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TUS Chapter 334: Kurama’s Existential Crisis (Again)
🕑 Added 2025-04-14 19:28:57 +0000 UTCItachi saw it clearly.
Even if he didn’t know exactly what had happened to Naruto and Sasuke—
Still!
Just from those two attacks alone, it was obvious that whoever had orchestrated it possessed overwhelming strength—far beyond anything they could handle.
To completely reverse the trajectory of a Tailed Beast Bomb… Even Uchiha Itachi, as he was now, couldn’t imagine doing that.
Only Uchiha Funan could!
Only the Hokage could help them!
So, before Funan returned, it would be better to use this power directly—use it against the enemy.
It wasn’t a decision made lightly. It was a last resort.
They couldn’t just stand there and watch the enemy attack while they kept running away.
Where could they even run?
Even if they escaped—what about Konohagakure?
What about Kirigakure?
What about Sunagakure?
There was no escaping for any of them!
And right now, Konohagakure wasn’t just a village—it was a symbol. It governed many cities and countless lives.
They couldn’t retreat.
If they did, they wouldn’t even need to fight this war—because they would’ve already lost.
And this, too, was the Sage of Six Paths’ plan.
Even if you suspect something’s wrong—so what?
You still have to use the power I’ve given you, don’t you?
Once you do, it’ll begin to seep into your body, your soul… It’ll start changing you—subtly guiding you back onto the path I set for you. Until finally, you become mine, fully and completely.
Once you seal away Mother Kaguya… the power will return to me.
The only problem left—was still Uchiha Funan.
In the Pure Land, the Sage of Six Paths was carefully scouring every possible place Funan might have gone.
Eventually, he locked onto a few key locations.
While devising ways to infiltrate them, he muttered under his breath, “I really hope you know what’s good for you. The last thing I want… is for Naruto and Sasuke to have to fight you too.”
Of course, if he could eliminate Funan now, that would be ideal.
From the very beginning, the Sage had always intended to kill Uchiha Funan.
...
“ROAR!!!”
The Nine-Tails let out a furious howl.
He was inside Naruto’s sealed inner world.
At that moment, the beast was utterly livid.
It made no sense!
For some reason, he felt an inexplicable fondness for Naruto—as if the boy could be trusted… as if he could help him.
So he lent Naruto his power… and reached a level of fusion with him deeper than anything before.
How is that even possible!?
He hated Naruto. Hated him to the core.
Not long ago, that bastard had taken a massive amount of chakra from him—and now he felt goodwill toward him? Now he wanted to fight alongside him?
Even the most outrageous novels wouldn’t write a plot like this!
He’d been played.
He had definitely been played.
The question was—by who!?
“That bastard… I’ll rip him to shreds!”
But the Nine-Tails wasn’t stupid.
Seeing himself now, unable to stop the constant stream of power being channeled into Naruto, he was practically ready to fire a Tailed Beast Bomb at whoever was behind this manipulation.
“Tsk, tsk… What’s going on here?” a teasing voice said. “Since when did you become so generous, Kurama? Giving Naruto your power so quickly?”
The Nine-Tails growled at the sound.
“Uchiha Funan—was it you!? Are you the one pulling the strings!?”
“What are you talking about?”
A faint projection appeared in front of the Nine-Tails.
Funan glanced at him casually and said, “You really think I’m behind this?”
“Genjutsu! You bastard—you used genjutsu to control me, didn’t you!?”
“Oh, give me a break,” Funan scoffed. “Sure, I could do that with genjutsu. But why would I bother? I could’ve just made a deal with you instead. Isn’t that more your style?”
The Nine-Tails fell silent.
Over the years, he had spoken with Funan many times. The man had always tried to negotiate with him.
He had lent Naruto his power.
And in return—when Naruto turned thirty, Funan promised to grant Kurama his freedom.
The deal had already been made.
As for the whole 'Tailed Beast leaving its Jinchūriki means death' thing… Kurama didn’t care.
He believed Funan could make it work.
So what reason would Funan have to control him with genjutsu?
If it wasn’t him—then who?
Kurama’s expression turned fierce, his red eyes burning with rage as he stared at Funan.
“Uchiha… tell me who it was. Don’t tell me you don’t know.”
Funan yawned lazily. “Even if I told you, would you believe me?”
“Just say it!” Kurama snarled. “Believing or not is my choice.”
