Kurama in Naruto

Kurama and the other tailed beasts were created by Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki. He split the Ten-Tails' chakra into nine separate beings, giving each of them a name. He told them they were linked despite being apart and that one day they would be brought together again to learn true power. Kurama was sent to live in a temple in a forest that later became part of the Land of Fire.

Kurama gained a fearsome reputation as a destructive force in places where negativity and darkness thrived. During the founding of the shinobi villages, Kumogakure's Gold and Silver Brothers tried to capture Kurama but were swallowed. They survived by eating Kurama's flesh, and the fox had to regurgitate them.

Madara Uchiha later controlled Kurama with his Sharingan to fight Hashirama Senju. This battle created the Valley of the End. After defeating Madara, Hashirama's wife, Mito Uzumaki, sealed Kurama within herself, becoming its first jinchūriki.

Mito kept it under control during the first two Shinobi World Wars. However, the seal almost broke when she gave birth. In her later years, it was decided that a new jinchūriki was needed, and Kushina Uzumaki was chosen. Mito reassured Kushina that by filling herself with love, she could overcome Kurama's hatred.

Kushina's love for Minato Namikaze, and his love for her, proved to be strong enough to contain Kurama's destructive tendencies. After the Third Shinobi World War, Minato arranged for Kurama to remain sealed inside Kushina during Naruto's birth. A masked man named Tobi (later revealed to be Obito Uchiha) tracked them down, kidnapped Naruto, extracted and controlled Kurama, and used the fox to attack Konoha.

While rampaging in the village, Kurama was initially controlled by Tobi, but Minato managed to free Kurama from Tobi's control using a Contract Seal. However, the fox still harbored resentment against Konoha and continued to cause destruction. Minato summoned Gamabunta to restrain Kurama and teleport it away from the village.

As Kushina was dying from the extraction, she initially planned to seal Kurama back inside herself. However, Minato devised a plan to separate Kurama's chakra into its Yin and Yang halves and seal the Yang half within Naruto.

Kurama resisted, but Minato and Kushina sacrificed themselves to complete the sealing. Yang-Kurama, sealed within Naruto, decided to wait for the right time to influence Naruto and help him break the seal.

Over the years, Kurama weakened the seal by leaking small portions of its chakra, which had positive effects on Naruto's abilities, such as amplifying his chakra reserves and healing capabilities.

In the anime, it was revealed that Kurama left behind chakra that was collected and sealed within Sora by a former member of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, Kazuma, for his own agenda.

Prologue — Land of Waves

Naruto first tapped into the power of the Nine-Tails during his battle with Haku when he believed Haku had killed Sasuke. This made him very angry, and he accessed the fox's chakra to become more powerful. The Nine-Tails was pleased with this.

Chūnin Exams

Naruto faced Orochimaru, who recognized the Nine-Tails' chakra. Orochimaru used a seal to block Naruto's access to the fox's power, rendering him unconscious. Jiraiya, Naruto's mentor, removed the seal and taught him to use the Nine-Tails' chakra.

Jiraiya pushed Naruto off a cliff, forcing him into his subconscious where he met the Nine-Tails for the first time. Naruto boldly demanded the fox's chakra as "rent money" for sharing his body. The Nine-Tails complied, realizing its survival was linked to Naruto's. It gave Naruto enough chakra to summon Gamabunta and was pleased that Naruto acknowledged its presence.

The Nine-Tails remained quiet until Naruto's battle with Neji. Naruto called upon it for help to defeat Neji by opening his chakra points.

Konoha Crush

In the climax of his fight with Gaara, the Nine-Tails shared some of its chakra with Naruto, enabling him to defeat Gaara, who was a host of the One-Tails, Shukaku.

Search for Tsunade

While searching for Tsunade with Jiraiya, Naruto encountered Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki from Akatsuki. Naruto attempted to use the Nine-Tails' chakra to fight them, but Kisame's sword absorbed it. Kisame tried to harm Naruto, but Jiraiya arrived in time to protect him and drive off the Akatsuki members.

Later, when Naruto battled Kabuto Yakushi and used the completed Rasengan, Kabuto injured Naruto's heart muscles and chakra system. The Nine-Tails couldn't heal this damage. Tsunade's medical ninjutsu saved Naruto from death.

Sasuke Recovery Mission

In his fight with Sasuke at the Valley of the End, Sasuke wounded Naruto with his Chidori. The Nine-Tails provided Naruto with chakra to heal quickly and enter his initial jinchūriki form. Naruto's enhanced speed helped him dominate Sasuke initially. As the fight continued, Sasuke's Sharingan allowed him to predict Naruto's moves.

The Nine-Tails urged Naruto to become stronger and granted him more of its chakra, enabling him to access the one-tailed form.

