The chakra was similar to Kurama's, yet still different in some key ways. What really got to him, though, was the intoxicating scent that came with it.
Just as Kurama was about to investigate further, Kushina quickly tightened the seal, cutting off the chakra flow. Kurama was left staring dumbfounded.
"RAAGH! You little brat! I'll eat you! I'll rip you to shreds!" Kurama roared in frustration. Kushina was definitely messing with him on purpose, and it drove him mad.
On the other side of things, Takuya, who had been keeping the ANBU agents distracted, decided he had done enough. Tossing the drinks aside, he muttered, "Ungrateful, huh? I try to be nice, and this is the thanks I get."
The ANBU agents exchanged bewildered glances. They were utterly lost.
"What the hell just happened?"
"I have no idea. But I'll tell you this—part of me wants to beat that kid senseless."
"Go ahead. Weren't you the one calling him 'sir' just a moment ago?"
"Should we report this to the Hokage?"
"If you're fine with embarrassing yourself, be my guest. I'm staying out of it."
Deciding it wasn't worth the trouble, the two ANBU operatives agreed to act like nothing had happened. After all, getting berated by a ten-year-old was humiliating enough. The last thing they needed was the Hokage finding out.
As Takuya returned home, Snowy leapt into his arms. Stroking the soft fur, Takuya turned to Kushina.
"Alright, now's your chance. Head back into the seal. Kurama's bound to be freaking out by now."
A mischievous grin spread across Kushina's face. She had been annoyed by Kurama's refusal earlier, but knowing that the fox was likely stewing in frustration made it all worth it.
"Let's see how you like it, you big dumb fox," she thought to herself, excited about the next step in their plan.
As Kushina re-entered the seal, she found Kurama throwing one of his usual tantrums.
"What's your problem this time?" she asked, crossing her arms and glaring at him.
"YOU! You did that on purpose, you little brat!" Kurama roared, his eyes glowing with fury.
Of course, Kurama wasn't stupid. He knew Kushina had been messing with him as payback for refusing her request to lend her his chakra.
There were only two reasons a tailed beast would share its chakra: to weaken the seal and attempt an escape, or because it had fully accepted its jinchuriki. In Kushina's case, it was obvious that there was no chance of weakening the seal. Those damn Uzumaki chains were way too strong for that.
Kurama was well aware that with a jinchuriki from the Uzumaki clan, he was basically trapped. He couldn't erode the seal, and he had no hope of regaining his freedom. It was exactly why he had refused to share his power with her in the first place. No way was he going to willingly give up what little control he had left.
"Fine, whatever," Kushina shot back. "I can see you're not interested, so I'll just leave."
Kurama froze for a moment. "Wait, what did I even say?"
"Wait!" he called out, realizing he couldn't let this chance slip through his claws. Over the years, he had sensed this mysterious chakra more than once, and it had been driving him crazy with curiosity. Now that the opportunity was right in front of him, there was no way he could just let her walk away.
"Let's make a deal," Kurama grumbled, trying to sound like he wasn't desperate.
"A deal?" Kushina raised an eyebrow.
"I still refuse to lend you my chakra," Kurama growled. "But... let's negotiate a different condition."
"Not a chance," Kushina said, firm in her resolve. "I want your chakra, nothing less."
Kurama was losing his patience. "You're being ridiculous, brat! You're just like the other Uzumaki jinchuriki. You're stuck here in Konoha, just like Mito was. You'll never have the chance to use my power in battle, so why even bother?"
"That's for me to worry about," Kushina replied coldly. "Now, are you going to agree or not?"
Kurama was starting to feel the pressure. He could tell that Kushina wasn't going to back down, and if he didn't play along, he might lose his only shot at figuring out that mysterious chakra.
Taking a deep breath, Kurama finally asked, "So, you just want to borrow my chakra? You don't need me to help you control it?"
Kushina nodded. "That's right. You just give me the chakra. I'll handle the rest."
Kurama was torn. He hated the idea of becoming a chakra battery for this girl, but the curiosity was killing him. After a long, agonizing pause, he gave in.
"Fine," he muttered. "But in return, you have to find out what that chakra was."
Kushina's smile widened. "Deal. And don't try to back out—you know I won't let you off the hook if you do."
Kurama scoffed. "Unlike you humans, I'm not a liar. I'm Kurama, the Nine-Tails! I don't go back on my word."
"So, where did that chakra come from?" Kurama demanded, eager for answers.
"It's Takuya's summon," Kushina said matter-of-factly.
Kurama blinked. "A summon? You're joking, right?"
"There's nothing funny about it. Takuya's summon is a fox just like you, only it's white, way smaller, and has nine little fluffy tails. It even smells great," Kushina explained, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "It's way cuter than you, too."
Kurama's eyes widened in shock. A summoning creature... with chakra like his?
Memories of his past came rushing back—the day Uchiha Madara had come and used the Sharingan to control him, forcing him into a summoning contract. That day had been one of Kurama's greatest humiliations.
Could Takuya's summon be in a similar situation?
"What... what kind of fox is it?" Kurama asked cautiously.
Kushina didn't hesitate. "Like I said, it's a white fox with nine tails and better looking than you. Takuya calls it Snowy."