Naruto: Just Want To Be A Death God

Raikage A lifted his head, his features twisted into a grimace.

The physical pain had already begun to dull.

But the emotional torment—lingered on.

He looked at Naruto.

Just a teenage boy!

His gaze passed Naruto's golden hair and turned toward another battlefield that had yet to settle.

The Eight-Tails was still fighting the Nine-Tails. This beast, which had once plunged the village into chaos during a rampage, was now being thoroughly beaten—its tails had been cut off four or five times already. It could barely defend its only remaining "horn," which didn't look like it could hold up much longer.

A shut his eyes tighter, his expression becoming even more pained.

How had it come to this?

He hadn't underestimated the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki just because of his age.

In fact, there had been internal opposition within the village when he had mobilized such a massive force.

Both the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails' jinchūriki, plus a 50-strong squad—nearly half of them jonin.

Even for attacking one of the Five Great Nations, such a formation would've been excessive.

And yet—it had all been useless.

Not a single tactic they had planned was of any use.

Too many unexpected things had happened.

Why had the Nine-Tails emerged?

It was well-known since the concept of "jinchūriki" existed that once a tailed beast was extracted from its host, the jinchūriki would die.

But Naruto Uzumaki had broken that rule.

The jinchūriki from Kumogakure couldn't even cooperate properly.

The ninja troops had been ineffective, not even leaving a trace of effort.

The only possible reason he could think of—

Was that strange technique that "prevents the weak from attacking."

But could even jonin not resist Naruto's aura?

Moreover…

Naruto Uzumaki's strength was far beyond what he had imagined—even beyond the level of the "Three Legendary Ninja."

From the moment he learned about the battlefield to when he used the "Heavenly Transport Technique" to arrive, only a few minutes had passed.

But in those few short minutes—

Tōtai and C had already died.

Most likely in the same way Darui's group had.

One blow. No resistance.

How could he be this powerful?

This was beyond anything A understood as "ninja."

He reopened his eyes and looked at Naruto.

The golden-haired boy was still gazing into the distance—in the direction of Kumogakure.

In the distance, faint figures of moving shinobi could already be seen.

"…I understand now." A finally spoke, his voice heavy. "Kumogakure has paid a heavy enough price for provoking you."

"It has also served as a wake-up call for me."

"This ends here. We will provide compensation that satisfies you."

Naruto raised his hand, and the chains retracted with a swoosh.

The ground beneath suddenly vanished.

The Two-Tails, which had been restrained, immediately retreated into Yugito Nii's body the moment the sensation of being bound disappeared.

Naruto landed on the ground, holding A.

Yugito appeared dazed. In all her time as a jinchūriki, she had never suffered such a crushing defeat.

"You're not going to stop the fight between the Eight-Tails and the Nine-Tails?" A asked.

The octopus was clearly getting overwhelmed, while the fox looked ecstatic.

It had begun to repeatedly break through the Eight-Tails' defenses, slashing at its horn. A few more strikes and it would be severed.

Naruto shook his head. "Their battle is a way of bonding."

"It'll be over soon."

"Don't worry, the jinchūriki won't die."

He turned his head to another direction.

"The fight over there is finished too."

In the forest—

Karin withdrew her kunai from a jonin's throat.

Her condition was quite bad.

One arm was broken, several ribs fractured, chakra completely unstable, her face covered in blood.

"…Thank you, Nine-Tails," she said hoarsely, collapsing to sit.

Facing a jonin alone had been too much for her.

Had it not been for the Nine-Tails' help, she would've died there.

"You're not bad either," the Yin Nine-Tails said, flicking its tail and gracefully jumping down from a tree. Its current size was roughly that of a horse—it had drawn some power from the seal. "Your will is strong. I thought you'd give up after taking so much damage."

Karin shook her head. "I'll leave the rest to you."

"These injuries won't heal quickly."

The Yin Nine-Tails hesitated, staring at Karin intently, as though internally conflicted.

Karin's expression grew serious. "What's wrong? I don't sense any enemies approaching…"

The Yin Nine-Tails sighed, gently wrapped her in its tail, and placed her on its back. "Because you're that brat Naruto's family, and you pleased me—just this once."

Karin smiled, using her good hand to stroke its fur.

So that's what it was struggling with.

The Nine-Tails really had some strange sense of pride.

"No need to worry about new enemies. The fight over there is over." the Yin Nine-Tails said. "Kumogakure has surrendered."

"My other half is still fighting the Eight-Tails."

"He seems to be enjoying himself."

It carried Karin and darted toward the battlefield.

