That night wrapped the Village of Konoha in an almost sacred silence. Thin clouds drifted slowly across the sky, occasionally veiling the pale moonlight. Silvery beams spilled across rooftops and the tall trees surrounding the village.
Inside Kushina's home, the air felt warm and comforting. Gentle breaths rose and fell from the baby's crib—Uzumaki Naruto, the little one now a year old, slept soundly with a peaceful expression.
His chubby cheeks were flushed, and his chest rose and fell with the rhythm of sleep. A few tousled strands of blonde hair stuck to his slightly sweaty forehead.
Kushina sat beside the bed, dressed in a simple pale purple yukata. Her eyes remained fixed on her son, filled with love. But beneath her silence, another feeling stirred—worry... and longing.
"A year already... and he's grown so fast."
She reached out and gently touched Naruto's cheek. A faint smile curved on her lips, though shadows of sorrow lingered in the corners of her eyes.
"Mama has to talk... with them for a while."
She carefully pulled the blanket over Naruto and gently lifted the baby's shirt, revealing his belly. There, a seal pulsed faintly within the tiny body.
Kushina placed her palm over the seal.
The moment she touched it, her eyes closed. The world around her faded—and then vanished completely.
Inside the Seal Realm
Kushina opened her eyes. Instantly, a cold, damp air enveloped her. She stood in the middle of a seemingly endless dark corridor. The walls were wet and moss-covered, the air thick with the scent of iron and old decay. Droplets echoed as they fell, creating a haunting rhythm in the silence.
At the end of the corridor, two massive iron gates stood side by side, each enclosing a vast cage that held tremendous power within.
Behind the left cage, a giant fox sat silently. Its fur was dark orange, dull and glowing faintly red under the seal's reflected light. Its expression was grim, eyes sharp—Yin-Kurama, the half of the Kyuubi sealed within Kushina herself.
Meanwhile, behind the right cage stood a far more radiant fox—its fur blazing orange, its glowing red eyes filled with fury and suspicion.
Its tails flicked rapidly, the surrounding air trembling. This was Yang-Kurama, the half of the Kyuubi sealed within baby Naruto.
Kushina took a deep breath and stepped forward. Her voice echoed gently.
"Wow…" she whispered. "This is my first time seeing you in person, Yang-Kurama."
Kushina smiled, placing her hands on her hips. "You're definitely brighter and flashier than your sibling inside me. Like a summer festival neon light."
Yin-Kurama snorted, clearly offended. "Hmph. How dare you compare me to that gaudy glow."
"WHAT DID YOU SAY, HUMAN?!" Yang-Kurama roared, his voice thundering through the corridor, making the water ripple violently beneath Kushina's feet. "You dare compare me… to that dark creature?!"
"But you're both Kurama, right?" Kushina said casually. "Big foxes with nine tails. So what's the fuss?"
Both Kuramas froze, eyes wide.
Yang-Kurama narrowed his eyes. "Wait… what did you call me? Kurama?"
Yin-Kurama's gaze sharpened. "How do you know that name?"
Yang-Kurama hissed, his heavy voice now trembling with unease. "No human knows my true name… except…"
Only the Sage of Six Paths and the other Bijuu knew that name… So how does this woman—
"Who are you really?!" Yang-Kurama barked, a storm of wind swirling within his cage. His massive claws slammed against the bars with a deafening clang. "Answer me, human!!"
But Kushina stood her ground, calm and composed. "That's not important right now. I only came to talk. Please… just hear me out."
Yin-Kurama scoffed but said nothing, watching her closely.
Kushina bowed her head slightly. "I'm not here to control you. I know Yin-Kurama and I will never be close… and that's fine. But Yang-Kurama… I ask you, please consider becoming… close to my son."
Silence fell. Time seemed to slow.
Yang-Kurama laughed coldly. "You humans are always ridiculous. First, you seal me inside a helpless infant… and then you come here asking for 'friendship'? What do you take me for—a pet dog?!"
"No," Kushina whispered. "You're not a dog… You are Kurama. A powerful being who's seen more of the world than anyone. And now… the world is waiting for change."
"Change?" Yang-Kurama sneered.
"Yes. You will meet someone," Kushina said softly, locking eyes with him. "Someone you've longed to see again…"
Yang-Kurama went still. "Someone I want… to see?"
Kushina smiled gently. "Feel Naruto's chakra more deeply. You'll understand what I mean."
Though hesitant, Yang-Kurama closed his eyes and focused. Slowly, his eyes widened.
"This chakra… it's like… like Ashura?!"
Kushina nodded. "Naruto is Ashura's reincarnation."
Yang-Kurama blinked, his huge body trembling. "Then… he's… he's the one who will—"
"Yes. He will change the world. But he can't do it alone. He'll need a friend… a partner. He'll need you."
Yang-Kurama stared at Kushina's fading image—the seal's time in Naruto's subconscious was ending.
But as Kushina withdrew from her son's seal, she activated the seal within her own body. Instantly, she appeared inside her own seal realm—beside Yin-Kurama.
The dark fox stared at her silently.
"…You're a strange woman, Kushina."
"Heh, I get that a lot," Kushina replied, scratching the back of her head sheepishly.
Yin-Kurama tilted his head. "I don't care who you really are. But since you're the mother of Ashura's reincarnation… maybe I can offer a little help."
Kushina chuckled. "Thank you, Kurama. I hope we can work together from now on."
"Hmph." Yin-Kurama turned away, avoiding her gaze—but there was a faint warmth in his eyes. A true tsundere.
Kushina didn't tease. She simply smiled.
Back in the Real World
Kushina opened her eyes. She was back beside Naruto, who still slept peacefully, his breath soft and even. She leaned down and kissed his forehead tenderly, whispering a quiet prayer of protection.
"Sleep well, Naruto… sweet dreams."
Then she laid down beside him and drifted off to sleep.