During the Timeskip

During Naruto's training with Jiraiya, he learned to control the Nine-Tails' chakra, even mastering a two-tailed chakra cloak. Jiraiya made adjustments to the seal to release more chakra. However, this allowed the Nine-Tails to exploit Naruto's negative emotions and triggered a four-tailed transformation where it went on a rampage inside Naruto's body. Jiraiya managed to reseal the fox's chakra but was severely injured in the process.

Kazekage Rescue Mission

In a battle against Deidara, Naruto entered his two-tailed form when angered by Gaara's death. Kakashi used a special seal tag to calm him down.

Tenchi Bridge Reconnaissance Mission

When fighting Orochimaru, Naruto activated his four-tailed form, losing control and harming those around him. Yamato suppressed the Nine-Tails' influence, and it told Naruto he had injured Sakura. Naruto resolved not to rely on the Nine-Tails again.

During an encounter with Sasuke after three years, the Nine-Tails offered its chakra, but Naruto refused. Sasuke entered Naruto's subconscious, and the Nine-Tails was impressed with his power. However, Sasuke's Sharingan easily subdued the fox's chakra. The Nine-Tails warned Sasuke not to kill Naruto, as he would regret it.

Akatsuki Suppression Mission

While Naruto was training to combine Rasengan with his wind element, the Nine-Tails' chakra surfaced within some frustrated shadow clones. Yamato managed to suppress it in time to prevent any harm.

Pain's Assault

At Mount Myōboku, the Nine-Tails prevented Fukasaku from fusing with Naruto, hindering his senjutsu training.

In a battle with Pain, Naruto entered his six-tailed form after Hinata's apparent death. He crushed the suppressing necklace. When trapped in Pain's Chibaku Tensei, the Nine-Tails tempted Naruto to unleash its power by distorting the seal further. Minato's spirit appeared, restored the seal, and calmed the Nine-Tails.

During Naruto's conversation with Nagato, the Nine-Tails got angry and his chakra leaked in Sage Mode, allowing the two forms to synchronize.

Fourth Shinobi World War: Countdown

Naruto was given a mission to control the power of the Nine-Tails, a powerful beast sealed within him. The Great Toad Sage provided him with a key to the seal, which would be crucial for this task. This was all in preparation for a destined battle with his friend Sasuke.

With guidance from Killer B, a fellow ninja who had tamed a similar beast within him, Naruto traveled to a secret location on a remote island in the Land of Lightning. Here, he embarked on a journey to learn how to control the Nine-Tails' formidable power.

Inside his own mind, where he confronted the Nine-Tails, there was a surprising turn of events. The Nine-Tails, typically filled with hatred, was unable to sense any hatred in Naruto. It questioned Naruto about his true self, to which Naruto responded that his true self was right in front of the beast.

Naruto used the key to unlock the seal containing the Nine-Tails, but this action triggered a hostile response from the beast. It launched a devastating attack, but Killer B intervened to protect Naruto using the power of the Eight-Tails, another tailed beast.

In an attempt to weaken the Nine-Tails, Naruto entered Sage Mode, a state that heightened his abilities. He unleashed powerful techniques like the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken and started draining the Nine-Tails' chakra.

However, the Nine-Tails was not defeated so easily. It implanted its hatred into the chakra that was being drained and began to consume Naruto. This caused him to lose control and forced him out of Sage Mode.

Just when Naruto was on the brink of losing control completely, the chakra imprint of his mother, Kushina Uzumaki, appeared within him. She used her Adamantine Sealing Chains to subdue the Nine-Tails. The beast reacted with shock and anger when it recognized her chakra.

With Kushina's help, Naruto's positive emotions purged the Nine-Tails' hatred from the chakra it had drained. In a bid to weaken the beast further and separate it from its chakra, Naruto created many shadow clones, re-entered Sage Mode, and launched a powerful combined attack.

As the Nine-Tails' chakra merged into Naruto, the beast became furious and attempted to launch a massive attack, but Naruto used a new and stronger seal to imprison the fox once more.

Alone and defeated, the Nine-Tails was left in great frustration, contemplating just who Naruto was and how he had managed to achieve such a victory.

Fourth Shinobi World War: Confrontation

During Naruto's training to control the Nine-Tails' chakra, the fox was gradually regaining its strength by consuming a portion of Naruto's chakra as he harnessed its power. This process helped the Nine-Tails recover from its emaciated state.

As Naruto and Killer B continued on their journey toward the battlefield, the Nine-Tails seized the opportunity to engage Naruto in a conversation within his subconscious. It criticized him for using its chakra and questioned his belief that he could single-handedly end the ongoing war and bear the burden of hatred.

Despite the Nine-Tails' attempts to tempt Naruto with power and to convince him that his efforts were futile, Naruto stood his ground. He refuted the fox's claims and asserted his determination to find a way to confront Sasuke and bring an end to the war. He accused the Nine-Tails of being the naive one in this situation.

