After treating Haku to ramen, Naruto spent the rest of the day taking her around the shopping district before finally heading home.
Now, Haku was fast asleep.
But even after settling her in, Naruto still had unfinished business to attend to.
"Boom! Swish!"
Landing firmly on the trunk of a large tree, Naruto looked down at a clearing below. In a flash, he leapt to the ground, his landing shaking loose a flurry of falling leaves.
"Hah! Rasengan!"
With a shout, a swirling blue chakra orb instantly formed in his right palm.
"Kurama!" Naruto called out internally.
"Got it!"
Kuramareleased its chakra, two crimson, fiery tails flaring into view.
"Grrrumble…"
Stretching the two tails forward, Naruto shaped them into fox claws that enclosed the Rasengan.
"Zzzzz…"
The blue chakra orb was immediately engulfed by a dark aura.
"Hah! Nine-Tails Rasengan! Boom!"
He slammed the blackened orb into the ground. The earth caved in rapidly, leaving Naruto momentarily stunned.
"I only used a small amount of Nine-Tails' chakra, and it still caused this much destruction?"
Naruto stood dumbfounded in a crater nearly twenty meters wide.
"If I used only Kurama' chakra to form the Rasengan… then, "
"Kid, those moves got some serious punch! If you go all out, it could even beat my Vacuum Hell Howl by a mile!"
Kurama' excited voice echoed in his mind.
"Hehe, you flatter me," Naruto grinned, pleased by the compliment.
"Hey, kid, how about letting me out for a bit of fresh air?"
Kurama asked, testing the waters.
"Sure, no problem."
Naruto agreed without hesitation.
"Kid, you're a real bro!"
Kurama sounded genuinely moved and giddy with excitement.
"But," Naruto warned, "you'd better behave and come back by dawn. I still need to take care of Haku."
He knew all too well how Kurama could get carried away.
"No worries!"
Kurama made an enthusiastic promise.
"Alright then, you take over. I'll catch a few winks."
Naruto yawned, his eyelids drooping.
His body was soon cloaked in soft golden fur, and in an instant, his eyes gleamed with a wild, dangerous light, fox-like pupils and an overwhelming aura of power radiating from head to toe.
"Ahh, finally some air!"
Kurama' deep and gravelly voice resonated as it took over.
"Five tails already, huh? Not bad!"
Glancing at the tails swaying behind him, Kurama felt a surge of pride.
"Won't be long now before I've got all nine out. Naruto, you and I, let's keep pushing forward."
…
"Hey, kid! Kid!"
Bored in the forest, Kurama called out in the mindscape.
"Tch, already asleep? Whatever… guess I'll go have some fun myself."
He scanned the area, picked a random direction, and darted off.
"Whoa! The ocean! We will meet again."
Lounging against a scorched rock, Kurama breathed in the salty sea breeze, feeling completely at ease.
"Ah… this is life. If only there were a vixen here with me. Man, I really miss those fluffy, silky tails…"
After a few moments of wistful silence, Kurama finally couldn't hold it in and roared out toward the sea:
"Aaaah! I want a wife!"
"Damn it, Nine-Tails! Are you insane? It's the crack of dawn, what the hell are you yelling about? You woke me up!"
Naruto's voice boomed in his mind, clearly annoyed.
"I miss my lady foxes!"
Kurama shouted back, frustration written all over his face.
"Uhh… have you been alone that long?"
Naruto was floored. Since when did Kurama start longing for a partner?
"Something like that…"
The beast answered vaguely.
"You got a crush or something?"
Naruto asked, deadpan.
"Of course I do." Kurama sounded completely serious. "If I could get her… it'd be the dream!"
"Yeah, well… judging by your current situation, that dream's still a long way off."
Naruto sighed, lips twitching.
"Alright, you sound so pitiful I'll give you a tip: if you're really that lonely, just think about her and… do something to make yourself feel better."
"Ugh… I refuse!"
Kurama snapped with righteous indignation.
"My essence must be spent only when it's truly worth it!"
"You stubborn furball."
Naruto stretched and yawned.
"Whatever, suit yourself. I'm taking control again."
"Yeah, yeah. I've had my fun. Time for a nap. Nothing beats sleep."
As soon as he thought of sleeping, Kurama dropped everything else.
"Wow… mood swings a lot?"
Naruto was speechless.
"Whew, looks like it's almost dawn. Time to head back."
Naruto returned to his body, looked up at the sky, and got ready to leave, only to freeze.
"Kurama! You lunatic! Where the hell did you drag me last night?!"
Looking around at the unfamiliar surroundings, Naruto's expression twisted in disbelief, and he exploded.
…
"Finally back… damn that Nine-Tails."
Naruto looked worn out, his entire night's rest had gone up in smoke.
Since it was still early and Haku probably wasn't awake yet, he didn't bother knocking. Instead, he leapt through the window.
"Sleep… sleep!"
With that desperate cry in his heart, he pounced on the big bed, scooped up Haku, and drifted off to sleep with her in his arms.
…
Who knew how much time had passed before Naruto slowly awoke.
"Haku… what time is it?"
The moment he opened his eyes, he saw Haku sitting beside him with a soft smile. A bit embarrassed, he sat up and asked.
"Mmm… Naruto-kunsan, it's still early. The sun just came up."
Haku replied gently.
"Phew, guess I didn't oversleep. That's a relief."
Naruto stretched, feeling lucky.
"Today's the Seventh Squad's gathering day. If I'd slept through it, I'd be in trouble. Good thing I didn't stay out all night partying with Kurama."
"Alright, Haku, I'm getting up to wash up."
He rubbed her silky hair out of habit, then slid off the bed and into his slippers.
…
"Haku, I'm heading out now. Take care of yourself and eat on time."
Naruto waved as he gave his usual reminders.
"Okay."
Haku nodded softly, then stepped up and gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek.
"That's your goodbye kiss, Naruto-kunsan."
"Oh? There's a kiss for that too? Then I guess I'll give my little cutie a proper goodbye of my own."
Naruto leaned in and gave her soft, fair cheek a big smooch.
"Mmm! Smells so good!"
He smacked his lips with glee, looking thoroughly satisfied.
"It's decided. From now on, I'm doing this morning and night, every day!"
"Huh?…"
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Extra Content Already Available:
The Mountain of Ice and Fire (GOT) – 56 advanced chapters!
Naruto: I Am Nara Shikamaru – 30 advanced chapters!
One Piece: Summoner of the 3D Zone – 38 advanced chapters!
Naruto: Wandering with Beauties – 38 advanced chapters!
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