I am Naruto but where is Kurama!?

Several arcs of electricity danced along the palms and fingers of my hands as I tried to push the first step of Lightning Chakra Nature Transformation training as far as I could. I tried to add another arc of electricity and succeeded. The Shadow Clone Jutsu really sped up the process of learning with two dozen Clones that I could safely create and maintain, which should've taken years and only took months instead. I spread my palms farther apart from one another to increase the difficulty of the training exercise.

Arcs of electricity sparked and danced as they were a foot long. One of my Shadow Clones called out to me.

" Boss, don't forget you need sleep."

" Yeah, I'm aware."

I checked the time on my pocket watch and dispelled my Shadow Clones. A fresh new wave of fatigue hit me both physically and mentally from the Shadow Clones. I went to find Senko to send me back to my apartment; thankfully, she's easy to find; just check her office or private room, and even if she isn't there, she should be soonish. I entered the Shrine Palace and walked through the halls, but my eyes suddenly felt so heavy.

I violently shook my head to try and drive away my tiredness. My need for sleep kept on calling me to just stop and slumber away, even in the middle of this hall. I reached Senko's office and called out as I stumbled onto a couch.

" Senko, send me back..."

I didn't even know if she was there or not as my eyes got too heavy for me to keep open.

________________________________________

Senko walked to her office with a fresh stack of paperwork in her hands, courtesy of Sora, her boss on a long-term vacation. The petite fox girl sighed as she wondered out loud.

" Maybe I shouldn't have agreed to take over as Head Caretaker for Lady Sora."

With a wry smile, Senko returned to her office to find Naruto snoozing away on the couch. The petite fox girl couldn't help but giggle at her contracted summoner being so... marching to the beat of his own drum. Her heart warmed as she felt his emotions, at peace, relaxed, but with the deeply rooted drive to improve still there.

Senko dug out a blanket and pillow as she got Naruto more comfortable on the couch as she wanted to indulge in sharing the emotions the blonde felt while sleeping. The petite fox girl continued her duties as Head Caretaker, managing the resources of the Shrine Palace and allocating the other Caretakers and apprentices to different parts of the Shrine Palace and village.

Senko got through the paperwork and stretched before focusing on the peacefully sleeping Naruto. Her Empathy Bloodline Limit allowed her to feel the peace and contentment he felt while sleeping, which pleased her that the blonde felt so comfortable and safe here. The petite fox girl rested her head on her head as she watched her Contractor sleep.

Senko then heard a knock on the door of her office and went to see who it was so as not to wake Naruto. The petite fox girl was surprised by the guest she received.

" Lady Tamamo-no-mai!"

The current leader of the Fox Clan, in her typical regal blue kimono with her pink hair hanging loosely. However, there was something odd amiss that Senko noticed.

" Lady Tamamo, where's Miyabi-chan?"

Tamamo-no-mai had a mischievous and playful smile as she answered.

" Oh, Miyabi is currently focusing on her latest training fad, lifting small weights attached to her ears to strengthen her hearing and some other odd things I don't understand how she came up with."

The petite fox girl's face palmed in exasperation, and she asked politely.

" Lady Tamamo-no-mai, what brings you to my humble office?"

" Oh, just stretching my legs from being swamped with paperwork, I found myself here. I then thought to myself to see how you are doing, Senko."

While seemly sincere, Senko knew better. Tamamo-no-mai was procrastinating after slipping away from the usually serious Miyabi. The petite fox girl quietly sighed through her nose and offered.

" Would you care for some tea and snacks, My Lady?"

" That would be excellent, Senko."

The Clan leader of the Foxes smirked playfully as she invited herself to the office and spotted the snoozing Naruto.

" Oh?"

Senko requested as she dug out the tea set she kept in her office and a few snacks.

" Lady Tamamo-no-mai, would you mind your voice so Naruto-kun can sleep in peace?"

" Certainly, Senko, but do answer a question of mine first."

" Yes, My Lady?"

The petite fox girl prepared the teapot and brought some Yokan she had made beforehand. Tamamo-no-mai delicately picked up the treat and popped it into her. She chewed slowly to enjoy and savor the snack before asking.

" How much does this child remind you of your previous contracted summoner?"

Senko briefly stiffened at the question before letting her shoulders sag as melancholy filled her and answered.

" Naruto-kun and Kuroto are very different creatures. Kuroto was a diligent minister working under a lazy Daimyo who pushed all their work onto him while they fooled around. He silently did his work without complaint, as he loved his nation despite his unhappiness and stress. I brought him relief by helping him with small things like cooking and attending to his empty household.

Naruto-kun, however, is a Ninja and orphan with a deeply rooted fear he keeps buried deep within him that drives him to seek strength desperately. Naruto-kun trains and trains until the point of exhaustion and has few bonds and even fewer loyalties to his hometown, where he is regarded as a demon for a reason he knows but keeps quiet about. Fear, resentment, frustration, rage, and even a bit of hate are always present within him.

Underneath that reside someone who grew up far too quickly and yearns for freedom above all else."

The pot of tea started to boil as Senko had a bittersweet smile, but Tamamo-no-Mai playfully said.

" You evaded my question, Senko. I asked how much does this child remind you of your former summoner."

The petite fox girl sighed as she answered wistfully.

" They both continued to move forward despite their burdens, which is their only real similarity. Where Kuroto was quiet and complaint, Naruto-kun did not back down unless he had no choice but never forgot any slight or humiliation and certainly did not forgive without getting payback first. Kuroto was friendly and polite to everyone, but Naruto treat most, if not all, with cold apathy or malice and is selective with who he opens up to."

The leader of the Fox Clan smirked as she finished another piece of Yokan and said.

