Kurama.
That word—
So familiar.
It had been… how many years since someone called him that?
A thousand?
The last time—
Was probably when the Sage of Six Paths himself used that name.
Among the tailed beasts, they simply called him "Nine-Tails."
Humans?
They called him a demon fox.
Natural disaster.
And eventually—
Just a beast.
"How do you know that name?!"
Kurama's tails lashed violently, like a cat caught stealing something—fur bristling, eyes sharp.
That name—
Was given by the Sage of Six Paths.
In all these centuries—
Kurama had never told a single human.
"The old Sage appeared in my dream."
Uchiha Ren replied casually.
Obviously—
He couldn't say he learned it from watching anime.
"Bullshit!!"
Kurama snapped instantly.
The Sage appearing in dreams?
Yeah right.
Tailed beasts had been enslaved for centuries—
And the Sage never intervened.
He was probably long dead.
"Believe it or not. Otherwise, how would I know your name is Kurama?"
"I also know One-Tail is Shukaku, Two-Tail is Matatabi…"
Ren listed all nine tailed beasts in one breath.
His confidence—
Made even Kurama hesitate.
Could it be—
The Sage wasn't dead?
Then why hadn't he come to save him?
Father… please love me again…
Kurama's heart stirred.
But—
Nothing happened.
No miracle.
He sighed internally.
He had prayed countless times before.
It never worked.
Still—
He was starting to believe Ren.
Tailed beasts only revealed their names to those they acknowledged.
Ren couldn't possibly be recognized by all nine.
Only the Sage—
Could know all their names.
"What did the old Sage tell you?"
Curiosity got the better of him.
Foxes were like that.
"The Sage said I'm the savior of the ninja world."
"That I'll free all tailed beasts in the future."
Kurama suddenly leaned in—
Staring directly into Ren's eyes.
Something's off.
The Sage had once left a prophecy:
"A blue-eyed boy will one day call the names of the nine tailed beasts…"
Ren's eyes—
Black.
Now even glowing red.
Not even close.
"What are you doing?!"
Ren jumped back.
Kurama explained the prophecy.
Ren shrugged.
"Times change. So do prophecies."
"If the Sage could truly predict everything, his sons wouldn't have ended up killing each other."
His tone was casual.
But sharp.
Even a so-called sage—
Failed as a father.
From Kaguya Otsutsuki to the Sage himself—
That whole family flunked parenting.
"…He told you that too?"
Kurama was stunned.
That was family disgrace-level information.
Only someone from that era would know.
He was now mostly convinced.
Even he, who saw himself as the Sage's "son," wouldn't casually bring that up.
At least—
The tailed beasts never tried to kill each other.
"Fine."
"What do you want?"
Kurama lay down, resting his head on his paws.
Relaxed.
Almost sleepy.
Humans never came without reason.
Ren was here—
Because he needed something.
Kurama decided to play it cool.
"Simple."
"I'm here to give you freedom."
Ren smiled.
A classic sales move.
Even when asking for help—
You make it look like you're helping them.
"…Huh?"
Kurama instantly perked up.
Sleepiness gone.
Eyes filled with longing.
Freedom.
Who wouldn't want that?
Being trapped in darkness—
For years—
He wanted to run free in the forest again.
"You're going to release me?"
"Of course."
"Tailed beasts are meant to be free."
"Not tools for humans."
Ren spoke with sincerity.
Then—
Paused.
"But… not yet."
"Because I'm not Hokage."
"Only the Hokage has authority over tailed beasts."
He sighed, looking troubled.
Like he truly wanted to help—
But couldn't.
Kurama stared at him.
He could see it—
That longing for freedom.
"You're serious?"
"Absolutely."
"I swear on the Sage of Six Paths."
Ren smiled.
Swearing like a pro.
If things went wrong later—
Blame the Sage.
"Then I'll help you become Hokage!"
Kurama made his decision.
He would gamble.
He wanted freedom too badly.
Life in that dark void—
Was unbearable.
"I'll hold you to that."
"Deal."
"Once I become Hokage, when Mito dies, you'll be free."
Kurama's eyes widened.
Wait—what?
"Why do I have to wait for Mito to die?!"
"Well…"
"She's still a respected elder of Konoha."
"Even if I become Hokage, I can't just kill her to release you, right?"
"I'm a kind person."
"I hate seeing people die."
Ren flashed a bright, innocent smile.
Seeing Kurama hesitate, he added:
"Look on the bright side."
"She's already old."
"How many years does she have left?"
"It won't be long."
"Just endure it."
Kurama's eyes shifted.
Suspicious.
His instincts screamed—
This guy is selling me a dream.
"If you don't believe me, fine."
"Then let Mito defeat me and become Hokage."
"Konoha will probably find a new jinchūriki from the Uzumaki clan soon."
"She can start preparing immediately once she takes power."
Ren sighed—
Turning as if to leave.
The pressure—
Shifted instantly.
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