Kushina was different from ordinary ninjas. A giant fox lived inside her.
Only a few people in Konoha knew this. It was her greatest secret.
This fox, the Nine-Tails, didn't have a home of its own—so it liked to reside in others.
Previously, it was sealed inside Uzumaki Mito. But as Mito's life came to an end, the fox began to stir, crying out to be sealed into a new host—Kushina.
Before her death, Grandma Mito explained everything to Kushina.
Kind-hearted as she was, Kushina reluctantly agreed to take in this poor, powerful creature.
But after the sealing, she didn't feel any different. No new voice, no burning chakra, no pain.
Had something gone wrong during the transfer? Had the fox perished?
Kushina didn't know—and honestly, she didn't really care. She didn't like that fox much anyway.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, told her to stay isolated in a small compound for a week before returning to the Academy.
That night, as she drifted off to sleep, a voice echoed in her mind.
When she opened her eyes, she found herself in darkness.
The voice called again, directly into her ear.
"Who's there?" Kushina asked nervously, her voice echoing.
There was no reply, only the howl of an invisible wind that chilled her to the bone.
"Come closer," the voice coaxed again.
Following the sound, Kushina walked through the void.
Suddenly, darkness gave way to light.
She found herself in a vast chamber, with a massive cage before her. A paper talisman bearing the seal glowed faintly at the center.
Cherry blossom trees flanked either side of the cage, petals silently drifting to the ground.
Inside the cage lay a monstrous fox with nine swaying tails. Its red eyes locked on Kushina.
"Hey, brat," the beast growled, raising its head.
Kushina instantly recognized the Nine-Tails. So this was the poor fox Grandma had mentioned.
The fox smirked. "Do you want power? Just rip off that seal, and everything in this world will be yours."
Kushina blinked, then frowned. "My grandma told me never to let you out."
She stepped forward.
"Hmph! Don't mention that woman!" Kurama roared, slamming his paw against the cage. The bars trembled but held.
His snarl turned vicious. "Break the seal, or I'll tear you apart!"
Startled, Kushina took a step back, tears welling up.
Kurama, realizing the seal couldn't be undone by the child, lost interest and flopped back down with a grunt.
Wiping her tears, Kushina remembered her grandmother's final words: "Only by embracing the fox with love and compassion can you truly become the strongest and happiest Jinchūriki."
Kushina took it to heart. She believed she was a kind and gentle girl.
Though people sometimes misunderstood her and called her "The Red-Hot Habanero"…
…they usually apologized afterward. Usually.
So, determined to befriend the fox, she decided to show it love.
She mustered her courage—and spat a mouthful of water through the bars at the Nine-Tails.
Kurama blinked. "…"
The spit dripped off his snout.
He snarled. "HOW DARE YOU?! Even Mito never insulted me like this!"
Kushina tilted her head. "Tsunade-nee said kissing someone is spitting in their mouth. Isn't this the same?"
Kurama froze.
What an idiot, he thought. This girl was too dense to be afraid of him.
With a sigh, he slumped back down and tried to sleep.
Kushina looked around. "Where is this place, anyway?"
"Your consciousness," the Nine-Tails grumbled. "Better decorated than Mito's. At least there aren't any damn trees."
He grumbled about the giant trees in Mito's mental world—always reminding him of Senju Hashirama and the trauma of being sealed.
"Well, I'm glad you like it," Kushina said, attempting politeness.
"I don't like it!" Kurama growled. "I'd rather live in a sewer!"
Still, day after day, Kushina returned to talk to the fox.
At first, Kurama tried to manipulate her, promising power if she would only remove the seal.
When that didn't work, he gave up and went to sleep.
Eventually, though, he began talking—about his battles, his pride.
He bragged about thrashing the One-Tails.
He muttered about fighting Hashirama Senju, being sealed by Mito.
It became a routine. And before they knew it, a week had passed.
Kushina was finally free to return to the Ninja Academy.