I am Naruto but where is Kurama!?

I heard my alarm go off, and I hit the snooze button while still feeling groggy, but I was happy to sleep in my bed after camping out for four days. I stretched my body before getting ready to summon the kitsune looking after me. After getting dressed and cleaned up, I tried biting my thumb to draw blood but quickly gave up that idea as it was more painful and difficult than just pricking my thumb on a Kunai knife.

After drawing my blood with my kunai, I marked the palm of my hand and used the Summoning Jutsu. Three puffs of smoke appeared, and I saw my summons. Soushi Miketsukami, Senko, and of course, Haruhime. I greeted the three of them.

" Welcome to my humble abode, Miketsukami-San, Senko-san, and Haruhime-san."

Soushi was the first to speak.

" Uzumaki-san, I am picking up some prying eyes trying to spy on us, and some are even directly ill-intent toward, if not to this apartment, then towards you."

" Ignore them. I am currently under house arrest, and I am generally hated by most of the village for whatever reason they don't tell me."

I explained to the silver-haired fox boy with one blue and one gold eye. Haruhime then asked out of what looked like concern, but it's been too long since I have seen anyone look that way to Mr.

"You're hated by your village?"

" It's not my village, but I am stuck here until I am strong enough to carve out a place of my own."

Senko then comments.

" You don't consider this village your home, do you?"

" Not in the slightest."

I curtly answered as my resentment slipped out since I felt less guarded with the three of them than anyone else in this village. I don't need to lie or hide my feelings about the village with them because it does not involve them directly, and they are only indirectly connected to the village through me. The petite fox girl then pointed out.

" Since you were within our Clan's territory during your house arrest, won't you be punished for leaving your apartment?"

" True, but I don't care, as it only means my house arrest will be extended at most, and I can live with that."

Senko narrowed her eyes as she asked with a slight edge in her tone.

" Why were you punished in the first place?"

" I beat up a drunken civilian who was about to hit me, and I only stopped after he lost consciousness. A trainee Ninja attacking a civilian, regardless of reason, is heavily frowned upon. Still, I would do it again as I am done with taking sh*t from almost every person in this village."

I fully displayed my resentment and malice for Konoha at the end to show them where I stand and to understand my circumstances better. I took a deep breath to calm myself as I still needed to talk to them about a few things. I suddenly found myself kneeling without explanation, and I felt myself being gently hugged with my back being rubbed. I then heard the petite fox girl say with a gentle tone.

" You've had it tough, haven't you? Don't worry, we're here for you."

I didn't want it to happen... I hoped I could just endure and build a wall... I wanted to suppress my feelings... but I broke down, and the floodgates of all my sadness, despair, Sorrow, and fear came out. My eyes felt hot as they started to mist up. I didn't want to cry, especially now in front of my new partners for the future. What Senko said next killed all the self-control I built up.

" It's alright to cry. It's better to cry until you can't cry anymore as you let everything out."

Damn it... So I cried for the first time in a long time in my past life and for the first time in this life. I tightly held the fox girl and let my tears flow as I experienced my first bit of kindness where I didn't need to hide anything. Moments ticked away as I cried away until I felt emotionally drained and very, VERY awkward in front of my summons after that display.

I sniffed and rubbed my nose before saying, trying to hide my embarrassment.

" Moving on, I summoned you all here to get to know you and formally introduce myself to you."

Soushi gave me a playful smile with his eyes closed, and I was getting the distinct feeling he would not let me live down my brief moment of release. Haruhime had a kind smile, which only made me feel more awkward, and Senko was smiling gently, but I was having trouble looking her in the eyes. Damn, these awkward emotions! I swallowed the desire to find a hole to bury myself in as I introduced myself.

" My name is Naruto Uzumaki. I like training, eating delicious food, and researching various topics. I dislike the vast majority of Konoha and idiots in general. My hobbies are training and drawing. My goal for the future is to become as strong as I possibly can be and carve out my own path."

Soushi then introduced himself.

