Naruto: Just Want To Be A Death God

Raikage A glanced at Killer Bee, then continued, "The real waterfall is not within the borders of the Land of Lightning."

"It's on an island."

He paused, his tone growing more sincere.

"Please believe me, Lord Uzumaki, what I'm about to say is not a lie."

"That island moves. Its location shifts constantly. Kumogakure has stationed shinobi there who keep in contact with us, so we can track its whereabouts."

"So…"

"If you wish to go to the island, we'll need to assign shinobi to guide you."

Naruto nodded thoughtfully. "It moves?"

"Some strange terrain?"

"Or…"

"A special creature?"

Images flashed through his mind — the Three-Tails, the unusually sized toads of Mount Myōboku.

A strange look flickered through Raikage A's eyes as he replied honestly, "It's an enormous turtle."

But deep down, he was thinking—

Was this really a lie he made up?

Just as this thought surfaced, he met Naruto's subtly amused expression.

A shiver ran down his spine. That powerless feeling from before once again crept through him, consuming what little numbness remained in his body.

He glanced at the others around him.

Their eyes were clear, serious.

None of them seemed to share the same dread.

Warning bells rang in his head!

Raikage A immediately understood — it wasn't that Naruto didn't care, but rather that he had no need to care.

This man…

Powerful, and from the Uzumaki clan known for sealing techniques.

The medical ninjutsu he used on Karin — though seen only briefly — was clearly exceptional.

The only unknown was his genjutsu ability.

But… he took down C with ease — clearly, genjutsu was another strength.

Uzumaki Naruto was an all-around and overwhelmingly strong shinobi.

That sentence he said upon landing echoed again:

"I gave you all a chance."

Raikage A took a deep breath.

Naruto might not care, but they had to care.

If Naruto even suspected they meant him harm…

Kumogakure wouldn't be destroyed.

But everyone in this conference room… might face total annihilation.

He restrained his expression, trying to appear as harmless as possible: "Lord Uzumaki, once you're ready, you can choose your team and depart at any time."

Naruto nodded slightly.

Raikage A raised his left hand.

The dark-skinned, white-haired Mabui pushed in a cart, on which were dozens of scrolls.

"These are the techniques Lord Uzumaki requested," she explained. "Sealing technique knowledge acquired from the Uzumaki clan—"

"As well as Kumogakure's research on the matter."

"Also, documents on the Heavenly Transport Technique, Lightning Release Chakra Mode, and Lightning Armor Technique."

The more she listed, the more Raikage A's expression darkened uncontrollably.

These were essentially Kumogakure's most treasured secret techniques.

And now, they had to be offered as compensation.

When Mabui finished announcing the names of the jutsu like she was reporting troop positions—

Raikage A forced a smile and asked, "Lord Uzumaki, is there anything else you need?"

Naruto picked up the scroll labeled "Heavenly Transport Technique" and smiled, shaking his head. "No rush. Let's let the tailed beasts talk first."

Raikage A was confused.

Tailed beasts?

Talk?

Were they going to go into full transformation?

Or was the Nine-Tails about to speak?

But—

Naruto just opened the scroll and started reading, saying no more.

No one dared interrupt. Raikage A lowered his head and glanced at the Nine-Tails sprawled on the table.

In the shared consciousness of the tailed beasts—

"Kurama, what do you want to say to us?" Gyūki and Matatabi stood opposite the Nine-Tails.

Matatabi, in particular, was baring her fangs, her fiery fur bristling in agitation.

"It's that brat Naruto who asked me to bring this up," the Nine-Tails declared, raising his voice to stress that point. His tone was serious — he wanted them to believe it.

Gyūki and Matatabi snorted with amusement.

"He's come up with a method that can let us leave our jinchūriki hosts," Kurama continued. "So… would you be willing to let him use that technique on you?"

"Leave our hosts?" Matatabi's voice was excited.

That was something all tailed beasts longed for. Even if they had good relationships with their hosts, who could resist true freedom?

Gyūki spoke gravely, "Would this hurt Bee?"

"You've grown weak, Gyūki," Kurama sneered. "Worried about a mere human, even at the cost of your own freedom?"

Gyūki shook his head. "Bee's not just any human. He's my partner."

"Besides, Kurama—"

"You seem to have changed your attitude toward humans too."

"So what right do you have to say that?"

Kurama turned his head. "I chopped off your horn, not your brain."

"Think about it."