" Yet you're already so fond of the child. I always found it a shame that your former summoner never saw you beyond a mother figure or caregiver. I hope this child can grow into a man who can give you the love you deserve. After all, it's an open secret that a lot of the Clan wants to be a teacher to your children like you were to them to return the favor with gratitude."

Senko looked exasperated as she poured the freshly brewed tea and said with a sigh.

" I just did my duty."

" You did that and beyond. It's a bit ridiculous that no one is pining for your affections as younger generations see you as a mother figure, and the older generations see you as a dear sister or daughter."

Tamamo-no-mai complained before drinking her tea, and Senko pinched the bridge of her nose before saying with a hint of annoyance.

" Lady Tamamo-no-mai, my love life is private even if it is technically non-existent, and I still have several centuries ahead of me to settle down."

As Senko sipped her tea, the Clan Leader mischievously asked.

" So you're grooming him?"

The petite fox girl choked on her tea and started to cough from the liquid going down wrong. Senko shot a withering glare at Tamamo-no-mai for suggesting such a thing, and the Clan leader just playfully smirked at a successful prank. Senko then said with an even tone.

" Lady Tamamo-no-mai, please be mindful of your poor choice at an attempt of humor."

Naruto was blissfully unaware of the conversation as he quietly slept. Tamamo-no-mai eyed the sleeping blonde and commented.

" While he's young, there are already signs he is going to grow up quite the looker, and considering his Uzumaki lineage and impressive stamina, he going to be quite the handful for any woman."

" Lady Tamamo-no-mai!"

Senko sternly warned with agitation, and the Clan leader held her hands up in surrender. The conversation took a lighter tone with more casual topics, such as the weather and the newest sweets from various nations, until Tamamo-no-mai had her fill of procrastinating. She quietly left to finish her paperwork, leaving Senko and Naruto alone again.

The petite fox girl looked at the sleeping blonde and gently brushed his hair with her hand with a slight smile. Senko went back to work and left Naruto alone to sleep in peace.

________________________________________

One year, just one year away, until I graduate from the Academy; regardless, today's not about me but Tenten. I'm treating her to some BBQ.

" Thanks for this, Naruto."

" Hey, graduation is a big deal and worth celebrating."

I said to the brunette as I turned over my meat. Hinata also joined in on the celebration, plus Haruhime, but with her fox tail and ears hidden with a Transformation Jutsu.

" Congratulations, Tenten-chan."

The fox girl said, and the pale-eyed girl also nodded in acknowledgment, making Tenten smile.

" Thanks, everyone!"

I dug out a storage scroll and brought out the gift I made for the brunette. With a puff of smoke, a solid steel staff appeared in my hands; I forged it myself. It had round protrusions on each end of the staff plus small spikes as well to focus its kinetic energy for more damage, and it could be broken down into separate batons for versatility. The brunette's eyes lit up as I handed the staff to her.

" Here's a graduation gift, Tenten-san."

" Thank you!"

She took the staff and started to examine it. Tenten quickly found out how to break down the staff into batons and then put it back together.

" This is amazing, Naruto, but I can't accept such an expensive gift, and let you be short on money."

" Don't worry, the only cost was the material cost since I forged it myself. I even added a useful seals to-."

" Naruto, you made this!?"

The brunette exclaimed as she looked at the staff again with a look of surprise, and Haruhime explained.

" Tenten-chan, Naruto-kun is currently apprenticed under Gintaro-san, the Fox Clan's blacksmith."

" Woah, you're learning how to make weapons and armor, Naruto?"

I nodded and gestured for her to come closer so I could tell her something quietly. Tenten leaned in as I whispered.

" I'm also learning Sealing Jutsu and added some useful features to your staff, but keep quiet, please. I'd rather not spread what I can do."

The brunette gave me a confused look but nodded in agreement, and I then told her.

" If you prick your finger on each of the spikes, well, just try it, and you will see."

" Okay?"

Tenten did as I said and pricked her thumbs. Seals start to appear on her hands, much to her surprise, and as soon as they appear, they disappear.

" Naruto, what was that?"

" Give me back the staff for a moment."

She complied, and I told her.

" While I can't do anything too complicated yet, I can create some useful Seals. Now concentrate your Chakra on the seals now hidden on your hands."

Tenten looked confused as she did as I said, and the next moment, the staff disappeared with a puff of smoke and then reappeared in her hands. The brunette lit up at the feature I added to the staff and thanked me profusely.

" Thank you, thank you, thank you, Naruto, this is great, no, greater than great, thank you!"

" That's not all."

" What else can it do!"

Tenten demanded with her eyes almost sparkling with excitement, and I smiled as I told her.

" You also store and withdraw Chakra from the staff. Just pump it full with your Chakra, and the excess non-elemental Chakra will enter the Chakra Storage Seal."

" This is perfect!"

The brunette exclaimed as she hugged her new weapon, and I chuckled in wry amusement. I figured she would like it. It's unfortunate I can't use any power seal yet to give her something really special, but I just thought the staff would do it for now. I consider Tenten a friend and don't want her to end up in mediocrity like in Boruto as a simple but failing weapon shop owner.

So, giving her a decent weapon will hopefully stop her from becoming a jack-of-all-trades and master of none when it comes to weapons. The brunette stored the staff away in a storage scroll she had, and we went back to eating. Now, I wonder if she will be on Gai's team like in the Canon or if any butterfly effects I caused threw that out the window.

Whatever, I'll just enjoy the moment. I felt a tug on my shirt and turned to see Hinata blushing as she quietly spoke.

" Uzumaki-san, will I also get something when we graduate?"

" Sure."

I said casually, as I did have a few ideas about what to give her but would hold off on that as I had a whole year to get better at Sealing Jutsu.