" I am Soushi Miketsukami. Please just refer to me as Soushi. I like silence and teasing girls on occasion, and I greatly dislike clingy women and women who think they are beautiful but actually aren't. As for hobbies, well, I dabble in calligraphy and enjoy maintaining the occasional pen pal. I have no particular goal right now, but I aim to serve you as best I can, Uzumaki-san."

Senko was next.

" I am humbly Senko of the Fox Clan. I enjoy household chores such as cooking, cleaning, and the like, plus looking after others. I don't dislike a lot of things, but I do find some types of people unpleasant to deal with. I like to study cooking recipes during my free time and soak in hot springs. I have no particular goal either right now as I am only enjoying the moment as much as I can now."

I was honestly looking forward to trying Senko's cooking now, and Haruhime introduced herself at least.

" I am Haruhime Sanjouno, an apprentice caretaker. I like reading stories, learning how to help others better, and trying new things. I am uncomfortable with pushy people and being constrained by others. My hobby is collecting books of my favorite stories. My current goal is to complete my caretaker training and become fully recognized as a proper caretaker."

After everyone's introductions were done, I told them.

" With that out of the way, I am still cooped up in the apartment until further notice, but you all are not, so you are free to explore the village if you want to, as I would feel bad about keeping you trapped here with me. Oh, and please just call me Naruto. I am not too big on formality."

" But Uzumaki-san, I mean Naruto-san, we are here to help you above all else."

Senko interjected, but I pointed it out.

" Maybe so, but you three getting more familiar with the village does help me in the long run, even if I plan to leave it eventually. Oh, before I forget, here in case you need or want anything."

I handed them some Ryo I saved up because I want to maintain good relations with them since I won't become a full-fledged Ninja until at least two years; because if I wind up on a team with Kakashi and the Uchiha twins, I might just fail the bell test on purpose to avoid a number of headaches. Despite the changes compared to the Original Naruto Canon, there are some things I am certain about, thanks to my own research on matters involving Konoha.

The biggest is Orochimaru being interested in the Sharingan; yeah, the less I have to do with that skin-changing snake, the better. Another thing to consider is whether or not the Konoha Crush Plan is still going to be in play or not I mean, Jiraiya is Hokage. Tsunade seems to be staying in Konoha for at least a while longer, so Orochimaru might back off. Still, Danzo is also a factor, and despite hitting all the gossip circles I could find, I haven't heard a peep about him, which is worrying more than anything.

Regardless, the only thing I can do for now is play it by ear. Haruhime looked confused at being suddenly given money, and Soushi as well. Senko then said while returning the Ryo I gave her.

" Thank you for the thought, Naruto-san, but despite the Fox Clan's apparent isolation, we do have an economic flow to the rest of the world by trading goods only our Clan can make, so we have money for our own things."

Haruhime and Soushi followed suit in returning the Ryo I gave them, and I apologized as I realized it might come off as rude to assume they didn't have any money.

" Sorry, I wasn't aware of how your clan operates."

"It's fine. Most wouldn't expect a Summoning Clan to maintain a connection with humans outside of their contractors. However, before we explore the village, can you tell us more about it to avoid any sort of trouble beforehand."

" Sure, Senko-san."

I gave the three of them a quick rundown on where everything is in Konoha and even drew to a rough map that featured the main streets and a couple of shops like Ichiraku Ramen or grocery stores or the red light district for good measure. After going through everything, they left to explore the village and do some grocery shopping for me. I wonder what Senko is going to cook for lunch, as it's too late for breakfast now.

________________________________________

" Lady Senko."

Soushi called out respectively to the kitsune caretaker as they walked through the streets of Konoha with their fox features hidden after slipping by the guards that were making sure Naruto stayed within his apartment.

" Yes, Soushi-kun?"

" You used Genjutsu on our charge, didn't you?"

Senko gave a playful smile as she replied, much to Haruhime's shock.

" Better to ask for forgiveness than permission."

" But why Lady Senko!?"

The apprentice caretaker asked in confusion and surprise. The petite fox girl then asked in turn.

" Are you aware of my Bloodline Limit, Soushi-kun, Haruhime-chan?"

