Chapter 67

The council chamber was silent as Shino stepped forward, his voice calm and devoid of emotion. "Thank you for allowing me to speak, Lord Hokage. I shall keep my report short and concise," he began, his expression as unreadable as ever.

Naruto and the gathered officials listened intently as Shino continued. "My team was tasked with exploring Star City. There were rumors of genetic mutation spreading among a large portion of the populace due to a fallen star fragment. Our investigation confirmed these rumors as truth."

Pausing for a moment, Shino adjusted his glasses before elaborating. "The leader of the city has harnessed the fragment's power to grant mutations or even random bloodline abilities to his citizens. Those who manifest the strongest abilities are selected to become his personal retainers." His voice remained steady, but the implications of his words were anything but ordinary.

Shikamaru's brows furrowed slightly, already piecing together the ramifications of such a discovery. Meanwhile, Sai quietly jotted down notes, his mind racing ahead to how this new information could affect Naruto's long-term position.

Shino continued. "The fragment has also allowed the leader of Star City to transcend the limits of a normal human. His strength far surpasses my own, to an unknown degree." The weight of that admission was heavy, especially coming from someone as composed and methodical as Shino.

Naruto's eyes narrowed. He had not expected such an overwhelming force to exist outside of his awareness. His mind immediately went to Ishiki—was it possible that someone else had achieved a similar level of power? His failure to sense such a presence unsettled him.

'I should have known that Ishiki might not be the only one with such a skill,' Naruto thought, his fists subtly clenching.

His concern shifted to his friend. "Did he hurt you?" Naruto asked, his voice softer but edged with restrained anger. The idea that someone had harmed Shino—one of his most trusted comrades—was difficult to accept. Yet, he knew this was the reality of their work. They had trespassed into foreign territory, into lands that were explicitly forbidden. The consequences were inevitable.

"He only knocked me out," Shino admitted, shaking his head slightly. "He didn't bother with anything else. It was as if he had anticipated a fight and was satisfied with the result."

Kakashi, who had remained quiet thus far, finally spoke. "The leader of Star City didn't ask for much. He only requested two things: an agreement that Naruto Uzumaki will not set foot on his lands and the Lightning Blade of the Second Hokage."

Naruto raised an eyebrow. The terms were unexpectedly light. Given his reputation, he had expected a demand for something far more substantial. If the man feared his presence that much, then he truly was a force to be reckoned with.

"Do you think we will need to fight him?" Naruto asked, seeking clarity.

Shino hesitated briefly before responding. "Yes," he said with certainty. "He seemed very ambitious."

The room grew heavier with tension. The implication was clear—this man was not content with remaining within his borders. He had the mindset of a conqueror.

"Aren't you being too negative?" Ino interjected, crossing her arms. "How can anyone think about war now?" She gestured toward Naruto for emphasis, as if expecting him to back her up.

Shikamaru sighed, rubbing his temples. "I suppose they have something that can turn the tide of battle in their favor," he muttered. "Regardless, we need to keep such people in check. Naruto, if he steps out of line—beat him down. We'll handle the rest."

Naruto exhaled through his nose, considering Shikamaru's words. It was pragmatic, though somewhat blunt. He wasn't one to immediately resort to violence, but in this case, perhaps it was the only language some would understand.

Sai, standing off to the side, silently observed the exchange. To him, it felt almost disrespectful that Naruto was being treated as a mere weapon—someone to be unleashed at the right time. But at the same time, he understood the necessity of it.

The world needed to be put in its place.

And Naruto's power was the proof they would all eventually bow to.

Sai smirked to himself. He wasn't the only one who saw Naruto's destiny extending beyond the seat of Hokage. Shikamaru, despite his lazy demeanor, had the foresight to recognize what needed to be done.

With the report now fully delivered, the room settled into deep contemplation. Plans would have to be made. Choices that could shift the fate of the world were now at their doorstep.

And Naruto knew—this was only the beginning.

