Chapter Text
Chapter 1:- Kurama
‘The Earth smells good today. The sky’s blue too.’ Naruto thought, ‘I think there’s a squirrel on my stomach.’ he thought as he looked down. Sure enough, the squirrel was there. He was thoroughly exhausted; he was on the way back to Konoha after convincing Nagato to go back to the track of peace but on the way, he just ran out of energy and collapsed on the ground. He didn’t mind though. He liked this peace after all that destruction.
With what little strength he had left, he raised his hand shakily and scratched the squirrel’s back with a finger. The squirrel seemed to like his ministrations as it didn’t immediately run away or maul his nose.
With that, he stilled himself to go into Sage Mode. He still would not have enough energy to move around with ease, but he drew comfort from the peaceful nature of the very Earth upon which he lived.
Suddenly, he could feel; he could feel the pain and the joy of the little squirrel he was petting. He could feel the strength of the tree on which he leaned. He could feel the breathing of the snake lying on the tree above him .He could feel the Earth.
“Naruto! There you are!” Kakashi exclaimed. “Are you okay? You weren’t too hurt, were you?” Kakashi asked in concern as he assessed the blonde’s body for any damage that he could find. “We were watching when you went to Pein through Katsuyu. Good job, Naruto” he said warmly as he ruffled Naruto’s hair.
“Sensei, did you-my father was your teacher, wasn’t he?” Naruto asked evenly. Kakashi flinched back but answered nonetheless. “Yes, Naruto. He was my Jonin sensei.” he said, expecting Naruto to yell but Naruto just smiled. “It’s alright Sensei. I understand. I met him when the Nine-Tails was trying to escape. He imbued some of his chakra into the seal.” Naruto said. Kakashi’s eyes widened but he just nodded. He should have expected something of that sort from his Sensei. Minato Namikaze was the most intelligent person Kakashi ever knew. His plans had plans.
“So,” started Naruto shaking the Copy Ninja out of his reverie, “do I get a lift back home?”
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The next few days were a bit of a blur for Naruto. Once he came back to the village, everyone was happy to see him, which wasn’t a common sight by any means. After all, they hated his guts (literally) for containing the Nine-Tails just a little while ago. How fickle people were.
But during that time, he did a lot of thinking. That feeling in the forest; he didn’t know how to describe it, but he wanted to learn more about it. He wanted to understand it. So he called Ma and Pa, the Toad Elders from Mount Myoboku and explained to them about the whole thing, then said he wanted to train more in the Sage Arts. They were only happy to help.
Which led to his current position: sitting perfectly still on a thin slab of wood which was precariously perched on a VERY long, VERY pointy thorn.
Not for the first time that day, Naruto wondered what made him actually want to be in such a position when a stiff breeze brushed past him, shaking him slightly. But his slight fear and apprehension was quickly replaced by a sense of calmness and peacefulness. ‘That’s why. It’s really nice here.’ he thought softly to himself.
Nature was truly amazing. Ever since he was a child, he’d oftentimes had to rely on nature. When the misguided shopkeepers in Konoha overcharged him for food to which he had no way of buying, nature provided him with fish and chicken. When his apartment was too far away from his training ground after spending a long day training, nature provided him with a nice grass field and the cool shade of a tree to rest under. When he was cold, he used the branches and twigs of the trees to make a fire. When he was dirty, nature provided a nice lake to bathe in. Nature provided.
And he felt a little guilty for it. For all that nature gave him with no expectations or hidden motives, he’d given almost nothing back.
But this, he felt, this was at least a start.
Nature chakra allowed him to connect with the world itself on a far deeper level than he’d ever connected with anyone else. That, he felt, was something he could do for the world. He could take a little bit of the world’s stress and worries onto himself, no matter how little or however short of a period of time. It was a comforting experience for him, but one that was always accompanied by surprise. For all the misery and pain that the world had seen, so much more than he could ever comprehend, it was still benevolent. It was still kind.
Why?
Naruto didn’t know the answer to that question, but he had a feeling he’d find out one day.
“Naruto-boy, get down here!” Fukasaku yelled out to him from the bottom of the spikes. Naruto opened his eyes and somehow jumped down without shaking the wooden plank even an inch.
“What’s up, Geezer Sage?” Naruto asked. Fukasaku just sighed exasperatedly. “Naruto, you’ve been meditating for the last 8 hours” he said, shaking his head as Naruto’s eyes shot up to the darkening sky. “Oh” Naruto said sheepishly.