" The Empathy Bloodline Limit in which you understand the emotions of others better than even the origin of said emotions."

The fox boy answered as Senko stopped to look at some cuts of meat at a butcher shop for lunch and possibly dinner as well. The petite fox girl then continued her explanation of why she placed Naruto under a Genjutsu.

" Through my Bloodline Limit, I could feel the sheer weight of negative emotions swirling within our young summoner to be. It wasn't something any ten-year-old should have, and what filled most of that negative spiral of emotion wasn't anger or sadness but fear. A fear of something he feels completely hopeless against that he just wants to give up and die in peace. Beneath that, however, was a deeply rooted drive not simply to give up and improve himself.

Even after nudging him to let go and cry with Genjutsu, the negative emotions within him remained, weighing down him like an executioner's blade. I don't know what's going through his mind. As he has yet to be fully recognized as the Fox Clan's Summoner, the amount of help I can give him is slightly limited, but when he becomes fully recognized as our Clan's Summoner, I will tell him what I have done and face whatever punishment he wishes to give in retribution."

Senko picked out some ground beef and pork along with a few cuts of lean meat to buy. Haruhime looked at the senior caretaker in quiet surprise while Soushi said with a look of curiosity.

" You seem confident that Naruto-san passes the two other tests he needs to be recognized as the Clan's Summoner."

" I did say he has a deeply rooted drive to improve, and all he really lacks is teachers willing to invest in him. After all, Lady Tamamo-no-Mai never said we couldn't train him ourselves."

Senko said with a playful smile as she stopped to look at some vegetables next. Haruhime perked up and asked with slight excitement in her tone.

" Then how do we help, Naruto-kun?"

The petite fox girl pondered for a moment as she held two onions before answering.

" Well, I can teach him some of the more Genjutsus that I make use and Soushi, are you up for sparring with him?"

" If he is relatively safe, I suppose I spare some time to teach him some Kenjutsu plus a few Ninjutsu I know."

Haruhime looked down as she commented.

" I can't help him, can I?"

" Don't be silly, Haruhime-chan. The one thing Naruto-san clearly lacks is positive social interaction. I could tell how alone he feels with my Bloodline Limit, so he likely doesn't have anyone his age he can really open up to. Plus, I can tell he is attracted to you, Haruhime-chan."

Senko says with a sly smile, causing Haruhime to blush at that information, and even Soushi looks amused at the thought of the two blondes getting together. The apprentice caretaker then asked self-defecatingly.

" Won't Naruto-kun be repulsed by my origins as a fox that became a kistune?"

Senko chuckled as she answered.

" No need to worry in that regard. Kistune and humans getting together is not that unusual with the Fox Clan. I can even tell you a few stories of Shinobi giving up their identities to be with their summon and enjoy the peace away from the bloodied battlefields of the Warring States Era. However, my advice is this: Haruhime, if you wish to return his feelings, do so with genuine emotion and not out of some sense of duty or gratitude, and if you aren't attracted to him, be clear and decisive."

Soushi then stated with a guarded look.

" We're being watched."

The petite fox girl shrugged as she said.

" It can't be helped. We are in one of the five great Ninja Villages. It was only a matter of time before our foreign Chakra Signatures got noticed. Ignore them until they approach us."

The fox boy frowned as he sniffed the air with distaste and said in an unpleasant mood.

" I smell Ninja Hounds, the Toads of Mount Myōboku, the Slug of Shikkotsu Forest, and the Monkey King, Enma."

" Quite the welcome party they arranged for us."

Senko said with a light smile and added.

" We may as well introduce ourselves formally. Let's head to the Hokage Office. It should be directly under the stone faces."

________________________________________

Jiraiya frowned as he read the report of one kage level Chakra reading, one Jonin, and one Chunin appeared out of nowhere in the middle of the village. What threw him off was the fact these Chakra Signatures weren't quite human, so he sent some of his Toads along with Katsuyu, Enma, and some members of the Inuzuka Clan to keep an eye on them and hopefully identify their origins. One of the ANBU appeared and reported.

" Lord Hokage, the observation targets are making their way to the Hokage office."