As the meeting concluded, Naruto found himself needing some time to reconnect with his friends and subordinates. It was a strange sensation, but it was the weight of his leadership that brought him here. He couldn't help but notice that most of the group seemed to be doing well, but one person stood out for all the wrong reasons—Kiba.

Kiba's loss during the recent mission had affected him deeply. His sense of worth had taken a blow, and his confidence had crumbled. The fiery passion that once defined Kiba had become clouded by self-doubt. To Kiba, all of his years of training had led to nothing more than being an ordinary shinobi, and that was a hard pill to swallow.

Naruto soon found Kiba deep within the new Forest of Death. Kiba had entered his were-form, a rare and powerful technique of the Inuzuka clan that fused him with Akamaru. With this transformation, he gained an impressive boost in strength and stamina, but even that level of power—comparable to the Hokage before the war—was no longer enough to keep up with the escalating challenges that they faced.

Kiba and Akamaru were running through the dense forest, their bodies burdened with heavy weights. Even their chakra was being directed toward strengthening the burden on their bodies, a relentless exercise meant to push their limits. They weren't just training; they were desperately seeking the next level of power, the kind that would prevent them from becoming liabilities.

Watching Kiba and Akamaru push themselves through the woods, Naruto couldn't ignore the improvement in Kiba's physical form. The raw determination in his movements was unmistakable. Yet, beneath it all, Naruto could clearly see the frustration and desperation written across his friend's face. Kiba was caught in a struggle, not just with his body, but with his own sense of identity.

Kiba finally noticed Naruto's presence. He stopped in his tracks, his face conflicted, his chest heaving with exhaustion as he looked up to meet Naruto's gaze. The pain within Kiba was palpable, and it took all of his willpower to speak.

"Naruto…" Kiba's voice cracked slightly, betraying the turmoil within him.

Naruto had never tried to hide his presence, and now, standing on top of a nearby tree, he simply watched as Kiba processed his internal conflict. There was no easy answer here, and Naruto knew it. Kiba, however, was struggling to find his place. It wasn't just about the mission failure anymore; it was about feeling irrelevant, like he no longer had a place in the ever-evolving world of shinobi.

Kiba's frustration bubbled to the surface. He had been trying to stand on his own, to prove that he didn't need to rely on anyone—least of all Naruto—any longer. But deep inside, the yearning to contribute, to be part of something greater than himself, was too strong to ignore. It hurt to even admit it to himself, but the only way forward was to bury his pride and seek help.

Naruto could see the conflict within Kiba. He understood the struggle, and though he didn't know what to say, he knew the best thing he could do was to give Kiba the space to voice his concerns and think things through. "Hey man, I guess you heard about what happened."

Naruto's eyes flickered briefly, and he nodded. "Yeah, I was surprised that there were still people who could fight a Jinchuuriki. It shows that, maybe, we can do anything if we really put our minds to it."

Naruto floated down from the tree, landing lightly on the ground before walking up to Kiba. The expression on Kiba's face, however, was far from convinced.

Kiba barely glanced up, his gaze fixed firmly on the ground, watching the tiny ants crawl across the dirt. "Do you really think so?" His voice was quieter now, the doubt and uncertainty clear in his tone. "As we go further along this road, the less I feel about myself. Naruto… am I just another… nobody?" His words were almost a whisper, the weight of his insecurity too heavy to hide.

Naruto stood there, taken aback by the depth of Kiba's internal struggle. It was unlike Kiba to be so open about his feelings, but here he was, baring his soul. Kiba, once brimming with unshakeable confidence, now seemed like just another soldier lost in the vast army of humanity.

Kiba had never shared these thoughts with anyone before. He couldn't bring himself to tell people like Shikamaru or Shino—logical, detached people who never cared about being at the top. He knew they wouldn't understand. But Naruto, Naruto had always been different. Despite his status and power, Naruto was just like Kiba—a shinobi who fought for something greater, who struggled with his place in the world.

