Kushina Uzumaki:
"My child… sob… why did it have to be like this…"
Minato Namikaze:
"Sigh… Kushina, perhaps that child simply didn't want to disturb us."
Jiraiya:
"Perhaps this is the sorrow of the divide between the living and the dead."
Tsunade:
"If Naruto wants to become a perfect Jinchūriki, this is probably a trial he must overcome… sigh."
Kakashi Hatake:
"His role was to tempt and obstruct Naruto, but he gave up after hearing Kushina-sensei's voice.
If he stopped Naruto, Kushina would be heartbroken.
If he didn't stop Naruto, he would disappear himself.
What a tragic choice."
Shamon:
"But judging from the final words of Naruto's malicious self, it seems Nagi already predicted that he would appear."
Second Raikage:
"If Naruto had followed the same method used in that other world, the Waterfall of Truth on our Turtle Island would have produced the same dark version of Naruto."
Gengetsu Hōzuki:
"As expected of Tobirama's disciple. That psychological strategy is impressive."
Mū:
"He summoned the Fourth Hokage and Kushina first. When Naruto fought against the malice of the Nine-Tails' chakra, their encouragement became the perfect stimulant for him.
And at the same time… the deadliest poison for Dark Naruto."
Mei Terumi:
"T-That terrifying…?"
Gengetsu Hōzuki:
"Terrifying? Senju Tobirama was far more frightening than this.
Besides, that Dark Naruto already realized he would harm the Fourth Hokage and Kushina. Disappearing was, in his view, the best path.
Young lady, you can't let emotions cloud your judgment."
The Screen Continues…
The Eight-Tails transformation Naruto suddenly vanished.
In his place stood a golden, radiant Naruto.
Uzumaki Naruto [Nine-Tails Chakra Mode] had appeared.
Seeing this form, Kushina and the others asked excitedly:
"Did you succeed?"
"…Yeah."
Naruto nodded, though his expression remained complicated.
At this moment, the Nine-Tails looked somewhat exhausted.
Nagi gently stroked Kurama's fur, and the Nine-Tails' form gradually returned to normal.
"Good work," Nagi said.
"It's nothing," Kurama replied.
The Nine-Tails then glanced at Naruto.
"Hmph. You barely managed to pass.
Since you've awakened this mode, explore it properly."
"And if you've got things to talk about, go somewhere else. Don't disturb my sleep."
After saying that, under Nagi's gentle petting, the Nine-Tails—both tired and oddly at ease—slowly fell asleep.
Naruto then spoke.
"Nagi… that person just now…"
Nagi shook his head.
"Naruto, the living and the dead walk different paths. For him, the kindness of this world is nothing but lethal poison."
"…I see."
Naruto lowered his head in disappointment.
Nagi then walked toward Kushina and Minato.
"Aunt Kushina, let Naruto calm down for a while. Also… there's a debt that you should settle."
"A debt? What debt?"
Kushina looked puzzled.
"This one."
Nagi waved his finger.
A circular water screen appeared before them.
Scenes from Naruto's childhood began playing.
When Kakashi and Jiraiya saw this, both of them suddenly felt a bit uneasy.
Taking advantage of the moment, Nagi quietly withdrew from Naruto's sealing space.
Outside…
When Tsunade saw Nagi awaken, she immediately asked about Naruto's situation.
Nagi replied calmly:
"Naruto has basically succeeded for now.
But if he wants to achieve complete Tailed Beast transformation, he still needs to deepen his connection with the Nine-Tails.
At the moment, though, there shouldn't be any major issues."
He paused.
"I have something to take care of, so I'll be leaving first."
"Oh… alright."
Hearing that everything was stable, Tsunade finally relaxed.
Since there was no danger anymore, she naturally had no reason to stop him.
Nagi then left with Shizuka.
After some time…
Shizune suddenly pointed toward Kakashi and Jiraiya.
"Lady Tsunade, look!"
"Hm? What's wrong with those two?"
Kakashi and Jiraiya were both wearing painful expressions, as if they had suffered some kind of attack.
Later…Residence of the Shiranui Clan
Nagi brought Shizuka here and said:
"Shizuka, I'm going somewhere for a while. You can stay here and rest, or take a look around the nearby houses."
Shizuka understood that Nagi had something important to handle.
She nodded.
"I understand. Nagi, be careful on the road."
"Mm."
With that, Nagi disappeared instantly.
Land of Rice Fields – Orochimaru's Base
At the base, Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi were currently examining someone.
Suddenly—
Nagi appeared in the room.
"Oh my, oh my. If it isn't Nagi. Long time no see," Orochimaru said with a sly smile.
"Indeed. Long time no see, Mr. Orochimaru."
"Nagi-sama." ×2
Nagi looked at the two people standing behind Orochimaru.
"Kabuto, long time no see. And Kimimaro—it's been even longer.
How was your training at Ryūchi Cave?"
Kimimaro respectfully replied:
"Thanks to your support, everything went smoothly."
Nagi could clearly sense the dense Sage Chakra emanating from Kimimaro.
Although Kimimaro's techniques and practical application weren't as refined as Kabuto's, the sheer amount of Sage Chakra he possessed had already surpassed Kabuto.
And also…
"By the way, how is Kimimaro's Shikotsumyaku illness now?"
Orochimaru handed Nagi a report.
"This is the examination result from an hour ago.
Kimimaro returned two days ago. With Kabuto's and my treatment, combined with Kimimaro's Sage Mode training, his illness is almost completely cured.
We just conducted another check."
Just then—
Ding.
The examination machine signaled completion.
"Looks like the results are out," Kabuto said.
He retrieved the report and handed it to Orochimaru and Nagi.
Orochimaru read it carefully.
"The malignant tumor cells have disappeared.
The abnormal proliferation of bone cells has also vanished.
…"
"It appears he has returned to normal."
Orochimaru then looked at Nagi with intense curiosity.
"However, Nagi-kun… you didn't come here today just for this, did you?
I can sense that something about you has undergone a drastic transformation. Your appearance, aura, even your strength—you're completely different from just two days ago."
Nagi waved his hand casually.
"It's just that the power within my body has fully awakened."
The curiosity in Orochimaru's eyes deepened.
"Oh? So it has finally awakened.
Would you mind letting me conduct a test?"
"No problem."
One Hour Later
Orochimaru stared at the report in his hand, looking like his worldview had collapsed.
"Why…? Why can't anything be detected?"
He had used numerous methods and machines to examine Nagi's body.
Yet every single device failed to recognize or analyze it.
Kabuto pushed up his glasses and said:
"Perhaps Lord Nagi's body has already surpassed the limits of what our machines can measure."
"That's possible… though it's truly disappointing," Orochimaru sighed.
"However, according to Kabuto and Kimimaro's perception—
Nagi… your presence gives the feeling of being even more 'sage-like' than Sage Mode itself."
Kabuto nodded.
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru.
Even while I'm in Sage Mode, when I sense Lord Nagi, he feels almost illusory and intangible.
If he weren't standing right in front of me, I might not even be able to detect his existence."
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