Naruto: I'm Nine-Tails and My Host is Kushina

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Kushina's First Meeting with Kurama

"Hey, big fox, you called me? What's the matter?"

Kushina's voice was soft and childlike.

"It's nothing. You're the landlord, and I'm the tenant. Shouldn't the landlord and tenant at least meet?"

Kushina placed a small hand under her chin, rolling her big eyes in thought.

After a moment, she nodded. "That… actually makes sense!"

"Hey, big fox, you know, I did terribly at Konoha's Ninja Academy today. If I can't even pass the basics, how can I ever become Hokage?"

Suddenly, an ethereal voice echoed in her mind.

[Given the Host's current situation, you are now presented with two options:]

Interrupt Kushina's confession and drive her out of the sealed space. (Reward: Seal loosens to 70%)

Let her talk and offer some simple comfort. (Reward: Uzumaki Clan's ability – Kagura's Mind Eye. Additionally, gain Kushina's psychological dependence.)

Kurama, confined within the seal, considered his options. The seal loosening was inevitable, but Kagura's Mind Eye was a rare ability, even among Uzumaki clan members. If Kushina lowered her guard and trusted him more, she might even break the seal herself in the future.

"Choice two," he decided.

[Ding! Choice selected. Reward obtained.]

Despite her tough exterior, Kushina was just a lonely child. She had come to Konoha alone, was forced to become a Jinchūriki, and had no family.

Even her best friend, Uchiha Mikoto, was just a classmate at the Academy.

Once school ended, Kushina returned to an empty home, spending her time alone.

Tonight, she finally found someone to confide in—the "big fox" inside her.

She let out all the frustrations bottled inside her.

She told Kurama about her struggles at the Academy, how her classmates teased her fiery red hair and called her a "loser."

After venting, she felt an odd sense of relief.

It was like she had poured out all the negativity in her heart.

Kurama, who had been silently listening, chuckled.

"I'm sorry, big fox, I used you like a trash can to dump all my problems," Kushina mumbled.

Kurama's massive head tilted slightly.

"In a way, we're kindred spirits," she continued. "You're feared by the world, and I'm… well, I'm not exactly popular at school either."

Kurama smirked, flashing his sharp fangs. "Hmm. But personally, I think your hair looks good."

Kushina blinked in surprise.

"Look at my fur," Kurama said, flicking his tail. "It's the same shade as your hair. I'd say we match pretty well, don't you think?"

Kushina's cheeks turned slightly pink.

For the first time, someone—no, something—was complimenting her hair.

And it came from a giant, terrifying fox.

Kurama smirked at her reaction.

"By the way," he added, "from my perspective, you're just a little kid. So, I'm going to call you 'Little Nana.'"

Kushina froze.

She had never been called that before.

Wait.

Was she really going to accept a nickname from a giant fox?

She mentally calmed herself. Remember, Mito-sama said to treat the Tailed Beast as a friend, not as a monster.

"What do you mean, 'Little Nana'?! I'm not a kid!" she puffed her cheeks in frustration. "I'm already big, okay?"

Kurama chuckled.

"I've lived for thousands of years. Even your predecessor, Uzumaki Mito, was just 'Little Mito' to me."

Kushina huffed, but deep down, she was secretly happy.

Not to mention, his fur really did match her hair color.

Kurama, having lived for centuries, saw everyone as a child in his eyes.

She sighed. "Fine, you can call me Little Nana…"

Kurama grinned. One step closer.

As the conversation continued, Kushina slowly began to see Kurama differently.

Despite being the feared Nine-Tails, he wasn't as scary as she thought.

In fact, he actually listened to her complaints.

Kushina's mind suddenly jumped to an important question.

"Hey, big fox, can you let me use your power?"

Kurama smirked. "Little Nana, can you break the seal on this cage?"

Kushina hesitated.

She had always been warned that Jinchūriki and their Tailed Beasts were supposed to restrain each other.

Unless they achieved true harmony, she must not break the seal.

Though she was beginning to trust the Nine-Tails, she wasn't foolish.

"Sorry, big fox. I can't break the seal just yet," she admitted.

Kurama wasn't surprised. He didn't expect her to release him so quickly.

"Then why should I let you use my power?" he countered.

Kushina pouted. She couldn't argue with that logic.

Then something clicked in her mind.

"Wait… does my inability to refine chakra have anything to do with you?" she suddenly asked.

Kurama's ear twitched.

She figured it out.

The Uzumaki sealing technique allowed Jinchūriki to passively absorb a small amount of their Tailed Beast's chakra.

However, due to his massive reserves, Kurama's chakra constantly interfered with Kushina's own chakra control.

This made it harder for her to refine chakra compared to normal ninja students.

"Ugh, so it was you!" Kushina groaned.

Kurama merely flicked his tail. "Who else?"

Kushina rolled her eyes. "Great. The real saboteur has been inside my own body all along."

After that, the two continued talking for a while.

Despite everything, Kushina actually enjoyed the conversation.

For the first time, she didn't feel alone.

She had someone to talk to, even if that "someone" was a giant fox sealed inside her.

Kurama, in turn, found her amusing.

A feisty little girl, but one with spirit.

"Thanks, big fox," Kushina finally said, standing up. "I feel a lot better after talking to you. See you next time!"

Kurama simply yawned. "Hmph. Whatever you say, Little Nana."

Kushina opened her eyes, returning to her dimly lit bedroom.

She stared at the ceiling, her heart feeling lighter than before.

It was a strange experience, but… she didn't hate it.

She even felt bad for the big fox, trapped inside that cage.

He may have been dangerous, but from what she saw today… he wasn't all that bad.

"Big fox," she whispered, "I'll help you gain your freedom someday."

And with that, she drifted off to sleep.

[Ding! Congratulations! The Host has acquired Kagura's Mind Eye.]

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