The Fox's Son

Chapter 6 - Line of Succession

Naruto's heart dropped at that. He knew what his father meant. He stopped at tree and stood on the branch. The blonde was going through so many emotions right now. While he was sad that his father would be leaving him, he was also anxious and afraid of what was to come. Here, he had spent close to 10 years preparing to succeed his father and the time had finally come. He didn't notice that his body was already moving on its own as he began to get lost in his thoughts.

Five minutes later, Naruto found himself at a small cave. He walked into the cold and empty cave and took off his ANBU mask. He turned around and used a doton jutsu to close the caves opening, trapping him inside. He sat on the stony ground in a meditative position and closed his eyes.

In the mindscape.........

Naruto opened his eyes to find his father was in full form. His nine tails swinging behind him mightily as he stood before his son in all his glory. Even Naruto couldn't help, but be in awe of the power that radiated off of him. Compared to his 6 feet, he only looked like a crumb compared to his father. He wondered his grandfather was this huge.

"Kuramamaru" Kurama greeted.

"Tou-sama" Naruto said with a bow.

"Today is the day that, I, Kurama, will be resigning my position as the Kyubi no Kitsune and appoint my son, Kuramamaru Naruto Uzumaki as the new Kyubi No Yoko. He has defeated me in battle and has been trained in all my duties and ways. He is the sole heir to the King of the Bijuu and has won the approval of the Kurama clan. Do you, Kuramamaru Uzumaki, accept your position and birthright?" Kurama proclaimed.

"I, Kuramamaru Naruto Uzumaki, son of Kushina Uzumaki and Kurama, grandson of Amaterasu and Panchen, and Kenshin and Arisa Uzumaki (Uzukage and Daimyo), accept my position and birthright as the Kyubi no Yoko and leader of the Kurama clan. I have defeated my father, Kurama, in duel and have been trained and prepared for the responsibilities and roles of my position." Naruto said proudly. Kurama nodded his head towards his son.

"Naruto....." Kurama said softly.

This instantly caught Naruto's attention. He looked up and saw his father looking down at him gently. Naruto could see the love his father had for him in his eyes. A tear escaped his eyes as he saw his father gaze at him like a father who loves and adores his son.

"Tou-san" the 17 year old boy choked out, trying to hold back his tears.

"I have given and taught you everything that I know. There is nothing more I have to give to you. So, I would like to depart from you with a few words of wisdom, for it will be a long time before we meet again......." Kurama said with a few tears escaping his own eyes.

"You have grown into a fine young man, Kuramamaru. Your mother would be so proud to see the man you have become. Although you never got the chance to meet, I want you too know that she loved you. I remember seeing the tears of joy that escaped her eyes as she held you for the first time. She loved you since you came out of her womb and she still loves you even in the afterlife." he said.

"I want you to know that I am proud of you as well, as both your father and your sensei. You have grown to be a strong warrior and one who is honorable. Despite of the loss you had in your childhood and the struggles you've gone through sense you were born, he have remained persistent and continued to live, not giving in to your inner darkness and hate. I am proud to call you both my son and my next successor as the Nidaime Kyubi no Kitsune. I love you, Maru-kun." Kurama said affectionately.

Naruto couldn't stop the tears that were freely falling from his eyes. He hugged his father's leg as he sobbed. "Thank you, Old Man." he said.

Kurama chuckled at the nickname as he wrapped a tail around his son as if he was hugging him back. After there embrace, Naruto pulled away from his father and wiped his tears. He looked up at his father with fiery determination in his eyes. He put fist out to his father, fully prepared for was about to happen.