Jiraiya stared at the massive orange body seated on the throne.
No matter how hard he tried to piece it together, he still couldn't understand how those two words could be associated with Naruto—unless those two words were actually referring to the "Nine-Tails."
But even with Naruto being so powerful now, was he still unable to escape the influence of the Tailed Beast?
The Great Toad Sage spoke softly: "Little Jiraiya."
The white-haired man snapped out of his thoughts.
"In my original prophecy, he was supposed to be entangled with a black-haired, red-eyed boy," the sage said with a peculiar tone. "But now, I can no longer be certain whether the future will unfold as I saw."
"He's a very strange child. He will bring change to this world."
"Just like—"
The Great Toad Sage fell silent mid-sentence.
It was reminded of the prophecy it had made to the Sage of Six Paths over a thousand years ago.
That child was searching for a Pure Land. Eventually, the two of them would meet.
Jiraiya took these words to heart. Seeing the Great Toad Sage had nothing more to say, he left Mount Myōboku.
Land of Fire, in a small town's snack shop.
Karin was carefully reading the transcribed text, frowning and murmuring, "Something feels off."
Naruto leaned over, noticing her gaze had landed on the story about "that woman."
"He lied in that part," Naruto said calmly and decisively.
Karin blinked in surprise. "You used Kagura Shingan on it?"
This technique allowed one to detect lies through chakra.
Naruto nodded. "Yeah, I did. But only that part was a lie—the rest was true."
"From the moment the Sage of Six Paths defeated his mother onward, everything else was honest."
Why did the Great Toad Sage lie about the story involving the Sage of Six Paths and his mother?
Naruto didn't really care.
He understood that sometimes, the truth wasn't always suitable for the public.
After all, the Sage of Six Paths was the founder of ninjutsu and needed a completely positive image. Maybe the lie was to protect that image.
Karin seemed thoughtful.
Back at Mount Myōboku, she'd also wanted to use Kagura Shingan, but she hadn't dared. The aura of those toads was quite intimidating—not the kind of presence regular Jonin could handle.
She was about to say something.
Across the table, there was a flash of white smoke.
Karin immediately shut her mouth.
Jiraiya had been reverse-summoned back. Looking at Naruto, he grinned. "Seems like the Great Toad Sage didn't answer all your questions."
"At least I now know part of the history," Naruto said calmly, shaking his head. "Eliminating false guesses makes future searching easier."
He had also confirmed one thing: the Great Toad Sage had indeed lived for over a thousand years.
If Mount Myōboku had such a long-lived being, then the so-called "Sacred Land" Ryūchi Cave likely had similar entities as well.
"How's your control over the Nine-Tails' power?" Jiraiya finally asked the question that had been on his mind.
Naruto smiled. "We're getting along fairly well."
"My father's technique—I don't think I'll need it."
Jiraiya made a puzzled sound.
What did he mean by not needing it?
"I made a deal with the Nine-Tails not to forcefully use its power," Naruto said seriously. "So there's no need to—"
Jiraiya laughed. "You're just like your father."
"But you've misunderstood. Minato's technique wasn't meant to suppress the Nine-Tails."
He looked down, a hint of nostalgia in his expression.
"Your mother was also a Jinchūriki. Minato was always worried about her."
"So the technique was actually a way for Kushina to coexist better with the Nine-Tails."
To better coexist with the Nine-Tails?
Inside Naruto's mental world, the Nine-Tails flicked its tail.
It agreed with that statement. Minato had been a good man. If it could choose a Jinchūriki, between Kushina and Minato—it would choose Minato.
Jiraiya's expression turned serious. "But before I teach you that technique—"
"There's one important question: Can you completely resist the Nine-Tails' power?"
"There's a 'gate' your father set up in the seal inside you. If you want to learn that technique, you must first open that gate."
He paused, then continued, "You've probably noticed that the more you use the Nine-Tails' power, the harder it gets, and the greater the risk of losing control."
Naruto nodded. Before he had awakened the Asura Blade, using the Nine-Tails' power had indeed come with great risk.
"That's because Tailed Beasts have a unique life form. Their chakra and consciousness are intertwined," Jiraiya explained. "Borrowing the Nine-Tails' chakra also brings its consciousness with it."
"When Minato sealed the Nine-Tails in you, you were just a baby."
