Konoha: Starting with a sign-in for Hashirama cells

Naruto, standing in the center of the waterspout, kept his hand seals unchanged.

As chakra continued to be consumed, several more sharp, rapidly spinning water bullets flew out from the water tornado and attacked Naruto on the other side.

As the deadly attack approached, Naruto, standing on the ground, dodged left and right while simultaneously forming hand seals.

"Earth escape, earth flow wall."

The earthen wall that rose from the ground successfully intercepted the remaining water bombs that could not be avoided.

Even after being improved and enhanced with considerable initial velocity and high-speed rotation, the water bullets still failed to penetrate the earthen wall's protection.

It only created a small crater on top.

Naruto, who was using Earth Release, also kept the hand seals unchanged, consuming chakra.

The earthen wall that had just blocked the water bullet quickly softened under the influence of chakra, transforming from hard soil into soft mud.

The mud split into three parts, changing shape as it compressed and shrank, eventually evolving into three clay javelins.

Unfortunately, before any further action could be taken, the oncoming torrent engulfed them.

Naruto, gripping the tree branch tightly with both hands, did pull-ups while silently reciting and reviewing the textbook knowledge for the new semester, and glanced sideways.

The shadow clones using Earth Release had already been destroyed in the torrent, leaving only the three earth javelins in place.

Meanwhile, the shadow clone using Water Release slowly withdrew the water tornado protecting it and joined the discussion along with the other shadow clones who were watching.

"Soil has strong plasticity."

"However, it requires softening, deformation, and hardening, and in actual use, it is far less efficient than water."

Ultimately, it all boils down to the issue of no fundamental change.

Having mastered the properties of soil, there's no need to soften the soil in reality; it can be achieved entirely through one's own chakra.

It greatly increases the speed of releasing Earth Escape, making combat much more flexible.

Another problem is that without the change in the properties of soil, you can't use Earth Escape in places without soil, such as in mid-air, on the water, or on a boat.

Its limitations are as great as water.

Does it mean we should also use sealing techniques, like water, to seal the soil into scrolls and carry them with us?

Naruto's thoughts wandered, and he realized he was getting carried away. He quickly gathered his thoughts and focused on his daily studies.

Entering a new semester, the monthly exams are extremely important.

With Sakura's help during the holiday, Naruto, who has already mastered most of the test points, now needs to review and practice questions to solidify his already high level of confidence.

"Naruto, where are you?" Sakura's voice came.

“Here,” Naruto replied.

Arriving under the tree where Naruto was training, Sakura, who was clearly dressed up carefully, asked, "Naruto, do I look good today?"

Naruto looked at her strangely, not perfunctorily, but carefully examining and observing her.

"You look great! What's wrong? Wasn't today your date with Sasuke? Why are you so listless after your date?"

Sakura sighed, squatted under the shade of a tree, and said softly, "I feel that this date is very different from what I imagined."

"Sasuke-kun had a cold face the whole time, and he wasn't interested in anything. He didn't say more than ten words in total."

"So indifferent..."

"So what? He's handsome, that's all that matters. That's just his personality, you'll get used to it," Naruto said casually.

This is nothing. Sasuke almost killed you later, and you wandered the world after marriage, rarely coming home. Even so, you still like him very much, don't you?

Something I like is priceless.

"Are you used to it?" Sakura muttered softly.

“At first, I was super happy and excited when I went on dates with Sasuke. Back then, Sasuke wasn’t so cold-hearted,” Sakura said.

"As the number of dates increased, his attitude became colder and colder, and he felt that dating me was a waste of his life."

"I've always been so accommodating to him and thought of him in everything, so why?"

"Holding hands on a date is normal, right? Sasuke-kun doesn't do it. When I try to hold his hand, he pulls away."

"Even just a few words to me would be nice, a compliment or a chat."

"No, nothing."

His cold attitude was perfectly normal, wasn't it? After all, his entire clan had been wiped out, and the one who carried it out was his own brother, Naruto thought to himself.