Fukasaku just smiled and invited him along to his hut. “Come on, then. Shima’s making some stew!” Fukasaku said excitedly. Naruto didn’t share his excitement, however. ‘Oh, god not that!’ Naruto thought in his head as he slowly and reluctantly walked back to the hut.
“Naruto-boy’s back, is he? Well, come on up here then! Let’s get some food in your belly.” Shima said as she ushered Naruto into their hut and sat him down in front of a table. Soon, a full platter of insect stew was laid out on the table in front of him.
Fukasaku noticed Naruto’s reluctance and grinned wryly. Even for all he did...”Naruto-boy, I want you to enter Sage Mode right now.” Fukasaku said to Naruto. Naruto looked confused but followed through with it.
“What do you feel around you, Naruto-boy?” Fukasaku asked gently.
“I...feel nature? What exactly am I looking for?” Naruto asked bemusedly. Fukasaku just continued, “I want you to sense a little beyond the Oil Waterfall. Tell me what you feel.”
“Um...I sense, Gamahiro and-Gamakichi? They’re near the little pond. They seem to be trying to catch some insects. Hmm, Gamakichi just caught one, ooh he was just having his tongue out and a fly just landed on it and he rolled it back-hey, why are you two looking at me like that?!”
Shima and Fukasaku just laughed as they shared a look between each other. ‘Well, that’s not exactly what I was trying to get at, but it’s good to know his sage training going well. That level of detail is not so easy to achieve.’
“Nothing, Naruto. Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that as a Sage, you need to be completely one with nature. That comes with understanding that that there is a chain of command, so to speak. Insects and such are prey for those who are stronger than them like birds, reptiles, amphibians and other animals. Those animals are then further prey to those that are above them. This is the cycle of life. If you truly want to understand nature, if you truly want to link yourself to this world – and not as superficially as being a simple Sage – then you need to stop being so fussy about these things. Now, eat your stew and enjoy it. Be grateful that you have a fresh pot of food in front of you. There are so many in this world who don’t even get freshly prepared, safe insects to eat, as I’m sure I don’t need to remind you.” Fukasaku said. Naruto, while he still felt that eating insects was gross, understood what the Geezer Sage was trying to say and he honestly couldn’t refute it. There were many a nights in Konoha where he went without food and light or people to keep him company.
“Thank you for the food!” Naruto said as he started eating the insect stew. Suddenly, he found that with his new outlook, insects weren’t so bad. Yes, he would never seriously consider adding ‘insect stew’ to his daily diet, but nature would provide for him. And when nature provides, you accept.
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“Alright, Geezer Sage, lay it on me. What’s the next stage?” asked Naruto. Fukasaku smiled, “Well, Naruto-boy, now you must become a conduit.” said Fukasaku. “What’s that?” asked Naruto.
“Naruto-boy, all natural lifeforms can take in Natural Energy and use it to sustain themselves constantly. Shima, the Great Sage and I all do this. We constantly balance our chakra and maintain Sage Mode, thus becoming a true conduit of nature. Natural Energy always has an outlet in the three of us. This is what you must accomplish too.” Fukasaku explained.
“And how do I do that? You said that Sage Mode has a time limit of 5 minutes for me.” questioned Naruto. “I was getting to that. Typically, to learn this, Shima and I would sit on your shoulders and pass the Natural Energy we collect on to you. But we’ve already tried that and your tenant firmly rejected it. So either you work something out with the Nine-Tails and let us help you or...we use that method.” Fukasaku said ominously.
Hearing this, Naruto went deep in thought. ‘Work things out with the Nine-Tails? That could never work, right? But the way Geezer Sage mentioned the other method, it’s almost as if he doesn’t want me to use that method. But could talking it out with the Nine-Tails actually work? Then again, I’ve never really talked to it’, memories of all his interactions with the Nine-Tails came to his mind, ‘No, talked to him. He’s also part of nature, he’s chakra personified. Maybe he has a story to tell, too. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe I should talk to him.’ Naruto finished his contemplation.
Fukasaku was watching him with a blank expression on his face. ‘What will you choose, I wonder. Will you choose the easy path, or will you truly connect? Was the Great Toad Sage right about-‘”Fukasaku-sensei, I must speak with the Nine-Tails. Please excuse me.” Naruto said solemnly as he bowed and left in a rare expression of respect.
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Naruto made his way back to the Land of Spikes (his nickname for the area filled with long, pointy spikes), found a pad and sat on his favourite spike right in the middle of the field, soon entering a state of peaceful meditation.
Before long, he entered his mindscape and arrived in front of the seal. “Nine-Tails, we need to talk.” he called out. A pair of slitted red eyes opened, highlighted by the darkness that surrounded it.
