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Chapter 23: Naruto, The Kitsune
🕑 Added 2025-06-12 19:16:52 +0000 UTC'Now do I choose these two things or do I just take the normal Artifacts. They seem useful too. Besides, these Artifacts seems more trouble than its worth.' Kakashi thought
The Ancient One stood nearby, her hands clasped behind her back, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "You don't have to choose these two, Mr. Kakashi," she said, her voice calm but laced with a subtle challenge. "You can select others that don't answer your call."
Kakashi gave it a final thought before answerin, "Nah, I'll go with these two." He reached for the scroll first, his fingers brushing the coarse paper. Unfurling it slightly, he noted the intricate seals scrawled across its surface, reminiscent of fuinjutsu but with an alien twist. "So, is this some kind of summoning contract?"
The Ancient One tilted her head, her smile widening. "Not quite, from what I understand of your summoning contracts. Yours allow you to call multiple creatures from the same clan, correct? A familiar is different. It's a single bond, one you're stuck with forever. Kitsune, in particular, are… special. They're spirits, not mere beasts."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Spirits, huh? So, how's this work? Do I sign it like a summoning contract?"
Before the Ancient One could respond, Wong stepped forward, his arms crossed and his expression stern. "Hold on," he said, his voice carrying the weight of caution.
"You need to understand what you're getting into. Many sorcerers have tried to bond with a Kitsune familiar. Most were driven mad by their schemes or killed by their mischief. This scroll has turned more masters to madness than the Dark Dimension ever could."
At the mention of the Dark Dimension, the Ancient One's smile flickered, a brief shadow crossing her face. Wong didn't notice, but Kakashi's Sharingan caught the subtle shift, filing it away for later.
'Dark Dimension, huh? Sounds like a story there.'
Kakashi leaned back, his posture relaxed but his mind sharp. "You see," he began, his tone light but carrying a hint of conviction, "I had a student back home who was tied to a fox, too. A big one, sealed inside him. That fox caused a lot of destruction, and folks feared it. Hated it, even. But my student? He saw it differently. The fox wasn't dangerous—it was just… misunderstood." His eye crinkled again, a faint smile forming.
"I think this Kitsune's the same. Besides, I'm good with rowdy pets. Got a whole pack of dogs that'd make this fox look like a puppy."
Wong grunted, clearly unconvinced, but stepped back, his scowl lingering. "Your funeral," he muttered.
The Ancient One chuckled softly, her gaze warm but piercing. "Very well, Mr. Kakashi. We typically bind familiars with a contract, much like your summoning jutsu. The scroll itself is the contract. To summon a Kitsune, we'd normally use a spell, but since you're unfamiliar with our mystical arts, we'll use your method. Place a drop of blood on the scroll, but infuse it with your chakra. That should bridge your summoning jutsu to the scroll's magic."
She paused, her tone growing serious. "As for why we use energy—or chakra for you—for the familiar, it's simple. Kitsune don't have their own energy source. They draw from their bonded partner, sometimes even their life force if they don't have enough energy. You should keep this in mind since unlike us you have a limited amount of chakra.That's why some sorcerers call them evil. But they're not—they're just surviving."
Kakashi nodded, his mind racing. 'A familiar that feeds on chakra? Sounds like a gamble' But the idea didn't deter him. He'd faced worse odds. A mischievous fox spirit? He could handle that. Probably.
He bit his thumb, letting a bead of blood well up, and pressed it to the scroll's center. Channeling chakra into the wound, he felt a familiar surge, like activating a summoning seal. The scroll pulsed, its kanji glowing a deep crimson as it lifted from his hands, floating in midair.
Words began to form on the scroll, unbidden, their edges shimmering with an eerie light:"By blood and will, the bond is forged. Beware, for the trickster's path is fraught with shadow and flame."
Kakashi's eye narrowed. 'Ominous much?' He glanced at the Ancient One, who merely raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. Wong shifted uncomfortably, muttering something about "bad omens."
