Naruto: Tobirama Reborn, Invincible in the Ninja World

"You damn fox, spouting nonsense again!"

"Shut up! A demon fox like you wants to become Hokage? Look at yourself!"

Naruto's untimely outburst quickly caught the attention of those nearby, drawing sneers and jeers from the crowd.

The boy with whisker-like marks on his cheeks had long grown accustomed to such ridicule. Unfazed, he kept his eyes fixed on the high platform where Tobirama stood.

"Uzumaki Naruto…"

Tobirama's sharp gaze swept over the commotion below, lingering on the boy who was destined for greatness.

A mop of unruly blond hair, three fox-like whisker marks on each cheek, a forehead protector tied securely, and a bright orange jumpsuit wrapped in layers of bandages—Naruto's appearance was anything but ordinary.

Deep within Naruto's body, in the confines of a sealed cage, the Nine-Tails stirred. The bijuu had sensed Tobirama's watchful eyes and abruptly stood up, its massive form towering over the mindscape.

Those red, beastly eyes seemed to pierce through Naruto's inner world, locking onto Tobirama on the outside.

"The brother of that damn man! He even smells like him!"

A low growl resonated as the Nine-Tails' body trembled violently.

On the high platform, Tobirama raised an eyebrow, sensing the shift in chakra. His eyes drifted to Naruto's stomach, as if trying to connect with the bijuu directly.

For a fleeting moment, their gazes collided through the veil of the seal. Tobirama smirked, a subtle yet deliberate expression that sent the crowd into a frenzy of cheers.

"Smiling? What are you smiling for, you bastard? Your dead brother's long gone—why the hell are you here?" the Nine-Tails roared internally, its fury mounting.

The beast's irritation wasn't unwarranted. During a battle against Shukaku in the forests outside Konohagakure, it had already sensed this unsettlingly familiar aura.

The Nine-Tails had never forgotten. When Tobirama was alive, he had frequently visited Uzumaki Mito under the guise of "research." The memories of Tobirama draining its chakra for experiments and reinforcing its seal, making every movement within the cage a struggle, were still fresh.

This white-haired pest ranked third on its list of grievances—first was Uchiha Madara, and second was Senju Hashirama.

As their spiritual connection deepened, a cold mechanical voice echoed in Tobirama's mind.

Quest: Gather All Tailed Beasts.

Reward: Complete Resurrection, Sage's Body.

"Oh? Not bad." Tobirama's smirk widened. This unexpected long-term mission piqued his interest.

The reward was tempting. Complete resurrection was appealing enough, but the Sage's Body?

The system's description was even more enticing: the body of the Sage of Six Paths, capable of limitless growth, possessing chakra rivaling the Tailed Beasts, unparalleled regenerative abilities, and the potential to enhance all ninjutsu.

But the most crucial aspect? It could house the Rinnegan.

If that were true… a Senju with the Rinnegan? The idea of Ōtsutsuki Tobirama was a tantalizing possibility.

Shaking off the wild fantasy, Tobirama refocused on the cage. With a casual wave, he greeted the Nine-Tails.

"It's been a while, fox."

"You damn white-haired bastard! Who the hell do you think you are?" the Nine-Tails snarled. "A failure who got killed by a couple of scrubs after nibbling on my chakra, that's who!"

Tobirama's smile faltered. Of course, the fox knew exactly how to hit where it hurt.

"From now on, stop interfering with Naruto's chakra, Nine-Tails."

"And why would I listen to you?"

"I could set you free."

"Lies! You've never once told the truth in your life!"

"I can promise—"

"Shut up! I'm not falling for your tricks!" The Nine-Tails roared furiously, shaking its cage.

With one last howl, the connection severed. Tobirama's consciousness snapped back to reality, and Naruto staggered as the seal tightened.

The first conversation between Tobirama and the Nine-Tails had ended on a predictably sour note.

"This fox has the worst attitude," Tobirama mused. "I'll have to discipline it someday."

Naruto, having been pulled into his mindscape by the Nine-Tails for a brief exchange, emerged looking conflicted. The boy's expression suggested the fox had wasted no time badmouthing Tobirama.

Leaping down from the platform, Tobirama approached Naruto.

The surrounding villagers held their breath, assuming their new Hokage was about to deal with the troublemaking jinchūriki. Naruto's friends watched with visible worry.

But Tobirama simply placed a hand on Naruto's head, ruffling his hair before walking away.

The boy's resilience impressed him. Despite years of scorn, Naruto remained optimistic—a trait Tobirama found both admirable and baffling.

Could it be… Kotoamatsukami? The thought crossed his mind briefly, but a quick inspection revealed no signs of genjutsu.

"It must be the influence of Asura's chakra," he concluded silently.

"Guess I should check on Sasuke next," Naruto muttered, sprinting off as soon as Tobirama left.

Just as Tobirama finished his inauguration speech, a masked ANBU appeared before him.

"Hokage-sama, the two councillors request an audience."

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