Chapter 77

The air in Mount Myoboku buzzed with a rare sense of urgency as the great toads gathered around the ancient stone courtyard. Perched on a moss-covered rock, Gamabunta exhaled a long stream of smoke from his pipe, his heavy-lidded eyes filled with contemplation. The world had changed drastically, and even the sacred toad realm—once a bastion of wisdom and power—was starting to lag behind.

Naruto stood in the center of the assembly, his golden Otsutsuki cloak flickering faintly under the artificial sunlight of the dimension. It was strange to see Mount Myoboku in such a state. The once formidable creatures that had trained him were now facing the bitter truth—they were falling behind.

"Naruto," Gamabunta finally said, his deep voice breaking the silence, "you've seen how much the human world has advanced. With the power you've gained, Konoha has ushered in a new era. But we... we have remained the same. We were created to aid humanity, but at this rate, we won't even be able to keep up."

The gathered toads murmured in agreement. Fukasaku and Shima, the elder sages, wore grim expressions. Even the Great Toad Sage, resting atop his colossal throne, looked troubled.

Naruto understood their concerns. The toad realm was small, consisting of a single planet sustained by an artificial sun. It was an ancient creation, dating back to the Sage of Six Paths himself. But time had passed, and their strength—once legendary—was no longer enough.

Tsunade and Orochimaru's research team had already proposed several solutions, but the toads had rejected anything that involved genetic modifications or cybernetic enhancements. They wanted to grow stronger naturally, without sacrificing their heritage. And so, the task had fallen to Naruto.

His answer was simple but ambitious—he would alter the very nature of their world.

Naruto's idea revolved around Natural Energy. Mount Myoboku was already rich in it, but that wasn't enough. What they needed was a higher concentration of natural energy, something that would force their evolution over time.

"I can increase the flow of natural energy here," Naruto explained, his gaze sweeping over the toads. "Think of it like breathing in denser air. The stronger the energy, the stronger your bodies will become to handle it."

He formed a small orb of cosmic energy in his palm, the golden sphere swirling with the power of distant stars.

"I can drain energy from a star or two and pour it into this realm. If I do it correctly, the natural energy here will increase exponentially. Your bodies will adapt, and many of you will awaken Sage Mode on your own."

A murmur of awe rippled through the crowd. The idea was radical but undeniably effective.

"Won't that be dangerous?" Shima asked cautiously. "Too much exposure to natural energy at once could turn us into stone."

Naruto nodded. "That's why I'll place barriers on each of you. The barriers will slowly increase the level of natural energy exposure, allowing your bodies to adapt safely. It won't be an instant transformation, but over time, you'll evolve naturally."

The toads exchanged glances, considering the proposal. It was an immense risk, but the alternative was stagnation.

As Naruto laid out his plan, another voice joined the conversation. Choji, who had been observing the discussion from the sidelines, stepped forward.

"Naruto's idea is amazing, but I think there's another way to speed up the process." He grinned, rubbing the back of his head. "It's based on something my clan has been doing for generations—getting stronger by eating."

The toads gave him a puzzled look. Even Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Eating? That's your big idea?"

Choji nodded. "Think about it. My clan's secret techniques work by consuming large amounts of food and converting it into power. What if the toads could do something similar? What if their bodies could naturally absorb the traits of whatever they consume?"

The concept was simple yet revolutionary—self-evolving cells that adapted based on what they ate. If a toad consumed a plant rich in natural energy, their body would incorporate that energy. If they fought and devoured stronger creatures, their cells would remember and grow accordingly.

"That way, you're not just passively adapting to the energy Naruto provides," Choji continued, "but actively evolving through battle and consumption."

Naruto crossed his arms, considering the implications. "But for that to work, their bodies need to be under stress. Otherwise, they won't need to evolve."

"Exactly!" Choji agreed. "It's like working out—you only grow stronger if you push past your limits."

Naruto turned back to the toads. "What do you guys think? A world filled with intense natural energy, plus the ability to evolve by consuming stronger prey. It won't be easy, but it will turn Mount Myoboku into a realm of true warriors."

Gamabunta grinned, resting his pipe between his lips. "Heh. Sounds like a pain, but I like it."

The elder sages looked to the Great Toad Sage, who slowly opened his massive eyes. "It is a great gamble… but one worth taking. If Mount Myoboku is to remain a pillar of strength in this world, we must adapt."

Naruto smirked. "Then it's decided. Let's make this place stronger than ever."

And with that, the future of Mount Myoboku was set on a new, unstoppable path.

The night was silent except for the gentle lapping of water against the shore. The moon cast an eerie glow upon the lake, illuminating the twisted figure of an old beggar struggling to drown himself. Scars marred his once-proud body, and his tattered clothes clung to his frail frame, soaked through from his repeated attempts at sinking into oblivion.

He had been here before—many times. Yet, each time, some primal instinct, some cowardly flicker of hope, had pulled him back to the surface.

This time was no different.

Spluttering, he dragged himself onto the shore, his breathing ragged, his limbs trembling. He pounded his chest in frustration, his voice hoarse from alcohol and grief.

"Why…? Why won't you let me die?" he rasped, his voice cracking. "This worthless heart… stop already… just stop…"

He clawed at the ground, staring at the reflection of his ruined face in the still water. He had once been a shinobi, a warrior. Now, he was nothing. No comrades, no home, no purpose—only suffering.

