Konoha: Comparison of Naruto

Chapter 30: Guidance From Nine Tails?

_____

Watching the changes on the screen in the sky, Naruto swallowed nervously.

At the very least, he didn't want his performance to be worse than that of his counterpart over there.

While he knew about past experiences, the future was uncertain.

No one could guarantee what would happen.

Naruto's face gradually appeared on the black-framed screen, and a voice echoed from above.

---

["There's only one month left before the graduation exam. I hope everyone studies hard after class and practices diligently."]

["Strive to pass the graduation exam on the first attempt."]

[Iruka stood with one hand on his waist, a look of satisfaction on his face.]

[After seven years together, this group of children was finally about to become independent ninjas.]

[As their teacher, Iruka felt immense pride.]

---

["Iruka-Sensei, will we all be able to become ninjas and wear those cool forehead protectors?"]

["Yeah! I'm so excited to become a ninja!"]

["Hahaha, it's going to be so awesome to take on all kinds of difficult missions."]

["..."]

[The students in the class buzzed with excitement about their impending graduation.]

[Only Naruto and Sasuke sat quietly, their faces showing no emotion.]

---

[The bell rang, signaling the end of class.]

[Naruto walked into the bathroom alone, looked around to ensure no one was there, and then...]

[Boom!]

[A puff of white smoke rose, and Naruto disappeared.]

[Konoha Village Back Mountain...]

[Naruto sat still, his eyes closed.]

[Inside his spiritual world, he stood before the Eight Trigrams Seal, facing Nine Tails behind the gate.]

["Hey, Big Fox, I want to talk to you."]

["I'm graduating in one month. Shouldn't you do something to celebrate, like teaching me a powerful jutsu?"]

["Think of it as a graduation gift for me becoming a ninja."]

[Naruto spread his hands wide, his tone half-joking.]

[After all, under Iruka's guidance, Naruto had barely learned anything beyond the Transformation Jutsu, Clone Jutsu, and Body Replacement Technique.]

[Of course, Naruto couldn't be sure if Iruka genuinely didn't know more jutsu or simply hadn't taught anyone. Either way, Naruto had learned little under him.]

[Aside from two jutsu granted by Hiruzen, Naruto's knowledge was limited to the basic Three Body Techniques.]

[He had spent seven years refining his Chakra and had even tried to explore the concept of Chakra nature. Unfortunately, without any corresponding ninjutsu, he had no clue about his own Chakra attributes.]

[Hearing Naruto's request, Nine Tails stared in disbelief.]

[Ever since their first meeting, Naruto had been relentless, leaving Nine Tails utterly exhausted by his constant chatter.]

[Still, during moments of silence, Nine Tails had thought about what Naruto had said in the past.]

[Perhaps Naruto was right—if the seal was broken, countless ninjas would come hunting him.]

[Moreover, the Nine Tails, having lived for thousands of years, was well aware of the persistent greed of these ninjas. To capture tailed beasts, they would come one after another, and even death couldn't quench their insatiable desire.]

[The Nine Tails also worried about the possibility of being sealed again, uncertain of what kind of person the next Jinchūriki might be.]

[Each week, the fox's heart grew more weary.]

[The Nine Tails raised its gaze, squinting at Naruto in front of him. Despite this kid's constant noise, at least life had become a bit less boring.]

["Heh, congratulations on becoming a ninja. Teach you ninjutsu?"]

["Who do you think you are to dare command me, the great Nine Tails?"]

[The Nine Tails snorted coldly, silently lamenting Naruto's audacity.]

["So that's it? I thought you were powerful, but you're just a bundle of Chakra with nothing else to offer."]

["If you can't transform your Chakra into ninjutsu, taijutsu, or genjutsu for effective combat, then having Chakra is pointless."]

["No wonder you ended up sealed."]

---

Sure enough, the audience was once again dumbfounded by Naruto's antics.

Naruto's behavior was always unpredictable. The last time, he had tried to brainwash the Nine Tails, and now, he was outright teasing it.

Seeing the Nine Tails furious yet helpless behind the seal, everyone could see that the Nine Tails had clearly become the victim in this relationship.

Most Jinchūriki feared the tailed beast inside them and resented their fate for being chosen as hosts.

But Black Naruto was entirely different—he seemed to treat the situation as a source of joy to lighten the burdens of life.

---

["You little...!"]

[Boom!]

[The Nine Tails slammed its massive sharp claws against the gate once more.]

["Who do you think I am?! I am—"]

["The great Lord Nine Tails, the great Lord Nine Tails."]

[Naruto gently touched the Nine Tails' sharp claws, cutting it off mid-sentence. "You've said it so many times my ears are practically callused."]

["You—"] The Nine Tails stared at Naruto in disbelief.

["Don't get so angry. Besides, think about it—you've been in my body for twelve years. Thanks to me, you've been free from all external disturbances for twelve whole years."]

["Whenever you seem bored, I take the initiative to talk to you, share my daily life, and help you pass the time."]

["Given all that, isn't it fair for you to share a bit of your knowledge with me in return?"]

["And if I become stronger, no one will dare to target you in the future. Then you can stay with me in peace."]

["True freedom comes from peace of mind."]

["Don't you agree?"]

Nine Tails: "That actually makes sense! Where did this kid learn to spout so much nonsense?"

Uzumaki Naruto: "Big fox, please calm down. That guy isn't me, so why are you so angry?"

How could the Nine Tails not be angry?

Anyone could see that, in the other world, Naruto was different, but the rest of the world seemed mostly unchanged.

The Tailed Beast, normally bound and restricted within a Jinchūriki's body, was now being told they were protected by their Jinchūriki.

Naturally, the Tailed Beasts found this idea utterly unacceptable.

---

Shukaku: "That Naruto brat! What does he mean? We Tailed Beasts need protection from our Jinchūriki?"

Matatabi: "Exactly. We're the ones giving them power to protect themselves. That kid is just twisting the truth."

Kokuō: "And then he goes on about 'freedom of the heart being real freedom.' If that kid were in front of me, I'd kick him into next week."

Gyūki: "Calm down. I think he's not entirely wrong. Compared to him, my current host treats me like a friend. I stay within him without any feeling of being bound."

Killer Bee: "Yo! Black Naruto looks all playful, but what he says and does is real talk. Freedom of the heart is greater than freedom of the body. That's true freedom, ya dig? Yay!"

Shukaku: "That kid is just cunning, always twisting things around. I bet that fox is being totally manipulated by him."

Nine Tails: "Huh? What are you yammering about, you stupid raccoon cat? Me, manipulated by some yellow-haired brat? Don't make me laugh."

---

[Both sides fell silent for a long time.]

[Suddenly, Naruto's eyes lit up. "Hey! You always say humans are greedy and selfish, but you Tailed Beasts aren't much better."]

["I thought you were different from the rest, but it turns out..."]

["Shut up, you little brat!"] the Nine Tails roared, sending sound waves so powerful that Naruto's hair became a disheveled mess.

[Does more knowledge always make you wiser?]

[The Nine Tails gave Naruto a tired look, silently thinking to itself that children were always naïve and self-righteous.]

["I won't teach you anything else, but I can share some insights about your father's ninjutsu."]

[After speaking, the Nine Tails straightened its massive body, its expression turning majestic and imposing.]

[But deep down, it muttered to itself: As the Nine Tails, I cannot let myself be underestimated by this yellow-haired brat. I may not know human ninjutsu, but no one understands the Tailed Beast Bomb better than me.]