"If the jutsu hurt the host, would Naruto still be alive and kicking like this?"

Gyūki nodded. "As long as it won't harm Bee, I'm more than happy to accept it."

Kurama turned to Matatabi.

The cat-faced beast looked conflicted. "If it doesn't hurt the host… what about us?"

"Kurama, you seem to have split in two."

"Is that because of this technique?"

Kurama growled, "Stupid cat! How are you dumber than Gyūki?"

"Of course not!"

Matatabi tilted her head, puzzled. "Then why are you split?"

"Stop asking dumb questions!" Kurama growled, slamming a paw down. "Even in the consciousness world, I'll beat you black and blue!"

He paused, then changed the subject, "I promise you — this jutsu won't harm us either."

"But… it also means we still can't stray too far from our hosts."

"Our chakra is still linked to them."

Matatabi muttered and nodded. "I see."

"Not absolute freedom… but freedom nonetheless."

Gyūki's stance remained unchanged.

Seeing both had agreed—

Kurama coughed awkwardly and shifted. "Also, Matatabi, I have one more favor to ask."

Matatabi looked at him in surprise.

A favor?

From Kurama?

Good heavens, and he didn't use a command?

"Cut off a portion of your chakra and give it to Naruto," Kurama said as gently as possible.

Matatabi shook her head. "Give him my chakra?"

"He wants to study chakra," Kurama explained. "I think tailed beast chakra would be an excellent starting point."

Gyūki burst out, "You damn fox!"

"So that's why you came at me so hard the other day?"

"You took my horn!"

Kurama stretched lazily. "I took your tail for Naruto."

"But your horn? That was my prize."

Matatabi sat down, tilted her head, and thought for a moment. "If even you're saying so, Kurama… I'll agree."

Kurama grinned and passed the message to Naruto.

Back in the conference room—

Naruto was reading the scrolls, occasionally chatting quietly with Karin.

Everyone from Kumogakure sat upright, holding their breath, afraid of interrupting.

The tension built, growing heavier and heavier—

Until ten minutes later.

Naruto put down the scroll and looked at the two jinchūriki. "Kurama said it's settled."

"Let's begin."

Raikage A was baffled.

Settled?

Said what?

There hadn't been a single sound!

He turned to look at the two jinchūriki.

They stood up solemnly, clearly understanding Naruto's meaning.

Killer Bee caught A's look and explained, "The Nine-Tails and Gyūki said Lord Uzumaki has a jutsu that can let tailed beasts leave their hosts, move freely within a limited range, and won't harm either the host or the beast."

"Now…"

"He's going to use it on us."

Raikage A finally understood.

So that's why the Nine-Tails could leave Naruto?

But to have a former enemy unlock the seal inside a jinchūriki — that was far too dangerous.

Instinctively, he wanted to say no.

But—

He immediately suppressed that instinct.

If Naruto wanted to harm the jinchūriki, he could've killed them that day without hesitation. There was no reason to wait until now.

Kumogakure had no power to resist him, nor to change his mind.

This was a fact.

Raikage A fell silent.

"Start with me," Yugito Nii stepped forward calmly. "Matatabi's eager to get out."

Naruto didn't rush into the jutsu.

His method was based on the Four Symbols Seal.

Kumogakure's sealing technique for tailed beasts was called the Iron Armor Seal. Though different from the Four Symbols, it was also derived from Uzumaki knowledge.

After some tweaks, it didn't take long—

Both tailed beasts were released. Small in form, they stood on the table like the Nine-Tails.

"This is the scent of freedom," Matatabi tapped the surface, displeased by the cold hardness.

She looked up at the blond boy and said joyfully, "Uzumaki Naruto, right?"

"You're pretty good."

"This bit of chakra is yours."

Matatabi turned, bit off a chunk of her chakra, and tossed it to Naruto.

Then, without hesitation, she jumped out the window.

Yugito's expression changed.

She could sense that once the tailed beast was unsealed, her control over its chakra weakened. To use its power again, she'd need Matatabi's permission.

Gyūki landed on Bee's shoulder. "I'm not giving you any chakra."

"Kurama already took enough from me."

Naruto sealed the chakra in front of him.

Raikage A watched the direction Matatabi had gone and saw Yugito shake her head, her face grim.

Kumogakure's control over their tailed beasts had weakened.

But he had no choice. He had to continue discussing compensation with Naruto.

(End of Chapter)