Chapter 112 - 12

Chapter 12: The Deal, Hyuga HinataNaruto returned to his rented room, sat on the bed, and recalled Mizuki's words, the Sandaime's evasiveness, and the malicious gaze in the room...Although it was emotionally difficult to accept, his rationality told him: the Nine-Tailed was most likely right...Am I the Hokage's son?But why should he bear everything?!Negative emotions continuously surged, enveloping him..."Kid, how was your investigation?"Kurama's voice echoed in Naruto's mind. Narutoonce again immersed himself in his consciousness, returning to that space.Kurama scrutinized the kid, clearly sensing the negative emotions on him."Quite the look in your eyes, kid! Do you need my help? As long as you remove this seal, we can have a good fight and completely destroy Konoha..."Kurama grinned, leaned close to the bars, and said."Let's not, Kurama. Do you want to be sealed again?"Naruto wasn't swayed by Kurama's words and spoke calmly."Tsk! How boring!"Kurama sneezed, then lowered himself and lay on the ground.Naruto put the problem out of his mind, deciding to continue playing his role well. Strength was what truly mattered.He began to try practicing the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu. After a long while, his brow gradually furrowed.His Chakra circulation was constantly being interfered with...He quietly watched the fox behind the bars. The fox seemed to be asleep and paid no attention to Naruto."Kurama, let's make a deal...""Hoo-hoo—"Kurama was still snoring, seemingly not hearing what Naruto was saying."You and I are both dissatisfied with Konoha..."Kurama's breathing paused."I need strength to break free from Konoha's control. You don't want to be imprisoned with me in Konoha, do you? It must be very boring to stay here all the time...""The terms of the deal are: you stop interfering with my training, and I can allow you to observe the outside world through my senses."Kurama opened its eyes and sneered."Why should I help you?""Helping me is helping you. Do you want to continue being imprisoned inside me?""I won't force you to do things you don't like because I hate it when others do that to me. I want to be friends with you...""Hahahaha! Don't joke around, kid! How could a human want to be friends with a Tailed Beast!"Kurama burst into laughter as if it had heard a hilarious joke, shaking the water surface.Then it suddenly gripped the bars, glaring at Naruto."I'm different. Perhaps I have an unusual connection with the Six Paths Sage. Some things might have been passed down within me..."Naruto's words made Kurama freeze."Perhaps as my strength increases, I'll know more..."Kurama remained silent, watching the serious figure."Put your hand in, kid."Kurama interrupted Naruto. Naruto paused, then extended his hand."Quite bold... Aren't you afraid I'll hurt you?"Naruto looked at Kurama seriously and said."I believe you won't. I want to try to coexist with you, I'm serious.""Easy to say..."Kurama slightly tilted its head, seemingly a bit afraid to meet those fervent eyes, and also extended a claw, gently touching Naruto's fist.A moment later, Kurama's tail behind it pushed Naruto's hand away. Naruto stepped back two paces, looking at Kurama with confusion."You passed, you filthy kid..."Kurama turned around, showing a hint of panic and shyness, no longer paying attention to Naruto.Naruto breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that Kurama might have used this method to test his inner self.Fortunately, he genuinely desired to get along with Kurama, whether for the system's rewards or other reasons, and he was convinced it wouldn't harm him...Just... filthy?Naruto looked at the system panel with some confusion:[Current Target Affection: 10→30→25][Current Target Status: Sealed]Why was it fluctuating? After briefly pondering this question, Naruto, back in the real world, cast it aside and resumed his training.After all, power was key.The morning sun pierced through the thin fog, dyeing the eaves of the Ninja Academy a pale gold.Naruto pushed open the creaking wooden door of the classroom. The anticipated clamor and curses did not arrive as expected.The classroom was unusually quiet. As Naruto's gaze swept across, many people hastily lowered their heads, pretending to organize scrolls on their desks, or unnaturally looking out the window.A clear circle of empty space surrounded his seat, as if it had become a forbidden zone no one dared to enter.It wasn't until Naruto's enhanced hearing caught the extremely low, yet mosquito-like dense whispers that he understood why:"Quick, move over here... stay away from him...""What's wrong, that demon... *muffled*...""Shhh—are you trying to die?! Keep your voice down~ Don't let him hear you. He beat up three Uchiha clan Genin yesterday...""Huh? Really? Wasn't he always a dead last?""Absolutely true! Anyway, I heard those three were miserable. One of them was unconscious and kept screaming his name, telling him to stay away, trembling all over...""Hiss—that terrifying! I used to curse him too, will I be targeted?""Let's get away quickly, before he comes looking for us..."Similar sounds rippled quietly through every corner of the classroom.Naruto realized he had gained such a reputation, and so he calmly continued his training, pondering the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu.That surrounding 'vacuum zone,' symbolizing isolation and fear, now became his most comfortable training space.Soon, Iruka walked in, holding his lesson plan.He habitually scanned the classroom, his gaze pausing for a moment on Naruto and the conspicuous empty space around him. His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, a hint of confusion and worry flashing in his eyes, but he ultimately said nothing.He cleared his throat and began explaining the basics of Chakra Nature Transformation for the day.Naruto was completely immersed in the deduction of the jutsu until a faint, mosquito-like voice, tinged with obvious shyness, sounded beside him, pulling him back to reality from his concentration."Na... Mr. Naruto..."Naruto looked up, and into his sight came a slightly lowered face, flushed with embarrassment.Hyuga Hinata stood by his desk, nervously twisting the hem of her clothes with two fingers. Her white eyes, like a startled fawn, quickly glanced at him, then swiftly lowered again."It's... it's time to go to Training Ground One for combat practice... Iruka-sensei told everyone to gather..."Her voice grew softer and softer, almost drowned out by the gradually rising sounds of moving desks and chairs in the classroom.Naruto subconsciously called up the panel information in his mind:[Hyuga Hinata][Current Affection: 75]