Kapitel 12: Kurama

For some time, they all remained silent. Finally, Mito decided to loosen the chains around the Kyuubi's throat. It had been a long time since Kyuubi felt like his throat was finally free. He could breathe in and out just fine.

He looked at Araki's direction, the young Senju who used Mokuton caught his attention. He asked Mito with a somewhat intimidating and hateful voice, "Is he going to be my next 'jailor'?"

"No. My successor possesses the same chains as me. You can forget about being released in the world." These words irritated Kyuubi. He glared at Mito and was about to say something which would have made Mito tighten the chains again.

Fortunately for him, Araki spoke up, "I really don't like how you are held up against this chain." He turned towards Mito and asked, "Grandma, can't you let him walk around? It must be really hurting him to be bound so tightly."

"The seal would get weaker, and it would become dangerous. Kyuubi's chakra could mix with my chakra, taking over my vitality and emotions." Mito said with an emotionless voice as she kept on staring at the gigantic fox. If the fox even tried to move and harm her grandson, she would let it experience what real pain was.

"This is not good, grandma. How about you change the seal? With your knowledge of sealing, it shouldn't be hard to do so, right?" Araki asked her with a curious look.

Mito frowned a little. Although it wasn't hard for her to change the seal, she didn't want to take the risk. There was a small interval for which she had to release this seal, she was unsure of what the Kyuubi would do. If it did hurt her grandson's consciousness, she would never be able to forgive herself.

While she was thinking of what she must do, Araki closed the distance between himself and Kyuubi. The touched the Adamantine Chains which bound the Kyuubi.

The chains carried a strange power of suppression over Kyuubi's chakra, but when Araki touched them, they seemingly lost their power. It was as if Araki's Chakra could even suppress the power of these chains!

As the chains lost their power, the Kyuubi was quickly able to break apart the chains and release itself from the binding. Araki and Mito were caught by surprise when the Kyuubi swiftly broke the chains.

"Oh, no!" Mito cursed herself for losing in thought and not keeping an eye on her troublesome grandson. She was about to use her chakra to pull over Araki's consciousness so he wouldn't be harmed by Kyuubi.

However, unlike what she expected, the tails of the Kyuubi swiped by Araki's face, but it didn't hurt him. Instead, the tails were swiping his face quite gently.

As Araki raised his head, he saw the Kyuubi giving him a grateful look, "Thank you. I appreciate you for trusting me."

Mito stopped her actions and kept her chains on standby. It seemed that the Kyuubi had no intentions of harming Araki. This was good enough for her.

"Woah! I was definitely scared for some seconds. I knew I was right to trust you, kyuu!" Araki shouted a little excitedly and then looked at Mito as if saying that he was right. Kyuubi was trustworthy!

Mito was a little helpless when she noticed Araki looked at her with that expression. What could she say in response? Nothing appeared in her mind… Her grandson was too amazing in some aspects. But she was even more worried about what would happen to him in the future. She hoped he wouldn't be cheated by someone.

Meanwhile, Kyuubi's face darkened at hearing the nickname from Araki, "Don't refer to me by that nickname. It's humiliating."

"But… But it's such a cute nickname! Do you have some other name which you want me to call you?" Araki asked with a curious expression.

The Kyuubi thought for some moments as if internally debating whether he should speak or not.

"Speak, kyuu! Do you have a name or not?!" Okay, this was the final straw! He couldn't take on that nickname anymore.

Better to give his real name than to be called such a… such a cute name.

"Kurama. My name is Kurama." This was utterly shocking for Mito. Firstly, she had no idea that Kyuubi had a name. Moreover, she couldn't believe the Kyuubi would be willing to give out his own name to Araki.

Was her seal really that uncomfortable? She had an embarrassed blush on her face as she always felt like it was necessary to cage Kyuubi. She never realised that the issue could have been solved if only she talked with him.

"Hmm… Nice to meet you, Kurama! I am Senju Araki!" Firstly, he cheerfully introduced himself.

"So, Kurama. My grandma said that you would be sealed in my best friend, Kushina-chan. Don't hurt her, please. I will ask her to not use the chains to bind you. I will even create a forest in her mindscape so it would look prettier than this place." Araki promised Kyuubi and just to prove his words. He used all his strength to raise twenty or so thick trees.

A faint blush appeared on his face as he added, "This is all I am capable of right now. Don't worry, I will definitely raise a forest for you to live in Kushina's mindscape. And when the time is right, I will release you in the world."

"You will release me?!/ You will release the Kyuubi?!" Both Kurama and Mito shouted at the same time, startled at his declaration.

"Yup. I don't like to take someone's freedom. Besides, didn't grandma say that Kurama fought against grandpa because of being under Uchiha Madara's control? Doesn't that mean Kurama never fought against grandpa on his own violation or even hurt anyone from Konoha off his own violation? He must have just retaliated against someone who attacked him." Araki gave his reason with a natural tone.

"That…" Mito couldn't help but turn to Kurama as if asking whether it was true.

Kurama seemed to be shrugging at the moment as if saying, "Why would I care about destroying you all? You are the size of an ant to me? Your matters aren't related to me. But you did anger me and made me hate you all when you captured me!"

"I guess we never did try to understand the bijuus at all. Even though you had no connection to the war between us shinobis, you are still involved as weapons." Mito let out a sigh, feeling a hint of pity for the Kyuubi.

"Hmph… Not that it matters to me. Although you look as if you understand me now, I still do not like you one bit, Uzumaki Mito! If not for this child here, I wouldn't mind rushing at you and tearing you to bits." Kurama said with his sharp blood intent.

"Calm! Calm! Don't threaten grandma. She gets mad really quickly. She will seal you in those tight chains again." As if giving tips to Kurama about what he must do or not do, Araki spoke in a low voice.