Chapter 108: Chapter 108
"Shameless!"
Naruto's voice hissed through gritted teeth, his face flushed with a mixture of anger and frustration.
Now, everything made sense. The relentless appearances of Konoha ninjas along his journey, the constant skirmishes meant to delay him—it all connected. Their goal was to tarnish his name and prevent the Daimyo from recognizing Shin-Konoha.
It wasn't just the deceit that angered him. He understood the necessity of underhanded tactics in completing a mission—he was a ninja, after all. What truly disgusted him was Konoha's willingness to send loyal shinobi to their deaths for a plan that offered no guarantees.
"Heh. Cold-blooded. Ruthless. Isn't this just Konoha's usual style?" Naruto muttered bitterly, the resentment evident in his tone.
"Boy, did you only figure that out today?"
The Nine-Tails' mocking voice echoed in Naruto's mind, its sardonic tone dripping with amusement. Though Naruto couldn't see its expression, he could imagine the fox's sharp-toothed grin and its eyes gleaming with mockery.
Naruto's gaze lowered as he clenched his fists, his voice cold. "Of course, it's not the first time I've seen Konoha's darkness. But they keep finding new ways to surprise me."
The Nine-Tails chuckled, a low, rumbling sound. "Darkness? Hah! What you've seen is nothing. For Konoha, this isn't darkness—it's standard operating procedure."
Naruto remained silent, his lips pressed into a thin line.
"At least those who die in the line of duty get their names on a memorial stone," the Nine-Tails continued, its tone turning scornful. "The truly miserable ones? They're killed by their own comrades, their names erased from history, trampled on, forgotten. When you see that, then you'll understand what true darkness is."
Naruto's eyes flickered with determination. "That's why I need to establish Shin-Konoha. To give those shinobi a place where they won't be discarded like pawns."
The Nine-Tails snorted but said nothing, sensing Naruto's unwavering resolve.
"Right now, we need to find the Daimyo and clear this mess," Naruto said firmly. "Nine-Tails, you've been sealed by Konoha for so long—surely you know their tricks. Help me figure out where they've hidden him!"
The moment those words left Naruto's mouth, the Nine-Tails bristled.
"What did you say? Sealed for so long?" Its chakra flared angrily, pouring out of Naruto in waves. The crimson energy formed a Tailed Beast cloak around him, its ominous presence radiating dread.
The Nine-Tails' voice thundered in Naruto's mind. "Explain yourself, brat! What do you mean by 'sealed for so long'?!"
Naruto sighed internally, realizing he had struck a nerve. Before he could calm the beast, its chakra spread further, enveloping the area in a suffocating aura.
The capital of the Fire Country fell into chaos. Citizens within the vicinity dropped to the ground, gasping as if a massive weight pressed down on their chests.
"Monster… it's a monster!"
Terrified voices filled the streets as panicked civilians fled, their screams echoing through the city. Those closest to Naruto were paralyzed, unable to move under the crushing pressure of the Nine-Tails' presence.
The commotion attracted the attention of two masked figures hidden in the shadows of a nearby alley. Their sharp movements and the cold precision of their demeanor marked them as members of Konoha's ANBU.
"The prey has entered the trap," one whispered, his voice barely audible. "Initiate Plan A."
With a swift motion, they performed hand seals, transforming themselves into ordinary citizens with a puff of white smoke.
Feigning panic, they split up and ran through the streets, shouting at the top of their lungs.
"Naruto Uzumaki is here!"
"Naruto Uzumaki, the one who kidnapped the Daimyo, is here!"
Their voices carried through the city, drawing attention to their false narrative.
Elsewhere, the Twelve Guardian Ninja, who were protecting the Daimyo, heard the cries.
"What? Uzumaki is here?!" the leader roared, his anger boiling over. The shame of losing the Daimyo under their watch had already stung deeply. Hearing Naruto's name ignited their fury further.
"Move out!" the leader barked, and the group immediately mobilized, their fire-patterned loincloths trailing behind them.
In the shadows, the disguised ANBU operatives smirked as their plan unfolded perfectly. With their mission complete, they slipped away unnoticed.
Back in the heart of the city, the Nine-Tails' chakra pulsed, its ominous energy causing even Naruto to hesitate.
"Someone's coming," the Nine-Tails said abruptly. Its heightened senses detected the approaching Guardian Ninja Twelve.
Naruto leapt onto the roof of a nearby restaurant to get a better view. From his vantage point, he spotted the group advancing quickly, their black-and-red uniforms confirming their identity.
"The Guardian Ninja…" Naruto murmured, recognizing them immediately. The sight of their distinctive fire-patterned attire make him recognize them.
He realized the delicate nature of his situation. If he engaged them now, it would solidify the false narrative that he had kidnapped the Daimyo. Even if he managed to rescue the Daimyo later, convincing him of Shin-Konoha's legitimacy would become nearly impossible.
"What should I do?" Naruto muttered, his mind racing for a solution.
On Shin-Konoha, Uzumaki Chito observed the scene through the talisman jade. A small smile played on his lips as he shook his head.
"Still too inexperienced," he mused.
With a single step, he disappeared from his quarters, the space around him rippling like disturbed water.
In the capital of the Fire Country, a sudden and overwhelming presence descended from the sky. The air grew heavy, and an invisible force pressed down on everyone, compelling them to kneel.
Naruto froze as the figure materialized above the city.
It was Uzumaki Chito.
His presence alone was suffocating, his power radiating like the weight of the heavens. His sharp gaze swept across the Twelve Guardian Ninja, His voice cutting through the air like a blade.
"Hand over the Daimyo… or die."
The leader of the Twelve Guardian Ninja clenched his fists, his body trembling—not from fear, but from the sheer intensity of the pressure.
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