Raikage A's face turned confused.

That fight…?

Oh.

The Uzumaki girl's battle—had Kumogakure failed there too?

While he pondered—

A deep crimson figure landed before them.

"Naruto, take her down quickly," the voice barked before it had even fully landed. "She's full of tricks!"

"Are all Uzumaki girls this sneaky with their hands?"

Naruto walked over and lifted her down.

He quickly scanned her wounds.

"That was a tough battle," Naruto said softly.

Karin grinned brightly. "I was awesome, Naruto!"

"A jonin-led team with several chunin—I took out all the chunin by myself!"

"I still needed the Nine-Tails' help for the jonin, but I finished him off myself!"

Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Naruto raised his hand, placed it on her shoulder, and replied gently: "Amazing!"

"Karin has grown strong too."

A mix of green and golden light flowed from his palm like rain, beginning to heal her wounds.

Karin let out a hum and smiled even more brightly.

Yugito and A were visibly shocked.

They turned to look at the other battlefield.

The massive form of the Nine-Tails was still clearly visible.

Then looked back again—at the crimson figure beside them.

Though not as large in body, it had nine tails, immense chakra—it was undoubtedly also the Nine-Tails.

Two Nine-Tails?

Can tailed beasts reproduce?

Raikage A's lips twitched.

Just what kind of monster had he provoked?

A jinchūriki of unfathomable power, with not just one—but two fully independent tailed beasts.

This was far beyond anything his intel had told him.

And he didn't blame his ANBU for the lack of information—

Even Konoha probably didn't know this much.

Who would believe it without seeing it themselves?

The last battlefield also settled.

With one final slash, the Nine-Tails severed the Eight-Tails' remaining horn.

"This is a nice trophy," the Nine-Tails laughed, putting away its blade. "Naruto, store this for me."

"The Eight-Tails' horn!"

"My loot!"

The Eight-Tails growled, flailing its remaining two tails.

The Nine-Tails had grown not only stronger—but more annoying.

Three Days Later – Kumogakure Meeting Room

Raikage A sat in a wheelchair, missing a leg and an arm. Just a few days had felt like decades to him, the toll evident on his face.

Beside him sat a few young faces.

Kumogakure's elite forces had been nearly wiped out in that battle.

"Lord Uzumaki," A struggled to rise but failed, finally bowing from his chair, "Kumogakure apologizes for initiating the conflict against you."

"And we accept all of your demands for reparations."

His voice was not steady.

Since the founding of Kumogakure, they had won and lost wars—but never had they been forced to give reparations of this scale.

Even ten years ago, when the Third Hokage was still alive and they failed to kidnap the Hyūga heiress—

They didn't compensate Konoha. In fact, they had forced a Hyūga branch family member to die instead.

"Then please tell me the location of the Falls of Truth," Naruto said calmly.

Raikage A looked up. "Before that… may I ask one question?"

Naruto nodded. "Go ahead."

"If Kumogakure hadn't started this war… would you have—"

Naruto interrupted him: "I detest meaningless fighting."

"If you hadn't provoked me, of course I wouldn't have attacked Kumogakure."

"I'm just a traveler, looking for something in the Land of Lightning—nothing more."

"If Kumogakure had what I needed…"

"Just like with Kirigakure—I would have made a deal to get what I wanted."

A nodded heavily.

Naruto looked toward the two jinchūriki beside him: "I gave you both a chance too."

"After suppressing the Two-Tails, I just wanted to see the Nine-Tails and Eight-Tails fight."

"But you still insisted on attacking me."

"Punishment was inevitable."

He paused briefly and softened his tone: "But don't grieve so much. To the living, death is the end."

"But to life—it's only the start of a new journey."

"I didn't destroy their souls."

"You'll meet again in the Pure Land."

Raikage A looked up.

That sounded like a threat…

As if Naruto was ready to send him there any moment.

But Naruto's eyes were sincere and calm.

Did he… really believe that?

"Why are you interested in the Falls of Truth?" Killer Bee finally asked, serious for once, dropping his usual rhymes. "With a bond like yours and the Nine-Tails, you should already be a perfect jinchūriki."

His gaze fell on the two foxes on Naruto's shoulders.

"Do I need to explain?" Naruto smiled. "If the Eight-Tails wants to know—"

"Once the reparations are settled, I'll speak with it directly."

Killer Bee said nothing more.

Raikage A let out a long breath. "The Falls of Truth… it's an old legend."

"Not many in the village even believe it's real."

"But…"

"It does exist. And it's one of Kumogakure's top secrets."

(End of Chapter)