Konoha, Year 55.
Winter hung heavy over the village, the sky a flat, uniform grey.
Naruto, eight years old now, felt the gloom sink into his bones. It had been a year since Goku left, a year since the Nine-Tails returned to its cage inside him. The anniversary did nothing to lift his spirits. Even walking Hinata back to the Hyuga compound, her quiet presence beside him usually a small comfort, couldn't shake his distraction today. He felt listless, adrift.
He'd hit a wall. That was the problem gnawing at him. His training, which had once brought such clear, satisfying leaps in strength, had slowed to a crawl.
Gone were the days of explosive growth. Now, he was lucky to see even a sliver of improvement after days of work.
Part of it was his age. He was growing, and his body was funnelling everything into physical development. His ki growth had slowed with it.
He needed time. A few more years until his body settled. Then he could expect real gains from training. Forcing it now wouldn't do much good.
The bottleneck had him on edge.
Sure, He could toss the Nine-Tails over his shoulder now, sure. The fox didn't even try matching him physically anymore, forced to rely on chakra bursts just to keep up. Still, it wasn't enough.
'Fear comes from weakness,' Naruto thought grimly, echoing a sentiment he'd heard somewhere. And right now, he felt weak.
Being stronger than the Nine-Tails wasn't anything special. Plenty of people were stronger than the fox. The fact that Kurama had been sealed in the first place proved that.
Besides, the Kurama inside him was only half of the beast.
He had been defeated and sealed at his full strength.
He had to learn from Kurama's mistakes.
He had to get stronger. Then stronger again.
Since his ki and physical power were stalled, he'd have to find another way.
Which brought him back to chakra. The power of this world, the foundation of being a ninja.
Chakra: the lifeblood of this world, the foundation of any ninja.
'Time to learn chakra control,' he decided. 'Properly.'
Since no one in Konoha seemed willing to teach him, he'd just have to ask someone who wasn't exactly human.
With newfound resolve, Naruto shifted his focus inward, his surroundings dissolving as his consciousness appeared inside the seal space. He walked towards the towering iron gate, ignoring Kurama's wary, pained gaze.
"Hey! Brat! What do you want now?" the Nine-Tails bellowed, scrambling back slightly as Naruto approached. "I'm telling you, my stomach feels... off today. Really."
Lately, whenever Naruto got bored, he'd show up here looking to 'spar', leaving the fox reeling until he finally stopped.
It wasn't just the beatings, the kid was relentless, annoying, a walking barrage of questions that grated on Kurama's nerves, even in his chakra form. He might be first tailed beast to die from stress. He was genuinely starting to dread these visits. Eight years old... that bratty age everyone hated. Foxes included, apparently.
Kurama watched Naruto's path, realizing with a flicker of relief that the boy wasn't heading directly for him. But then his eyes followed Naruto's gaze to the seals plastered across the gate, and a cold dread washed over him. "You wouldn't-?!" he gasped.
Naruto reached for the paper seal.
"Stop! Kid, I mean it! Even if you tear that thing off, I'm not going anywhere!" Kurama frantically slapped one massive paw against the gate, using the other to try and shove Naruto back.
It was useless. Naruto pushed forward effortlessly against the fox's strength.
"Don't try to sweet-talk me!"
"I said I won't leave! I'm staying right here! I won't budge!"
"Go back! Just go back! Okay, fine, I'll give you my power! I promise I won't trick you this time. I am really sorry for trying to trick you last time!"
Naruto ignored him, fingers closing around the edge of the seal tag.
"Stop! No! Stop!"
"Don't even think about going one-on-one with me!"
Amidst Kurama's desperate cries, Naruto's hand tightened on the seal.
Kurama squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for the inevitable.
Just as Naruto began to tear the paper, a warm, large hand covered his own, stopping him gently but firmly.
A figure shimmered into existence behind Naruto. Blonde hair, blue eyes, a handsome face etched with resolve. He wore the distinctive white haori, flames licking its hem. The sight of him radiated a warmth, a sunny, reassuring chakra that filled the bleak seal space like a sunrise. It felt safe, calming, as though his mere presence could resolve any problem. It was a stark contrast to the usual energies found in the ninja world.
The figure settled lightly, the haori swirling around him. Five characters stood out starkly on the back: Fourth Hokage.
Minato Namikaze.
Konoha's Yellow Flash. The youngest Hokage. Husband to Kushina Uzumaki, the previous jinchuriki. Teacher to Kakashi Hatake. A legend whispered in awe by allies and dread by enemies – enemies who were told they could abandon their mission without penalty if they ever encountered him. Even the official records spoke of the 'Yellow Flash' who cut through the darkness, soaring through space-time itself.
He was... also Naruto's father.
Perhaps perfect as a husband, ninja, Hokage, and teacher, but as a father... Minato fell short.
Minato's gaze softened as he looked down at Naruto, then sharpened incredibly as he turned towards the cage. "Nine-Tails," he began, his voice low and dangerous. "Are you trying to lure Naruto..."
"Minato?" Seeing the Fourth Hokage, Kurama's panic turned instantly to desperate relief. He didn't even register Minato's words, just pointed a massive claw past the bars at Naruto. "Minato, hurry! Stop your kid! Don't let him tear off the seal!"
Minato blinked, looking from the terrified Nine-Tails back to his son's hand, still frozen on the seal tag. "...?"
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