Prepared to confront the Nine-Tails, Minato braced himself for the impending clash when a sinister voice pierced the air.

"Die, Fourth Hokage".

...

...

*Clang!*

A sharp Kunai clash resounded as Minato dodged the subsequent attacks with his own Kunai.

*Clang!*

*Clang!*

*Clang!*

After a few bouts of clashes, Minato attacked, feeling bewildered at the kunai passing right through the man`s body.As the blade exited the phantom-like figure, a vicious counterattack ensued, but Minato agilely dodged and attempted to retreat.

Just as he began to step back, a chilling declaration froze him in place.

"Uh-uh, You`re mine", exclaimed the masked man in glee. Minato`s body started to rotate as if being drawn into a spiral. In the next instant, he teleported.

"Damn!", the man cursed

...

Shin was currently in a darkened space. It wasn't certain how long his body had been in stasis in that dark expanse. The eerie stillness held sway, devoid of any audible stirrings or visible signs of life. Only eternal darkness and quiet as Shin`s body lay in the eerie place.

*ROOOOOAAOOOOOOR!*

A sudden, jarring cry shattered the tranquility, resonating with a poignant anguish that echoed through the emptiness. The voice carried a tale of profound injustice, invoking a primal call for justice and empathy that tugged at the essence of anyone who dared to listen. In the distance, a figure bound in chains, each link adorned with cruel barbs, writhed in agony. At some parts of the creature's body, the barbs had already clawed in the flesh to cause wounds. blood spluttered out of the wounds at every movement.

As the beast's anguished howls reverberated through the space, the reverberations materialized into physical manifestations, causing wounds to unfurl across Shin's prone body. Startled from his slumber by the cacophony and the searing pain, Shin awoke in a frenzy and howled, "Aaarrrgh!".

"What happened to me, Aye, It hurts....It hurts so much".

Blood seeped from numerous lacerations that now marred his flesh—cuts on his legs, forehead, and a gaping wound on his arm. The torment wracked his body as he writhed in agony, his cries echoing through the desolate void.

In a sudden shift, tiny motes of golden light and darkness surrounded his injuries, weaving a soothing embrace that gradually alleviated his suffering. As the tension ebbed from his features, Shin surveyed his surroundings in bewilderment.

"Where am I? Uh..."

"I just thought that... Why is it echoing..."

"Hakuna mattata..."

A familiar melody began to fill his mind, the sounds echoing in a haunting chorus.

"Ayayahe"

"Man! What up with this strange place?". Shin looked around and saw darkness in every direction. Meanwhile, different thoughts from his head materialized into sounds constantly echoing in the void.

"Why was I covered up in wounds", As his thought echoed, He looked at his injuries which were now covered in golden light motes. He could now bear the pain to a somewhat manageable degree.

*ROOOOOAAOOOOOOR!*

A thunderous howl reverberated from above. As Shin tried to look above, his eyes widened in disbelief as searing pain erupted across his body. A series of sharp, stabbing sensations tore through him as multiple wounds inexplicably split and opened up.

The golden motes fragmented and dispersed, hastening to mend the new injuries. As the searing pain subsided, he cast his gaze upward.

"Subhanallah"

He could see a tiny light shining so brightly that it hurt a little when he gazed upon it. "What's that!", His thoughts ringing aloud. Curious, he wanted to move towards the lights. As the thought materialized, he teleported.

Shin`s body materialized near the huge creature. The beast radiated with an ethereal orange hue. The beast lay in a state of subdued rest, its breaths shallow and chest rising and falling in a slow, steady rhythm.

"IS THIS THE NINE TAILS?", Shin gasped in horror and awe simultaneously, his eyes wide with disbelief. He tried to back away and suddenly got teleported again far away from the beast. "Phew, that was too close," he exhaled, wiping the sweat from his brow with a light sigh.

"Wait, What`s up with that? I see that I am again far away from Kurama. How can I teleport again and again? It is as if I can go anywhere as long I think it. How fascinating."

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""NO!, focus. How did I end up here?"

"What is this space"

"Why am I and Nine tails the only ones here.", A sudden realization struck him. "Wasn't I in the Leaf village a few moments ago? ", At recollecting all of the events, He was saddened when he remembered Kirimoto`s death.

"Hmm."

After a few moments of peaceful silence. He focused and teleported to Nine-Tail's side again. "What a pitiful creature."

Looking at the chains binding the beast, he spoke, "What happened to you? I thought you were terrorizing the Leaf village at the moment. Yet you yourself were captured here... Is the fight already over".

His mind muddled and became confused at the series of events. In the next instant, the beast`s body reverberated with some movement.

"Ghrrrrr, Human, What are you doing here?."

Shin watched in alarm as the massive form shifted, the chains coiling tighter around its frame.

*ROOOOOAAOOOOOOR!*

Being so close to the beast, when its howl materialized it opened deep gashes on Shin`s body. The golden motes of light moved frantically all over his body to travel to vital spots.

*Aaaargh!*

His body convulsed as each new wound opened, his muscles tensing in a futile attempt to shield himself from the onslaught of pain. The sudden onslaught left him reeling, his mind struggling to process the sheer brutality of the injuries that now marred his flesh.

Tears welled up in his eyes the pain transmitted all across his body. He cried out, "Please stop!!!"

