Naruto gains complete control over Kurama, the Nine-Tailed Fox, in Naruto Shippuden episode 329, “Two-Man Team!!”. This pivotal moment marks a significant turning point in the Fourth Great Ninja War, drastically enhancing Naruto’s power and solidifying his partnership with the Tailed Beast.
The Culmination of a Tumultuous Relationship
Naruto’s journey to controlling Kurama was anything but straightforward. Initially, Kurama was a source of immense power but also a volatile and destructive force sealed within Naruto. He gradually learned to tap into Kurama’s chakra, but often at the cost of losing control and succumbing to the Fox’s rage. This process was a constant struggle, requiring immense willpower and the guidance of figures like Jiraiya and Yamato.
From Hostage to Partner: A Long and Winding Road
The relationship between Naruto and Kurama was deeply rooted in animosity and mistrust. Kurama, bitter and vengeful after being manipulated by Madara Uchiha, viewed Naruto as nothing more than a prison. Naruto, in turn, resented Kurama for the pain and suffering he had caused. However, through numerous trials and tribulations, they began to understand each other. The influence of figures like Killer Bee, himself a perfect jinchuriki, was crucial in demonstrating the possibility of a harmonious relationship.
The Role of Kushina and the Unveiling of Kurama’s Pain
One of the most critical moments in their evolving relationship was Naruto’s encounter with his mother, Kushina Uzumaki. Kushina, also a former jinchuriki of Kurama, helped Naruto understand Kurama’s origins and the immense pain he had endured. This understanding humanized Kurama in Naruto’s eyes, fostering empathy and paving the way for their eventual partnership.
Episode 329: A Watershed Moment
“Two-Man Team!!” showcases the culmination of Naruto’s arduous training and the burgeoning bond he shares with Kurama. During the episode, Naruto faces Obito Uchiha, now the Ten-Tails’ jinchuriki. The intense battle pushes Naruto to his limits, forcing him to confront his own weaknesses and fully embrace the power of Kurama.
Harnessing the Nine-Tails’ Chakra
In the heat of battle, Naruto manages to access and control Kurama’s chakra without losing himself to the Fox’s influence. He achieves a state of perfect synchronization, allowing him to utilize Kurama’s immense power while maintaining his own consciousness and free will. This new ability significantly enhances his speed, strength, and chakra reserves, making him a formidable opponent against Obito.
The Birth of Kurama Mode
The most visually striking aspect of this transformation is the emergence of Kurama Mode. This mode sees Naruto enveloped in a chakra cloak, resembling Kurama himself. It not only provides enhanced offensive and defensive capabilities but also grants Naruto the ability to create Tailed Beast Bombs, incredibly powerful energy projectiles formed from both his own chakra and Kurama’s.
The Significance of the “Two-Man Team!!”
The title of the episode itself underscores the significance of this moment. No longer is Naruto simply a jinchuriki, but a partner working in perfect harmony with his Tailed Beast. This newfound synergy marks a crucial step towards defeating the Akatsuki and ultimately ending the war. It also signifies a profound personal growth for Naruto, solidifying his status as a true hero.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a Jinchuriki?
A jinchuriki is a human who has a Tailed Beast sealed inside them. They serve as a vessel for the Tailed Beast’s immense power and are often ostracized and feared due to the potential for the Beast to break free and wreak havoc.
2. What are Tailed Beasts?
Tailed Beasts are powerful beings of pure chakra, each possessing a different number of tails (from one to nine). They were originally created by the Sage of Six Paths to divide the chakra of the Ten-Tails.
3. How did Kurama end up sealed inside Naruto?
Kurama was sealed inside Naruto shortly after his birth by the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, who sacrificed himself to protect the village from Kurama’s rampage orchestrated by Obito Uchiha.
4. What is the difference between Naruto’s initial Nine-Tails Chakra Mode and Kurama Mode?
The initial Nine-Tails Chakra Mode was a less refined form of accessing Kurama’s chakra. In this form, Naruto’s appearance would change slightly, and he could utilize the chakra’s raw power. Kurama Mode, achieved in episode 329, represents complete synchronization and control, granting enhanced abilities and a visual transformation resembling Kurama.
5. How does Kurama Mode enhance Naruto’s abilities?
Kurama Mode significantly enhances Naruto’s speed, strength, durability, and chakra reserves. It also allows him to create Tailed Beast Bombs and sense negative emotions on a much wider scale.
6. What are Tailed Beast Bombs?
Tailed Beast Bombs are concentrated spheres of chakra formed by combining both positive and negative chakra in a specific ratio. They are incredibly destructive and capable of obliterating entire landscapes.
7. Did other jinchuriki achieve similar control over their Tailed Beasts?
Yes, Killer Bee is a prime example of a jinchuriki who achieved perfect control over his Tailed Beast, Hachibi (the Eight-Tails), before Naruto. He served as an inspiration and mentor to Naruto on his journey.
8. What role does Sage Mode play in Naruto’s ability to control Kurama?
Sage Mode allowed Naruto to sense Kurama’s emotions and intentions more clearly, aiding in their understanding and cooperation. It also provides him with a heightened sense of awareness and increased power, synergizing well with Kurama Mode.
9. Is Kurama the strongest Tailed Beast?
While all Tailed Beasts possess immense power, Kurama is generally considered to be the strongest due to the sheer volume of chakra he possesses and his cunning intellect.
10. Does Naruto maintain control over Kurama Mode for the remainder of the series?
Yes, after achieving Kurama Mode in episode 329, Naruto retains this ability and utilizes it extensively throughout the remainder of the Fourth Great Ninja War and beyond.
11. What impact does controlling Kurama have on the outcome of the Fourth Great Ninja War?
Naruto’s ability to control Kurama is crucial to the Allied Shinobi Forces’ success in the Fourth Great Ninja War. It provides them with a significant power boost and allows Naruto to effectively combat formidable opponents like Obito and Madara Uchiha.
12. What ultimately happens to Kurama at the end of the Boruto series?
(Spoiler Alert for Boruto: Naruto Next Generations) In the Boruto series, Kurama sacrifices himself to create a new form of power, Baryon Mode, which allows Naruto to defeat Isshiki Otsutsuki. This sacrifice leads to Kurama’s death.