The Toad Sage sighed before saying.

" I suppose it's time to meet our unexpected guests."

Senko, Soushi, and Haruhime entered the office without a hint of fear, and Jiraiya took a moment to admire Haruhime as he told her kimono hid her curves. The Fifth Hokage took a moment to write down the fox girl's features as the sweet and innocent vibe she gave off got his writer's blood pumping. Senko's eye twitched as she could tell right away what sort of person the man before was with her Bloodline Limit.

She suppressed the urge to sigh before speaking politely.

" Greetings, Lord Fifth Hokage. I am humbly Senko of the Fox Clan, a Summoning Clan that has a new Contractor on a probationary level aligned with your village."

Senko revealed her fox ears and tail, and the two other Clan members did the same. Jiraiya took a moment to reexamine Haruhime's new features, then nodded in approval and added some more notes to his little booklet. The Fifth Hokage then asked.

" Oh? Who's your Contractor then?"

Jiraiya also thought internally.

" Fox Clan? I wonder how their relations are with Mount Myōboku? I'll ask Ma and Pa when I get a chance."

Senko then gave an unexpected answer with a slight smile.

" One, Naruto Uzumaki."

" Eh!?"

Jiraiya exclaimed in surprise at the answer he received and then said.

" Wait, Naruto should be under house arrest! He can't have..."

The Fifth Hokage quickly figured out that Naruto probably Reversed Summoned himself as he did with the Toads when he was a kid. Jiraiya leaned back into his chair with a sigh before muttering to himself with exasperation.

" That reckless brat."

The Fifth Hokage eyed Haruhime and immediately got jealous as he cursed in his mind.

" Why did that kid get so lucky in bagging such a cute summon? If these three are any indication, the Fox Clan is full of beauties!"

Of course, he hid his thoughts but not from Senko's Empathy Bloodline Limit. She restrained herself from showing she roughly knew what was going through the old pervert's mind. The petite fox girl then said.

" With introductions out of the way, we need to get back to Naruto-san for lunch."

" Actually, hold on a second, and let me verify your information first if it isn't an issue."

Senko stopped at Jiraiya's request and politely bowed as she said.

" You certainly may, Lord Hokage."

The Fifth Hokage built up his Chakra for a few minutes and used the Summoning Jutsu. A puff of smoke appeared, and two new voices could be heard.

" Jiraiya-chan, don't you know I am in the middle of cooking?"

" What is it Jiraiya-boya? What sort of enemy are you facing?"

The smoke faded to reveal Lady Shima and Lord Fukasaku, the two Toad Sages of Mount Myōboku. Jiraiya quickly and respectively apologized.

" Sorry, Ma, Pa, while important, it's not a combat situation. Can you confirm if these three are from the Fox Clan?"

" Fox Clan! Jiraiya-boya, please don't tell us you got involved with that troublesome Summoning Clan!"

" Oh my, isn't that an instance of the kettle calling the pot black?"

Senko retorted as she eyed the two Sages like they were a pair of tasty treats as she licked her lips. Soushi and Haruhime were not much better as they gazed at the Toads like prey to be eaten. Fukasaku frowned as he cursed.

" Damn Foxes, worse than Snakes, the lot of you! At least Ryuchi Cave is open about baring their fangs, but you easily lie and befriend to lure foolish Toads to be your dinner!"

" It's hardly my Clan's fault that so many of you Toads are gullible."

Senko retorted with a sly smile, and Jiraiya frowned at the reaction the two Sages had to the Foxes, but it was hardly unexpected as predator and prey relations do factor in when it comes to Summoning Clans. Lady Shima eyed the Fifth Hokage with suspicion as she said.

" Jiraiya-chan, I know you like a pretty human face, but you can do better than a bunch of foxes. They are one of the few things Mount Myōboku and Ryuchi Cave agree on, that their enemies more often than not!"

Jiraiya was stunned at what he heard: Mount Myōboku and Ryuchi Cave actually agreeing on something. As the chaos unfolds, the Fifth Hokage thought.

" Naruto, what sort of mess have you gotten yourself involved in?"