On the Island of Paradise.
Killer B led Naruto and Yamato into a secluded training space. This was where Naruto was to completely master the power of the Nine-Tails.
Within his inner world...
Naruto gazed at the cage before him, where the massive Nine-Tails sat imprisoned.
"Yo. Your eyes are as fierce as ever."
The Nine-Tails, its eyes bloodshot, growled, "Naruto... you brat."
"What's wrong?"
"Where did the 'real' you go? Why can't I feel him anymore?" the Nine-Tails asked.
"I'm right here, right in front of your eyes."
"Even though you've conquered the hatred, do not be careless. Give it everything you've got. The Nine-Tails is a collective of hatred; it is extreme," Killer B's voice echoed in Naruto's mind.
Naruto pulled at the seal, the Four Symbols Seal formula manifesting before him. The Nine-Tails didn't quite understand Naruto's current actions.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Naruto bit onto the collar of his jacket, looking at the fox with a face of steely determination.
"My mouth is a bit busy right now, but isn't it obvious?"
He looked at the Nine-Tails, his hands forming the chakra signs to release the seal.
"Here I come!"
As the seal was undone bit by bit, the Nine-Tails slammed the cage doors open with a massive paw, roaring at Naruto. At that exact moment, the surrounding walls shattered, and the Eight-Tails' octopus tentacles lunged forward, restraining the fox.
Following Killer B's detailed instructions, Naruto began his battle. Hearing B's voice, the Nine-Tails finally realized what Naruto was trying to achieve.
"I see. You want to control my power? And you've even teamed up with the Eight-Tails! Do you even call yourself the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails? You have no backbone!!!"
In the Nine-Tails' fury, a Tailed Beast Bomb began to compress and gather above its head. A terrifying Tailed Beast Beam fired out, but the Eight-Tails' tentacles caught it head-on.
"Thanks, Octopus Pops!"
Naruto shouted. Because his physical body was sitting still in the outside world, his inner self entered Sage Mode!
"Sage Art: Massive Rasengan!" A giant Rasengan appeared in Naruto's hand as he slammed it toward the Nine-Tails. However, the fox's tail blocked the strike and swatted him away instantly.
"You think you can beat me?" the Nine-Tails sneered with disdain.
"Of course. Why else would I open the seal?" As he spoke, Naruto's figure vanished.
"What?! Shadow Clones!" the Nine-Tails gasped in surprise.
It already felt its tail being hoisted up by Naruto's Sage Mode-enhanced physical strength, before being sent flying in a shoulder throw. The combo wasn't over. As the Nine-Tails staggered to lift its head, two shadow clones in the air had already prepared a Sage Art: Wind Release: Rasenshuriken!
The Rasenshuriken exploded against the Nine-Tails' belly, its massive energy spiraling and consuming everything around it. The Nine-Tails stumbled, and Naruto's main chakra began to pull at the fox's chakra.
The Nine-Tails' chakra was no small matter; a tide of hatred, anger, and countless negative emotions began to slowly swallow Naruto.
"I hate it so much... it hurts... I'll kill you!"
"If only those people didn't exist... if only they weren't there..."
"I really wanted to go with Kanon too... Why didn't she take me with her?!"
Sensing something was wrong, Yamato and Killer Bee saw Naruto's Sage Mode beginning to fade.
"You alone cannot control my power!"
"You are just a small part of my hatred."
Naruto gasped for breath. He was indeed reaching his limit. His mind was filled with images of the villagers loathing him, of being isolated since childhood, their voices echoing:
"No one will ever acknowledge you!"
"Demon Fox, disappear! Just disappear!"
Suddenly, Naruto's body in the outside world began to be shrouded in a Tailed Beast Mantle. Just as B and Yamato started to panic, the mantle receded rapidly. Pink eye-shadow appeared at the corners of Naruto's eyes – this was Kanon's Sage Mode!
"What's going on?" Yamato asked in shock.
"I don't know, but things finally seem to have quieted down."
Inside Naruto's inner world, he closed his eyes in pain, his mind flooded with images of being rejected and abandoned by the villagers. Suddenly, a scene flickered in his mind. It was a cliffside where he sat happily, eating the grilled meat someone had brought him.