A mist swirled into the room, coiling around the scroll like a living thing. The air grew heavy, charged with an electric hum. From the mist emerged a small fox, no bigger than a housecat, with nine fluffy tails fanning out behind it. Its fur was a vibrant orange, its eyes gleaming with curiosity and a spark of mischief. It stood tall, puffing out its chest.
"Yosh, yosh!" the Kitsune declared, its voice high-pitched and brimming with childlike excitement. "Mortals, kneel before the mighty me!"
Kakashi blinked, his Sharingan spinning lazily as he processed the scene. He turned to the Ancient One, his tone deadpan. "Are you serious?"
"Oi, oi!" the Kitsune squeaked, stomping a tiny paw. "Don't ignore me, human! I'm the scariest spirit you'll ever meet! Believe it!" It flailed its tails, throwing a full-blown tantrum, its fur bristling like an angry kitten.
Kakashi sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. 'This is gonna be a long day." He'd dealt with his ninja dogs for years—Pakkun's sarcasm, Bull's overenthusiasm—but a talking fox with an ego? That was new. Still, he knew how to handle unruly summons. Stepping forward, he scooped the Kitsune into his arms, ignoring its indignant squawk, and started rubbing its belly.
"Who's a good boy?" Kakashi cooed, his voice deliberately patronizing. "Yes, yes, you are! Such a fierce little spirit, aren't you?"
The Kitsune froze, its eyes wide. "H-Hey! I'm not a dog, you foolish mortal!" it protested, but its tails wagged, and it leaned into the belly rub, a contented purr escaping its throat. "S-Stop it! I'm… I'm terrifying! Grrr!" Its growls dissolved into happy yips, undermining its own threats.
Wong stared, his jaw slightly agape. "This is… undignified," he muttered.
The Ancient One laughed, a rare, genuine sound. "It seems you've found a kindred spirit, Mr. Kakashi."
Kakashi smirked, still scratching the Kitsune's belly. "Yeah, well, I've had practice with loudmouths."
The fox's energy reminded him of Naruto. The memory brought a pang of nostalgia, but he pushed it aside. This world was his now, and this fox was his new partner.
The Kitsune squirmed, trying to maintain its dignity. "Put me down, human! I'm not some pet! I'm a mighty Kitsune, destined to—ooh, right there, that's the spot!" It melted into the belly rub, its protests fading into blissful sighs.
The Ancient One cleared her throat, her smile returning. "The ceremony isn't complete, Mr. Kakashi. You must name your familiar."
Kakashi paused, looking down at the fox. Its nine tails swayed lazily, its eyes half-closed in contentment. The name came to him instantly, as natural as breathing. "Naruto," he said softly, his voice carrying a weight only he understood.
The Kitsune's eyes snapped open. "Naruto? Hmph! Sounds kinda cool, I guess!" It hopped out of his arms, landing with a dramatic flourish. "Alright, mortal—er, Kakashi! I'm Naruto, your awesome partner! We're gonna destroy this world, dattebayo!"
Kakashi's eye crinkled, a rare chuckle escaping him. 'Dattebayo, huh? Figures' "Sure thing, Naruto. Just don't burn the place down."
The Ancient One stepped forward, her gaze warm but probing. "The bond is sealed, but be cautious. Kitsune are unpredictable, and their loyalty is earned, not given. Naruto will draw on your chakra, but in return, he'll offer abilities beyond your normal summons.'
He glanced at the Izanagi stone, still resting on the table. "What about this one?"
The Ancient One's expression grew enigmatic. "The Izanagi stone is… unique. Its purpose will reveal itself in time. For now, keep it close. It answered your call for a reason."
Kakashi pocketed the stone, its weight reassuring in his hand.
'More mysteries. Great.' He turned to Naruto, who was now chasing one of its own tails in a dizzying circle. "Oi, Naruto, quit that. We've got work to do."
"Work? Pfft!" Naruto huffed, skidding to a stop. "I'm a spirit of chaos, not one of your mutts! But fine, I'll stick with ya. What's the plan, boss?"
'He knows about my dogs? Does this contract involve some kind of memory sharing?' Kakashi thought puzzled but ignored this for now.
