Naruto: The Otsutsuki Naruto

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~ Every 400 PS = Bonus Chapter!

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Back in the day, when Kisame infiltrated Konoha alongside Itachi, Naruto was just a child.

Apart from his status as the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Kisame hadn't paid him any mind.

In just a few short years, however, Naruto's growth had been nothing short of astonishing.

First, he took down two of Kakuzu's hearts in a single strike. Then, not long ago, he defeated Akatsuki's frontman, Pain.

Now, even Obito had begun to perceive him as a threat, forced to make a series of countermeasures.

Kisame spoke in a deep voice, "You're someone Akatsuki will take sooner or later. You've even taken the eyes he wanted. Our positions are irreconcilable. I can't think of a single reason why you'd save me."

Naruto replied, "Things always happen suddenly; reasons are something we search for afterward."

Kisame frowned. "Even so, whatever your motives may be, I won't act according to your wishes."

Beneath his mask, Naruto smiled faintly. "I understand. That's precisely why I admire you…"

"Ugh…"

"Ah…"

Both the Raikage and Killer Bee lay on the ground, still recovering. The sheer force of their high-speed collision was enough to prove their resilience, even though they hadn't succumbed to death.

Darui, leading the Kumogakure shinobi, quickly stepped forward to assist them.

Darui said, "Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, it's you again. Causing a scene at the Five Kage Summit wasn't enough? The intel you provided barely convinced the boss to let you off the hook, and yet you're still not giving up. Why have you come here?"

Naruto glanced at Killer Bee, pushing aside memories of the past. With neither arrogance nor humility, he replied, "He's already fulfilled his wish of saving his brother. Now, I'm here to save someone I want to save. Isn't that fair?"

Darui narrowed his eyes. "Someone you want to save… You mean that Akatsuki shark? But he doesn't seem to appreciate your kindness. What's your real goal?"

Naruto shrugged. "I'm under no obligation to tell you more~."

Darui raised his voice. "Then let's settle this with ninjutsu!"

—*Storm Release: Laser Circus!*

Storm Release, a combination of water and lightning, possessed both the destructive power of lightning and the control of water. From Darui's hands, multiple powerful laser beams shot toward Naruto!

Naruto simply raised his palm. A translucent sealing barrier unfolded before him, his left eye glowing faintly with its unique power.

—*Preta Path!*

Whoosh!

The lasers from Storm Release instantly dimmed, completely absorbed by the Preta Path.

Lowering his hand, Naruto said indifferently, "Stop. I have no intention of fighting you right now."

Darui gritted his teeth. "Tch, what a boring eye!"

Naruto raised his hand to the mask on his face. The mask had a single eyehole, exposing only his left eye.

"Kisame-san, I know full well that you won't abandon your position no matter what. So, forgive me for being presumptuous…"

As he removed the mask, Naruto turned to face Kisame. His right eye, previously hidden, revealed a Mangekyō Sharingan, its three tomoe spinning and transforming into a four-pronged pinwheel.

A dark red glow emanated from his eye.

—*Kotoamatsukami!*

Buzz!

The effect of this technique was subtle and imperceptible. The target wouldn't even realize they had been influenced, naturally aligning their actions with the caster's will.

Without any resistance… everything fell into place.

The earth broke open as Kisame's arm extended out.

Naruto reached out and pulled Kisame to his feet, smiling. "Kisame, I look forward to working with you."

Dusting off the dirt from his clothes, Kisame replied politely, "The pleasure is mine…"

"What!?" Darui couldn't believe his eyes. "How is this possible? Kisame's attitude earlier clearly showed he didn't care for Naruto's help. A man who faced death without fear—how could he betray his position over a simple life-saving favor!?"

The glow in Naruto's right eye faded as it reverted to its three-tomoe state. He replaced the mask on his face, concealing the Sharingan once more.

He extended his left hand toward Darui from a distance.

—*Banshō Ten'in!*

Whoosh!

A powerful gravitational force pulled Samehada from Killer Bee's back, sending it flying into Naruto's grasp.

Slash! Slash!

Samehada resisted, sprouting barbs from its hilt that pierced Naruto's hand, causing blood to flow freely. Yet Naruto's expression remained unchanged as he gripped the sword tightly.

Rustle, rustle, rustle…!

Samehada flailed wildly, trying to escape. When that failed, it began absorbing Naruto's chakra, causing its blade to swell.

Naruto smirked and activated the Preta Path's ability, reversing the flow and absorbing Samehada's chakra instead.

When it came to absorption, the Preta Path was unmatched.

Defeated, Samehada's massive blade rapidly shrank, drooping powerlessly.

"Chirp, chirp, chirp…" Samehada let out pitiful whimpers, completely subdued.

Clang!

Naruto tossed Samehada at Kisame's feet. "Here, it's yours."

Kisame picked up Samehada, brushing off the dirt. "A fellow traitor, huh? Looks like we'll be sticking together from now on, Samehada…"

With Samehada returned to its rightful owner, Hoshigaki Kisame had now pledged allegiance to Naruto.

Such was the power of *Kotoamatsukami*.

Naruto wrapped his bloodied left hand in a bandage, his gaze falling on the blood-stained ground beneath him. He placed a kunai, marked with an explosive tag, into the soil.

Raising his left hand, he rested it on Kisame's shoulder and said to the stunned Darui, "Well then, I'll be taking my leave…"

Whoosh!

—*Flying Raijin Jutsu!*

Naruto and Kisame vanished in an instant.

Boom!

The explosive tag detonated, obliterating the blood-stained ground entirely.

Rustle, rustle, rustle.

In the grass nearby, a small snake flicked its tongue, its vertical pupils glinting with frustration. "Tch, not even a drop of blood left behind. Naruto's no longer the reckless brat he used to be. Every move reeks of the caution of an old fox. No wonder even Orochimaru-sama was…"

…

"Ugh…"

No sooner had Naruto left than Raikage and Killer Bee regained consciousness.

Raikage growled, "Where's that Akatsuki shark bastard!?"

Killer Bee exclaimed, "Where's my Goodkid!?"

Darui replied, "They've been taken…"

Raikage's temper flared. "What did you say!? Uzumaki Naruto again!!! If I get my hands on him, I'll take his head myself!!!!"

Though disappointed at losing Samehada so soon after acquiring it, Killer Bee still broke into an impromptu song: "…"

Raikage glared. "Bee…"

Killer Bee looked back. "Big bro…"

Snap!

"Running around everywhere, causing me nothing but trouble!!!" Raikage's iron grip clamped down on Killer Bee's head.

"Awooo! Big bro's scolding, as fierce as ever, WEI~~~~…!!!" Killer Bee's cries of pain echoed far and wide.

Darui and the other Kumogakure shinobi exchanged helpless smiles.

…

Naruto and Kisame returned to the rendezvous point where Konan and Orochimaru were waiting.

They were all familiar faces.

Kisame chuckled. "Konan, Orochimaru, who would've thought we'd be working together again…"

Orochimaru smirked. "Even more surprising… Can I have a closer look at your Samehada for research this time?"

Konan asked, "Now that the objective is complete, shall we return to Amegakure?"

In the twilight, amidst the chirping of orioles and the lush greenery, Naruto couldn't help but recall the days of his training. Back then, after every training session, there was always one place he would go…

But now, perhaps he'd never set foot there again.

"Before that, there's one more place I need to visit…"