Silence.
A silence deeper than anything the shinobi world had ever experienced.
At this moment…
Every shinobi was shaken to their core.
To most ninja, life was just a blur—missions, rest, more missions.
The Ninja Way…?
Too distant. Too lofty.
But this kid—
This kid actually had his own nindō.
Konoha, Chūnin Exam Stadium
Hinata clenched her small fists tightly.
She had always wanted to tell Naruto:
Naruto's ninja way… is also her ninja way.
Inside the Reaper's Stomach
"Minato! Our kid already has a ninja way! Who do you think he takes after!?"
Kushina's eyes sparkled.
Minato beamed.
"Of course he takes after both of us! Hahaha!"
But then…
"…But…"
"But what?"
"…Nothing."
Kushina, too focused on the scene, didn't notice the deep frown slowly forming on Minato's face.
Inside Minato's heart:
'Naruto doesn't even know the name of the jutsu…
He doesn't even know it's my technique?'
'And the way he reacted…
Does Naruto not know he's my son?'
'And—!!'
'Tsunade recognizes he's the Nine-Tails jinchūriki…
but she doesn't know he's my child?'
'Lord Third…
What in the world… happened?'
Pure Land
[Madara: HASHIRAMA! The kid already finished fighting your granddaughter! Why aren't you here to duel me yet?!]
[Hashirama: Madara! Mito said if I duel you she won't talk to me anymore!
Do you know why she won't let me duel you?!]
[Madara: HASHIRAMA!!]
[Mito: Madara! Shut up! If you dare corrupt my husband I'll fight you myself!]
[Izuna: Nii-san~ If you want a partner, I'm available!~]
The Pure Land was already in chaos.
The footage resumed.
[Tsunade: "Brat, let's make a bet."]
[Naruto: "A bet?"]
["If you master the Rasengan completely within one week,
I'll acknowledge you can become Hokage."]
["And I'll give you this necklace."]
[Naruto snorted. "Tch! Who wants your dumb necklace anyway?"]
[Jiraiya: "Naruto! That's a necklace crafted from a gemstone that could buy three mountains! It belonged to the First Hokage."]
[Three mountains? And it belonged to the First!?
Naruto's eyes instantly turned into money symbols.]
["Fine! For the necklace—
and for my nindō—
I'll bet with you!"]
The perspective changed.
[Naruto trained day and night under Jiraiya's guidance, never once taking a break, determined to master the Rasengan.]
[Tsunade watched all of this quietly…
and little by little, her opinion of Naruto shifted.]
Inside the Reaper's Stomach
"Go, Naruto! Don't give up! You MUST master your dad's Rasengan!"
Kushina pumped her fists.
Minato clenched his jaw.
He desperately wished he could be there training Naruto himself.
Konoha
Hinata's heart ached watching Naruto struggle.
If only she could bear the pain for him…
Sakura's expression softened.
"Does he… have to train that hard…?"
Lee instantly felt flames of youth erupting.
"If Naruto is burning with passion—
THEN SO SHALL I!!!
Anyone want to run laps around Konoha with me!?"
He immediately sprinted out of the stadium.
The footage shifted again.
[A barren plain—
Orochimaru was battling Jiraiya fiercely.]
[Naruto and Shizune were fighting Kabuto—
and clearly losing.]
[Within moments both Naruto and Shizune were knocked down.]
[Kabuto walked toward Tsunade, who sat trembling uncontrollably.]
["Lady Tsunade… you can't move because of your hemophobia, can you?"]
["Then—
go die."]
Kabuto began kicking and beating her brutally, face twisted with triumph.
Akatsuki Hideout (Amegakure)
Hidan howled with laughter.
"Hahahahahaha! One of the legendary Sannin—
afraid of BLOOD!?"
Deidara crossed his arms smugly.
"Hm! Capturing the Nine-Tails? Leave it to me! Hm!"
Tobi hopped.
"Deidara-senpai!! When you catch the Five Kage's replacement, take me with you! I'll beat the Hokage with one drop of blood!"
Hidden Mist Village
"HAHAHAHA! That old hag Tsunade is scared of blood!?"
Mei's lips curled with wicked delight.
"So that's the mighty Legendary Sannin?
Pathetic!
Just a single drop of blood and she collapses?"
She was already imagining exactly how she would torture Tsunade.
Hidden Sand Village
Chiyo exhaled deeply.
"So it's a battle among the Sannin themselves.
Seems I won't need to intervene after all."
Hidden Stone Village
"Black Zetsu—go locate that battlefield immediately!"
Ōnoki commanded.
Hidden Cloud Village
The Fourth Raikage slammed his fist into his palm.
"Hahaha! Tsunade fears blood!
If she becomes the Fifth Hokage—
Kumo can make its move!"
Pure Land
[Hashirama covered his face:
"I'm finished… my reputation… ruined… completely ruined…"]
[Madara: Hashirama!! Your granddaughter is way too embarrassing!
Have you considered… producing another heir?]
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