The Shopkeeper of Konoha

Today was an important day in the Ninja Academy for many young boys. The last few months had been hectic, to say the least, for Naruto. He had been stressed because he had been failing in his theory classes.

Or at least that's what Aoto saw when he used to conduct home exams for Naruto. Though Naruto almost always excelled in his magical theories, somehow politics, geography, and ninja theory would give Naruto the greatest headache. Kisuke and Aoto almost had migraines teaching this guy how to pass the theory test.

But thankfully, Naruto didn't disappoint him too much, and the theory exam was passed with a 60% on his final score, which was more than what Aoto had expected. Of course, in time Sasuke passed the theory with 95%.

He really was a reincarnation of Indra. So much talent but so easily manipulated. Sigh.

"Corazon, why can't I pass the exams using magic? I can pass them so easily, dattebayo," Naruto said the day before the practical exams.

"You can't. Others don't have the same advantage as you. You need to be able to excel in both in order to stand at the top," Corazon said.

"But.." Naruto protested again, but seeing the glaring eyes of Aoto across the table made him shut up.

"Naruto-kun... Don't worry... You will pass the exams with flying colors." Hinata had joined them at lunch and spoke to encourage Naruto. Over the last years, she had grown up and excelled a lot in both magic and ninjutsu. Though she wasn't as good as her brother Neji, she was still there, and with her magic, she could definitely go toe to toe against Neji.

"Yes... Hinata... I believe in myself. I will definitely ace the exam," Naruto said as he clenched his fists. The rest of the lunch Aoto and others talked about other matters and also cheered both of the new students about to be graduated.

After lunch, Aoto called Naruto over and took him to the library.

"Ni-san, why are we here? I thought you would want me to practice ninjutsu at night," Naruto asked, confused because they were in the library.

"I need to have a talk with someone," Aoto replied.

"Someone? Who?" Naruto was sure that nobody new had joined their library so he didn't know whom he was going to meet.

"You will know," Aoto replied and placed his index finger on his forehead and from the other hand touched his stomach. Naruto was in a trance when Aoto suddenly made that move, and in no time, he felt his eyes heavy.

When Naruto opened his eyes again, he found himself in a place where he always dreaded to be: the small rectangular tunnel which was a bit flooded. The tunnel was long and dark. He had been here quite multiple times, and every time he would dread coming here.

"This?!" Naruto's voice choked when he saw himself in this terrible place again.

"Hello, Naruto," came a voice from behind, and Naruto spun around to see Aoto standing there.

"Brother... You are here? How are you here?" Naruto was surprised that Aoto could even enter this place as he thought nobody could enter.

"You have read about soul magic. You know very well," Aoto replied.

"Soul magic? This is inside of me?" Naruto shuddered when Aoto said that.

"Naruto, you have always known what is inside you. It is time we had a talk," Aoto said. Naruto looked at Aoto with teary eyes for a bit. He wanted to refuse going forward, but he knew that his brother might have his reasons for doing so.

Aoto extended his hand, and Naruto, after a bit of hesitation and fear, finally held his hand and started walking towards the dark winding corridor. Each step of theirs was echoed by the sound of water rippling through, and after a bit of walking, they finally found themselves in an open space.

At the end of the huge space, there were long red thick pillars stacked side by side, which extended to both ends. One could easily tell that this was some kind of prison. Naruto shuddered as he felt the rage and hatred coming from the prison.

He was so scared that Naruto fell on his knees, and Aoto had to hold his hand tight so that he wouldn't pass out due to the sheer hatred and anger he was feeling. Even for Aoto, who had lived an extra life for now, didn't feel comfortable at all.

"Calm your tits down, Kurama," Aoto couldn't help but shout. The name calling was enough for all the hatred and anger to vanish in a second. Naruto, who was struggling, was heaving up and down. He felt relieved for a bit.

Naruto looked up only to see a huge red furry monster showing up on the other side of the prison. The fur was quite thick, and one could easily discern that it was a fox but much larger in size. The sheer eyes of his made Naruto tremble. He had always known that there was a monster inside, which was a fox, and for the first time, he was seeing it.

Naruto didn't know what he should feel for this monster. It was for him that he had been struggling in his life in the village and why he was often bullied. Though the bullies stopped once he learned how to stand up for himself, he felt some hatred towards this monster.

"Kid... You have some nerves coming here and shouting my name..." The monster spoke.

"This monster... This monster... Speaks?" Naruto was shivering. The term monster enraged Kurama, and they were again shrouded by anger, hatred, and bloodlust.

"Oye... He is just a child. Calm down. He isn't going to hurt you anyway," Aoto couldn't help but shout.

"You are just a low-level human who can only use others for your own benefits. What kid? What adult? They are all the same," Kurama spoke in hushed anger in his voice while maintaining his bloodlust.