It wasn't that the Nine-Tails lacked integrity. The main reason was that Lock's proposal was simply too tempting.
It even abandoned its usual tsundere attitude and replaced it with full anticipation.
Anyone who had been sealed for decades—maybe even a century—where each time they were either chained up, unable to move,e or given a space the size of a fart…
…would react the same way.
If the chakra connection could truly be established, then just as Lock said—
It could attach its will to a Shadow Clone and run out of the seal to roam freely.
It wouldn't need to worry about being captured again.
It could even wander around the human world.
Thinking about that, the grin on the Nine-Tails' fox face grew wider.
Looking at the Nine-Tails, whose expression had suddenly changed and now looked like a red-furred husky smiling foolishly—
Lock curled his lips helplessly.
Nearby, Minato and Kushina were also stunned.
"What is a chakra connection?"
"And why did the Nine-Tails suddenly become so… flattering?"
Kushina grabbed Minato's Hokage cloak again and asked excitedly.
Minato thought for a moment before answering uncertainly.
"When I was alive, I read about it in a secret scroll."
"It said the original purpose of chakra was for people to connect, allowing mutual understanding and eliminating war and injustice. Unfortunately…"
Kushina already understood the rest.
The goal had failed.
Instead, chakra led to more brutal wars, stricter class divisions, and countless deaths.
Before ninjas existed, everyone was mostly equal.
Even common people could rebel and change the balance of power.
But after ninjas appeared—
Commoners could only remain commoners forever.
However, Kushina didn't care about any of that.
She simply looked at Lock with shining eyes.
"My son even knows things like this!"
"He's truly a genius!"
"So much better than his disappointing father!"
Minato: "…"
There was no need to praise one while insulting the other.
If anything, it was thanks to his good genes.
Still… Minato sighed quietly.
Fortunately, there was also Naruto—the innocent and kind-hearted personality—to balance things out.
Otherwise…
Ahead.
Lock crouched down and patted the Nine-Tails' face with a mocking smile.
"You want to take back what you said earlier?"
"Sure."
"But I liked your previous arrogant attitude more."
"Why don't you switch back?"
The Nine-Tails' expression froze.
Immediately, it changed its face intoa glaree.
Finally, it opened its huge mouth and roared.
"You… damnably handsome brat!"
"This old man isn't asking you!"
"I'm informing you!"
"Don't be ungrateful!"
"Not bad," Lock nodded with satisfaction.
Then he waved his hand and released the Adamantine Sealing Chains.
The bound Nine-Tails was finally free.
The fox immediately rolled over and sat down comfortably.
Seeing Lock release the Nine-Tails, Minato and Kushina rushed forward and stood protectively beside him.
The Nine-Tails snorted at them.
"Tch."
"I'm not like you humans."
"I don't play tricks or break promises."
After saying that, it looked seriously at Lock.
"Lock brat, do you really intend to connect your chakra with mine?"
"I don't know where you learned this method, but I must warn you first."
"With this kind of mental connection, all your thoughts and secrets will eventually appear in my mind."
"Even then… You don't care?"
Because of its pride as the strongest tailed beast, the Nine-Tails honestly explained the risks.
Of course, half the reason was that it didn't want to be killed for learning Lock's secrets.
"It doesn't matter," Lock shrugged.
"I don't have any secrets worth hiding."
"But you should prepare yourself."
"Don't be frightened by the emotions inside my heart."
The system hid Lock's deepest secrets.
Even Naruto, whose soul was directly connected, couldn't see them.
So a chakra connection meant nothing.
Lock could easily control what the Nine-Tails was allowed to see.
"Humph! What a joke!"
"This old man is the embodiment of hatred!"
"Why would I be afraid of you?"
After being sealed for so many years, the Nine-Tails' hatred toward humans had reached extreme levels.
Could a human brat who had suffered hatred for ten years possibly surpass that?
With a disdainful look, the Nine-Tails lowered its head.
"Since you're ready, let's begin."
"This old man has had enough of this cramped place."
Thinking about finally leaving the seal—
…and walking freely without fear or capture—
The Nine-Tails couldn't stop smiling.
"Fine."
"Then start connecting."
Lock simply extended his fist.
Nine-Tails: "?"
"Don't tell me you don't know the method!?"
The Nine-Tails was stunned.
After all that talk… he didn't even know how to do it?
"It's enough if you know it."
"I only know the Sage of Six Paths used it to connect with you."
Lock's expression remained calm.
Not even a hint of embarrassment appeared.
"Impressive."
"I admit defeat."
"You really have thick skin."
The Nine-Tails didn't dare say that last part out loud.
Wasn't this also a kind of tsundere behavior?
During the conversation, the Nine-Tails raised its claw and bumped fists with Lock.
Instantly—
Darkness flooded into the Nine-Tails' consciousness.
A darkness as deep as ink.
The fox immediately realized it had been too hasty.
Memories surged in.
Isolation.
Rejection.
Hatred from the entire world.
Every person nearby carried terrifying malice.
Yet the owner of these memories had to face them every single day.
Unlike the Nine-Tails, which could escape into mountains and forests—
This person had nowhere to run.
The Nine-Tails had hated humans for nearly a hundred years while sealed.
But the owner of these memories had lived inside hatred for more than ten years.
Like being soaked inside a jar of poison.
"A bunch of bastards…"
"Cowards who bully the weak but fear the strong!"
"If I had regained my senses earlier…"
"I should have used a Tailed Beast Ball and destroyed this entire cursed place!"
Experiencing the memories directly was completely different from hearing about them.
Now the Nine-Tails felt only regret.
Regret that those people were still alive.
"Did the connection fail?"
"Is the Nine-Tails rampaging again!?"
Chains immediately appeared around Kushina.
"We must finish this quickly!"
"We can't let Lock's spirit be harmed!"
Beside her, Minato formed a Rasengan, preparing for battle.
Hearing their voices, the Nine-Tails slowly looked down at them.
Its eyes were blood-red.
"This old man won't rampage."
"These people aren't my relatives."
"But you two…"
"That's a different story."
A mocking grin appeared on its face.
The Nine-Tails raised its other claw and formed a fist.
"Come here."
"You two who sacrificed your lives for these people."
"Feel it for yourselves."
"Feel… their gratitude."
---
A/N: 40+ Advance Chapter Has Been Uploaded.
Support: patreon.com/Narrator_San