Naruto displayed unwavering confidence in his abilities and resolve to overcome challenges. This newfound strength surprised the Nine-Tails, which begrudgingly complimented Naruto for finally learning to stand up for himself. However, the Nine-Tails was left feeling unsettled by Naruto's promise to someday address the fox's own deep-seated hatred.

Fourth Shinobi World War: Climax

In a battle against the formidable Madara Uchiha, who had been reincarnated, he attempted to summon the Nine-Tails, but the summoning failed. The fox, recognizing Madara's chakra calling for it, got angry and decided to help Naruto by lending him its chakra.

Initially, Naruto thought the Nine-Tails might try to take over his body as it had done in the past. However, the Nine-Tails explained that it would rather assist Naruto than be manipulated by Madara again. It encouraged Naruto to counter Madara's attack.

While Killer B and the real Naruto were engaged in a battle against Tobi and other reincarnated jinchūriki, the Nine-Tails pretended to be asleep and stopped consuming Naruto's chakra intentionally. It chose to let Naruto fight on his own, even disregarding a request for cooperation from the Eight-Tails.

The Nine-Tails remembered what various individuals, including Madara, Hashirama, Mito, and Kushina, had told it in the past. These memories led the fox to believe that no matter how humans phrased it, the outcome remained the same, with one exception: Naruto. The Nine-Tails silently observed as Naruto conversed with Son Gokū, expressing annoyance when its name was mentioned.

Reflecting on Naruto's life events and observing the situation, the Nine-Tails noted that Naruto should know that true intentions are communicated through actions, not words. After Naruto successfully removed Tobi's control over Son Gokū, the Nine-Tails celebrated this small victory and offered more of its chakra. Naruto expressed gratitude to the fox for its assistance during his encounter with Madara.

Kurama, initially flustered, rebuffed Naruto before offering to merge their chakra. Naruto unlocked the seal's gate and acknowledged Kurama as his teammate from Konoha. This allowed Naruto to assume a new form to stop other tailed beasts who were advancing towards Might Guy and Kakashi.

However, it was their first time using this new transformation, and Kurama warned that they had only five minutes to use it. They began by grabbing Chōmei and driving it into Isobu, but Isobu evaded and counter-attacked after Saiken swallowed Kurama's hand. Gyūki also joined the fray. When Matatabi tried to pounce on Naruto and Kurama from behind, they swung Saiken into the giant cat, throwing them both away.

During a big battle, all the tailed beasts, including Naruto and Kurama, unleashed powerful attacks called Tailed Beast Balls. Naruto and Kurama combined their efforts to cancel out the other tailed beasts' attack.

After this, Naruto went deeper into Kurama's mind, where he met the other tailed beasts and their jinchūriki. Kurama explained that this was a place even Tobi couldn't access. Kurama asked the other tailed beasts if they believed Naruto was the person the Sage of the Six Paths had spoken of, and they agreed before being sealed away again.

While they were fighting a powerful enemy, Tobi summoned two items containing the Gold and Silver Brothers, who had some of Kurama's chakra. Kurama sensed its chakra in these items and asked Naruto to switch places with it so it could explain the situation. Kurama also stressed the urgency of preventing the Ten-Tails' revival.

After the switch, Naruto and Kurama confronted Tobi, and Kurama smiled when Naruto stood up to Tobi's ideals. Tobi tried to make Naruto doubt himself by questioning what his mentors, Jiraiya and Minato, would say if Naruto didn't live up to their legacy. Kurama remembered what Minato had said to Naruto and requested another switch.

It told Tobi that Naruto would never follow his ideals and that Minato had sealed Kurama into Naruto to defeat Tobi. After merging their chakra again, Naruto entered Tailed Beast Mode and initiated an assault on Tobi, with Kurama's assurance.

As the battle continued, Madara joined in and used a giant wooden dragon to restrain Naruto. Naruto used Kurama's power to fight it, but the wooden dragon began draining Kurama's chakra, weakening his tailed beast form.

Naruto managed to break free and created a shadow clone to protect Kakashi from Obito. When Kurama noticed Kakashi was running low on chakra, it advised Naruto to switch with it. Using Naruto's body, Kurama tossed Kakashi at Obito, who used his Kamui ability to absorb Kakashi into another dimension.

As the battle unfolded, Kurama shared some of its chakra with Kakashi, enabling him to attack Obito in another dimension. Meanwhile, Naruto entered Tailed Beast Mode and attempted to halt the Ten-Tails' revival with a powerful attack, but it proved unsuccessful.

The team regrouped, and Kurama replenished Kakashi and Guy's chakra. However, the Ten-Tails, under Obito and Madara's control, overwhelmed them. Kurama and Gyūki launched powerful attacks, but the Ten-Tails easily deflected them.