“…The Sage of Six Paths.”
“Impossible!”
Kurama roared even louder.
That damned Uchiha—was he mocking him!?
Funan shrugged. “See? I told you—you wouldn’t believe it. But let me ask you this… could he do something like this?”
Kurama took a breath and calmed slightly. “He could. But he has no reason to.”
Funan sneered. “Why wouldn’t he? You think he cares about you? Cares about the Tailed Beasts? Please—don’t make me laugh. If he cared, would he have dumped you all like cursed objects?”
“He tossed you aside like wandering souls with nowhere to go.”
“Oh, and here’s a thought,” Funan added with a cold chuckle. “What if… your suffering was all part of his design? He left you out there just waiting to be discovered, so humans would eventually come for you… and thus, the Jinchūriki were born.”
Kurama’s gaze turned frigid.
“What exactly are you trying to say?”
“Nothing. And everything,” Funan said with a shrug. “Our deal still stands, Kurama. Just treat this like we’re working together. So please, don’t give Naruto any more trouble.”
“…Fine,” Kurama grunted, scanning him from head to toe. “But what exactly are you?”
“Just a residual image,” Funan replied. “I was set to awaken only if you and Naruto reached this level of fusion. My purpose? To observe your cooperation.”
The way he said it made Kurama’s face turn a dangerous shade of black and purple.
“Well, I’m satisfied now. Goodbye, Kurama.”
[Shff!]
“Uchihhhhaaaaaaa!!!”
Kurama roared into the void.
The sudden flood of hatred and rage nearly made Naruto lose control.
“Hey! What the hell, Kurama!?” Naruto snapped. “I’m in the middle of a fight! Can you not freak out right now!?”
The Nine-Tails shot him a cold glare but didn’t say a word. Curled up inside the sealed space, it simply went back to sleep.
Lending its power was already more than enough.
Don’t expect it to do anything else.
Damn Uchiha!
The Nine-Tails’ gaze darkened.
Did he know from the start that this would happen?
Sage of Six Paths…
Was it really you?
Now that he thought about it, a lot of what happened back then didn’t quite add up.
To you, what did we Tailed Beasts ever mean?
"Grrr…"
A low growl rumbled from deep within the Nine-Tails’ throat.
Its anger was becoming harder and harder to suppress.
If everything it went through was really because of you, Sage… then don’t blame me for what comes next.
I won’t let you off the hook.
You split the Ten-Tails and created us—the Nine Tailed Beasts.
And then you tried to 'educate' us?
Please. All you ever did was drone on and on about your grand ideals.
You never shut up.
Back then, I was even starting to get annoyed just listening to you.
Sure, we spent a lot of time together… Maybe there was some bond.
But!
If it turns out you were manipulating us all along, I won’t hold back.
Even if I can’t win, that doesn’t mean I won’t fight.
The Nine-Tails had a short fuse. Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama were strong, sure—
But catching him was like trying to grab a baby chick.
He still fought them anyway.
Even if I lose… I have to show I’m willing to fight.
“Tch. Whatever,” Naruto muttered before returning to the outside world to continue the battle.
At this point, Naruto and Sasuke had become the main force holding off the giant Buddha.
Both were rapidly approaching the level of the Six Paths.
Once they fully mastered their powers… they’d be on par with the Sage of Six Paths himself.
The giant Buddha was powerful, yes—but at the end of the day, it was just someone pushing the limits of Hashirama’s cells.
“Ha!”
The masked man let out a crazed laugh. With a wave of his hand, a barrage of giant Buddha arms howled through the air, slamming down toward the battlefield.
The Allied Shinobi erupted with their strongest techniques, charging forward to meet the onslaught.
...
"Wooooh—"
Elsewhere, Obito continued his desperate efforts to become the Ten-Tails' jinchūriki.
He had already successfully sealed the unique Ten-Tails within himself—just one final step remained.
An overwhelming torrent of power surged through his body.
Even outside, the energy created a violent storm-like current.
Kakashi and the others tried to get close, but they couldn’t even breach the swirling winds.
“Sigh…”
Minato let out a long breath. “This… might just be the toughest battle I’ve ever fought.”
“Sensei!” Kakashi called out, turning to Minato. “What’s the situation over there?”
“We’re getting our asses kicked.”
Kakashi: “…”
He stared off into the distance. The massive figure of the Buddha was still faintly visible.
It was rampaging.
