Chapter 105 - 35

Chapter 35: Many Wives, Many Blessings! Ripples of the Nine-Tailed!During a break in training, Naruto found Kushina."Mom, that plan of Orochimaru's... when does it start?"Kushina looked at him: "Are you sure you want to start? There might be risks.""I know." Naruto nodded, "But I want to get stronger. To get stronger faster. Our win today was largely due to luck. What if the next enemies are stronger, or more cunning?"He clenched his fist: "I want to protect everyone. Protect Hinata, protect Izumi-nee, protect everyone. So... I need power."Kushina looked at her son; this little guy, who was once diagnosed with the 'Innate Lustful Saint Body' because he got nosebleeds while drinking milk, had already grown into a responsible young man."Alright," she said softly, "We start tomorrow. Ashina-grandpa and I will supervise the entire process.""Thank you, Mom."Naruto turned and left, walking toward his companions waiting for him on the training ground.The setting sun stretched their shadows very long, intertwining them until they were indistinguishable.And in the shadows far away, a masked member of the 'Root' wrote in a logbook:"Target Uzumaki Naruto, leadership abilities beginning to manifest. Ivy Team combat power assessment: A+ (capable of confronting a Joninunder specific conditions). Recommendation: Continue observation, but remain alert to his growth speed."In another shadow, a white snake slithered slowly past, its golden eyes blinking before disappearing into a crack in the ground.A week had passed since the Hyuga incident was resolved, but the atmosphere in the Ivy Gardenwas tighter than ever.An isolation zone with a radius of twenty meters was marked out in the center of the training ground, surrounded by layers upon layers of Sealing Jutsu formulas!This was the "Four Symbols Sealing Array" personally set up by Uzumaki Ashina, specifically used to suppress the rampaging Chakra of a Tailed Beast.Inside the isolation zone, Naruto sat cross-legged with his eyes tightly shut.His breathing was long and steady, but golden Chakra would occasionally seep out like threads from his body, only to be pressed back by some invisible force the moment it touched his skin."Phase one, Chakra perception and diversion training." Uzumaki Ashina stood outside the array, holding a complex technique disk with runes that flickered along with Naruto's Chakra fluctuations, "What you need to do is not to 'use' the Nine-Tailed's Chakra, but to first 'get to know' it. This includes its nature, its rhythm, and its... emotions."Kushina stood beside Ashina, her hands clenched so tightly her nails almost dug into her palms.She knew the necessity of this training, but watching her son face that terrifying monster inside him alone made her heart as a mother tighten.Outside the field, the other members of Ivy also watched with bated breath. This was the first time they had witnessed systematic training directed at a Tailed Beast."Naruto-kun..." Hinata had her Byakugan activated; she could clearly see the entanglement of those two Chakras inside Naruto's body.The golden, violent Nine-Tailed Chakra and the blue, gentle Uzumaki Chakra were slowly exchanging through those newly established 'channels'.The design of those channels was shockingly sophisticated.Every turn followed the optimal path for Chakraflow, every node had a safety device to prevent backflow, and there were even 'valves' to automatically regulate the flow rate.This was indeed Orochimaru's handiwork.Cold, efficient, and unsettlingly perfect."Pay attention to your breathing rhythm." Ashina's voice was calm and steady, "When inhaling, guide your own Chakra to circulate along the Yang Meridian; when exhaling, allow one percent of the Nine-Tailed's Chakra to seep out along the Yin Meridian. Remember, only allow it, do not actively draw it out."Fine beads of sweat broke out on Naruto's forehead.He could feel that the slumbering giant beast inside him was slightly awakening because of the establishment of these 'channels'. It wasn't hostility, but more like... curiosity?"Interesting..." A low voice rang directly in his mind, "Brat, you and the people your father found... have some skill. These channels are much more comfortable than the previous seal."Naruto's heart skipped a beat.This was the first time the Nine-Tailed had taken the initiative to communicate with him."You... can talk?""This old one has always been able to talk, I just couldn't be bothered with you before." The Nine-Tailed's voice carried a hint of mockery, "But now... these new 'windows' opened in your body allow this old one to see the outside more clearly. Oh? That red-haired little girl, is she your mother? She looks very nervous.""Don't you dare think about my mom, you almost killed her last time!""Hmph, why so nervous?" The Nine-Tailedsneered, "This old one is currently locked up tight; I couldn't do anything even if I wanted to. However... these channels are indeed interesting. That pale-skinned fellow, though disgusting, has a decent brain."Naruto naturally understood that the "pale-skinned fellow" the Nine-Tailed referred to was Orochimaru."You can perceive the outside world through my senses?""Of course." The Nine-Tailed seemed able to read his surface thoughts, "Your eyes are this old one's eyes, your ears are this old one's ears. It's just that the previous seals were too thick, like looking at the world through a wall. Now these channels... have made the wall thinner."This was not good news at all.Alarm bells rang in Naruto's heart."Relax, brat." The Nine-Tailed's voice suddenly became somewhat playful, "This old one has no interest in your little life. At least not for now. If you die, this old one will have to slumber for a long time before reforming. However... those little girls around you are quite interesting. The one with the Byakugan, her heart rate quickens every time she looks at you; the one with the Sharingan, she hides a deep sorrow in her heart; and the two new ones... heh, they are all pitiful souls who have been hurt by the world.""You keep calling yourself 'this old one' and everything you say is disrespectful. Don't you know what it means for an elder to be unworthy of respect!""What, did I strike a chord?" The Nine-Tailedlaughed, the sound echoing in Naruto's mind, "I've seen your type before. Senju Hashirama was that type, always wanting to protect everyone behind his back, and the result? His brother died, his best friend turned against him, and the Village he built is now a mess."Naruto grit his teeth, forcing himself to concentrate on controlling the Chakra.He knew the Nine-Tailed was a poisonous snake. He didn't expect it to be this venomous! But he had to admit, the Nine-Tailed's words pierced his deepest fear. He was afraid he wouldn't be able to protect anyone.