurry, follow him! He's going to release the Nine Tails!"

Her voice trembled with fear. Despite having mastered the Flying Thunder God technique as well due to the rewards, she was at a loss for what to do. 

She knew Minato might not be able to follow Naruto's unique path with the technique.

The urgency gripped everyone, and silence fell over the group. Minato's face grew pale, his worst fears taking shape. He knew Kushina's instinct was probably correct. Naruto's expression and words confirmed that something was terribly wrong.

As Minato stood there, trying to formulate a plan, Kushina's legs grew weak. She almost collapsed from the stress and fear. 

But before she fell, a puff of white smoke appeared, and the Sage of Six Paths materialized.

"Uzumaki descendants, don't worry," he said with a calm voice. "I'll go find Naruto. He will be fine."

With those reassuring words, he vanished into the air, leaving a trace of hope. Kushina felt some relief wash over her. The situation was still uncertain, but at least someone with power and wisdom was now involved.

At the edge of a waterfall, next to a large tree with a spell carved into its trunk, Naruto suddenly appeared. His eyes were red from tears, but he wiped them away as he entered the sealed space where Kurama resided.

"Kurama!" Naruto called out as soon as he entered. 

The Nine-Tails' ears twitched at the sound, but he kept his eyes shut, ignoring the boy. However, what Naruto said next made him open his eyes in shock, as if struck by lightning.

"I'm letting you out!" Naruto declared with unwavering determination.

The Nine-Tails sat up, fixing his gaze on the boy standing before him.

"Do you know what you're saying, Uzumaki Naruto?" Kurama asked, a mixture of anger and disbelief in his voice.

Naruto moved closer, standing directly in Kurama's line of sight, and repeated slowly but firmly, "I said, I'm going to let you go."

The Nine-Tails shifted his massive body, leaning his gigantic head toward the sealed barrier. He bared his fangs and spoke coldly, "You do realize that if a Jinchūriki loses their tailed beast, they die, right? Even with Uzumaki blood, you might last a few more hours at most—there's no second chance."

Despite Kurama's ominous warning, Naruto remained calm and responded with resolve, "You should be free. I don't have the right to imprison you."

Kurama slapped a large paw against the barrier and sneered, "What's with this pretense? Are you trying to win me over with this self-righteous talk? Did you see something in that future video that made you want my power?"

His voice dripped with disdain. "That's right, that power could put you at the pinnacle of the ninja world, and no human could resist such a temptation."

Naruto didn't argue. Instead, he looked into the angry beast's eyes with a gentle expression, as if he was trying to memorize Kurama's appearance. 

Then, a soft smile crossed his lips, and he spoke kindly, "Kurama, this might be the last time I call you that."

"It's a pity. I would've liked to write a song for you tailed beasts." He chuckled slightly. "But I won't get the chance. Anyway, remember, try to be less angry in the future. Don't cause unnecessary destruction. Find a peaceful place where you won't be bothered."

Naruto paused, his voice growing softer. "And don't let yourself be caught by humans again. If you see one, don't fight. Just run."

Naruto spoke in detail, his words carrying the same anxious tone that the Nine-Tails had when he left a message in a video before he died.

After speaking, Naruto vanished.

Outside, he opened his eyes without hesitation and lit a chakra flame on his fingertips. Then, he pressed his fingers onto his stomach.

As time passed, the Eight Trigrams Seal on Naruto's stomach began to emerge. Naruto twisted his body, and the seal transformed into ink, flowing downward.

The Eight Trigrams Seal was fully unlocked!

Meanwhile, in the sealed space, the Nine-Tails stared ahead in shock.

Right in front of him, the barrier that had trapped him for twelve years completely dissolved, disappearing entirely.

But that wasn't all; he also noticed a well-like structure deep within the space, glowing with a bright light.

Freedom!

Finally, he could leave this place. It was the freedom he had longed for, for so many years!

The breeze blew softly, and the leaves drifted down gently.

Naruto crouched beneath a tree, scratching his head with a puzzled expression.

"Did I do something wrong? It's been several minutes, but the Eight Trigrams Seal hasn't released Kurama yet," he muttered to himself. "Maybe the inner seal didn't break?"

Concerned, Naruto re-entered the dimly lit inner space.

To his surprise, the barrier seal was indeed gone, but the Nine-Tails hadn't moved. He was lying there as if nothing had changed, with his ears drooping, seemingly fast asleep.

"Hey, Kurama!" Naruto shouted, worried that he might have injured the Nine-Tails while unsealing him.

No response. Naruto shouted again, louder this time.

"It's annoying! It's annoying! You're so loud, you stinky brat! Don't disturb my sleep!" Kurama growled, sitting up and rubbing his eyes with his paw. After giving Naruto a solid whack, he laid back down and closed his eyes.

Naruto propped himself up with his arms and sat, looking at the Nine-Tails. "Okay, but it's time for you to go out," he said.

Kurama instantly exploded in anger, shouting in a raspy voice:

"What's wrong with you, you idiot kid? It's dangerous out there! You want me to go out and get myself killed?"

"It's not Uchiha Madara out there now; it's the Ōtsutsuki clan!"

"Why would I leave? There's no way I'm going out! Now get out of here and let me sleep!"

"And don't forget to close the door behind you!"

"Yes, no beating around the bush!

Kurama's barrage of cannonballs sent Naruto flying in a loop!

Outside, in the dense forest, the Sage of Six Paths, who had been listening in on the conversation, couldn't help but shake his head with a wry smile.

'This Kurama, always the grumpy old Tsundere,' he thought."

****

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