I'M NARUTO UZUMAKI

In his sleep, Naruto's consciousness was engulfed by the overwhelming Chakra of the Nine-Tails, drawing him into a dim, oppressive space.

"Where is this?"

Naruto muttered in confusion, his eyes scanning the surroundings. The stagnant water beneath his feet, the massive iron cage looming before him, and the guttural growls of a wild beast reverberating from behind the bars quickly provided the answer. He was no longer in his room—this was the sealed space of the Nine-Tails.

So, after all this time, I've finally come face-to-face with the Kyuubi?

Grimacing, Naruto stepped closer. The flickering candlelight along the walls illuminated the beast's form. The Nine-Tails was an awe-inspiring sight: fiery red fur glistening with an almost ethereal sheen, sharp ears twitching slightly, and nine enormous tails swaying fluidly, exuding an untamed and feral majesty. Despite the oppressive seal confining it, the fox's towering frame—easily over ten meters in length—radiated an aura of sheer power, enough to crush a mere child like Naruto with ease.

Sensing a new presence, the Nine-Tails stirred. It turned, fixing its enormous lantern-like eyes on the boy. For a moment, Naruto froze under the weight of that piercing gaze, forgetting to breathe, unable to move. The sheer size and intensity of the creature left him in stunned silence. Then, to Naruto's surprise, the beast's lips curled into a faint, menacing smirk. A tendril of its malevolent Chakra seeped through the bars of the cage, wrapping around Naruto like a coiling snake.

Unfamiliar emotions flooded him—hatred, rage, resentment, and despair. The dark Chakra amplified every negative feeling buried deep within him. Flashes of pain and injustice filled his mind: the unfair treatment he'd endured as an orphan, the whispers branding him as a demon, and the tragic image of the Fourth Hokage and his wife sacrificing their lives. His emotions spiraled out of control, threatening to drown him in a tidal wave of fury. He could feel himself teetering on the edge of losing all reason.

But then, with immense effort, Naruto wrestled back control. His willpower, honed by years of hardship, reasserted itself. This was not the full, unbridled power of the Nine-Tails—it was just a fragment. And even if it was a battle against his inner darkness, he wasn't about to let the fox win.

The Kyuubi raised an eyebrow—or what passed for one—its surprise evident. A four-year-old child, resisting its influence? It was unthinkable. Even a fraction of its Chakra was enough to crush weaker minds.

As the haze of negativity cleared, Naruto regarded the fox thoughtfully. "So, there's a big fox sealed inside me. No wonder everyone thinks I'm a demon."

The Nine-Tails growled low in its throat, displeased with the title of "big fox." But it didn't interrupt, instead watching Naruto with a calculating gleam in its eyes. After a moment, it chuckled darkly. "That's right. This 'big fox' is the reason you're treated like a monster. I destroyed most of Konoha, killed the Fourth Hokage, and now you're my prison. You are hated because of me."

The fox's voice grew more sinister. "Why hold back? Embrace your anger, your hatred. Take my power. If you do, you can crush everyone who looks down on you, make them pay for what they've done to you."

Naruto stared at the Nine-Tails for a long moment, then tilted his head and said calmly, "If you're so strong, why are you stuck in this cage? If you could destroy everything, I wouldn't be here keeping you locked up."

"You...!" The Kyuubi roared, its Chakra lashing out violently. The entire space trembled under its power. But no matter how fiercely it raged, the cage held firm, and the beast remained trapped.

When the fox finally subsided, Naruto smirked. "See? You're all bark and no bite in here. Anyway, you're technically my tenant. Living in my body rent-free all these years."

The Nine-Tails scowled, snarling, "You think I wanted to be sealed inside you, brat?"

"And you think I wanted to be your container? We're both stuck in this together. But don't worry—I won't charge you rent. I'm generous like that."

The fox huffed but refused to engage further, its pride bruised. "You don't know what you're talking about. Just let me out, and I'll take care of those villagers for you. You'll see—I'm on your side."

Naruto shrugged. "I've been treated like a demon fox my whole life. Maybe I should act the part and scare them a little. But..." He trailed off, squinting at the fox. "Wait. Have you been watching me all the time? Like, even when I'm bathing?"

Caught off guard, the Nine-Tails sputtered, "What?! No! I don't watch you constantly! And I'm not interested in human bodies, anyway."

Naruto grinned slyly. "What about foxes? You like other foxes, right?"

"Shut up!" the Nine-Tails snapped, visibly flustered. "I'm made entirely of Chakra! I don't care about such things!"

Naruto leaned closer, teasing. "So, are you a boy fox or a girl fox?"

The fox growled in frustration, turning away to face the wall. "I refuse to entertain this nonsense."

Naruto blinked, genuinely confused. "Tailed beasts are so touchy. Can't even take a joke."