Facing Yakushi Kabuto's question, Naruto did not answer.
He simply looked up and gave Kabuto a deep look.
"Thank you for telling me this, Kabuto-senpai."
Naruto regained his polite smile, though it lacked some warmth.
"This is very important information for me."
Having said that, Naruto said no more and turned to leave.
Kabuto stood there, watching Naruto back, his brow slightly furrowed.
"No anger? No hatred?"
"Naruto... what on earth is he thinking?"
Back at home, Naruto drew the curtains and locked himself in his dark room.
He unbuttoned his shirt, his fingers tracing the black spiral seal on his abdomen.
"Is this... the cage that imprisons the Kyuubi?"
Naruto lay on the bed and closed his eyes.
After learning the truth, a surge of anger had indeed risen in his heart.
It was anger at being used as a tool, and the grievance of suffering such injustice.
But he quickly calmed down.
Because anger could not solve the problem, nor could it change the fact that he was a Jinchuriki.
"Aizen-sensei..."
Naruto habitually opened the forum and typed his doubts into the private window shared only by the two of them.
"I have learned the truth about my origin; a monster is sealed within me."
"The village sacrificed me, making me a vessel, yet they allow the villagers to hate me for it."
"They rely on my power while fearing my existence."
"Aizen-sensei, faced with such a hypocritical order, what should I do?"
"Should I continue to pretend as before? Or... make them pay the price?"
After sending the message, Naruto waited quietly.
In Las Noches, Aizen looked at the words on the light screen, a pleasant smile playing on his lips.
"Have you finally realized? The ugly essence of this world?"
"I thought it would take a bit longer."
"Now, that sun-drenched game should come to an end."
He reached out his finger, lightly tapping in the void to input a passage of text.
"Naruto."
"You feel anger because you are still thinking from the perspective of a 'human'."
"Sheep will fear the sheepdog that guards them, and they will fear the wolf lurking nearby even more."
"This is the instinct of the weak; it is beyond reproach and not worth caring about."
"Since they define you as a monster, as an outcast, then why do you still insist on trying to fit into their ridiculous order?"
Naruto watched the words on the screen, his pupils shrinking slightly.
And Aizen's words continued.
"Do not try to seek understanding; that is the begging of the weak."
"The truly strong are those who set the rules."
"If the existing order makes you feel disgusted, then crush it."
"Since they fear the power within you, then go and master that power."
"When you stand in the heavens, all prejudice, loathing, and fear will turn into humble submission."
"Naruto, do not be a vessel for power."
"Be... the master of power."
Seeing the last sentence, Naruto felt a jolt of electricity surge from his tailbone straight to the top of his head.
"Master of power..."
Naruto murmured to himself.
He took off the glasses that represented gentility and disguise, placing them casually on the table.
In the darkness, a flash of red light seemed to flicker deep in his pupils.
All this time, he had been working hard to be recognized.
Whether it was pretending to be a top student or establishing a foundation, essentially, it was all about seeking the approval of others within the existing framework of rules.
But Aizen's words had opened a new door for him.
If the rules themselves are wrong, why should I adapt to them? Why not make them adapt to me?
Or... simply overthrow them and establish my own rules?
"I understand, Aizen-sensei."
Naruto put his glasses back on, the lenses hiding the depth in his eyes.
"Since I am the Kyuubi no Jinchuriki, Konohagakure's weapon, then I will be a good weapon."
"However, the authority over this weapon can only be held in my own hands."
[Ding!]
[Suggestion recorded: Break the order, stand in the heavens]
[Mission Objective: Proclaim your existence to the world and establish your own new order]
[Mission Reward: SSS-rank Treasure Chest]
"SSS-rank, huh..."
The corner of Naruto mouth curled slightly, and then he closed his eyes.
He followed the cold aura he had been deliberately ignoring and actively sank his consciousness into the deeper darkness...
Drip... drip...
The sound of water droplets echoed in the empty sewer.
This was the Seal Space, the darkest corner of his body, and the cage of that monster.
Naruto stepped through the murky water that reached his ankles, walking forward with steady steps.
After walking for an unknown amount of time, a giant brass gate appeared ahead.
The seal on the gate fluttered slightly in the wind.
"Roar..."
A low growl came from deep within the iron gate, accompanied by a suffocating wave of terrifying Chakra.
In the darkness, a pair of giant scarlet vertical pupils suddenly snapped open, staring intently at the tiny human before them.
"Brat, do you finally dare to come in on your own initiative?"
The Kyuubi's voice was full of mockery and tyranny.
"Did that guy with the glasses tell you the truth?"
"How does it feel? Knowing you're just a vessel and a sacrifice, don't you want to take revenge on those bastards?"
The Kyuubi crouched before the bars, its giant claws scraping harsh sparks against the iron gate.
Its eyes were filled with malice toward humans:
"Tear open the seal... This great one can lend you power, help you level this hypocritical village to the ground, help you kill all those..."
"Can you be quiet for a moment?"
Naruto voice, startlingly calm, interrupted the Kyuubi's roar.
He stood before the iron gate, hands in his pockets, tilting his head slightly.
His face showed neither the anger the Kyuubi expected, nor hatred or collapse.
In those deep blue eyes, there was no emotional fluctuation.
The way he looked at the Kyuubi was neither as a monster nor an enemy.
But rather like looking at... a beast trapped in a cage.
That look made the Kyuubi freeze for a moment, followed immediately by a surge of celestial rage.
"What kind of look is that?! Brat, you actually dare to look at this old man with that kind of gaze?!!"
"I'm looking at a trapped... mad dog."
Naruto said indifferently, his tone carrying a trace of nonchalant coldness.
"Possessing power that can destroy the world, yet only able to bark at a twelve-year-old brat in this dark sewer."
"How pathetic."
"You bastard!!!"
The Kyuubi was completely enraged, its massive Chakra transforming into a physical storm that slammed violently against the gate.
"If not for this damn seal! This old man would devour you right now! I'll tear you to shreds!!!"
Facing the terrifying killing intent just inches away, Naruto hair was blown about, but he didn't even lift an eyelid.
He turned and walked toward the light, leaving behind a sentence that made the Kyuubi fly into a rage:
"Stay put, fox."
"I'll be back for you."
Naruto tilted his head slightly, his eyes cold:
"After all, I've specifically kept a leash for you."
Having said that, Naruto figure completely vanished into the darkness.
Silence.
A brief silence fell over the Seal Space.
Then...
"Uzumaki Naruto!! I'm going to kill you!!!"
The deafening roar echoed wildly through the sewer.