"Please stop... Kurama!!!"

The beast ceased its howling and turned its gaze towards the human at its side. As it observed the little creature, it noticed the soul trembling under its gaze.

"HUMPH!, Such a feeble soul"

Feelings of detest and revulsion suddenly overcame Shin's thoughts as he felt the beast's gaze on him. He clutched his heart as his mind and body were overcome with sudden new bouts of pain and suffering. His knees buckled and he fell.

The beast watched the unusual behavior of the human. Suddenly his soul resonated and he could feel the pain lessening albeit just a tiny bit. The beast's eyes expanded as they reflected bewilderment. Ninetails watched the boy again. It moved his left hand towards Shin`s body. Upon contact with the huge nail of the beast on his forehead, Shin was engulfed in a euphoric surge of energy, his eyes snapping open.

"What are you?" The beast's voice, though softened by Nine-Tails' standards, still strained Shin's consciousness.

"Huh, What do you mean?", Shin asked nervously. It was an entirely foreign experience to suddenly talk to such a big creature whose mouth could fit hundreds if not thousands of him at once.

'Eh, My thoughts are not echoing anymore, whew'.

"Your soul may be weak, but it withstands the weight of my soul domain and its fluctuations. But let's set that aside for now..."

After a momentary pause, it spoke again, its tone shifting, "How is it that you are able to penetrate the Tail-Beast Psyche plane and also—", its eyes narrowed in hostility, "How did you learn of my name, brat?"

In the end, its aura again became sharp and Shin felt genuine fear for the first time in its presence. "I dont know how I am here". He just blurted out the answer upon the inquisition.

"I-I think I fainted, and when I woke up, I found myself here."

The beast's eyes narrowed into a full slit, angrily it spoke, "Do you think I am a fool. Your kind are the parasites of this world. Always scheming and seeking conflict."

Unable to bear the burden of the aura that Nine Tails released from its soul. Shin fell down again, "Ugh, Ubbph", a vomit threaten to surface but he forced it back down.

"Make of it what you will. I don't know why I am here. And for your name, I just know. Ever since I came to this place, I immediately learned of it."

Thinking of Kiri, Shin's eyes burned with anger, "It's because of you, that my friend died. How are you going to answer for this crime? You call me a schemer yet you're the one who is in the wrong here. You killed so many people in my village. Yooouuu foul creature!!!"

Nine Tails observed the boy`s reaction. He genuinely hated the creature for its actions. "That murder can also be pinned on your kind. At least one of you. That man is a great schemer and one with great power."

Shin listened intently to the creature`s words as it followed.", He has taken ahold of my body once again and is using me to do his dirty work. This was not of my own free will."

With a sigh heavy with regret, the creature added, "It has never been my choice."

Shin although knew of the creature`s circumstances, still asked, "Who is behind the attack? Who dared to attack my village? If you know of it, please share it with me", he pleaded.

"I am not sure... He might be Madara Uchiha, I sensed some familiarity but something felt amiss. That man... Madara was very domineering, however, I don't sense the same from the man who is controlling me now. He might be a descendent of Mada—"

The chains constricted again, but the beast controlled its pain this time, intending to talk more with the unusual boy. After a while, the pain abated and it spoke again.

"Now tell me about you, How is it that you can penetrate the tail beast psyche plane? Even my last two captors were not able to do it. Are you human or Otsutsuki?" Nine-Tails inquired, its expression incredulous.

"Um, as you can see, I am 4 years old. My name is Shin Hoshino. I am an orphan. As far as I know, I am human", Shin explained, his tone tinged with agitation.

Suddenly the humongous body of the beast started to rotate until its huge eyes were just twenty meters away from Shin.

'Interesting... that boy, he looks mature for his age'

"Boy", Its voice echoed.

"Do you know that you have a special soul?" The creature asked.

Still bewildered by the huge movement, Shin asked,"I have a special soul, in what way?"

"I don't know", the creature replied.

"Well, Why did you tell me that, are you just messing with me?", Shin quipped.

"I am calling it special because I have never seen anything like it until now. Ever since we were created by the old man, I have never seen a soul such as you", the creature replied calmly.

"By 'special', Do you mean I have a pure soul, one very good", Shin probed hopefully.

"No, it's not that", came the disappointing reply, causing Shin's face to fall.

"To be honest, I don't know how to describe it. There are too many peculiarities about it. First is you were able to come here, the second is you were able to bear the pressure of my soul and speak to me and third—"

"And Third", inquired Shin eagerly.

"You were able to lessen my pain to a certain extent." the beast explained, its eyes shifting back to a usual circular shape from the vertical slit.

"No matter who you are, at least you deserve some reward for making it here. Come and place your hand on my head", The beast looked at the little boy.

"What will it do?", Shin asked, still bewildered at this whole exchange.

"I will transfer a part of my soul to you. You will be able to have some of my chakra and will be able to form a chakra cloak. Most importantly—"

The beast paused once more, the chains tightening and causing it discomfort.

"Above all, you will find it easier to communicate with me in the future. I may not know much about your physiology, but existing in this realm is demanding for any human, especially a child," Nine-Tails explained, struggling with its breath midway.

As it looked expectant at the child, Shin hesitated.

.

.