Hearing Ao's shrill laughter, Kawaki frowned in open disgust.
He stopped walking and clenched his left hand.
"Enough talk."
"Didn't you always want revenge for your head and jaw?"
"Well, I'm right here."
"I won't even move."
The mention of his head and jaw was Ao's deepest humiliation.
The blood vessels in his eyes bulged instantly.
He threw Konohamaru aside like trash and charged straight at Kawaki.
"Kawaki!! I'll kill you!"
Kawaki's expression darkened.
He had stepped forward not because he was confident he could defeat Ao—
but because he didn't want more of the Hokage's people dragged into this.
Ao used to be weaker than me…
But after I destroyed his hair and jaw, Amado rebuilt him with stronger weapons.
Beating him now won't be easy.
Kawaki gave a bitter laugh.
"How ironic…"
"That I'd release the power of this Karma to protect someone."
A sizzling sound spread through the air.
The Karma seal on Kawaki's left palm began glowing.
The scorching markings spread across his arm.
Normally they would stop at the forearm—
But now, as if receiving some kind of signal, the markings continued climbing up toward his upper arm.
Watching from the rooftop nearby, Koji Kashin's eyes widened.
"What…?"
"Kawaki's Karma shouldn't have thawed to this extent yet."
At the same moment—
The Karma mark on Wind's chin also reacted.
The markings split into two directions.
One branch climbed across his cheeks and spread across his forehead.
The other flowed down his neck and spread toward his left arm—
Until his entire arm was covered with glowing patterns.
Madara and Obito stood beside Koji Kashin, witnessing the unbelievable sight.
Akira stood behind Koji, back-to-back, murmuring calmly.
"The Karma resonance, huh…"
"Just like when Boruto and Kawaki synchronized before."
"This is an unexpected gain for our side."
His gaze fell on Kawaki below.
"…Though it benefits that brat."
— Karma: Stage One
Kawaki stared at the markings covering his left arm.
For a moment he couldn't react.
The power flowing through his body felt completely different from before.
It was like being reborn.
His eyes gleamed with excitement.
"If that's the case…"
"Kawaki! What the hell are you staring at?!"
Ao fired another laser blast.
Kawaki raised his left hand.
The Karma markings flashed—
The laser beam was instantly absorbed.
"What?!"
Before Ao could react—
Kawaki responded to the surge of Ōtsutsuki chakra inside him.
The scientific ninja tool cells in his arm mutated violently.
Grotesque molten flesh erupted from his arm.
BOOM!
The ground shattered as Kawaki launched forward with a sonic boom.
His warped arm punched straight through Ao's chest.
Ao screamed like a slaughtered pig.
"AAAAAAHHHHH!!!"
Konohamaru stared in disbelief.
"H-He defeated him…"
"…with one attack?!"
Kawaki's arm continued releasing scorching heat.
Ao's organs were literally melting.
Sensing death approaching, Ao begged desperately.
"K-Kawaki-sama…"
"I was wrong before!"
"Please spare me!"
"We're comrades in Kara! We both serve Lord Jigen—"
"Don't mention that disgusting name!"
Kawaki tore his arm violently.
Ao's upper body and head exploded into fragments.
Seconds later, even the lower half of his body disintegrated.
The Karma markings began fading.
The explosive power vanished just as quickly as it came.
Weakness flooded Kawaki's body.
Sweat poured down his face.
He crouched beside Ao's shattered remains, breathing heavily.
Ao wasn't even high-ranking in Kara.
If the real leaders knew I was here…
They wouldn't have sent someone like him alone.
That would be suicide.
Kawaki wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Then he looked up—
And his pupils shook violently.
A blonde woman floated in the air above him.
White high-heeled boots blasting jets of flame.
She stared down at him like death itself.
"…Delta."
Delta smirked.
"So you managed to kill Ao."
"You've grown stronger, Kawaki."
"But you know that level of power…"
"…is nowhere near enough to fight me."
She landed beside Ao's remains and approached him slowly.
"Alright."
"Stop playing around."
"Come back with me."
"Back to Jigen."
The name triggered a memory in Kawaki's mind—
Jigen sitting there with one hand supporting his chin.
A lifeless face.
Cold eyes that suffocated him.
Kawaki clutched his chest, breathing heavily.
Delta stretched out her hand.
"Come."
For a moment—
Kawaki nearly gave up.
But then—
Naruto's warm smile flashed through his mind.
A sudden surge of courage filled him.
He stepped back, creating distance from Delta.
"No."
"I'm not going back to that place."
"I want to stay here."
Delta raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"So your rebellious phase finally arrived."
Her boots blasted flames again as she lunged forward.
Suddenly—
A golden flash dropped between them like lightning.
Delta stopped abruptly.
Naruto stood there.
Golden chakra cloak fluttering behind him.
His cross-shaped pupils locked onto the enemy.
"Hey."
"Didn't you hear the kid?"
"He said he wants to stay."
Delta's eyes darkened.
"So you're the Hokage."
"Uzumaki Naruto."
Amado and Jigen had both warned her—
Naruto was extremely powerful.
In a one-on-one fight, he was not an opponent to take lightly.
She attempted negotiation.
"Hokage."
"This doesn't concern you."
"Hand Kawaki over to me and I'll leave."
Naruto smiled.
"What kind of adult watches a kid get taken away and does nothing?"
Kawaki looked up.
His eyes trembled slightly.
Delta tilted her head.
"Kid?"
"What are you talking about?"
Naruto said firmly,
"I don't care where Kawaki came from or what he's done."
"From today on—"
"He's my son."
"And a member of Konoha."
Behind Naruto's golden cloak—
Kawaki clenched his fists tightly.
Naruto's voice grew cold.
"And you."
"Since you came here…"
"You might as well stay."
"You're going to explain everything."
"Your organization."
"And this Jigen you mentioned."
Kurama's voice echoed in Naruto's mind.
"Naruto!"
"Don't push yourself too far!"
"You're even weaker now than before!"
Sweat dripped down Naruto's face beneath the glowing chakra cloak.
"I know."
"I'll finish this quickly."
Golden chakra erupted.
Two massive fox-shaped chakra arms shot forward.
Delta looked up slowly.
Her killing intent exploded.
"Old man…"
"I think you've lived long enough."
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