Naruto's shadow clone and Kakashi faced imminent danger, but Kurama and Naruto managed to rescue them before losing their Tailed Beast Mode.

Naruto came to understand the interconnectedness of his life with others, inspired by his parents' sacrifices. With Kurama's guidance, he entered Tailed Beast Mode once more and shared his chakra with fellow shinobi.

Kurama admired Naruto's ability to distribute chakra among diverse individuals, noting his surpassing of his parents' legacy.

They continued to engage the Ten-Tails, but Kurama cautioned Naruto about managing his chakra, which was draining him. The Ten-Tails prepared a devastating attack called Tenpenchii, injuring Naruto and depleting all of Kurama's chakra.

Following the arrival of the reincarnated Hokage, Kurama was surprised by Minato's use of its chakra. Naruto praised Minato's skill, and Kurama reminded Naruto that Minato had sealed it within him using a complex technique. Later, when Naruto requested more chakra, Kurama suggested he remain in his normal form a bit longer if he wanted to re-enter Tailed Beast Mode.

Birth of the Ten-Tails' Jinchuriki

As the battle strategy unfolded, Kurama's Yin half within Minato was moved by Naruto's words about his father. Yin-Kurama encouraged Minato to act and not let Naruto handle everything alone. It also urged Minato to ignore Obito's words, emphasizing that he wasn't responsible for the past tragedies.

Later, when Naruto and Minato bumped fists, both halves of Kurama also made contact. Yang-Kurama asked Yin-Kurama to share its chakra. They prepared to work together, and while it felt odd for one part of Kurama to ask the other for chakra, they bumped fists symbolically as they readied their strategy.

As Naruto entered Tailed Beast Mode and got ready to attack Obito, Yang-Kurama reminded Naruto that only senjutsu-based attacks would work. Yang-Kurama recalled a time when Naruto had combined the two modes during Pain's invasion and expressed a willingness to let Naruto use Sage Mode alongside its power. Yin-Kurama advised Minato to do the same so that he could provide powerful support for Naruto.

Both Naruto and Minato shrouded in Kurama's form, created a massive, senjutsu-enhanced Rasengan. They were then teleported to Obito's location by Tobirama. Obito anticipated the attack and managed to deflect it. The focus of the strategy shifted to destroying a mysterious black substance.

Naruto and Minato formed a senjutsu-enhanced Tailed Beast Ball, but Obito countered by creating a replica of the Ten-Tails' tree form, which began to absorb chakra from those in its path. This situation led to a moment of despair for the Allied Shinobi Forces.

However, Naruto used Ino Yamanaka's telepathy to convey his memories and feelings to the allied forces, reigniting their determination to fight.

After Yin-Kurama transferred most of its chakra to Yang-Kurama, Naruto and Sasuke teamed up to battle Obito. They used senjutsu-enhanced attacks to crack Obito's protective sphere, causing him to push forward.

The intense battle continued, resulting in the destruction of Sasuke's Susanoo and Naruto's Tailed Beast Mode form. However, both of them remained determined and resilient. Sasuke summoned his final Susanoo to encase Naruto's Tailed Beast Mode mantle.

Naruto called for his comrades, who all joined him in Tailed Beast Mode. They entered Kurama's tails and, using the Rasengan Naruto had created, they broke through Obito's shield. This allowed Naruto and Sasuke to deliver a powerful attack, forcing out the chakra of all the tailed beasts.

With the combined effort of the Allied Shinobi Forces, they successfully extracted all the sealed tailed beasts from Obito's body, leaving the Ten-Tails within him as an empty shell. Naruto and the rest of the forces went to aid Hashirama against Madara.

Yin-Kurama informed Minato that Obito was not in mortal danger from the extraction, as the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path still held a considerable amount of life energy but was immobilized for a while.

Naruto and Yang-Kurama re-entered Tailed Beast Mode to assist the other tailed beasts in attacking Madara. However, Madara survived their attacks and retreated to a safe distance.

After receiving his own right Rinnegan eye from a White Zetsu clone, Madara summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and used the Rinnegan to repel the stunned tailed beasts. He then prepared to extract Yang-Kurama and Gyūki from their jinchūriki, including Naruto.

Yang-Kurama contacted Gaara to transfer its Yin half from Minato to save Naruto. It wished Naruto luck before being extracted and sealed within the statue along with the other tailed beasts.

Unfortunately, Black Zetsu intervened just as Yin-Kurama was about to be transferred, becoming its jinchūriki. Madara, now the Ten-Tails' jinchūriki, arrived. Black Zetsu tried to return to Madara with Yin-Kurama, but Obito stopped him and maintained their merger.

Obito decided to help the Allied Forces stop Madara. He worked with Kakashi to teleport Naruto to Kamui's dimension and then transferred Yin-Kurama into Naruto.

