(Bonus Chapter)
As the wooden wall collapsed into splinters, the expressions of the Root ninja shifted. Their gazes locked onto the doorway, burning with desire.
Whoever entered first would earn the greatest merit. Whoever captured Uzumaki Naruto would become Lord Danzo's most trusted subordinate.
For Lord Danzo.
For Konoha.
If they didn't act now, then when?
Root ninja were no longer normal people—neither mentally nor emotionally. After years of indoctrination, tongue curse seals, and Danzo's ruthless training, they had lost the ability to live like ordinary humans.
In their eyes, Danzo Shimura was everything.
His will was absolute.
One of the Root ninja moved at lightning speed, his hand already reaching for the doorknob.
In the next instant—
A short blade flashed.
His entire arm was severed before his fingers could even close.
Before he could scream, a cold voice rang out:
"You Root dogs have quite the audacity. Attacking this place and even injuring an ANBU operative—are you planning a rebellion?"
Uchiha Itachi stood there calmly. After speaking, he casually tossed the mutilated Root ninja off the building.
The body hit the ground with a dull thud and went completely still.
Danzo Shimura narrowed his eyes and stepped forward.
"Uchiha Itachi," he said slowly, "how dare you defy me. Taking the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki was my order. Who gave you the right to question it?"
"ANBU answers only to the Hokage," Kakashi landed beside Itachi, arms crossed, his visible eye cold and lifeless. "Without the Hokage's command, no one enters."
"Itachi, well done," Kakashi continued loudly—not just for Itachi, but clearly for Danzo as well.
"Lord Third has already been alerted. Your arrogance won't last much longer."
Danzo's jaw tightened.
Anger.
Jealousy.
Killing intent.
Reluctance.
Resolve.
All of it flashed through his eyes in the span of a few seconds before he took a deep breath.
"Kill them," Danzo ordered coldly. "Take the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki. As for the Hokage—I'll deal with him myself."
If he controlled Naruto, even temporarily, Hiruzen would be forced to restrain himself.
The Third Hokage was no longer the decisive man he once was. Every move he made now weighed sacrifice against stability.
With the Nine-Tails in hand—a power equivalent to a living catastrophe—Danzo would hold the village by the throat.
And he could even use that power to erase the Uchiha.
---
Inside the house.
Uzumaki Naruto was curled up in a corner, his small body trembling. Every explosion, every shout outside reached his ears.
They had come for him again.
He didn't understand why he was hated.
He didn't understand why everyone wanted to take him away.
Suddenly, crimson chakra surged around his body.
His pupils slit vertically.
"Why… why… why…"
"What did I do wrong?" he whispered. "Why does everyone treat me like this?"
His emotions destabilized the seal, and the Nine-Tails' chakra began to leak out uncontrollably.
Inside his consciousness—
Kurama sensed the opportunity and dragged Naruto into the inner world.
Naruto remained curled up, unmoving.
Kurama frowned.
For the sake of freedom, it forced its voice to soften.
"Hey, kid."
Naruto slowly lifted his head, tears streaming down his face. Seeing this, Kurama found it hard to speak cruelly.
Minato Namikaze. Uzumaki Kushina.
Is this what your sacrifice amounted to?
Back in the sealed space, Kurama grinned.
"Kid, don't you want revenge?" it whispered.
"Kill the ones who came to take you. Kill the villagers who cursed you. Why were you born a monster? Why are you only allowed scraps and hatred?"
Each word struck Naruto like a hammer.
His heart ached as doubt consumed him.
"Why…?" he kept asking himself.
The seal loosened further.
Kurama sneered.
"This is it. Minato—your son's heart isn't strong enough to hold me anymore."
With a roar, massive chakra slammed into the sealing gate.
Naruto didn't respond.
Despair swallowed him whole.
Just as Kurama was about to break free—
A figure appeared, forming hand seals.
The Five Elements Seal strengthened instantly, slamming shut once more.
Kurama froze.
"…What?"
It turned toward the figure—and completely lost control.
"Minato…? Aren't you dead?!"
Its eyes burned red with fury as it clawed at the cage.
It was him.
The man who had split its power in two, sealing one half away forever and trapping the other inside this child.
"Nine-Tails," Minato Namikaze said gently, smiling and waving. "Long time no see."
"You monster!" Kurama roared. "Let me out! I swear I won't harm Konoha—or your son!"
"I'm sorry," Minato replied quietly. "Your power is too great. If you're released, Konoha could be destroyed."
"Your life and Naruto's are bound together now. If I release you, he will die."
Kurama laughed bitterly.
"So you still remember you have a son?"
Minato frowned. "What do you mean?"
Kurama raised a fist, a cruel smile forming.
"These are his memories. From the past twelve years. Do you dare look at them?"
Minato hesitated—then reached out.
The moment his hand touched Kurama's, memories flooded in like a tidal wave.
(A/N)
Bonus Chapter uploaded as promised.
Another one coming at 200 power stones (Currently 168) and Guys if we are in top 70 rankings by tomorrow 2 bonus chapters will be uploaded.