I'M NARUTO UZUMAKI

Inheritance of the Beheading Sword

Even when a powerful ninja dies, their soul will wander in the Pure Land, and it's not impossible for them to return from the dead.

As Naruto pondered the connection between the Pure Land and the soul, a sudden Chakra explosion from outside Kirigakure Village caught his attention. His eyes narrowed slightly as he gazed at the landscape outside the window.

A Chakra explosion of this magnitude couldn't be caused by an ordinary ninja.

The only explanation was that the Fourth Mizukage had entered his tailed beast form, causing the Three-Tails within him to go berserk.

The Nine-Tails also sensed the Three-Tails' Chakra and murmured, "It's the Three-Tails. I didn't expect that dormant beast to harbor such resentment."

"Naruto, are you prepared to face the Three-Tails and its Jinchuriki?" the Nine-Tails asked.

Naruto nodded, already prepared for the inevitable battle with the Fourth Mizukage. This confrontation was essential for him to obtain the Chakra of the Three-Tails, one of the main reasons for his trip.

Seeing Naruto set to challenge the Fourth Mizukage, Minato Namikaze gave a wry smile and merely advised, "Be careful."

Without further words, Naruto jumped from the Mizukage Building, quickly leaping onto the roof of Kirigakure, and moments later, he landed on the treetops outside the village.

There, he saw the Fourth Mizukage, having detached from his Jinchuriki form, fully transformed into the massive body of the Three-Tails, a creature as colossal as a mountain.

The Three-Tails' main body, a giant tortoise, though not very agile, wreaked havoc with its thick carapace. Combined with the terrain and water techniques, it unleashed devastating attacks, forcing most of Kirigakure's ninjas into retreat.

Soon, most of the Kirigakure forces had been neutralized, leaving only a handful of Jonin able to put up a fight. The remaining resistance was spearheaded by Terumi Mei and Kidou Mangetsu.

Naruto, however, did not rush into the fray immediately.

On one hand, the situation wasn't dire enough yet. On the other, Obito had not yet shown his face. If Naruto intervened too soon, it could inadvertently make him an ally of Obito, which wasn't in his interest.

While waiting for the right moment, Naruto sensed a familiar, faint Chakra nearby.

After a few swift movements, Naruto found a trail of blood leading to the dying form of Loquat Juzo, propped up against a tree. The Beheading Sword was shattered beside him.

Loquat Juzo, struggling to open his eyes, muttered, "Are you a Kirigakure ninja? After you behead me, return this sword to the village. It's the last thing I can do for them."

Naruto, hearing his weak voice, replied with a hint of emotion, "I didn't expect someone as powerful as you to end up like this."

Naruto scanned the area to ensure there were no threats, approached Loquat Juzo, pulled out the broken sword, and poured a healing potion mixed with Uzumaki clan blood into Loquat's mouth. This was a potent concoction that the old Uzumaki patriarch had instructed him to use, more effective than any standard medical ninjutsu.

The potion worked almost immediately, and Loquat Juzo's injuries began healing at an astonishing rate. Though still weak, he was no longer in immediate danger. He looked at Naruto in astonishment, unable to comprehend how he had been saved from certain death.

After a pause, Loquat Juzo asked with disbelief, "You're the ninja who escorted the caravan before... Why would you risk your life to save me? I'm not worth it."

Naruto smiled wryly. "Do you think Kirigakure has time to worry about me now? The real reason I saved you is because someone wants to see you dead, and I want you to live."

Loquat Juzo fell silent, deep in thought. It didn't take long for him to realize the person who wished for his death was none other than the masked man. But the masked man had underestimated him; Loquat had long accepted that death at the hands of the village was his fate.

Naruto sensed Loquat's resignation and said, "You don't really want to die, do you? You're letting that masked man control your life. Isn't that the real reason you're here?"

The words hit Loquat hard. He had thought about confronting the masked man before but knew that alone, he stood no chance. He had hoped that by using the conflict between the masked man and Payne, he could help free the village from manipulation.

But to take on the masked man and the Akatsuki was beyond his abilities.

As a traitor, he knew no one in the village would trust him, even if he had a chance to act.

Naruto gave Loquat some space to think. Meanwhile, he noticed Kirigakure ninjas, led by Zabuza, heading toward them.

When Zabuza saw Naruto, he motioned for his subordinates to halt and quickly made his way over.

Seeing Loquat Juzo's state and the broken sword, Zabuza hesitated before speaking, "Master Mianma, is this traitor Loquat Juzo one of your subordinates? He just attacked the village."

Naruto shook his head. "He's not my subordinate, but he was under the masked man's control. However, he betrayed the masked man, risking his life to help you realize the true nature of the Fourth Mizukage."

Zabuza softened his gaze toward Loquat but still asked, "In that case, can I bring him back to the village? The information he has could be crucial for me and Man Yue."

"Yes, take him with you, and keep the Beheading Sword. But don't kill him, and keep it quiet that he's still alive. It'll cause a lot of trouble for Kirigakure if anyone finds out," Naruto advised.

Zabuza nodded, then approached Loquat Juzo. "Senior Juzo, whether you're a traitor or a loyalist, please come with me. We need information about your organization."

Loquat Juzo, glancing at the chaotic battle in the distance, sighed. Though reluctant, he followed Zabuza.

Zabuza had his subordinates place the body of a fallen Kirigakure ninja near where Loquat was injured, and with a swift Water Release technique, he erased all traces of the battle. Then, returning to Naruto, he said, "Master Mianma, leave the Fourth Mizukage and the masked man to you. Man Yue and I will make sure you're properly rewarded."

Naruto, glancing toward the distant Three-Tails, grinned. "Don't worry, I'll have this battle wrapped up in half an hour."

Visit patreon.com/Akeyno to get 30+ chapters