At nine-thirty in the morning, Kizaru had only just woken up.
After lazily washing his face and getting dressed, he stepped out of the courtyard with the breakfast box Keiko-san had prepared for him.
"Hmmm~?"
Adjusting his sunglasses, Kizaru looked toward the old man standing not far ahead of him.
"Uncle? If you stop me here, I'm seriously gonna be late, you know~"
With one hand tucked into his trouser pocket and the lunch box swinging casually in the other, Kizaru slowly walked forward.
"The Ninja Academy starts at eight in the morning."
Danzō spoke with a cold expression as he stared at Kizaru, who was already over an hour late.
"Ohh~ really?"
Kizaru dragged out the words lazily.
"I already changed the principal's work schedule. Ten in the morning to three in the afternoon~"
"…What?"
Danzō's eye twitched slightly.
From ten to three… and with a lunch break included, that brat only worked four hours a day?
Meanwhile, he himself stayed buried in Root headquarters from dawn until late night almost every single day.
Just thinking about it irritated him.
"Hiruzen approved this?" Danzō asked with a frown.
Kizaru tilted his head slightly.
"Do I really need permission for every little thing? Sounds troublesome~"
"Hmph."
Danzō snorted coldly and decided not to waste energy arguing over it.
Instead, his expression became more serious.
"The Third Elder met with you yesterday?"
That was the real reason he had blocked Kizaru here this early in the morning.
Kizaru nodded casually.
"Grandpa Third Elder said the Shimura clan wants to contribute more to the village~"
Recently, the establishment of the Hashirama Cell transplantation project at the newly founded Konoha Research Institute had caused quite a stir among Konoha's higher-ups.
Especially after Hiruzen personally brought it up during a high-level meeting.
Everyone understood the value hidden behind that research.
Not only its military value…
But the unimaginable profits it could generate in the future.
The leaders of the major clans and village executives naturally did not dare touch the confidential research data itself.
However, investing money into the project and receiving future dividends?
That was an entirely different matter.
If the research succeeded, the returns could easily multiply dozens — even hundreds — of times over.
And unlike ordinary missions or temporary income…
This could become a long-term industry passed down through generations.
Very few clan leaders could remain calm after seeing an opportunity like that.
Especially when the Third Hokage himself publicly supported the project…
And Kizaru had full authority over it as the initiator.
As a result, Kizaru had become absurdly popular recently.
For the past week, he had barely eaten dinner at home even once.
Every day after work, he would somehow "coincidentally" run into familiar faces inviting him to meals.
If outsiders were already acting like that…
Then naturally, the Shimura clan itself was even more enthusiastic.
The Third Elder, who managed the clan's finances and industries, had held himself back for several days before finally visiting Kizaru personally.
The two of them drank tea together for an entire afternoon.
And although the old man never spoke too directly…
His meaning was obvious.
The Shimura clan was willing to fully support Kizaru's work for the village.
Financially, politically, and however else necessary.
Danzō looked at Kizaru seriously.
"Hiruzen entrusted this matter to you because he's testing you."
"Don't let money cloud your judgment."
"Compared to becoming Hokage… everything else is insignificant."
He understood the greed of clans better than anyone.
And he also understood how easily interests could corrupt people.
That was why he deliberately came here this morning.
To remind Kizaru before things went too far.
"Uncle… hearing you say something that serious this early in the morning is kinda scary~"
Kizaru smiled as he spoke.
Danzō's expression darkened slightly.
"As long as you understand."
After spending so many years with Kizaru, he naturally understood the hidden meaning behind those lazy words.
"Anyway, I should get going now~"
Kizaru casually stepped past him.
"If this keeps up, I really will be late."
Danzō watched his back silently for a moment before speaking again.
"If you run into any problems, come find me immediately."
Kizaru raised a hand without turning around.
"Don't worry, Uncle~"
Soon, his figure gradually disappeared from Danzō's sight.
…
Inside the third-year classroom of the Ninja Academy—
Kushina Uzumaki lay exhausted across her desk.
Faint dark circles could be seen beneath her eyes.
Recently, the Nine-Tails inside her had become strangely restless.
It would frequently rampage within the seal for no apparent reason.
Thanks to the Uzumaki clan's powerful life force and her naturally awakened Adamantine Sealing Chains, Kushina could still suppress Kurama properly.
But even so…
Having the Nine-Tails constantly causing chaos inside her body made proper sleep almost impossible.
And because her identity as the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki was classified information, Kushina couldn't even talk about it openly.
At present, only the Third Hokage and a handful of Konoha elders knew the truth.
Not even Tsunade or Nawaki, who lived together with her, knew she was the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki.
Because of that secrecy…
Kushina could only endure everything alone.
To make matters worse, Minato Namikaze — the only classmate she was truly close to — had already graduated early and left the village to train with Jiraiya.
Which only made the classroom feel even lonelier lately.