Under the warm sunlight, a girl with long black hair showed a smile as bright as the sun. Her hair flowed like a waterfall, shimmering with a natural luster that perfectly matched her cheerful aura. She gently brought over the meat she had wrapped up and shared several skewers with him, as if encouraging him or celebrating a small victory.
Her smile was like a spring breeze, and her eyes sparkled with a crystalline light, revealing endless joy and confidence. Her gaze was full of love for life and expectation for the future, making it impossible not to be infected by her mood.
"Kanon..."
"Eat up, Naruto," Kanon said with a beaming smile.
"But..."
"Well, it is a bit dangerous, isn't it?" Kanon looked at the Nine-Tails roaring at them from outside their shared space. "In that case..."
Kanon stood up. Naruto and Kanon's forms both aged rapidly; Naruto returned to his current self, while Kanon reverted to her twin-tailed appearance.
"Naruto, someone unexpected is about to show up."
"Unexpected?" Naruto was confused, but he let out a soft laugh. He was simply too happy; it felt as though he had once again met his best friend from childhood who had cared for and looked after him: Kanon Uchiha.
"It doesn't matter who it is, as long as you're here..."
"Idiot!" Kanon rebuked him with a slight blush, then stepped out beyond the confines of this mental space.
The world fell silent instantly as if nothing had happened. Both the Nine-Tails and Kanon were gone. At that moment, behind the cliff, a red-haired woman wearing a green and white dress appeared.
…
Outside that specific space, Kanon stood face-to-face with the Nine-Tails.
"You're nothing but residual chakra that girl left behind. How do you intend to oppose me?! Your memories probably only go as far as that moment!"
"How do I intend to oppose you? Nine-Tails-san, are you underestimating me a bit too much?"
As Kanon spoke, the tomoe in her eyes shifted into Mangekyō Sharingan, specifically, her original rose-patterned Mangekyō. Her twin tails swayed in the wind. In that instant, the pupils of the Nine-Tails were replaced by the rose-patterned Mangekyō.
Just like that, the Nine-Tails slumped to the ground, falling asleep like a giant kitten. Kanon saw this and let out a beautiful smile, patting the fox's head.
"Sleep for a while."
She leaned against the Nine-Tails' side, sitting quietly as she watched the meeting between Naruto and Kushina.
…
"Naruto." Kushina looked at Naruto, a gentle, kind smile on her face.
"What's going on? Why is there someone else here besides Kanon?"
"And you know my name?"
Kushina nodded gently. "I see... but that makes sense."
"It seems Kanon didn't tell you who I am at all. She probably wanted to save the surprise for you."
"So, why don't you guess who I am, Naruto?"
Naruto studied Kushina carefully, looking puzzled.
"Could it be?"
"Have you figured it out?"
"You... you're the Nine-Tails' true form!" Naruto shouted, pointing an accusing finger at Kushina.
"Hahahaha!" Kushina doubled over with laughter.
"You laugh so crudely! I bet you're trying to turn into a woman to trick me!"
"Nine-Tails..."
Before Naruto could finish his sentence, Kushina bopped him on the head.
"You're wrong, ya know!"
"'Ya know'?" Naruto seemed to notice that the woman had the same verbal tic as he did.
"Ahahaha, I got a little excited there," Kushina scratched her head awkwardly. "I have a natural short temper and I talk fast."
"So I ended up with a weird verbal tic."
"I try to control it, but when I get excited, I just can't help it..."
"Are you okay? I just hope you didn't end up with a weird tic like mine."
Listening to Kushina's explanation, Naruto stared at her.
"Then..."
"It looks like Minato and Kanon didn't say anything."
"Honestly. I also saw how Kanon was always by your side during your childhood, Naruto."
"You two really seem like a perfect match!"
Just as Kushina was about to continue, Naruto began to sob.
"That's right, I am your..."
Suddenly, Kushina felt herself being embraced. Naruto's eyes were brimming with tears, his body trembling uncontrollably.
"I've always... I've always wanted to meet you, ya know... Mom..."
"So you really do have the tic too. You're definitely my child."
In the outside world, Naruto gradually began to calm down.