Within Naruto's subconscious, Yin-Kurama and the other tailed beasts, along with Gyūki and Shukaku, which Obito had stolen from Madara and sealed inside Naruto, voiced their trust in the Sage and belief in Naruto as the child of prophecy during a meeting with Hagoromo's spirit.

After Naruto returned to the battlefield, Madara regained both his eyes and initiated the Chibaku Tensei to prepare for the Infinite Tsukuyomi. Yin-Kurama lent Naruto chakra to use a Tailed Beast Ball Rasenshuriken against the Chibaku Tensei satellites.

Kaguya Otsutsuki Strikes

Madara's ambitions were thwarted when Black Zetsu, revealed to be the physical incarnation

of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's will, used Madara's body to resurrect Kaguya. Kaguya trapped Sasuke in another dimension, and Yin-Kurama granted Naruto more chakra to create a massive army of shadow clones.

Yin-Kurama and the other chakra portions of the tailed beasts aided Naruto in launching a series of powerful Rasenshuriken attacks against Kaguya. This inflicted a significant blow to her.

In response to the chakra's reaction, Yang-Kurama and the other tailed beasts within Kaguya attempted to escape, inadvertently causing Kaguya to transform into a rabbit-like form with a large mass of the tailed beasts.

Naruto and Sasuke sealed Kaguya with their respective seals, resulting in the extraction of Yang-Kurama and the other tailed beasts from Kaguya, as she was sealed away.

After escaping, Son Gokū praised Naruto's efforts, and Yang-Kurama grinned in response. The tailed beasts then joined the rest of Team 7 in a separate dimension. They were surprised to find that they couldn't escape, leading to a comical remark about Naruto's intelligence by Son Gokū.

However, Hagoromo, with the help of the previous Kage and the reincarnated Hokage, performed a massive summoning to bring the tailed beasts, Team 7, and Madara's body back to the real world.

Upon returning to the real world, Naruto asked Yang-Kurama if it missed him, and the fox comically denied it, amusing Son Gokū.

After the past Kage returned to the afterlife, plans for the future were discussed. The tailed beasts expressed their joy at being free. Yang-Kurama was surprised to hear Gyūki's wish to return to B but accepted Hagoromo's request to remain within Naruto to watch over him.

Sasuke revealed his intentions of leading a revolution to change the shinobi systems, including killing the current Kage and tailed beasts. He subdued and sealed the tailed beasts with his Rinnegan and Chibaku Tensei.

Naruto assured Yang-Kurama that he would save the tailed beasts again. Naruto and Sasuke had their long-awaited confrontation, leaving both exhausted.

Yin-Kurama tried to help Naruto by providing chakra, but it got absorbed by Sasuke. Yin-Kurama praised Naruto for his determination to save both Sasuke and Kurama.

After the battle, Sasuke declared Naruto the victor, and they dispelled the Infinite Tsukuyomi. Sasuke released the tailed beasts, and Yang-Kurama merged with its Yin half, finally becoming whole again.

The Last: Naruto the Movie

When Naruto and his team saw a giant golem emerging from beneath Toneri Ōtsutsuki's moon castle, Naruto activated his Nine-Tails Chakra Mode and summoned Kurama. In their fight, Kurama was initially struggling but managed to blast the golem into space with a Tailed Beast Ball.

After their victory, Kurama wrote the "Mission Complete" symbol on the moon's crater, though it complained about its penmanship being terrible.

Sasuke Shinden: Book of Sunrise

When genjutsu-controlled missing shinobi attacked Konoha, Kurama helped Naruto by infusing its chakra into his Rasengan: Flash to repel them.

New Era

Years later, Naruto was about to become the Seventh Hokage. Himawari accidentally hit Naruto's tenketsu while aiming for Boruto, causing both Naruto and Kurama to fear her, even though she is usually sweet.

Sarada Uchiha Arc

Naruto encountered a mysterious young Uchiha attacking others, and Kurama was excited to fight. However, the young Uchiha retreated, disappointing Kurama.

During a battle against the mysterious boy (Shin’s clones) and his father (Shin), Kurama criticized Naruto for being careless and getting injured easily.

In the final battle with Shin, Naruto brought one of Shin's clones into his subconscious, and Kurama's intimidating presence made the clones surrender.

Naruto Shinden: Parent and Child Day

Himawari wanted a limited edition doll that looked like Kurama, and Naruto tried to help her get one. However, Kurama didn't like the childish design of the doll and got upset when Naruto mistook a Shukaku doll for it.

When Naruto told Himawari that the Shukaku doll was cuter than the Kurama doll, Kurama responded with a pout and glared at Naruto for teasing it.

