Chapter 61: The Storm is Brewing
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"Ugh..."
In the stone chamber of the forbidden area within Hell Valley, the Raikage, A, opened his eyes. His body and hands were bound by chains, his chakra completely drained, leaving him utterly powerless.
He found himself trapped within the shadow of a monstrous creature.
Before him stood a five-meter-tall black gorilla, its body pierced with black rods, baring its fangs. Its large Rinnegan eyes stared directly at the man before it.
There was no doubt—this gorilla was one of the Animal Path's summoned creatures, controlled by Naruto.
"Yo, you're awake."
The speaker was a parrot perched on the gorilla's shoulder. The parrot, about a meter long, also had black rods embedded in its wings and back, and its eyes, too, were Rinnegan.
"!?" The Raikage's gaze was filled with shock and suspicion as the parrot spoke, "Don't be so surprised. This is my summoned beast, Mighty Kong and Brother Sakura."
The Raikage asked, "Your summoned beast can even speak for you!?"
The parrot replied, "Speaking is Brother Sakura's specialty. As for Mighty Kong, in terms of brute strength, he might even surpass you."
The Raikage roared, "Are you saying I can't even defeat this gorilla!?"
The parrot said, "I never said that. Don't overinterpret."
The Raikage was furious. He looked at his bandaged shoulder and demanded, "Why haven't you killed me!?"
The parrot explained, "Unless someone blocks my path or touches my reverse scale, I generally don't take lives."
The Raikage retorted, "So you're saying I'm no threat to you!?"
The parrot sighed, "If that's how you choose to interpret it, I can't stop you."
The Raikage bellowed, "I see now. You're deliberately trying to humiliate me! A warrior can be killed but not humiliated. Just kill me already!"
The parrot replied, "I'm very busy. There's a wall behind you. Feel free to bash your head against it."
---
On the training platform in the forbidden area.
Naruto, clad in his Purple Lightning Cloak, was striking the Heavenly Thunder Pillar with all his might. With each punch and kick, bolts of lightning descended, tempering his body.
As mentioned before, the Heavenly Thunder Pillar was one of the treasures of the Hell Valley forbidden area. It could withstand any attack and would release a corresponding bolt of lightning based on the force it received.
Crackling sounds filled the air.
As Naruto struck the black wooden pillar, he couldn't help but marvel at it.
"How fascinating. It's clearly a piece of wood, yet it absorbs all my attacks. This is definitely no ordinary wood. Could it be a product of Wood Release?"
Tap.
Naruto paused his fist on the pillar, spreading his hand to feel its surface, lost in thought.
Hell Valley was a masterpiece left behind by a descendant of the Sage of Six Paths.
Everything here—the ever-changing climate, the self-repairing land, and this wooden pillar—was crafted by that descendant.
The first two abilities were likely related to Yin-Yang Release techniques. As for this wooden pillar, it was extraordinary, likely a combination of Wood Release and Yin-Yang Release.
Thinking about it, a descendant of the Sage of Six Paths, possessing the abilities of Sage Arts, Wood Release, and Yin-Yang Release... Could it be—
Naruto suddenly considered a possibility.
The creator of Hell Valley was actually Asura!?
Asura, the youngest son of the Sage of Six Paths!
And Naruto was the reincarnation of Asura!
If that were true...
Naruto looked around at the mountains and rivers, feeling a newfound sense of kinship with Hell Valley.
---
In the stone chamber, through shared vision, Naruto saw the Raikage's gloomy expression. Intending to tease him, Naruto spoke through Brother Sakura, "Raikage, Hell Valley is my home. You're not allowed to train here anymore."
The Raikage remained silent.
Naruto continued through Brother Sakura, "How about this, Raikage? I'll allow you to train here if Kumogakure provides Amegakure with an annual construction fund of 100 million ryō~!"
The Raikage stayed silent, the chains clinking softly.
Soon, Naruto finished a phase of his training and, with a towel draped over his shoulders, entered the stone chamber.
He took out a bento prepared by Konan and handed a portion to the Raikage. "Here, eat."
Snap!
Naruto broke apart his chopsticks and began eating with relish.
After finishing, he looked up at the Raikage and asked curiously, "Why aren't you eating?"
The Raikage lifted his head, his eyes blazing with fury. "How am I supposed to eat when I'm still tied up!?"
Naruto scratched his head. "Oh, sorry. That wasn't intentional."
---
After the meal, Naruto returned to the training platform.
"Alright, time to start some high-intensity training!"
He used the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu and began a grueling training regimen in the harsh environment.
In the stone chamber, the Raikage listened to the deafening sounds outside, unsure of what to think.
Late at night, Naruto returned from his training.
The Raikage scoffed, "If you're so capable, try striking the pillar without using Lightning Release to protect yourself. I managed that three years ago!"
Naruto didn't argue. "Don't compare me to a musclehead. But your suggestion... I might give it a shot."
"Hmph, overestimating yourself!" The Raikage knew full well that without twenty years of taijutsu training, such an attempt would be suicidal.
Naruto actually tried it.
However, he used the Preta Path's Rinnegan ability to absorb a portion of the lightning with his body, redirecting the rest through the Preta Path's power.
This made his training even smoother. Before he knew it, his physique had become lean and muscular—not bulky like the Raikage's, but compact and brimming with strength.
Zzzzt!
Days later, Naruto's Kotoamatsukami ability had recovered.
He approached the Raikage and asked, "A, my previous actions against Kumogakure had their reasons. Would you be willing to turn from enemy to ally?"
The Raikage replied, "Naruto Uzumaki, I admit you're capable. But in my ninja way, there is no such thing as retreat! Unless you kill me today, I will come for you another day!"
"As expected, you're still the same. I admire your resolve. So—"
Naruto smiled faintly and reached for his mask, revealing his right Sharingan eye.
Boom!
At that moment, his shadow clone stationed in Amegakure was dispelled.
Naruto paused, then re-donned his mask.
"Very well. War has a way of making ninjas stronger. One day, that strength will be directed at the true enemy. I look forward to seeing you grow, A."
Whoosh!
Naruto disappeared in the light of the Flying Raijin, leaving A bewildered.
---
Amegakure, atop the tower.
Konan said coolly, "We've just received intel. Akatsuki is preparing to launch a full-scale assault on Konoha."
Naruto replied solemnly, "I know. That's why I've returned."
Boom!
Outside the tower, thunder roared and lightning flashed as torrential rain poured down. Since Naruto's return, the largest battle yet was about to erupt!