“You’re here again. What do you want, you pathetic creature? Are you here to steal my chakra again?” snarled the Nine-Tails, still hidden in the darkness of his prison.
“No. No, I don’t want your chakra. No, I’m here to apologize. I realize that I haven’t treated you fairly; from the moment I first met you, I always treated you as someone lesser than me. I always treated you with scorn. Looking back, it was very hypocritical of me. I was always treated with scorn and anger by a village which thought you were me and I, turned that same anger onto you. The battle with Pein has made me realize that the only thing you wanted was freedom, freedom which was denied to you for three generations. I’m sorry, for all the pain that I and my race have caused you and other tailed beasts. “ Naruto stated at length, bowing at the end.
The Nine-Tails was expecting his jailer to ask for his chakra again, he was expecting Naruto to yell at him for his attempted breakout during Pein’s fight but never did he expect Naruto to own up to his actions and apologize.
“And? Do you think, by waving some words in my face, all is forgiven? That all your past actions are wiped away and we’ll be best chums now?” growled the Nine-Tails.
Naruto shook his head. “I am not asking for your forgiveness. What I’ve done is unforgivable and I must live with that. I just want to make amends and make sure that from here on out, I don’t turn into what I hate. One day, I’ll find a way to release you from me without killing either of us. Until then,” Naruto stated, willing a swirl of water to lift him towards the seal tag as he tore a small piece off from the corner, “I can at least give you this amount of freedom.”
Naruto turned away from the shocked eyes of the Nine-Tails as he willed the swirl of water to lower him to the sewer-like floor. “Goodbye for now, I’ll come back soon.”
“Wait.” Nine-Tails called out. Naruto turned around to face Nine-Tails, “My name is...Kurama.”
Naruto smiled. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Kurama.”
Notes:
Okay, so I lied. I did not post "in a little bit". It's been a few months. I wanted to write an actual serious story and this is my attempt. I tried cooking really hard on this chapter. I hope y'all like it. The tags aren't fully finished yet, because I don't truly know exactly where I'm going with this. Also, I'm going to college now! I should be starting college in a few weeks.
Chapter Text
Chapter 2:- The First Bond
Naruto opened his eyes from his meditation, still smiling faintly. His conversation with the Nine-Ta - Kurama was fresh in his mind. The sun was dipping low, illuminating the Land of Spikes in a shower of golden light. For some reason, his heart felt lighter. It was like he’d finally unloaded a weight he was carrying his whole life.
Seeing as the sun was going lower and lower, he decided to pack up shop and go back to Fukasaku’s hut. The elder toad was waiting outside for Naruto, arms crossed. “Well? Did you figure something out?”
“Yeah. His name’s Kurama. And I’ve been a huge idiot. I’m going to fix it though. I think we might be able to understand each other. He might even let me balance my chakra with him. Not that it was my intention in the first place, but like, y’know, I don’t wanna force anything or anything like - you know what I mean, right?” blabbered Naruto.
Fukasaku’s eyes softened. “Good. You’re on the right path, Naruto-boy. But understanding isn’t enough. You must prove yourself trustworthy: not just to me, or to Kurama. You must prove trustworthy to nature itself.”
“Prove myself? How?” Naruto inquired.
The geezer sage’s expression hardened. “You’ll need to let nature flow through you without resistance. Now you must learn not just to call on it to do battle, but you must learn to live it, breathe it, even when it hurts. When you can hold Sage Mode naturally, without strain or time constraints, then you’ll know you’re ready. But since I still can’t merge my chakra with yours to help, we’re going to have to do it the hard way.” Fukasaku stated ominously. “You’ll need to survive the trial of the Deep Root.”
Naruto blinked owlishly. “Deep Root? Is that like, a massive tree or something?”
Fukasaku facepalmed. “No, you fool! It’s an ancient vein of Natural Energy under Mount Myoboku. A small trickle of energy from the Deep Root spreads to the Oil Waterfall and that’s why it’s so conductive to Natural Energy. The Natural Energy in the Deep Root is so dense that it’ll overwhelm anyone who isn’t truly balanced. You’ll either learn to live in harmony...or die trying.” Fukasaku ended ominously, making a surprisingly scary face for an old toad with a goatee.
“Sound’s fun! Lead the way!” Naruto enthused, grinning.
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In Naruto’s mindscape:
Kurama sat brooding, staring at the torn edge of the seal. The gap was small, but it was enough. Enough for him to feel freedom, feel the air brushing against his fur, sense the smell of ripe fruits in the realm of the toads. Usually, he would be consumed by anger. But this time, something was different.