Versus Momoshiki Arc

After defeating Killer B and absorbing Gyūki's chakra, Momoshiki and Kinshiki Ōtsutsuki sought to capture Naruto and extract Kurama's chakra. They disrupted the Chūnin Exams, creating chaos, and Momoshiki prepared a powerful attack. Naruto entered Tailed Beast Mode to stop it, with Kurama ready to help.

Naruto prevented the attack but allowed himself to be taken to another dimension by Momoshiki. In this dimension, he resisted Momoshiki's attempts to extract Kurama's chakra.

The four Kage, along with Sasuke and Boruto, arrived in the dimension and freed Naruto. Naruto then combined his Tailed Beast Mode with Sasuke's Susanoo, gaining the upper hand against the empowered Momoshiki.

One-Tail Escort Arc

In the anime, when Urashiki Ōtsutsuki targeted Shukaku for its chakra, Shukaku agreed to be temporarily sealed in a tea kettle and brought to Konoha under Naruto's protection. Kurama found it amusing how Himawari treated Shukaku like a pet or toy.

Naruto and Kurama had a telepathic meeting with the other tailed beasts to discuss their protection. Shukaku, wanting to get back at Kurama for teasing it, learned that Himawari had once knocked out Kurama and decided to befriend her to find out how, hoping to taunt Kurama.

After spending time with Naruto's family, Kurama and Shukaku bonded over how they both found them entertaining and sometimes maddening. Shukaku teased Kurama, suggesting it had grown attached to the family, but Kurama denied it.

Time Slip Arc

In the anime, Urashiki Ōtsutsuki attempted to steal Kurama's chakra by traveling back in time to a point shortly after Sasuke's defection from Konoha. His goal was to attack Naruto when he was weaker and less experienced.

When he couldn't steal Naruto's chakra due to a seal on him, Urashiki entered Naruto's subconscious to forcefully remove it. Kurama, inside Naruto's mind, demanded to know his intentions. When Urashiki mentioned taking back Kurama's chakra, the angered Kurama used its power to expel Urashiki from Naruto's subconscious and burned his hand in the process. This caused Naruto to enter a heightened state, and Jiraiya had to use a seal to calm him down.

Kawaki Arc

When Naruto was asleep, Kurama manifested its head from Naruto's body to warn Kawaki about staying close to Naruto. Although Kawaki was surprised, he remained composed enough for Kurama to explain its role in watching over him.

Kurama also corrected some misconceptions that Kawaki had about Naruto and shared the various hardships Naruto had overcome. Kawaki was moved by Naruto's story and wondered if he could become someone like him. Kurama believed that it would be up to Kawaki to decide and instructed him to go to sleep.

Later, Jigen, who was possessed by Isshiki Ōtsutsuki, used a connection between his and Kawaki's Kāma to teleport to Naruto's house and take Kawaki back. When Jigen subdued Naruto with black chakra-draining rods, Kurama immediately scolded him for bringing shame to the Hokage title. Naruto activated Six Paths Sage Mode and confronted Jigen. Jigen attempted to teleport Naruto to another dimension but Sasuke arrived and intervened.

Despite their best efforts, Naruto, Sasuke, and Kurama were overwhelmed and subdued by Isshiki. When Isshiki was about to kill Sasuke, Naruto taunted him, prompting Kurama to chastise Naruto.

Kurama reminded Naruto that Isshiki had never intended to kill him from the beginning and that Isshiki could easily change his mind. Isshiki commended Kurama before sealing both Naruto and Kurama in a giant coffin, which was safeguarded by Boro.

Determined to save them, Team 7 and Kawaki used the power of Kawaki and Boruto's Kāma to enter the dimension. They fought against Boro, and with the combined power of their Kāma, created a rift in the seal, freeing the unconscious Naruto. After defeating Boro, they returned to Konoha with Naruto and took him to the hospital for treatment, where Naruto made a swift recovery.

After Boruto teleported the resurrected Isshiki and himself to a separate dimension, Kurama, Naruto, and Sasuke joined Boruto for their second confrontation against Isshiki. However, Isshiki once again proved too powerful, knocking out Sasuke and blocking Naruto's sensory abilities with giant black cubes, as Kurama noticed.

Seeing Naruto's determination to stop Isshiki at any cost, even if it meant his own life, Kurama suggested a last resort while misleading Naruto into thinking it would result in his death. Naruto agreed, fully aware of the risks he accepted when he decided to become Hokage.

Naruto took on a new form called Baryon Mode. Kurama explained that this form is like nuclear fusion, consuming all their respective energy, and warned Naruto to avoid unnecessary movements or thoughts. Baryon Mode astonished everyone with its incredible power, and Naruto began overwhelming Isshiki.

However, the strain of this mode began catching up with Naruto as he started to tire. Kurama noted that Baryon Mode gradually drains all life-forces, including Naruto's. On the positive side, it also drained Isshiki's lifespan with each contact, so they just needed to keep pressuring Isshiki until his already diminished lifespan ran out.

