I'M NARUTO UZUMAKI

The Kyuubi was momentarily stunned by Naruto's request. Upon seeing the determined look in the boy's eyes, it quickly pieced together his intent. Despite having known about his identity as the Fourth Hokage's son for some time, Naruto had decided to conceal the truth from others. This act of self-reliance now extended to an extreme—he would rather obliterate evidence himself than seek help for something so trivial.

The Kyuubi found itself caught between incredulity and reluctant admiration. "Of all the times to ask for my power," it muttered, exasperated, before reluctantly sending a portion of its chakra through the gap in the seal.

As the malevolent energy coursed through him, Naruto didn't resist the flood of negative emotions that accompanied the chakra. Instead, he embraced it, allowing the hatred and rage to fuel him. Within seconds, his body was enveloped in the red, bubbling cloak of the Kyuubi's chakra, pushing him into a feral, rampaging state. He turned his attention to the lifeless body on the ground, obliterating the remains in an instant.

Naruto's glowing crimson eyes flicked toward the full moon outside his window. "So, this is the power of the Nine-Tails," he murmured, voice guttural and laced with fascination. "It's... intoxicating."

Even as Naruto leapt through the window and bolted toward the forest, careful to avoid crowded areas, the Kyuubi observed him from its sealed cage. Its beastly eyes gleamed with a mix of curiosity and resignation. "Heh, even in this state, the brat chooses to avoid harming the innocent. Perhaps there's more to this kid than I thought."

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Konoha, the tension between Yunyin's envoy and Konoha's ANBU unit escalated. The palpable force of the Kyuubi's chakra slammed into them like a tidal wave. From hundreds of meters away, even the most seasoned shinobi struggled to maintain their composure against the oppressive aura.

"Is this... the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki going berserk?" one of the Yunyin shinobi muttered, his voice quivering.

Uzuki Yugao, her sword gleaming under the moonlight, took a step forward and aimed her blade at the Yunyin leader. "You claim innocence, yet our Jinchuriki is out of control. Shouldn't you take responsibility for this?"

The Yunyin leader grimaced but forced a calm response. "We had nothing to do with this! The truth will come out. Besides," he gestured toward the distant glow of destruction, "shouldn't your concern be dealing with the Jinchuriki instead of interrogating us?"

Yugao narrowed her eyes but didn't lower her weapon. Turning slightly, she addressed the air, "Hayate, report! Did you find Kakashi?"

A faint cough sounded as Moonlight Hayate emerged from the shadows, visibly weakened. "I launched a signal flare for backup. But someone in black intercepted me before I could get to Naruto. They didn't attack to kill—they only delayed me."

Yugao's expression darkened. "A deliberate delay? This is no coincidence. Hayate, I'm starting to think the village itself isn't as safe as we'd like to believe."

Hayate glanced at her with a grim smile. "You're not wrong. Maybe we'd be safer taking missions outside the village from now on."

Back in the village, the chaotic path left by Naruto's rampage was unmistakable. Buildings lay in ruins, streets cracked, and civilians cowered in their homes. The oppressive chakra evoked haunting memories of the Nine-Tails' attack years prior.

From atop a rooftop, Kakashi Hatake surveyed the destruction, his visible eye narrowing in concern. Removing his headband to reveal his Sharingan, he traced the source of the chakra and quickly located Naruto in a deserted park.

The once serene playground was now a wasteland. Naruto, enveloped in the Kyuubi's chakra, stood amidst shattered equipment and scorched earth. His glowing, feral eyes fixed on Kakashi as he approached.

Kakashi readied himself, lightning crackling in his palm as he prepared his Chidori. Just as he was about to strike, the chakra around Naruto dissipated. The boy collapsed mid-step, his small body crumpling to the ground.

Kakashi caught him before he hit the dirt, carefully examining the unconscious child. His gaze shifted to Naruto's self-inflicted wound, still fresh and bleeding, and his mind raced to piece together what had happened.

Soon after, the Third Hokage arrived at the scene with a squad of ANBU in tow. His aged face was lined with worry as he took in the devastation and the boy in Kakashi's arms. "Kakashi, were you the one to stop him?"

Kakashi shook his head. "When I arrived, Naruto had already collapsed. However, it seems... even in his rampage, he avoided harming any villagers. Only the surrounding structures were destroyed."

The Third Hokage's eyes softened with relief but also deepened with concern. "A rampaging Jinchuriki able to restrain himself? Such control at his age is unprecedented."

Kakashi hesitated, glancing at Naruto's sleeping face. "Hokage-sama... his appearance, his strength... Could it be that he's the Fourth's—"

The Third Hokage cut him off with a warning glance. "Not here." He motioned for Kakashi to hand over Naruto. "You've done enough, Kakashi. Resume your patrol and report to me in the morning."

As Kakashi reluctantly complied, he couldn't shake the gnawing suspicion in his heart. Naruto wasn't just any child; his resemblance to the Fourth Hokage was uncanny.

Watching the Third Hokage leave with Naruto, Kakashi's unease deepened. He silently vowed to uncover the truth, no matter what it took. Meanwhile, the Third Hokage sighed under his breath.

The night had exposed too many cracks in Konoha's foundations. The Hyuga incident, the assassination attempt on Naruto, and now this. It was only through sheer luck that the night hadn't devolved into another Nine-Tails disaster.

As he looked at the boy in his arms, the Third Hokage's heart grew heavier. "Minato," he thought, "your son carries a burden even greater than yours."