Every swing of its arms sent shockwaves across the land.
Even from afar, he could feel the subtle tremors rippling through the ground.
Still… not everything was hopeless.
Just moments ago, that giant Buddha had been advancing non-stop.
Now, it had halted in place.
Clearly, someone had managed to slow it down.
[Whoosh!]
A figure suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
“Second Hokage!”
“Fourth Generation!”
Tobirama gave Minato a long look, then turned to Obito, whose body was now surrounded by swirling energy.
He sighed.
Three battlefronts.
On Madara’s side, Hashirama was being pushed back.
Against the giant Buddha, Konoha’s elites were struggling to hold the line.
And here, with Obito—same story.
Kakashi and the others had no way to break through. All they could do was stand by and watch as Obito continued to transform.
“Fourth, let’s swap Flying Thunder God marks. That way, we can move freely across the entire battlefield.”
“Deal!”
The two immediately exchanged Flying Thunder God marks.
From that moment on, they could freely use each other’s teleportation marks.
“Second Hokage, do you have a plan?”
Minato had sensed something.
“Yes,” Tobirama replied, a trace of hesitation in his voice. “I want to send a Tailed Beast Bomb directly inside the giant Buddha… and blow it up from the inside.”
“…What?”
Minato was stunned. “But the opponent hasn’t opened its mouth—it’s not like the Ten-Tails. How are we supposed to get the bomb into its mouth?”
Tobirama stared coldly at the creature. “If it doesn’t have a mouth, then we’ll cut a hole.”
“Cut… a hole?”
“Exactly,” Tobirama said. “If I compress Water Style to the absolute limit, it’ll turn into a blade—an incredibly sharp water blade. Sharp enough to slice that Buddha wide open.”
Minato took a deep breath. “What do you need me to do, Second Hokage?”
If Tobirama was explaining his plan to him, it obviously wasn’t just for show. Considering they’d just exchanged marks, it must mean Tobirama needed the Flying Thunder God’s support.
Sure enough—
“Keep it busy,” Tobirama said coldly. “Your reanimated body has infinite chakra. Whether it’s moving the Tailed Beast Bomb or deflecting other attacks, just buy me time.”
“Understood!”
“We’ll split up!”
Tobirama positioned himself along the path the giant Buddha would inevitably take, preparing his Water Release technique.
Meanwhile, Minato quickly moved to the other Kage-level ninja, ready to rally them.
But the moment he arrived, he froze.
What greeted him were pairs of weary, bloodshot eyes.
He couldn’t blame them.
After fighting for so long and unleashing so many overwhelming techniques—these ninja weren’t Jinchūriki. Of course they were exhausted.
“Dad!”
Naruto, on the other hand, was still full of energy.
Sasuke stood nearby as well, his expression as cool as ever.
Minato couldn’t help but look at him strangely.
My son’s a Jinchūriki… He’s got the strongest Tailed Beast sealed inside him.
But you, Sasuke… What’s your secret?
Mangekyō?
Are you really that strong?
“Unleash your most powerful attacks. I’ll handle the teleportation,” Minato said in a firm voice. “The Second Hokage is preparing something. We need to buy him time.”
“Got it!”
Several chakra arms extended from Naruto’s back as he began forming a Rasenshuriken.
As for what exactly his dad meant by 'preparing' something—
Naruto honestly didn’t care.
He only needed to follow his dad’s orders.
Thinking is the worst.
Minato was dumbfounded by Naruto’s decisiveness.
My son… trusts me that much?
I hadn’t even finished explaining, and he’s already charging up his ultimate move.
In that moment, Minato’s eyes misted with emotion.
Their time together had been short, but the bond between father and son—no one could replace that.
Alright… this fight—we’re winning it.
Not for the village. Not for the world.
Just for my son. For the trust he placed in me—I will win!
Minato loosened his shoulders and arms.
It was decided.
There was no way he’d let his son down!
“Naruto, ready?”
Minato’s voice was low and steady.
“Ready!” Naruto responded instantly.
“I’ll take you to the giant Buddha. When we’re there—aim for its head and smash it with everything you’ve got!”
“Roger that!”
“Fourth Hokage,” Sasuke interjected, frowning slightly at the crude plan. “How do you plan to get there? Doesn’t Flying Thunder God require a mark?”
“Relax,” Minato grinned. “I already threw a kunai up there earlier.”