Naruto didn't have an immediate response, but his heart ached for his friend. There was a time when Kiba's strength had been something to be proud of, but now, Kiba saw it as insufficient. He saw himself as a nobody. But Naruto wasn't about to let his friend believe that.

"Hey," Naruto said softly, his hand resting on Kiba's shoulder. "You're not a nobody. You've never been a nobody to me. You're Kiba, and that's more than enough. But if you need time to figure things out, take it. I'm here when you're ready."

Kiba took a deep breath, trying to regain some composure.

Naruto stood still, a sense of calm washing over him as he connected with the Universe, his mind stretching beyond the physical world. He reached out, feeling Kiba's destiny, the myriad paths that lay before him. As he sifted through the possibilities, he could sense the overwhelming weight of them all—each one bringing Kiba to a point of average shinobi prowess. But none of them felt right. None of them matched the importance of the world they currently faced.

Naruto's focus sharpened. He bypassed the ordinary, the expected, and zeroed in on something that felt different, something unique. "There's one path…" he muttered softly, almost as if speaking to himself. "Focus on your roots, Kiba. Grow them. Enhance the very essence of the Inuzuka clan. Don't let your mind wander to things that aren't you."

He could feel Kiba's presence even more clearly now, his shadow prowling through the wilds. Naruto saw it—Kiba, as a predator, moving through the world with deadly precision, his senses honed, cutting through massive beasts that loomed with overwhelming life force. With every victory, every kill, Kiba's power surged, his body growing stronger, more attuned to the world's primal energy. Naruto's words resonated in the air, and Kiba could almost feel the shift within him, the vision unfolding in his mind like a distant prophecy.

"...Hunt, Hunt, Hunt…" Naruto continued, his voice growing more intense, as though he were channeling the very spirit of the Inuzuka clan. "Hunt beasts of power, and drink in their essence. It is your destiny."

Kiba listened intently, absorbing each word. He felt something stir within him—a spark of purpose. This path, this primal future, resonated with him in a way no other path had. He could almost see the future Naruto spoke of: himself as a fearsome predator, exuding an aura so dangerous that nothing could stand against him.

But as Naruto spoke, his eyes glazed over for a brief moment, his focus drifting as if he were looking beyond Kiba—into something far more distant. There was an eerie quality to his voice now, as if he were channeling not just the present but the future as well. His golden eyes, like those of a beast, glowed with an otherworldly intensity, and Kiba felt an unfamiliar unease creep over him.

Naruto gripped Kiba's shoulders with both hands, his golden gaze locking onto Kiba's. It was a moment of clarity—of destiny passing between them—but the air itself seemed to shift with Naruto's deep connection to the world around him. He was walking a fine line between the physical and spiritual, and Kiba could feel the power humming in the air, as though the entire world was reacting to his words.

Naruto's voice dropped, the warmth in it fading as he muttered a final phrase, as though to no one in particular: "Why don't you follow your destiny? What a hypocrite."

A sudden shiver ran through Kiba. He turned his head quickly, his heart racing. The atmosphere around them had changed—darkness seemed to loom, thick and oppressive. In the periphery of his vision, something moved. It was as though shadows themselves were alive, and he could feel eyes—golden eyes—staring at him from somewhere beyond his understanding.

For a brief moment, there was an unsettling silence, and then the shadows seemed to stir. He couldn't see what was watching him, but he felt it: the weight of something ancient and powerful, its presence making his blood run cold. The voice came again, but this time it was distant, almost amused.

"What a hypocrite," the voice echoed, like a mocking whisper that reverberated through the dark. "You speak of destiny, yet you fear it."

Kiba looked around frantically, but whatever had spoken had disappeared, vanishing into the unseen corners of the world. The weight of its presence lingered, unsettling Kiba as much as it had Naruto. Naruto, now visibly strained, released his grip on Kiba's shoulders and straightened up.