‘Why did that brat bow to me? What does he want now? Why didn’t he ask for anything? Humans always ask for something...’
Kurama’s massive tails were swishing behind him, lashing out at the dark water. ‘Humans always want something. My jailers wanted my chakra, Old Man Hagoromo wanted me to keep the peace, they always want something out of me. Like I’m some disposable tool for them to turn on and turn off whenever they want. But he’s different. Why? Or maybe he’s just pretending. We’ll see.’
For the first time in a long time, Kurama didn’t immediately retreat into slumber. Instead, he stayed awake, quietly watching his jailer take on his next great challenge
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Real world:
The Deep Root was not at all, as it’s name would suggest, a deep root of a big tree. It was a deep cavern, it’s walls threaded with emerald veins of natural energy. The air thrummed with power, so thick it made Naruto’s skin prickle.
“Alright, Naruto-boy” Fukasaku said gravely. “Sit in the center, close your eyes and let the energy come to you. Don’t fight it, don’t force it, just go along for the ride.”
Naruto sat down cross-legged on the cool stone. The air felt alive, like a hundred heartbeats pulsing all around him. He entered Sage Mode slowly, feeling the Natural Energy flood in, stronger than ever before.
Then it hit.
This wasn’t the peaceful stream of energy he’d felt before. This was a ravaging flood, as if the earth itself were testing him, pushing, pressing, trying to crush his will. His skin started hardening at the fingertips, the stone slowly creeping up on him.
In his mind, Kurama watched. ‘Idiot brat. At this rate, you’ll be a stone in minutes.’
Naruto gritted his teeth. “No...I...can handle this!”
‘Hah, don’t make me laugh. You? Handle nature itself? You’re too stubborn to even ask for help!’ Kurama jeered.
Naruto growled. “Fine then. Help me! Help me not because I demand it, but because I ask. I want us to do this together. You’re part of this world too, a founding pillar of nature. Please, Kurama. Help me!”
There was a long silence. Then, ‘You’re unbelievable, kid. Fine then, just this once. You better not make me regret it.’
Naruto suddenly felt a surge of power. It was not overwhelming or hostile or like anything at all, really. It was pure chakra. Kurama was lending him chakra willingly, tempering the wild flood of Natural Energy, balancing it. The stone creeping up on him stopped, then receded.
Outside, Fukasaku watched with wide eyes. Naruto’s orange pigmentation deepened to a rich, burning gold and strange red markings began to trace faintly across his skin. The energy around him didn’t just settle - it flowed through him. It was like the earth itself recognized him as it’s own.
When Naruto finally opened his eyes, Sage Mode burned even brighter and calmer than before. His previous toad-like horizontal bars for pupils had reverted back to his normal human pupils.
Fukasaku spoke, still shocked. “Naruto-boy, you didn’t just balance Natural Energy. You fused with it. You are now a true conduit.”
Naruto grinned, though his eyes were more serious than ever. “We did it. Me and Kurama.”
And deep within his mindscape, Kurama just snorted. ‘Don’t get used to it, brat.’. But if one listened closely, the faintest traces of respect could be scraped.
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Konoha:
Tsunade Senju, the Fifth Hokage of Konoha was currently bedridden after her battle with Pein. This was not good. Not good at all. Shikaku Nara had served the Konoha Military Council faithfully - though somewhat lazily - and knew that there were certain factions in the council who would love to usurp the current hierarchy should any weakness be shown. He was proven right.
Danzo Shimura had called the Fire Daimyo and the Military Council as was his right as an Elder Councilor to a meeting to speak about the current condition of the village. But Shikaku knew what the elder really wanted: the position of Hokage.
“I, Shikaku Nara, Military General of Konoha, call the 23rd full-council meeting to order.” Shikaku started. “Since this meeting was called by Elder Danzo, I cede the floor to him.”
Danzo stood. “I have called all of you respected members of our community here to explain the current state of affairs in Konoha.” he said. “As you may have observed, where this village once was, only a crater remains. Our Fifth Hokage, Tsunade Senju, is currently bedridden and in a coma after her battle with Pein, the enemy who singlehandedly cratered the village.”
He moved from his position and started walking around the room, the thuds from his cane making the only noise other than his own voice. “This is not a good look. We have faced invasions by other villages and organizations twice now in the last 4 years. Both times have had devastating results for our great village. We must focus on growing stronger. Thus, I raise a vote of No-Confidence towards Tsunade Senju, the Fifth Hokage, and put forward my own name as her replacement.”