"It all boils down to those four words: you'll get used to it." Naruto said, "Honestly, isn't the cold-blooded Sasuke handsome?"

"He is handsome, but actually spending time with him doesn't make me happy," Sakura said, conflicted. "I feel more joyful when I'm with you."

"If only Sasuke could be a little more humorous, a little more gentle, and a little more caring towards me."

Naruto chuckled.

No one is perfect; there is no such thing as a truly perfect person.

Not wanting to continue this pointless conversation, he changed the subject.

"Now that the date is over and you have nothing to do, as usual, give me a quiz. By the way, have you had lunch yet? What do you want to eat? I'll have my clone go buy it."

"I have no appetite, I don't want to eat," Sakura said, shaking her head.

Then they randomly set questions, some from the previous two years and some from this new semester.

far away.

Hinata, who had been hiding behind a tree, never had the courage to show herself.

Seeing Sakura arrive, and seeing the two chatting happily together, it seemed like they had endless things to talk about.

I feel very disappointed.

He retreated silently and quietly, leaving.

As the sun began to set, Sakura said goodbye to Naruto and left in a low mood.

Naruto practiced until very late.

Once you've mastered the key points, there's no need to immerse yourself in them again; a quick review is sufficient.

Naruto used the time he saved to train and practice.

Tick.

Tick.

I heard the sound of water dripping.

Thinking that he had forgotten to turn off the tap or that the house was leaking, Naruto opened his eyes.

The sight that came into view stunned him.

"This is... a sealed space?"

He collapsed from exhaustion due to overexertion.

Mental strength meets the standard.

Thinking about what prompted him to enter this place, Naruto took a step forward.

After passing through the narrow path, a dimly lit yet vast space comes into view, divided in two by a large iron gate with sealing talismans affixed to it.

"Kid," Nine-Tails said in a low voice, "come closer, a little closer."

Naruto obediently walked over.

Just as they were about to reach him, Kurama was about to grab Naruto and intimidate him.

To everyone's surprise, Naruto didn't stop and continued forward, walking through the gap in the iron gate.

"I'm Naruto Uzumaki. Who are you? And where is this place?" Naruto looked up and exclaimed, "Wow, you're so big and handsome!"

"..." Nine-tailed Fox.

Well, I just can't figure it out.

Chapter 18 Nine-Tailed Fox: The Monster

Taking advantage of Kurama's momentary daze, Naruto grabbed a handful of it; its softness was mixed with a burning pain.

A look of astonishment reappeared in the bloodshot eyes of the Nine-Tailed Fox.

Realizing what had happened, he opened his mouth and roared angrily.

The sonic wave, comparable to a hurricane, sent Naruto flying.

outside world.

Naruto, who had been in a deep sleep, suddenly opened his eyes and sat up, panting heavily, and subconsciously looked at his right hand.

In good condition.

The burning pain caused by the contact between the consciousness and the Nine-Tails is unforgettable.

"What happened? I just touched it." Naruto asked, puzzled.

In the story, Naruto can directly use the Nine-Tails' chakra; at most, if he uses too much, he will lose his mind.

Later on, after mutual understanding and acceptance with Kurama, they were able to use it perfectly without any side effects.

Naruto glanced at the alarm clock; it was just past 12:20. He lay back down, put his hands behind his head, and closed his eyes in thought.

Recalling the events leading up to and following the events, Naruto uses the Nine-Tails' chakra, the changes that occur during this time, and the reasons behind them.

Before long, the answer was found.

"If there's any difference between before and after, it's Kurama's mindset."

"In the story, Naruto, with the help of Killer Bee, Kushina and others, defeated the Nine-Tails and obtained a portion of the Nine-Tails' chakra through a tug-of-war."

"This chakra is an unclaimed object without the Nine-Tails' consciousness, so Naruto will not experience any mental effects when using it."

"It wasn't until I reached mutual recognition and understanding with Kurama that I truly mastered Kurama's power."

"The Eight Trigrams Seal acts as a filter, removing some of the influence of the Nine-Tails' will within its chakra, allowing Naruto to use it more effectively."