The trance Naruto had fallen into had been overwhelming. His connection to the Universe, the flow of possibilities, had been too much for his mortal body to bear. As the weight of the futures and their infinite paths collided with the very resistance of the world itself, Naruto felt his mind almost snap under the strain. Blood poured from his mouth as his body began to react to the pressure—his brain felt as though it were on the verge of bursting, and his eyes bled as the physical toll of the experience took its toll.

Before he could even react, he collapsed. His body went limp, and Kiba, who had been observing Naruto closely, rushed to his side. His hands were steady as he caught Naruto and laid him down gently. His heart raced in panic.

"Naruto, what happened? Is it an enemy?" Kiba's voice was urgent, his worry evident. His instinct was to reach out to others for help, but as he made to call for backup, Naruto gripped his hand weakly and shook his head.

"It's okay." Naruto's voice was strained, and the words came out as little more than a rasp. The damage was severe—his fast healing powers weren't enough to counteract the effects of his reckless actions. It was as if the world itself was slowing down his recovery, punishing him for trying to force a glimpse into the future.

Naruto's mind had pushed beyond its limits, seeking to understand the true future in the face of overwhelming costs. With every push of his abilities, the consequences grew worse. As he lay there, feeling the pain cut through him like a blade, Kurama's voice cut through his thoughts.

'You will die before the fight even takes place if you continue being this reckless,' the voice rumbled, a warning wrapped in concern. Kurama had seen the toll this ability was taking, and the damage was escalating with each use.

'Yeah, I can see that,' Naruto replied with a sharp, sarcastic edge, the pain making him snap back at the voice, though he knew Kurama was right.

Kiba remained by Naruto's side, still confused and worried. "Naruto… What's going on? What did you see?" he asked, his voice laced with concern. He had no idea what Naruto had been experiencing, but seeing his friend in such a vulnerable state was terrifying.

Naruto took a moment to gather himself, slowly sitting up and wiping the blood from his lips. He let out a heavy sigh as he began to explain, though he kept much of it vague, not wanting to burden Kiba with the full weight of what he was doing. He also reached out to Hades for guidance, a figure who had been pivotal in understanding the depths of their situation.

Hades, ever cryptic, gave his answer. "Let him hunt. Let him survive in the Realm of Hungry Beasts."

The Realm of Hungry Beasts was a dimension unlike any other, one filled with creatures of immense power. These beasts lacked higher intelligence, relying instead on raw predatory instincts that made them fierce and relentless. It was a world where survival of the fittest was the only rule, a world that would test the very core of Kiba's being.

Naruto's brow furrowed, sensing the danger. "Are you sure about this?" he asked, the worry in his voice barely masked. He knew that entering such a realm was dangerous—there were creatures there stronger than even him, and the risk of death was very real.

Kiba met Naruto's gaze, his expression serious but tinged with uncertainty. "Yes, but don't worry," he said, his voice slightly stronger now. "I won't jump in without preparations. I'll spend a few months studying and adapting to the information we've gathered. I'm not an idiot, okay?" He reassured Naruto with a smirk, though the tension in his body was still palpable. He wasn't rushing into a deathtrap, but he needed to find the answers—he could feel the weight of destiny pushing him forward.

"Are you sure?"

Kiba, though still concerned, found himself unable to stay mad. He sighed, shaking his head. "Dude, that was just rude. I've never done anything that stupid…" he began, but then the memories of all the reckless things he'd done, especially during the war, flooded back to him. "Okay, fine. I promise I won't jump into another world without your permission."

Naruto's chuckle echoed through the air as he pulled Kiba into a tight hug. The moment of levity was a welcome break from the tension. "It's a promise," Naruto said, his voice softer. "I'll send a clone to keep an eye on you. It's not perfect, but it's something. I won't be able to let you go off without some kind of protection."

Kiba nodded, the weight of the promise sinking in. "I'll be careful. You know I won't do anything too reckless."

But even as Kiba spoke, Naruto couldn't help the nagging feeling of doubt. It was a dangerous world out there, and even with his clone, he couldn't shake the worry that Kiba might face something that even he wasn't prepared for.

But for now, all they could do was prepare—and hope that it was enough.