NOVEL NEXT Chapter 110: Training starts
As we stepped outside, the morning sun cast a warm glow over the village.
"You two head to the Hokage office and get things sorted. I'll check in later after I've set things up at the Root base," I said, turning to Tsuna and Shizune.
Tsuna crossed her arms and gave me a lazy smirk. "You better not slack off. This training with Nine tails is no joke, Naruto."
I grinned. "Don't worry, Tsuna. I've got this."
Shizune gave me a small smile. "Just be careful, Naruto. The Root base may be deserted, but it's still filled with traps and secrets Danzo left behind."
"I'll keep that in mind," I replied.
With that, Tsuna and Shizune headed toward the Hokage office, and I made my way toward the training grounds where my friends and girls would be waiting.
As I walked through the village, I could see the bustling activity of the villagers, many of whom greeted me warmly. Their support always gave me strength, reminding me why I was pushing myself so hard.
Reaching the training grounds, I saw my friends gathered there, already in the middle of their exercises. Sakura was practicing her chakra control, Ino and Hinata were working on their jutsu, and Sasuke was sparring with Haku. Temari stood off to the side, watching with her fan in hand, ready to join in.
"Hey, everyone!" I called out, waving as I approached.
They turned to look at me, and a chorus of greetings followed.
"Naruto, you're late!" Sakura said, putting her hands on her hips.
"Sorry about that. Had to make sure Tsuna and Shizune were set for the day," I explained.
"Typical Naruto," Sasuke muttered, though there was a small smirk on his face.
"Alright, everyone," I said, clapping my hands together. "Let's get to work! I've got some time before I head to the Root base, so I'm here to help you all train. Let's push ourselves to the limit!"
They all nodded, determination in their eyes, and we got to work.
I spent the morning guiding them, sparring with Sasuke, helping Hinata refine her Gentle Fist technique, and offering encouragement to everyone. The bond we shared as a team and as friends only grew stronger with each passing moment, fueling my resolve for the challenges ahead.
By the time we wrapped up, everyone was exhausted but satisfied with their progress.
"Great job, everyone!" I said, giving them a thumbs-up. "Keep it up, and we'll be unstoppable."
They smiled back at me, their confidence shining through.
"Now, I've got to head to the Root base," I said. "Wish me luck. Kurama's not going to make this easy."
"Good luck, Naruto," Sakura said, her voice filled with genuine care.
"Yeah, don't get yourself killed, dobe," Sasuke added, though I could tell he was concerned in his own way.
After an intense training session, hunger hit all of us hard, so we decided to grab a meal at a nearby restaurant. The lunch was lively, filled with chatter and laughter, as everyone seemed to enjoy the well-deserved break.
Once we were done, the group split up to focus on their individual tasks. Some went off to take on missions, while others returned to continue their training.
"Bye, guys, I need to go," I said, waving as I bid them farewell.
I headed toward the outskirts of Konoha, my destination clear in mind. Soon, I arrived at the Root base—a place that looked eerily like a haunted house, perfectly fitting for someone like Danzo.
As I stepped into the Root base, the eerie silence was palpable, the kind that could make anyone's hair stand on end. The dim lighting cast long shadows on the walls, and the air was thick with a sense of foreboding.
"Looks like Danzo had a knack for making things as creepy as possible," I muttered to myself, taking in the haunting atmosphere of the place.
Walking further inside, I reached for the nearest set of switches and flicked them on. The base was suddenly bathed in artificial light, illuminating rows of training equipment, old mission files, and what seemed to be storage for weapons. Dust motes danced in the beams of light, a testament to how long this place had been left abandoned since Danzo's fall.
"Well, it's not exactly homey, but it'll do," I said, nodding to myself as I surveyed the large, open training area. The size and isolation were perfect for controlling the Nine-Tails' chakra without endangering anyone.
I moved deeper into the base, checking each room to ensure there weren't any surprises waiting for me. A few rooms still held remnants of Root's operations: scrolls with coded messages, maps marked with locations, and even some Anbu training gear left behind.
"This place is more like a graveyard of secrets than a base," I said, shaking my head.
After confirming the place was secure, I began clearing out one of the largest rooms for my training. I set up some sealing tags along the walls as an extra precaution, ensuring that if anything went wrong during my training, the damage would be contained within the room.
"Now this should do it," I said, taking a step back to inspect my work. "Kurama's going to love this."
Inside the seal, Kurama stirred.
"Hmph. Don't think you're so clever, brat," he growled. "This isn't enough to impress me."
I smirked. "Don't worry, Kyubi. I'm not here to impress you. I'm here to work with you. Big difference."
Kurama huffed but didn't say anything further.
Taking a deep breath, I sat down in the center of the room and closed my eyes, meditating for a moment to prepare myself mentally. This was just the beginning, and I knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy. But with determination burning in my chest, I was ready to take the first step toward mastering the Nine-Tails' power.
"What do you want, brat?" Kurama's voice grumbled from the darkness.
"I'm not here to argue," I said calmly, focusing on my chakra. "I'm here to make a deal. You and I, we need to figure out how to work together. I'm not asking you to like me, but I need your help. We're stronger together, and I intend to prove it."
Kurama's voice chuckled darkly. "Stronger? You think you can just waltz in here and talk to me like we're buddies?" His tone held the same disdain he had for humans, but there was also a hint of curiosity. "Tell me, boy, what makes you think you can control my power?"
"I've been preparing," I said confidently. "This isn't just about taking your chakra and using it recklessly. It's about understanding you. I know what it's like to be trapped, controlled, and used. But we're more than just weapons. I'm asking you to trust me, even just a little."
There was a long pause, and I could feel his massive chakra stirring behind the bars of his cage. "You're a strange one, human. I don't like it, but... I'll listen. You'd better make it worth my time."
I smiled, knowing this was just the beginning. "I'll prove it to you. Step by step, we'll learn how to work together."
And with that, the real challenge of training began. I focused all my energy, tuning my chakra to match the flow of Kurama's. It wasn't easy—every time I tried to push further, his hatred flared up, trying to break my control. But I didn't give up. Slowly, I began to feel his chakra responding, warming up to my presence.
"Let's see if you can handle it," Kurama said, his voice darker now, but with a tinge of amusement. "This isn't going to be easy."
"I'm ready," I replied, my determination solidifying. This was the start of something much bigger, and I wasn't backing down.