Memories flashed through his mind, ghostly remnants of a life long gone. The warmth of a home. The laughter of his beloved wife. The innocent eyes of his child.

And then—blood. Fire. Destruction.

He clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms.

You would have loved this place, Akiko…

His whispered confession was swallowed by the night.

Just then, movement caught his attention. His survival instincts kicked in, and he threw himself into the water, cutting his arm in the process. The blood seeped into the lake, its crimson hue lost in the darkness. Desperate, he tapped into his dwindling reserves—using the pure life force in his blood to fuel his body in place of chakra. It wasn't much, but it granted him sharper senses for a short while.

Through the water, he saw a small figure standing at the lake's edge—a girl, no older than thirteen.

His brows furrowed.

What is a child doing here at this hour?

She wasn't lost. That much was clear from the way she stood. Her posture was firm, her expression resolute. Then, she did something that sent a chill down his spine.

She called out a name.

"Hell Girl."

His breath caught as an unnatural stillness settled over the lake. The air itself seemed to tremble, and then—she appeared.

A girl in a dark kimono, standing in the moonlight. Her red eyes glowed softly, like embers in the night. She moved without sound, stepping toward the other girl as if emerging from the very fabric of the shadows.

The beggar's heart pounded. What… is she?

He watched in stunned silence as the girl received a small straw doll tied with a crimson ribbon. The moment she touched it, the air crackled with unseen power.

The girl muttered a name—a shinobi who had betrayed her. Someone who had toyed with her, then discarded her like garbage.

The beggar felt something stir inside him.

A name burned in his throat, an obsession that had haunted him for years.

Before he could stop himself, he broke the surface of the water.

"Please. Send the Raikage, Ay, to Hell."

His voice was raw, filled with something deeper than hatred—pure, unrelenting agony.

The girl turned to him, her crimson eyes meeting his hollow ones. He felt something coil around his soul, a weight pressing down on his chest. It wasn't fear—it was recognition.

She knew.

She understood.

The moment stretched, an eternity compressed into a second. Then, without hesitation, she stepped forward and handed him a second straw doll.

He stared at it, his hands trembling.

Unlike the other girl's target, this was something far greater. This wasn't some wandering shinobi who had wronged an innocent. This was the Raikage.

Lord Loss leaned forward, his red eyes gleaming with sadistic delight. His thin lips curled into a mocking smile, revealing the sharpness of his teeth. His amusement was clear—he enjoyed toying with her, savoring the fear and uncertainty in her expression. It was a game to him, one where he knew the outcome long before it began.

"Lord Loss, I can't accept this request," Ai's voice trembled, but she quickly steadied herself. Despite the fear gnawing at her insides, she could not let him see it. "The Raikage has changed. He's working with Naruto now. He's not the man he once was."

Lord Loss chuckled darkly, the sound sending a chill down Ai's spine. "You really believe that, don't you?" he mused, his fingers tracing invisible patterns in the air. "I couldn't care less about the Raikage's transformation. If he is so easily swayed, that only makes him more amusing to me."

Ai's expression hardened. "You can't deny a request, Ai. You can't just stop because of personal reasons. Do you want me to kill, Na. Ru. To?" The way he spoke Naruto's name was deliberate, like a knife twisting into her gut. Lord Loss seemed to take sick pleasure in the idea of hurting the one person who had shown her kindness, the person she trusted above all others.

"Why are you trying to hurt him? Don't you want to kill the sinners, not the innocent?" Ai's voice was firm, though the words trembled with the weight of her defiance.

"Ai, I am a demon lord," Lord Loss sneered, his eyes narrowing. "There is no such thing as human morals in my world. I just prefer evil humans over innocent ones. That doesn't mean I don't enjoy playing with the innocent as well." He leaned closer, his presence pressing in on her like a heavy fog. "I gain absolute joy from the pain and suffering of others. So, it's better for you to move along now before you end up becoming part of that suffering."

Ai took a step back, feeling the oppressive weight of his power. She clenched her fists, standing tall despite the overwhelming pressure. "He will beat you if you continue this."

Lord Loss laughed, a high-pitched, mocking sound that made Ai's skin crawl. "Hahaha, that's a funny joke, my little toy. None of these humans are ever going to save you from me. Your little hero is a drop in the ocean of my power. I am, unfortunately, the weakest demon lord. There are 72 of us, and he would have to defeat all of them before he could even reach me. Do you see the hopelessness of your situation?"

Ai's breath quickened, but her resolve never wavered. Despite Lord Loss's threats, despite his mockery, she held firm. "He will beat your ass." Her words were filled with confidence, the belief in Naruto's strength shining through. It was something that came from the heart, something she refused to let go of no matter the odds.

Lord Loss's expression darkened. He hated hope, despised it with every fiber of his being. "I really hate such talks, Ai. Hope… such a disgusting feeling." His tone was venomous as he took a step forward, the malicious energy radiating from him intensifying. "How about we start now, and get some delectable fear and desperation?"

Before Ai could react, she found herself moving against her will. Her body was no longer her own as the force of Lord Loss's power took control. Her feet dragged her forward, towards the Raikage. Despite every fiber of her being screaming to resist, she was drawn to him.