After Isshiki's defeat, Kurama had a final conversation with Naruto inside his subconscious. In the manga, Naruto expressed no ill will toward Kurama despite its role in killing his parents. In the anime, they reminisced about their history together as Naruto prepared to face death.

However, Kurama revealed that Naruto would be fine because it was Kurama's life that was gambled by using Baryon Mode. Kurama clarified the double meaning behind its earlier words, and Naruto interpreted it as Baryon Mode resulting in Kurama's death rather than his own.

Before Kurama's life finally faded away, it warned Naruto that he would lose all access to Kurama's chakra and abilities, and Naruto would have to be more careful from that point onward.

Kurama, the Nine-Tails, was a snarky and shrewd creature as it was proud of its power and believed it was the strongest of the tailed beasts due to its belief that their strength depended on their number of tails. However, this belief was not well-received by its fellow tailed beasts, especially Shukaku.

Kurama often felt jealous when Naruto didn't use its power. On the other hand, it acknowledged its inability to stand against the Ten-Tails and knew not to underestimate formidable opponents like Madara. The fox held deep respect for Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, even shedding tears after the Sage imparted his final words to the tailed beasts.

Centuries of experiencing humanity's negative treatment led Kurama to develop intense hostility and distrust towards humans. It once claimed to be the embodiment of hatred. However, after Naruto's persistent efforts and his victory in combat against the fox, Naruto expressed his hope to resolve Kurama's hatred someday. This led to a level of respect from Kurama toward Naruto, recognizing his determination and that he was different from the humans it had encountered before.

As Naruto aimed to save the tailed beasts and befriend Kurama, the fox observed his actions and the hardships he endured. When Naruto successfully freed Son Gokū from Obito's control, Kurama became convinced of Naruto's sincerity and offered to merge its chakra with his, finally considering Naruto as a teammate and a member of Konoha, rather than a mere vessel.

Kurama formed a strong bond with Naruto and considered itself his friend. It abandoned its grudge against Naruto's father, Minato, for sealing it inside Naruto. They had great trust in each other, to the extent that Naruto allowed Kurama to take control of his body when needed.

Despite its Yang half being freed, Kurama agreed to return to Naruto upon Hagoromo's request. It also developed care and concern for Naruto's family, finding them entertaining. Kurama revealed a Baryon Mode to Naruto, hiding the risk it posed to its own life to protect him. It was even willing to sacrifice itself for Naruto.

Kurama had a comical side, often teasing and arguing with Naruto. It nervously lashed out at Naruto after the tailed beasts were freed from Kaguya Ōtsutsuki. In the anime, it came to fear Himawari after she used a Gentle Fist attack on it during an incident involving her brother, Boruto.

Kurama was a red-orange kitsune with black fur around its eyes and nine long tails. In its youth, it was much smaller and had a rounder, fox cub-like appearance. As it grew older, Kurama's size increased, eventually reaching a colossal size equal to the Hokage Rock.

When its Yin and Yang chakras were separated, both entities were smaller than the original Kurama but still massive compared to most creatures. Yang-Kurama retained its original color, while Yin-Kurama was darker.

In its Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, Kurama's body turned transparent gold, with thicker whiskers and black markings on its body. When Naruto used Sage Mode, similar dark patches circled its eyes.

With Naruto's Six Paths Chakra, Kurama's Tailed Beast Mode avatar became even larger, roughly the size of Sasuke's Susanoo with its tails becoming bushier. After the two halves of Kurama were reunited, it grew larger than ever, towering over a God Tree stump.

Kurama was widely considered the most powerful among the nine tailed beasts. Even when it had only half its power, it could defeat multiple tailed beasts simultaneously. After its two halves reunited within Naruto, it regained its full strength, allowing it to defeat formidable foes like Toneri and Momoshiki. Its peak power enabled it to overwhelm even Isshiki Ōtsutsuki.

Kurama possessed an immense and potent chakra, on par with Gyūki, one of the other tailed beasts. Its chakra was last to be sealed into the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path during the Fourth Shinobi World War to prevent overloading it. This chakra could be transferred to others, and when used by someone else, it manifested as a visible protective shroud. Kurama could envelop itself in its Nine-Tails Chakra Mode to enhance its abilities.

It had a special ability known as Baryon Mode, similar to nuclear fusion, which allowed it to consume its chakra as raw materials to generate a new type of energy. This state significantly boosted its strength, speed, and chakra, but it came at a cost – it also drained the opponent's lifespan upon contact. To use Baryon Mode effectively, Kurama had to stay focused and avoid wasting energy on unnecessary thoughts or actions.

