Chapter 125 - 25

Chapter 25: Applying for Early Graduation! I Want to Become a Ninja!The numbers on the panel were jumping frantically:[ Uchiha Itachi ][ Current Favorability: 55 → 48 → 60 → 52 → 65 → 58... ]Naruto lowered his head, picked up his bowl and chopsticks again, and began to shovel the food that had already gone cold in his bowl, using the action to hide the traces of him observing the panel.However, a layer of fine sweat had already seeped out from the palm of the hand holding the chopsticks.That speech just now was nothing short of a gamble. He was betting that Uchiha Itachi's regard for his younger brother outweighed his blind loyalty to the Village, and betting on his dissatisfaction with the status quo and confusion about the future.If he had not been convinced, and instead decided to report it immediately because Naruto had exposed his "communication with the Nine-Tailed" and "ambition," or even taken more drastic control measures...Then, he would have no choice but to let Kuramaeliminate him, and then pin it on him afterward..."I hope... you won't let me down, Sister Itachi."While chewing his food, Naruto used the corner of his eye to keep an eye on Uchiha Itachi, who was still standing there with a shifting expression.The air in the room was so quiet that only the faint sound of Naruto eating and the increasingly deepening night outside the window remained."...I will consider it... After all, this is not a matter that I can decide alone..."Uchiha Itachi's voice sounded exceptionally low in the quiet room, the tail end of his words dissipating into the air with a trace of imperceptible trembling.When Naruto mentioned Uchiha Sasuke, the fingers resting on his knees curled slightly.Could Sandaime really protect Uchiha Sasukewell?And there was Danzo, that figure hiding in the shadows, like a venomous snake coiled in the dampest corner of the Konoha Root; his schemes had never ceased, and his cold tentacles seemed ready to wrap around the necks of the Uchiha Clanat any moment.[ Itachi Current Favorability: 66 ]"It worked!"Naruto watched the numbers in his field of vision stop changing, his spirits lifted, and he puffed out his chest a little more, his azure eyes revealing determination."Then continue to watch over me! Sister Itachi, I will prove that I have the capacity to become Hokage!"Uchiha Itachi raised his head and gazed at the blond-haired boy with a complex expression.Clearly of a similar age to Uchiha Sasuke, with the childishness and naivety not yet faded from his face, yet he was already shouldering so much...This caused a corner of Uchiha Itachi's heart to stir gently.Naruto knew that mere verbal promises were far from enough to attract continued investment from the Uchiha Clan!He needed to prove it with actions—He had to apply for early graduation...Naruto's eyes flickered.For him, the Ninja Academy was already a cradle that bound his hands and feet; he couldn't learn anything there. He desperately longed to step into the real Ninja world, so that he could grow quickly and possess more say.Early graduation was the first step...The next morning, before the thin mist had completely dispersed, Naruto headed straight for the Hokage Office.The corridor was filled with the unique scent of old wood mixed with scroll ink, and his footsteps echoed through the empty hallway."Is something the matter, Naruto?"Sandaime Hiruzen Sarutobi was hunched over his desk reviewing documents; hearing the commotion, he raised his head, his wrinkled face wearing his customary gentleness and a trace of doubt.Naruto took a deep breath, walked to the desk, pressed his hands on the smooth mahogany tabletop, and looked straight at Sandaime."Grandpa Sandaime...""I think... I can communicate with the fox inside my body."His words fell into Sandaime's ears like a thunderclap!"What...!!!"Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand holding the pipe tightened abruptly, his knuckles instantly turning white.He looked up suddenly, the embers in his pipe almost spilling out. In those eyes that had seen all the vicissitudes of life, an expression of disbelief erupted, locking tightly onto Naruto, as if wanting to pierce through his clothes and look directly into the sealing space within his body."Say that again?""After I finished communicating with it, it seems my strength has increased a lot, and I have also mastered some... abilities I didn't have before."Naruto continued, looking at the excited Sandaime."Good, good, good!"Hiruzen Sarutobi put down his pipe and stood up quickly, his large Hokage robe brushing over the desk."Naruto, come with me; we'll go to the training ground and verify it properly!"At a dedicated training ground, the area was open, surrounded by tall forests, and the ground was solid earth trampled down over years and months.Hiruzen Sarutobi signaled the Anbu members hiding in the dark to disperse further outward, setting up a tight security perimeter to ensure that no prying eyes could reach the core of this place.Then, he turned to Naruto, his aged but still sharp gaze mixed with encouragement and deep scrutiny."Come on, Naruto, let go and try boldly! Grandpa is watching you right here.""Oh, okay."Naruto nodded, closed his eyes, and his consciousness sank into that familiar, gloomy space.The damp, cold, and hateful aura of Chakra rushed towards him.Behind the huge bars, the Nine-Tailed's massive body was like a burning mountain of lava; its scarlet slit pupils were half-squinted, carrying undisguised mockery and impatience."You want me to help you, brat?"The low voice rumbled and echoed in the space."No, it's helping us!""What nonsense are you spouting, brat?!!!"The Nine-Tailed bared its teeth, thinking the brat in front of it was truly insane!"I need to borrow a sliver of your Chakra, Kurama. Just a sliver; that shouldn't be anything to you, right?"Naruto's consciousness stood in front of the bars, looking up at the behemoth."Hmph, what does this have to do with the help you mentioned...?! You just want to use my power to curry favor with those hypocrites of Konoha!"The Nine-Tailed sneered, its tails flicking impatiently, stirring up a foul wind."This is truly for us."Naruto didn't care about the Nine-Tailed's resistance and continued, "Only by letting them see the possibility of 'controllability' can I have the chance to leave the Village and accelerate my growth, and only then can you get closer to freedom, right?""From this perspective, helping me is helping you! My friend!""What's more, for the powerful Kurama, what is this insignificant amount of Chakra?""And this way, we can even toy with Konoha~"The Nine-Tailed was silent for a moment, seemingly weighing the options.Freedom, huh...That was a word it hadn't heard in such a long time...This word was too distant for it, yet it carried a deadly temptation.Was this brat trustworthy?The Nine-Tailed's slit pupils reflected the blond figure, remaining silent for a long time, its eyes flashing with struggle and hesitation...Old man Sage of Six Paths! To think that one day I would actually believe in that ridiculous idea of yours..."Take it, brat."A massive tail, burning with dark red Chakra and fur like solidified flames, reluctantly and slowly extended from the gap in the bars, hovering in front of Naruto."Grab it!"