"…If it happens again tonight, I'm telling the old man tomorrow…"
Kushina let out a tired sigh.
She closed her eyes, planning to use the lunch break to catch up on sleep.
Then—
Creak.
The classroom window beside her slowly opened.
A blue-flamed paw gently pushed against the frame as Matatabi jumped onto the windowsill once again.
Kushina lazily raised her head halfway.
"…You again?"
Ever since Kizaru became principal of the Ninja Academy, this strange blue cat would occasionally appear beside her.
It never really did anything.
It would just quietly sit there staring at her.
At first, Kushina thought it was interesting.
Now she was already used to it.
What Kushina didn't know…
Was that most of Kurama's recent agitation came from Matatabi intentionally provoking him.
…
Inside the sealed space—
Kurama suddenly opened one eye irritably.
"Tch. You again…"
"Hahaha~ You're still as grumpy as ever, Kurama."
Matatabi's voice echoed through the seal as her chakra manifestation appeared nearby.
Kurama snorted and looked away arrogantly.
"You're more annoying than that damned tanuki these days."
Matatabi simply laughed.
The massive Nine-Tails remained tightly bound behind the seal.
"Still pretending to be tough?" she teased. "You're obviously jealous."
"Jealous?!"
Kurama instantly exploded.
"Don't compare me to you!"
"I would never lower myself to becoming some human's pet just to gain freedom!"
Matatabi frowned slightly.
"Kizaru is my friend."
"Hmph. Keep telling yourself that."
Kurama's voice dripped with disdain.
For decades, he had been controlled, feared, imprisoned, and used by humans.
Especially after being enslaved by Madara Uchiha.
To him, the idea of humans and Tailed Beasts becoming equals was laughable.
"Stop tormenting this girl," Matatabi said more seriously as she noticed Kushina's exhaustion outside the seal.
"She has nothing to do with your anger."
Kurama grinned arrogantly.
"Then beg me."
Matatabi's ears twitched slightly.
"If you keep this up, I'll tell Kizaru about your situation."
"Tch. And what's one human supposed to do to me?"
Kurama sneered dismissively.
Through Kushina's senses, he already knew roughly who Kizaru was.
But he still refused to admit fear.
Matatabi looked at him calmly.
"Kizaru defeated Madara Uchiha."
The moment that name was mentioned—
Kurama's expression darkened instantly.
"…Madara."
His voice became heavy with fury.
"That bastard only controlled me with the Sharingan. In a real fight, he wouldn't have beaten me."
"Mm~ maybe."
Matatabi clearly knew Kurama was bluffing.
Still, she spared his pride and didn't expose him directly.
Kurama narrowed his eyes immediately.
"What was that supposed to mean?"
"You looking down on me now too, Matatabi?"
Matatabi ignored the complaint.
Instead, she spoke softly:
"I think Kizaru might become the person the Sage of Six Paths talked about."
Kurama snorted.
"He doesn't even have blue eyes."
"Prophecies aren't always exact."
Matatabi remembered the time she spent with Kizaru.
The way he treated her.
The way he never once saw her as a weapon.
That alone already made him different from most humans.
Kurama closed his eyes again.
"Hmph."
Seeing his stubbornness, Matatabi sighed.
"Just stop taking it out on Kushina."
"Otherwise, I really will tell Kizaru."
Kurama gave no response.
Eventually, Matatabi's chakra slowly withdrew from the seal.
Only after she left did Kurama reopen his eyes slightly.
"The old man's prophecy…"
"…would never be wrong."
Unfortunately, Matatabi no longer heard those words.
Back in the classroom—
The blue-flamed cat looked quietly at Kushina lying on the desk.
Then, for the first time—
She spoke aloud.
"If you're hurting… you should tell Kizaru."
Kushina's eyes snapped open instantly.
A mature female voice had clearly spoken beside her.
But there were no adults nearby.
Her gaze slowly locked onto Matatabi.
As a Ninja Academy student, Kushina naturally knew some summon creatures could speak.
Still…
Actually hearing it was another matter entirely.
"…You can talk?"
Matatabi nodded calmly.
"You can tell Kizaru about your condition."
"He's your principal now, isn't he?"
Kushina immediately shook her head.
"No way."
Her identity absolutely could not be exposed publicly.
Matatabi remained calm.
"Kizaru can handle it."
Kushina still refused.
"No. I—"
"That stupid fox throwing tantrums every day is troublesome too."
The moment those words left Matatabi's mouth—
Kushina froze.
Her eyes widened completely.
"…How do you know about that?!"
She stared at Matatabi with both shock and caution.
Matatabi lifted her head proudly.
"Because…"
"I'm the same as him."
Silence filled the classroom.
Kushina's brain blanked out for several seconds.
Then—
Her entire body jolted violently.
Kizaru's summon…
Was actually a Tailed Beast?!
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