Kurama possessed immense physical power, capable of causing tsunamis and flattening mountains with a single swipe of its tail. Even with only half its strength, it could overpower other tailed beasts, break through powerful defenses, and battle formidable foes. Kurama was deceptively fast, able to catch even swift targets.

In addition to physical prowess, Kurama also possessed great intellect. It could formulate strategies during battles, trick opponents, and provide effective leadership. It even had knowledge of fūinjutsu, understanding the nature and weaknesses of the seals binding it. Additionally, Kurama possessed advanced knowledge of nuclear physics, particularly nuclear fusion.

As a tailed beast, Kurama could create and launch a devastating attack called the Tailed Beast Ball. It could supercharge this attack, making it much larger and more powerful, enough to counter combined attacks from multiple tailed beasts. At full power, its Tailed Beast Ball was strong enough to blast a giant golem through the moon.

Kurama could also create powerful shockwaves, dispelling techniques, and causing destruction in battle. It possessed keen sensory abilities, detecting chakra and sensing negative emotions and natural energy. Kurama could use Wind and Fire Release nature transformations, creating twisters and breathing fire.

Here is a list of all the jutsu that Kurama could use:

• Baryon Mode

• Chakra Transfer Technique

• Continuous Tailed Beast Balls

• Negative Emotions Sensing

• Nine-Tails Beam (Anime only)

• Nine-Tails Chakra Mode

• Nine-Tails Twister (Anime only)

• Sensing Technique

• Tailed Beast Ball

• Tailed Beast Chakra Arms

• Tailed Beast Full Charge

• Tailed Beast Shockwave

• Tailed Beast Telepathy

• To Naruto - "I suppose I can't kill you, can I? After all, you die, I die. Your courage is impressive, little boy… Very well, as a reward for making it this far, I will loan you my chakra!"

• To Naruto - "You runt, you really are weak! You better be grateful to me… and to your beloved Fourth Hokage, who sealed me inside a twerp like you!"

• To Sasuke - "With that vision of yours and chakra more ominous than my own… You're the spitting image of Madara Uchiha from the elder days…"

• To Naruto - "Destroy everything… Erase everything that hurts you… Entrust your heart to me… I will save you from your pain…"

• To Naruto - "You don't have what it takes to control my power! You're nothing more than a mere fragment of my hatred!"

• To Naruto - "Are you stupid!? I am the Nine-Tails! I haven't fallen so far that a little brat can influence me! I am hatred incarnate!"

• About Naruto - "Naruto… If you really want to do something for us… then do what you've always done… Prove it to us with your actions! That's who you are!"

• To Obito about Naruto - "Sorry, but… this guy doesn't suit your words. The Fourth Hokage entrusted me to him, and not only has Naruto befriended me… he mastered my power as well!! The Fourth sealed me inside Naruto… to take you down! Go… Naruto! You won't fail!!"

• To Kawaki about Naruto - "Hmph… He was always lonely. Now, he uses the Shadow Clone Technique as his specialty. It's ironic, isn't it…? Originally, he was bad at ninjutsu itself. He was especially bad at things like the Clone Technique… But in the end, the void in Naruto's heart… wasn't filled by some sort of jutsu… I got to watch closely as Naruto's heart slowly became fuller… He's certainly living proof of it…"

• Last words to Naruto - "Well, I guess this is it. I've got to go, but… be real careful. You won't have superhuman strength anymore. So if you overdo it, you'll end up joining me in no time. But until that day comes… you be well… Naruto."

In addition to the Naruto manga and its anime adaptation, Kurama also appears in several video games:

• Naruto Shippūden: Dragon Blade Chronicles

• Naruto Shippūden: Kizuna Drive

• Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3

• Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4

• Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution

Furthermore, Kurama also appears in these Naruto movies:

• Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow

• Naruto the Movie: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom

• Naruto Shippūden the Movie: Bonds

• The Last: Naruto the Movie

• Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie

• Kurama was the first character shown in the series.

• The name "Kurama" literally means "nine lama." It may reference Mount Kurama, the sacred mountain associated with Sōjōbō, a tengu who taught Minamoto no Yoshitsune the arts of swordsmanship.

• Kurama is also inspired by the character with the same name from the manga series Yū Yū Hakusho.

• Kitsune (foxes) are popular animal yōkai in Japanese folklore known for their cunning, shape-shifting abilities, and trickster nature. They often transform into beautiful women to seduce men. Kitsune are also rivals to tanuki (raccoon dogs) in folklore. Kitsune are depicted growing additional tails as they age, with the ninth tail signifying great power and transformation into a tenko (celestial fox).

• In the initial manga pilot, Kurama was Naruto's father who attacked the village of Mt. Oinari, requiring nine shinobi to defeat him. Hiruzen was the sole survivor and allowed Naruto to live in the village.

• Kurama's death was featured in Boruto episode 218 on the 19th anniversary of the debut of the Naruto anime.