Behind Menma stood a massive crimson fox.
The Nine-Tails.
Kurama.
Behind Fū towered an enormous beetle-like creature with a deep blue body, six translucent green wings, and a long segmented tail.
The Seven-Tails.
Chōmei.
"Is that… the Nine-Tails?"
Unlike Menma, who remained calm upon seeing Chōmei, Fū's reaction was entirely different.
The moment her eyes landed on Kurama, her face filled with shock and excitement.
This was the first time she had ever encountered a tailed beast other than Chōmei.
And the very first one she met happened to be the strongest of them all.
The legendary Nine-Tails.
It was impossible for her not to be excited.
"Haha, it's nice to finally meet you, Chōmei."
Menma looked up at the enormous Seven-Tails and smiled.
"My name is Uzumaki Menma."
Among the nine tailed beasts, some possessed violent temperaments while others were comparatively mild.
Chōmei belonged to the latter category.
Unlike Shukaku, who was notoriously irritable, Chōmei was generally calm and reasonable.
Of course, much of that was influenced by the differing experiences each tailed beast had endured throughout history.
"You know my name?"
Chōmei's compound eyes narrowed slightly.
Then he shifted his gaze toward Kurama.
"Kurama, did you tell this little one about us?"
"Hmph."
Kurama snorted.
"Don't lump me together with your assumptions."
"I never told him anything."
"He learned it all himself."
Kurama's enormous eyes narrowed.
"He knows my name."
"He knows yours."
"And he even knows about the old man."
"What?"
Chōmei's wings froze for a moment.
Originally, he had merely been surprised that Kurama seemed willing to converse so openly with his jinchūriki.
Now, however, genuine shock appeared in his voice.
Menma knew their names on his own?
And he even knew about the old man?
How?
At that instant, an astonishing possibility surfaced within Chōmei's mind.
It sounded absurd.
Yet it was also the only explanation he could think of.
Meanwhile, Fū stood completely bewildered.
Kurama?
That was the Nine-Tails' name?
And who exactly was this "old man" they kept mentioning?
Why did it sound as though both tailed beasts shared some secret she had never heard before?
"Hehe."
Menma smiled faintly.
"Kurama isn't lying."
"I do know about all of you."
"And I know a few things about the Sage of Six Paths as well."
The moment those words were spoken, Chōmei's gaze sharpened.
Fū's eyes widened.
"The Sage of Six Paths?!"
Menma simply nodded.
"However, discussing those matters now would take far too long."
His expression gradually became serious.
"I came here today because I need your help."
"Specifically, I need a portion of your chakra, Chōmei."
The spiritual space suddenly fell silent.
Both Fū and Chōmei blinked.
"My chakra?"
Chōmei asked.
"Chōmei's chakra?"
Fū echoed at the same time.
The two reacted almost identically.
Fū frowned in confusion.
"Wait."
"Can you even do that?"
"Different tailed beasts possess different chakra signatures."
"How can you carry Chōmei's chakra inside your body?"
"And what exactly are you planning to do with it?"
Menma took a deep breath.
"Because I am an Uzumaki."
"I possess an extremely powerful life force, enormous chakra reserves, and advanced sealing techniques."
"As long as the amount remains controlled, I can safely seal a portion of Chōmei's chakra within my body."
"As for the purpose…"
His eyes became serious.
"I need greater power."
Fū's expression also became solemn.
"Power?"
"Yes."
Menma nodded.
"For myself."
"And for Takigakure."
His voice remained calm.
"You know my identity."
"One day, the truth will inevitably become public."
"When that happens, both I and Takigakure will face tremendous pressure."
"Before that day arrives, we need to become as strong as possible."
"Chōmei's chakra can help me shorten the time needed to reach that level."
Fū understood that much.
She had witnessed the political situation surrounding Menma firsthand.
The danger hanging over Takigakure was very real.
However, she still looked confused.
"I understand that."
"But I still don't understand how Chōmei's chakra can make you stronger."
"Are you planning to combine it with Kurama's chakra?"
"Or somehow use both powers together?"
Menma scratched his cheek.
"Not exactly."
A helpless smile appeared on his face.
"To be honest, I can't explain everything right now."
"Because most of it is still theoretical."
"I don't even know whether it will ultimately succeed."
That wasn't an excuse.
It was the truth.
No one had ever walked the path Menma intended to explore.
His ultimate objective involved gathering the chakra of all nine tailed beasts.
After all, the tailed beasts were originally fragments of the Ten-Tails.
And the Ten-Tails itself was connected to the source of the Ōtsutsuki Clan's power.
If Menma wanted to reach the highest levels of strength in the shinobi world, ordinary training would never be enough.
The world of Naruto had always been one where bloodlines determined the upper limits of power.
