"Boom!"
In Naruto Uzumaki's sealed space, the dazzling white light gradually faded. After being struck by a Tailed Beast Ball, Chomei's entire body was embedded in the railing, and the entire sealing fence was visibly warped. The black water that had accumulated on the ground had completely evaporated in the explosion.
Snap!
Chomei's body slowly slid down from the fence. Although the Tailed Beast Ball was powerful, it wasn't enough to truly harm Chomei's physique. The massive beast rose unsteadily, its insect eyes locked onto Uzumaki Raiden. Even though it had recovered enough to move, it dared not act rashly against Raiden again.
Uzumaki Raiden and Uzumaki Naruto were both of the Uzumaki clan, but Raiden's strength far surpassed that of the current Naruto. That much was clear from how he had just countered a Tailed Beast Ball.
"Naruto, I'll extract Chomei's chakra and embed it in you first."
"Get used to using Chomei's chakra. If you can manage that, you'll grow stronger—and truly be a qualified Jinchūriki."
"Only when you're able to truly communicate with Chomei will you be considered a perfect Jinchūriki."
Uzumaki Raiden walked over to Naruto, lightly patting his shoulder as he spoke. Chomei, still hovering in the air some distance away, flapped its wings cautiously, ready to attack at any moment. Even if it knew it couldn't defeat Raiden, it wouldn't go down without resistance.
"Uncle," Naruto said, glancing at Raiden before lowering his head and pressing his lips together.
"I want to earn Chomei's acknowledgment with my own strength."
Naruto raised his head again, his eyes filled with determination. Raiden was stunned for a moment, looking at Naruto with surprise. He should have known the vast gap between himself and a Tailed Beast. He wasn't ready to fight Chomei yet—Raiden knew this—but Naruto still chose the harder path.
Raiden couldn't help but feel admiration. Naruto could have easily accepted the power of Chomei, and yet, he chose to earn it. That kind of self-restraint was rare.
At the very least, Rin and Karin, who had trained alongside Naruto, had not made the same decision to rely on their own abilities to gain the Tailed Beast's recognition.
"Heh… Looks like sister and nephew Minato raised him well."
"Following Brother Jiraiya these past two years taught him a lot."
"You're responsible, Naruto. You're an outstanding man."
Raiden praised him without reservation, patting Naruto's shoulder again with a smile. Chomei, having heard Naruto's words, slightly relaxed its posture and looked at Naruto differently.
"In that case, let's go. Your training plan needs to change."
Raiden's voice dropped low as he turned and walked out of the seal. Naruto clenched his fists in excitement and called out to Chomei, "Chomei, I'll earn your recognition with my own strength!"
"..."
"No—I'll use my strength to protect you!"
Naruto shouted again, then turned and followed Raiden out of the sealed space. Hearing Naruto's voice behind him, Raiden smiled faintly and led him out.
After they left, Chomei relaxed and muttered, "Protect me? Heh… brat, who do you think you are? You think I need your protection?"
Chomei's voice faded into the returning darkness of the sealed space.
Back in the real world, Naruto Uzumaki, who had been meditating with his eyes closed, opened his eyes. The Tailed Beast cloak around his body quickly faded. Beside him, Nohara Rin and Senju Karin also opened their eyes, thick Tailed Beast chakra cloaks radiating a terrifying aura.
Both Rin and Karin had reddened eyes, as though struggling to stay conscious.
"Master Raiden, what happened to Naruto? Did he fail?"
"And Rin and Karin—something's wrong, isn't it?!"
Uchiha Obito had already activated his Sharingan. Looking at Rin and Karin nervously, he turned to Raiden and asked.
Raiden withdrew the Kongō Fūsa that had been binding Karin and Nohara Rin earlier, and replied, "Naruto's situation is different from theirs, don't worry."
"As for Karin and Rin, they're being affected by the Tailed Beasts' negative emotions. As long as they remain determined, they'll be fine."
"We in Konoha aren't like the Cloud Ninja. We don't have the Fountain of Truth to wash away inner darkness—but we confront our darkness head-on. The Fountain of Truth is no different from what they're experiencing now."
"Don't worry, Obito. Just keep watch over them. Let them grow familiar with controlling the Tailed Beasts' chakra. If either of them loses their will, place this talisman on their foreheads."
Raiden handed a stack of talismans to Obito as he spoke.
"Ah? Master Raiden, who is this for?" Obito reflexively accepted the talismans, looking puzzled.
"The training plan's changed. I'm taking Naruto to Mount Myōboku. You stay here and keep an eye on them."
"I trust your strength—help me look after them."
Raiden patted Obito on the shoulder, then waved to Naruto. Seeing the signal, Naruto stepped down from the stone platform and approached Raiden. His eyes lingered on Karin and Nohara Rin for a moment before he asked:
"Uncle… what about them?"
Raiden began forming hand seals and replied, "They've already started real training. But you—your training lies elsewhere."
As he spoke, Raiden finished the seals, and both he and Naruto disappeared.
After they vanished, Uchiha Obito looked down at the seal talismans in his hands, then looked worriedly at Rin. As for Karin, he trusted she could manage on her own.
"Waaah!"
