Uzumaki Naruto gently handed Karin over to Anko, who had just regained consciousness.
"For Karin, her Chūnin Exam is over," Naruto said quietly.
He had already made arrangements for Karin's future. There was no need for her to endure any more suffering—not today, not ever again.
"That'll be it for now. I'm counting on you, Anko-sister," he added with a polite smile.
Anko looked at the boy in front of her. Despite the intense situation, his gentle tone and expression melted a bit of the tension in her heart. She wasn't sure why, but seeing Naruto like this lifted her mood.
Taking Karin from him, she nodded. "Leave it to me."
This wasn't a big deal for her—after all, Karin needed rest, and Anko could provide the support she needed now.
As Naruto watched Anko and Karin walk away, the smile faded from his face. His gaze darkened, and his expression turned cold.
Inside him, the Nine Tails stirred.
"...Naruto…" the beast said softly.
Naruto's fists clenched at his sides, his nails digging into his palms until blood seeped from the wounds. His body trembled—not with fear, but fury.
"Those bastards… They actually bullied Karin like that," he muttered, seething.
He looked down, his voice growing darker.
"Big Fox… you saw it too, right? Karin's arms are full of bite marks. Do you know what that means?"
The Nine Tails was silent for a moment. But it understood all too well.
It remembered the Uzumaki clan—their fearsome vitality, their cursed fate.
When it was torn out of Kushina's body years ago, it had witnessed the sheer willpower and life force of an Uzumaki firsthand. Even after being ripped from her, Kushina didn't die immediately. She used the clan's unique Adamantine Sealing Chains to suppress the Nine Tails… even in that dying moment.
The Nine Tails couldn't forget.
But it was that very vitality, that power, that had led to the Uzumaki clan's destruction. Back when the Land of Whirlpools still existed, they were safe. But once that protection crumbled, the Uzumaki were viewed as nothing more than weapons—targets. Their red hair made them easy to identify. Easy to hunt.
Naruto placed a hand on his chest. His childhood hadn't been easy either. He could relate to Karin's pain… her loneliness… her despair.
"This world… is so dirty."
---
Meanwhile, the Shinobi world watched in silence.
Orochimaru sneered. "So… Naruto has finally realized it. That's right—those so-called great nations don't show their filth on the surface, but underneath… they're rotten to the core."
The Fourth Raikage narrowed his eyes. "Who are you accusing?"
Ohnoki scoffed. "Yeah, Orochimaru. Who exactly are you saying is doing dirty things behind the scenes?"
Deidara laughed mockingly. "Seems like the old man's feeling guilty. That reaction says it all."
Ohnoki turned toward Deidara, visibly irritated. "Shut it, Deidara! Just because you joined Akatsuki doesn't mean I can't bring you down! One day, I'll wipe out your entire evil organization!"
Deidara grinned. "You mean after you're done using us for your dirty work?"
Ohnoki paused. "…"
Tsunade frowned. "Wait a minute—Ohnoki, are you saying Iwagakure is working with Akatsuki?"
Ohnoki sputtered, "That's nonsense! They're framing me!"
Though he tried to defend himself, everyone knew the truth deep down.
Each of the Five Great Nations had their secrets.
Their shameful acts.
And all of it was done in the name of "protecting the village."
The truth?
They were all dirty.
It was just a matter of who got caught first.
---
Inside Naruto's mind, the boy took a deep breath.
"Big Fox… I think I was wrong before."
"Hmm?" the Nine Tails responded, slightly confused.
Naruto took out a white fox mask and stared at it. His voice was calm, but carried a dangerous weight.
"I used to think that destroying Konoha would be enough to release the anger I've held for years. That if I leveled the village, I'd feel peace."
He looked at the mask in his hand and continued.
"But now I understand… Konoha's not the only one. The whole ninja world is rotten. The filth runs deeper than just one village."
He paused.
"In that case… I'll make the entire world feel pain."
The Nine Tails narrowed its eyes, intrigued.
"My path is going to be dangerous from now on," Naruto said with a grin. "You scared, Big Fox?"
"Hmph. Kid, you should be more worried about yourself. I'm the mighty Nine Tails. There's nothing in this world that frightens me."
Naruto laughed. "Is that so?"
The fox simply clicked its tongue. "Tch."
---
Orochimaru chuckled. "Naruto-kun is putting on his fox mask… and poor Hiruzen-sensei now wears the mask of regret."
The Fourth Raikage frowned. "Wait… does this mean Naruto plans to attack all five Great Nations?"
Ohnoki muttered, "No… It's worse. He wants revenge on the entire ninja world!"
Terumi Mei bit her lip. "His method is extreme, yes… but after learning what happened to Karin and his clan… I can understand his anger."
Uzumaki Mito spoke softly, "Does this mean my clan will finally rise again?"
Senju Hashirama looked thoughtful. "It won't be easy. Naruto is strong, but rebuilding a nation alone… that's nearly impossible."
Ino suddenly blurted out, "It's okay! I'll help Naruto in that world. Then I'll marry him and become the queen of the new Land of Whirlpools!"
Yamanaka Inoichi's jaw dropped. "???"
Haruno Sakura stepped forward. "Hmph! You wish. I'll marry Naruto first! Don't forget, I was his first kiss!"
Ino rolled her eyes. "First kiss means nothing! Let's see who gets to kiss him next, shall we?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen, clearly sweating, quickly tried to calm the brewing storm. "Alright, enough! I'm sure Naruto was just venting. Deep down, I believe he still cares for Konoha!"
But even as he said it, doubt crept into his voice.
What had happened to Konoha?
The young generation… their loyalty seemed so fragile.
Even the Genin now talked like revolutionaries!
Too difficult to control…
Too powerful to stop…
---
Far away, in a quiet space, Uzumaki Kushina lowered her head.
"Minato," she said, her voice trembling, "I've been thinking… maybe we really didn't consider Naruto's feelings back then."
Minato's expression darkened. "I was careless. Maybe… if I had survived, I could've changed that Naruto's path."
Naruto's voice rang out. "Dad… you mean you could've survived back then?"
Minato paused, clearly uncomfortable. It was true.
Back when the Nine Tails attacked, he had a choice.
He didn't have to use the Reaper Death Seal.
So why did he?
The first reason was Kushina.
She was the woman he loved, and he wanted to give her one last chance to meet the grown-up Naruto. The Reaper Death Seal allowed that.
The second reason… was the village.
He split the Nine Tails in two.
Half sealed within Naruto.
The other half within himself.
In doing so, he kept the Nine Tails' power in Konoha while lowering the risk of a full rampage in the future.
As Hokage, he had to think of Konoha's safety above all else.
The rest… he entrusted to Naruto.
He believed Naruto would become the child of prophecy, the one Jiraiya had spoken of.
But now, as he looked at the black screen showing his son's pained expression, a shadow fell over Minato's heart.
He had died… and yet the Uchiha clan still fell.
He had died… and Naruto was still alone and hated.
So what was the point?
What had truly changed?
Was any of it… worth it?
Minato fell into deep thought, regret swelling in his chest.
---
Orochimaru let out another laugh. "Ah, Naruto puts on a fox mask of revolution… while Hiruzen wears one of pain and regret."
Tobirama Senju said nothing, only watching in silence.
The ninja world stood on the edge of something new—something terrifying.
And Uzumaki Naruto… was no longer just a child chasing dreams.
He was becoming a force the world could not ignore.
A force of reckoning.