Whether it was the Sage of Six Paths, the Uchiha, the Senju, or the Ōtsutsuki themselves, every peak powerhouse possessed extraordinary bloodline abilities.
If Menma wished to stand among them, he would need to find a path of his own.
Would gathering the chakra of the tailed beasts be enough?
Perhaps not.
There were still countless unknown variables.
The body.
The soul.
Natural energy.
Yin-Yang Release.
The power inherited from the Sage of Six Paths.
All of these factors were involved.
For now, Menma was simply taking the first step.
If a better path appeared later, he could adjust accordingly.
If not
Then he would continue moving forward with the road he had chosen.
Success would bring evolution.
Failure would bring destruction.
Menma understood that better than anyone.
"I see…"
Fū slowly nodded.
Then she turned toward Chōmei.
"What do you think?"
The giant Seven-Tails remained silent for several moments.
His gaze lingered on Kurama.
Kurama simply snorted.
The two tailed beasts shared a unique connection.
Even without words, Chōmei could sense Kurama's attitude.
After a long pause, Chōmei finally spoke.
"You don't intend to stop with my chakra alone, do you?"
Menma smiled.
"Of course not."
"This is only the first step."
The answer was straightforward.
Chōmei studied him quietly.
Then he nodded.
"I understand."
"No problem."
"I'll give you a portion of my chakra."
As he spoke, one of his massive forelegs extended toward Menma.
Menma immediately raised his right hand.
The moment they touched
A unique chakra surged into his body.
It felt completely different from Kurama's chakra.
Lighter.
More vibrant.
Filled with a distinct vitality.
Menma immediately formed several seals.
Advanced Uzumaki sealing formulas appeared around him.
Within moments, the chakra was safely sealed.
A faint smile appeared on Menma's face.
The second tailed beast.
Even if his ultimate plan failed, obtaining the chakra of additional tailed beasts would still increase his versatility and overall combat capabilities.
It was an investment worth making.
Just then
Fū suddenly raised her hand.
"Um…"
"Hm?"
Menma looked toward her.
"If your idea succeeds…"
Fū hesitated.
Then she continued.
"Can you teach me?"
"I want to become stronger too."
Her eyes sparkled.
"And maybe…"
She glanced nervously toward Kurama.
"Maybe Kurama could give me some chakra someday too?"
The entire spiritual space became quiet.
Kurama's ears twitched.
His expression darkened immediately.
Menma nearly laughed.
"Well…"
"It's not impossible."
"But you're not an Uzumaki."
"Even if my theory succeeds, there's no guarantee it would work for you."
"We'll have to wait and see."
"Really?"
Fū's eyes lit up.
"Then I'll look forward to it!"
Kurama immediately let out an annoyed snort.
As if his chakra were something anyone could simply request.
If Menma were not such a special case, Kurama would never have agreed in the first place.
A promise was a promise.
But that did not mean he intended to hand out his chakra freely.
Across from him, Chōmei seemed to notice Kurama's irritation.
An amused expression appeared on the giant beetle's face.
At the same time, a certain suspicion within his heart grew even stronger.
This boy…
Could he truly have some connection to the Sage of Six Paths?
Otherwise, why would Kurama trust him to this extent?
"Well."
Menma rose to his feet.
"That's all I needed today."
"I should be leaving."
"Wait!"
Fū immediately called out.
"I still have a question."
Her eyes shone with curiosity.
"The old man you mentioned earlier."
"The Sage of Six Paths."
"What exactly is the relationship between him and the tailed beasts?"
Menma paused.
Then he laughed.
"That's not a question I should answer."
He glanced at Chōmei.
"If Chōmei wants to tell you, that's his decision."
"Eh?"
Before Fū could complain
The spiritual world dissolved.
Menma's consciousness withdrew instantly.
When he opened his eyes again, he found himself back inside the room.
Everything appeared unchanged.
Yet he could clearly feel the newly acquired chakra sealed within his body.
The chakra of the Seven-Tails.
Standing up, Menma looked toward Fū, who had only just begun regaining consciousness.
"See you next time, Fū."
The moment she opened her eyes
Menma was already standing at the doorway.
Then, without waiting for a response, he pushed the door open.
Chakra erupted beneath his feet.
His figure vanished into the distance.
Fū stared at the empty doorway for several seconds.
Then she puffed out her cheeks angrily.
Especially after noticing that Chōmei had suddenly become suspiciously quiet.
"Hey, Chōmei!"
No answer.
"Chōmei!"
Still nothing.
Fū immediately stood up.
Her curiosity had reached its limit.
"Tell me!"
"Who is this old man?"
"Why does everyone know except me?"
"Right now!"
"I want answers right now!"
Her voice echoed throughout the room.
Meanwhile, deep within her seal, Chōmei could only sigh helplessly.
Some things…
Were not easy to explain.
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