The Daimyo’s sharp eyes scanned the room, an unreadable expression on his face - until they suddenly softened, almost glazed. “Yes...yes, I agree.” he said, almost too quickly. “Danzo Shimura will take the position of Sixth Hokage of Konoha, effective immediately. Now, if you would excuse me, I must go.” he rose abruptly, his guards quickly ushering him out before anyone could react.
Shikaku frowned, watching the door swing shut. The Daimyo never stuttered, never rushed. Ever.
He glanced at Danzo. The old war hawk hadn’t moved, but there was something predatory in his posture. A certain self-satisfied smugness. ‘He messed with him’ Shikaku thought.
‘Troublesome. This is not good. Not at all.’ Shikaku thought.
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Mount Myoboku:
It’s been 2 weeks since Naruto was declared a Conduit of Nature by Fukasaku. During that time, Naruto never dropped out of Sage Mode even once. Now that sufficient time had passed, Fukasaku called Naruto over for the next phase of his training.
“Alright, Naruto-boy. Now that you have been able to maintain Sage Mode for two weeks without stopping, we may progress to the next stage. This will undoubtedly be the hardest part.” Fukasaku explained.
Naruto grinned. “Hardest part? You mean, harder than sitting perfectly still on a very pointy rock while also balancing my chakra to make sure I don’t turn into stone?”
The Geezer Toad chucked. “Indeed. Much harder. Now you know perfectly well how to draw nature into you. You know how to strengthen your body and mind using Natural Energy. But power is not enough here. Now you must learn to let nature do the fighting for you.”
Naruto frowned. “So...through elemental manipulation or something like that?”
“Not quite, Naruto-boy.” Fukasaku hopped down from his perch and walked up to him. “You’re still thinking too much. Every punch, every block, you decide to do it. But nature - true nature - doesn’t decide. It simply is.If you can move without thinking, guided only by the nature around you, your body will respond far faster than your mind could every comprehend.”
“Huh. It seems like something Gai-sensei would shout about while going around Konoha five-hundred times while doing handstands.” Naruto pondered.
“Indeed. Advanced Taijutsu masters, through sheer experience and understanding of their art, are capable of simulating an incomplete version of what I’m trying to teach you. That incomplete emulation alone is capable of propelling them so far in their combat ability.” Fukasaku explained.
“Damn, that’s pretty cool then. What’s this thing called?” Naruto asked.
Fukasaku smirked. “The Great Toad Sage calls this the Instinct of Nature, but personally, Ultra Instinct feels much better.”
He suddenly leapt at Naruto, stick raised. Naruto barely managed to dodge. “Hey! What was that for?!”
“You’re still waiting for your eyes to tell you what’s coming. That’s too slow. You must feel where the attack is coming from, as if the very earth is warning you.” Fukasaku explained. “Empty your mind. Simply focus on doing one thing and one thing alone. Open yourself up to nature. Let nature guide you.”
Naruto clenched his fists. “Right. No thinking, just feeling.”
“Good. Now, I’ll keep swinging until you get it.” Fukasaku said as he launched himself towards Naruto again.
For hours, Fukasaku attacked from every angle. Naruto’s reflexes were sharp, but every time he saw an attack and decided to dodge, he was already too late. When he tried to block, Fukasaku was already behind him ready with another attack. Gradually, frustration turned into focus and a single-minded determination to learn this technique. His breathing slowed. The world around him grew louder than his own thoughts.
The next time Fukasaku’s staff whistled towards his head, Naruto didn’t think. His body flew sideways like a leaf on water. Then again. And again. He wasn’t reacting. He was just moving, guided by something deeper than instinct.
Fukasaku leaped back, eyes gleaming. “That’s it, Naruto-boy. Let nature move you. Stop fighting it.”
Naruto stood panting, wide-eyed. “Woah, it’s like, I didn’t even know I was gonna dodge, I just did.”
“That’s the first step.” Fukasaku said. “Keep this up and even the fastest blade won’t be able to touch you. But lose focus for one minute and nature will stop guiding you. And when that happens, I’ll hit you so hard your grandkids will feel it.”
Naruto grinned, wiping sweat from his brow. “Heh. You’re on, Geezer Sage. Let’s see if nature can keep up with me.”
Notes:
This is the second chapter. Have fun!
Aether1009 on Chapter 1 Sun 24 Aug 2025 01:07PM UTC
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layanaamari on Chapter 2 Sun 24 Aug 2025 07:25AM UTC
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