"To ensure your safety, he added an extra layer of seal on top of the original."
"This prevented the Nine-Tails' power from having too much influence."
"But if that gate is opened, the Nine-Tails' full power will be released."
"All its hatred and will would come flooding out. If you can't resist it, the Nine-Tails will devour you and fully revive."
"Naruto… are you ready for that?"
Naruto took the golden short blade from his waist and placed it on the table.
Jiraiya was stunned, not understanding what this meant.
"When I use the Nine-Tails' power now, I don't feel like I'm about to lose control anymore," Naruto said quietly, staring at the blade.
Asura didn't just enhance his techniques.
It also connected him to the Nine-Tails.
Especially after the promise he made to the Nine-Tails, that connection had grown even stronger.
"I just haven't tried drawing more power from the Nine-Tails yet," he continued.
He had gained Asura on the night Kensei Muguruma and the others had their incident.
Soon after, Urahara Kisuke and Yoruichi Shihōin escaped to the human world, disappearing.
He and the Nine-Tails had reconciled about a year ago, after learning the truth about his parents' deaths from Jiraiya.
Since he hadn't returned to Soul Society yet, Naruto had been afraid of losing control and hurting Karin.
So he hadn't had a good chance to try releasing more tails.
"Is that so?" Jiraiya nodded.
"But it's worth a try." Naruto grabbed the hilt of the blade and looked up, smiling brightly. "I don't think the Nine-Tails is the embodiment of hatred, like you said, Jiraiya-sensei."
Karin remembered what Naruto had said to that horrible, deceptively heavy woman back in the Hidden Mist Village.
"Tailed Beasts are mirrors."
If that were true—
Then the side Naruto reflected shouldn't be so terrible.
"Nine-Tails, shall we try it?" Naruto sent a message inward.
The Nine-Tails snorted but didn't object.
"It agreed." Naruto turned to Jiraiya. "Let's pick a place."
After eating, they went to a forest far from human settlements and found a clearing.
Jiraiya informed Konoha in advance—
To avoid panic if too much power was released.
Naruto set up sealing techniques around the area.
This was a precaution. If he lost control after entering Tailed Beast mode, the seals would activate and restrain him.
Jiraiya was cautious and summoned a giant toad, also calling Fukasaku and Shima for backup, ready to enter Sage Mode and reinforce the seals if needed.
Once everything was prepared—
Naruto stood at the center of the sealing formation, raising both blades.
Incantation:
"Cry in agony, sing in mercy, wrath spins the wheel—Nine-Tails Asura!"
Chakra surged. Golden light cloaked his body.
Massive pressure rolled outward, causing the wind to stir and trees to sway.
The little toad with the "Loyalty" necklace took two steps back.
Even the residual aura was too much for it to bear.
This wasn't a situation it, as an immature toad, could handle.
"Gamabunta should be the one here."
"What an awe-inspiring power," Fukasaku said gravely. "Is this the Nine-Tails' power?"
"But I don't recall any Jinchūriki having this form."
Jiraiya was shocked and awed. "This must be Naruto's own development of the Nine-Tails' power."
"It feels totally different from the Nine-Tails I've seen before."
He had encountered the Nine-Tails' power several times before. Hatred, savagery, fear… practically a walking natural disaster composed of negative emotions.
But now, the Nine-Tails' power Naruto wielded—
It felt surprisingly positive, radiant, confident, and full of vitality—and of course, overwhelmingly powerful.
Naruto took a deep breath and looked down at the Nine-Tails blade.
At the hilt dangled six red tassels.
When no tail manifested, the number of tassels represented his Tailed Beast transformation stage.
"Nine-Tails," he called inward.
The great fox said nothing but generously lent more of its power.
A seventh tassel unfurled from the hilt.
Naruto remained fully conscious—no sign of mental erosion or instability.
He gauged the situation and felt he could go further.
He accepted even more of the Nine-Tails' chakra.
The eighth tassel appeared.
His rationality still intact—but then Naruto suddenly noticed a strange chakra emerging inside his inner world.
It wasn't his, nor the Nine-Tails'.
Nor was it Asura's.
It was just a tiny wisp—faint, but definitely powerful. Its owner must have been incredibly strong.
What was this power?
When was it planted in him?
Naruto focused his mind and dove into his inner world.
(End of Chapter)