Raiden and Naruto appeared at Mount Myōboku through a reverse summoning technique. Behind them was an oil spring, its grey-yellow oil bubbling up and splashing into a nearby pool.
Naruto had learned the summoning technique from Jiraiya long ago and had signed a contract with the toads of Mount Myōboku. But this was his first time visiting the toads' sacred land. He had never been here before.
Mount Myōboku was a realm separate from the shinobi world, and its environment and vegetation were unlike anything found in the ninja world.
Naruto looked around at the tall, otherworldly trees and couldn't help but ask curiously, "Uncle, where is this?"
Before Raiden could respond, a puff of white smoke burst from his shoulder, and an old toad suddenly appeared there, replying:
"This is Mount Myōboku!"
"Welcome, Naruto-chan!"
The old toad on Raiden's shoulder was none other than Fukasaku, the Sage Toad. Having received Raiden's message earlier, he had come right away upon their arrival.
"This toad?!" Naruto exclaimed, pointing in surprise. But before he could say more, a gust of wind erupted behind him. A huge figure descended from the sky—Gamabunta had arrived.
"Hey, Naruto! Show some respect to Lord Fukasaku!" Gamabunta scolded, pipe in mouth.
Naruto turned around in shock and stammered, "Boss Toad?! What are you doing here?!"
"Brat! This is Mount Myōboku. Where else would I be?"
Gamabunta puffed on his pipe and replied. It was only then that Naruto realized where he was.
"I get it… So this is where my summoned toads live?"
"Uncle, why are we here?"
Naruto clasped his hands with a look of realization and then asked Raiden.
"To make you stronger. Your next stage of training will take place here."
"I believe that once you master this technique, Chomei will acknowledge you."
Raiden ruffled Naruto's hair with a smile. Naruto, now sixteen, stood at 166cm—noticeably shorter than the 190cm Raiden beside him.
"Technique?"
"What kind of technique?"
"Is it like the toad-style fusion ninjutsu I learned from Jiraiya-sensei, like the Wind Style: Toad Oil Flame Bomb?"
Naruto asked, unsure.
"No," Raiden said. "This time, I've brought you to learn Sage Mode—an art that truly transcends the boundaries of life itself."
Sage Art was different from regular ninjutsu and secret arts. If one could learn it, Raiden's claim about transcending life wasn't an exaggeration. A ninja who mastered Sage Mode stood apart from the rest. In the entire ninja world, only a few bloodline users could even challenge someone who wielded it.
Only a Naruto who mastered Sage Mode would stand a chance of subduing Chomei and wielding its power.
"Transcend life itself?! There's really such a technique?!"
"As long as I can gain that power and protect Chomei, I'll learn it!"
Excited, Naruto clenched his fists. Seeing his determined expression, Fukasaku saw a shadow of Jiraiya in him. Having heard Naruto's earlier words, and knowing the situation from Raiden, Fukasaku could sense Naruto's desire to protect Chomei.
"In that case, no need to waste time."
"Fukasaku, Naruto is in your hands. I'll leave him to you."
Raiden said. Fukasaku leapt from his shoulder and approached the oil spring. He opened his palms, and a black staff appeared.
But just before training could begin, a cloud of white mist appeared nearby. From it stepped out Shima, and a sharp voice rang out.
"My lord sent me. Naruto, you are requested."
Shima's eyes landed immediately on Naruto—she recognized him at once.
Given the deep ties between Mount Myōboku, Jiraiya, Raiden, Minato, and others, Naruto—the child of prophecy—had certainly drawn enough attention.
"Prophecy? Master?" Naruto was confused. This was all new to him, and he instinctively looked at Raiden.
"It's the Great Toad Sage. Don't worry, Naruto. It's nothing dangerous."
"A prophecy is a prophecy—sometimes it's accurate, sometimes not. At least… not when it comes to me."
"Train here at Mount Myōboku. I'll return to speak with Minato and Kushina. Don't worry."
"As for the prophecy—listen if you like, or don't."
Raiden gently pushed Naruto toward Shima, nodded at both her and Fukasaku in farewell, and disappeared.
After Raiden left, Naruto followed Shima and Fukasaku to the Great Toad Sage's palace, awaiting the prophecy.
…
In the clearing near Raiden's home, Uchiha Obito whispered something to an Anbu, his face filled with concern. Not far away, Rin and Karin were struggling to control the immense chakra of their Tailed Beasts.
Obito was too preoccupied to notice Rin's painful expression. As he spoke with the Anbu, Rin finally surpassed her limit—her entire body was engulfed in a fiery red Tailed Beast cloak, and three tails emerged behind her.
A terrifying chakra burst from Rin, shaking the nearby waterfall.
Obito, startled by the shockwave, grabbed one of the talismans Raiden had given him and rushed toward Rin. But before he could get close, her three tails struck from different directions. He dodged one using his Sharingan but was slammed away by the other two.
The talismans scattered like paper rain, falling uselessly to the ground.
"It's happening!"
Obito shouted, scrambling to his feet. He grabbed two more talismans and rushed toward Rin again.
But before he could reach her, the Anbu he'd spoken with earlier was impaled by one of Rin's tails—nailed to the ground in a flash.
(End of Chapter)