Chapter 3: Giving Nine-Tails a Glimmer of Hope
Tenten stared blankly at Neji, who had already lost consciousness in the arena. She couldn't understand how a genius like Neji could be so easily defeated by Naruto.
"How is this possible!"
Tenten covered her mouth with her hand and looked in Naruto's direction.
Meanwhile, Might Guy was already in tears.
"Neji! Even though you lost, you must burn brightly in your youth! Never give up!"
Naruto turned and left.
Neji was carried away by the medical staff.
At the same time, Hyuga Hiashi stood up and said to Hinata, "I'm going to see Neji."
With that, he left alone.
Although Hinata wanted to follow, she sensed that her father didn't want her to, so she stayed put.
Soon, Hiashi saw Neji in the infirmary.
Neji stared blankly at the ceiling. Had he really lost just like that?
Even now, he couldn't accept the fact.
"Neji, there's something I need to tell you."
Neji turned his head and looked at Hiashi.
"Is it about the animosity between the Main House and the Branch House? I already know about that."
"No, you don't know."
With that, Hiashi recounted what had happened between him and Neji's father that year.
Neji was greatly shocked to hear the truth.
"Was I really wrong?"
Naruto was well aware of everything happening here.
Next, Neji would become a loyal bodyguard for his wife, and Naruto was naturally happy to see it happen.
However, the real reason he wanted to leave was for the system rewards.
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, for completing the task of defeating Neji."
"Reward obtained: Total Concentration Breathing. Loading for you now."
A moment later, Naruto felt his body strengthen further.
If Observation Haki allowed him to clearly hear everything around him,
then Total Concentration Breathing allowed him to control every cell in his body.
He could feel that he could easily use Total Concentration Breathing to control his muscles, thereby shifting his internal organs.
He could even control the opening and closing of his blood vessels, allowing him to stop bleeding immediately after an injury.
Most importantly, he discovered that his body's potential was infinite; as long as he wanted to, he could continuously explore.
This ability was perfectly suited for him now.
The next match was Kankuro VS Shino Aburame.
Just like in the original story, Kankuro chose to forfeit the match due to his mission, and Shino Aburame advanced directly.
The third match began immediately.
The opponents were Kankuro's sister, Temari.
She leaped into the arena with her characteristic large fan.
Her opponent, Nara Shikamaru, rubbed his forehead and said somewhat listlessly, "Fighting a woman is really troublesome."
Naruto was actually very curious about this match, as in the original story, Shikamaru gained an advantage by using a hole he dug.
But in the end, he still chose to forfeit the match.
Now, since he hadn't fought in the original story's manner, Shikamaru's pre-designed traps would be useless.
Naruto truly wanted to see how Shikamaru would deal with Temari's wind blades.
Suddenly, Naruto felt a pang in his heart.
He quickly found an unoccupied corner and closed his eyes to rest.
His consciousness had already entered Kurama's sealing space.
Just like in the original story, all Naruto could see now were two ominous eyes in pitch darkness.
He sneered.
"Kurama, do you still think I'm a child?"
After he said that, the entire space was illuminated by a beam of light, and Kurama slowly emerged from the darkness.
"Brat, how do you know my name?"
Naruto didn't answer Kurama's question but instead looked at Kurama with interest.
"I was just about to come find you, but I didn't expect you to come to me."
Thump!
Kurama stomped heavily. As the strongest of the Tailed Beasts, its aura was overwhelming.
"Kid! Are you provoking me?"
But Naruto showed no fear whatsoever.
He simply looked calmly at the snarling Kurama.
Then, the aura around him suddenly changed. Conquerors Haki poured out of Naruto's body like mercury.
Even Kurama was startled by this aura and retreated repeatedly.
"Kurama, I advise you not to speak to me in that tone."
"We have a symbiotic relationship. You need my existence to protect your own safety."
"Otherwise, if I die, you will also vanish. And right now, there's a group of people collecting you Tailed Beasts everywhere, all to revive the Ten-Tails."
"What do you think would happen if I handed you over?"
Naruto's tone was icy, as if he were looking at a disobedient plaything.
At this moment, Kurama felt that if he continued to displease him, Naruto would immediately abandon him.
"Kid, you're threatening me!"
"No, I don't have time to chat with you. Without me, you'll only die. But without you, I have a million ways to survive. So, what do you think your meaning to me is?"
Kurama fell into deep thought.
He had called Naruto in this time precisely because he saw Naruto's potential.
Just in the recent battle, the unprecedented Conquerors Haki had almost made Kurama submit at Naruto's feet.
Then Naruto walked step by step towards the cage where Kurama was sealed.
"Kurama, if you obediently listen to me, I can promise you that one day, I will let you see the light of day again."
"If you always try to take shortcuts, then I..."
Naruto didn't finish his sentence, but the cold meaning, accompanied by Conquerors Haki, had already entered Kurama's heart.
Kurama couldn't help but shiver. He was actually a little afraid of this child in front of him.
"Kid! Do you believe I'll kill you!"
But his tsundere personality wouldn't allow him to lower his proud head. He lunged at Naruto again, but was still blocked by the gate.
Naruto looked at the sealing talisman.
He showed a playful smile.
"Now is not the time to release you. Don't call me unless it's important."
With that, Naruto's consciousness directly exited Kurama's mental space.
This communication with Kurama seemed simple.
But Naruto knew that he had planted a seed in Kurama.
That was the message that if it submitted to him, it would see the light of day again.
Next was to subdue Kurama.
If he could subdue Kurama in advance, then he truly wouldn't have to fear Danzo, Orochimaru, and those people.
Just then, a cry of surprise rang out. It turned out Sasuke had used Chidori to break through Gaara's Absolute Defense.
"Have I been in the consciousness space for that long?"
Naruto was surprised.
He felt like he hadn't been gone for long, but Shikamaru and Temari's battle had already ended.
Sasuke and Gaara's battle had even entered a white-hot stage.