CHAPTER 283
Rage and Reason
Kurama (the Nine-Tails) was momentarily stunned. As he looked into Naruto's determined eyes, he immediately understood his host's intent.
Naruto had long been aware of his identity, but he didn't want others to uncover certain truths. With no other options, he chose to rely on his own strength to obliterate the corpse and erase all traces.
At a time like this, instead of asking for help, you're worrying about something so trivial…
Kurama let out a mental sigh, slightly exasperated, but still funneled a portion of his chakra through the gaps in the seal.
This time, Naruto did not resist the overwhelming malice within the Nine-Tails' chakra. Instead, he let it consume him, truly feeling its raw, violent power.
The moment he stopped resisting, it only took a few seconds for rage to completely overtake him. The transformation was instant. With a single outburst, he obliterated the corpse, leaving behind only shattered remains. His red, glowing eyes then turned to the moon shining outside his window.
"So this… is the power of the Nine-Tails?" Naruto muttered to himself. "It's intoxicating."
Barely maintaining his consciousness, he leapt from the window and rushed toward the outskirts of the village.
Inside the sealed space, Kurama sighed.
"Even in this state, he still deliberately avoids the crowded areas. Does this kid still have a shred of kindness in his heart?"
---
Clash Between Konoha and Kumo
Not far from Naruto's rampage, a squad of ANBU stood face-to-face with the Kumogakure envoy, the tension between them thick enough to cut with a kunai.
Even from several hundred meters away, they could feel the oppressive weight of Naruto's chakra. The sheer malice in it gnawed at their senses, sending chills down their spines.
This is the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki going berserk?
Uzuki Yugao's grip tightened around her sword as she glared at the Kumo-nin leader.
"Honored guests of Kumogakure," she said, voice laced with suspicion, "aren't you going to come with us?"
The Cloud-nin looked grim, but they had little choice. Running wasn't an option—this was Konoha's home turf, and the ANBU weren't alone. Among them was a swordswoman renowned for her precision, and an operative skilled in evasion and stealth. Escape was impossible.
The Kumo captain hesitated, then spoke. "The truth will reveal itself. We did not attack the Jinchūriki, but he has lost control. Shouldn't you be focusing on that?"
"The Torture and Interrogation Unit will determine the truth soon enough."
Yugao's eyes remained cold as she turned slightly, speaking into the air. "Hayate, what's happening with the Jinchūriki? Didn't I tell you to find Captain Kakashi?"
A faint cough followed as Moonlight Hayate emerged from the shadows, his condition frailer than usual. "I fired the signal flare," he reported between breaths, "but when I tried to reach the Jinchūriki, I was intercepted by another masked ninja. He didn't try to kill me… just stalled for time."
"No lethal intent… deliberately delaying us?"
Yugao's face darkened as realization dawned. We've been caught in something bigger.
In a faint voice, she murmured, "Hayate, I think it's safer outside the village than in it these days."
Hayate gave her a weary look before exhaling. "You might be right."
---
The Jinchūriki's Rampage
Despite his desperate attempts to maintain control, Naruto couldn't stop the destruction in his wake.
Houses, shops, and streets crumbled like paper against the violent force of the tailed beast's chakra. The sheer magnitude of the destruction jolted nearby villagers from their sleep. Groggy eyes peeked through wooden shutters—only to widen in sheer terror.
A blood-red, feral form prowled the streets, its malevolent energy rolling off in waves.
Memories of the attack four years ago flooded their minds.
A strangled scream died in someone's throat as they collapsed, clutching their head in fear. Some cowered under blankets, desperately trying to shut out the horror unfolding outside.
---
Kakashi Moves
Perched atop a rooftop, Hatake Kakashi observed the chaos with a deepening frown.
Naruto had lost control—but unlike before, he was no longer a helpless boy. His chakra was wilder, stronger, and far more destructive.
Sighing, Kakashi removed the headband covering his Sharingan. The tomoe within his left eye spun slowly in the moonlight.
Looks like I have no choice.
Tracking the violent energy, he flickered through the rooftops, following Naruto's path of destruction. It didn't take long to locate him. In a park where training equipment once stood, only shattered remnants remained. The ground was scarred with deep trenches, evidence of the boy's uncontrolled power.
Naruto's feral eyes locked onto him. Step by step, the boy advanced, his hands curled into claws.
Kakashi tensed. He clasped his hands together, and in an instant, his palm sparked to life with crackling electricity. The sharp chirping of Chidori echoed through the night.
Just as Kakashi prepared to counter, Naruto suddenly stopped.
The ominous crimson chakra flickered. Then, as if extinguished, it disappeared entirely.
A moment later, Naruto's body slumped forward.
With a blur of movement, Kakashi caught him before he hit the ground.
His sharp eyes scanned the unconscious boy. His breathing was heavy, but stable. However, his arm was wounded—a key clue in understanding what had triggered the transformation.
Putting the pieces together… someone tried to harm Naruto.
Kakashi's mind worked quickly. Someone within the village had instigated this attack—possibly an assassination or an abduction attempt. But who? And why now?
Before he could dwell on it further, a presence arrived.
---
The Hokage's Arrival
A squad of ANBU materialized around him, followed by the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Kakashi, did you suppress the Jinchūriki?" the aged leader asked.
Kakashi shook his head. "No. He burned out on his own. However, despite his rampage, he didn't harm a single villager—only the surroundings."
At those words, the Third Hokage felt some tension leave his shoulders. Behind him, the ANBU exchanged glances, murmuring among themselves.
Even in a berserk state, he subconsciously avoided harming people?
Hiruzen remained silent for a moment, then nodded. "You did well. Leave Naruto to me. Secure the area and report to me later."
Kakashi hesitated. His gaze lingered on Naruto's unconscious face, an uncanny resemblance to a man long gone.
This boy…
A ghost of a memory surfaced—of a blond-haired man with an easy smile and unwavering resolve.
The resemblance is too strong. Could he…
Before he could finish the thought, Hiruzen spoke again.
"Kakashi."
Snapping back to reality, Kakashi gave a nod and vanished into the night.
Hiruzen exhaled, glancing toward the Hyūga Compound.
The leader of the Kumo envoy was killed, and now the Jinchūriki lost control.
This night is far from over.
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