The Yin half of Kurama let out one final, desperate roar, its voice shaking the barrier.
"Damn you, Uzumaki Naruto! Even if I vanish here, I'll curse you as a ghost!"
Its furious chakra writhed for an instant, then flickered like a dying flame. The Yin Nine-Tails dissolved into nothingness, swallowed by the merging force that bound it together with the Yang half.
Silence followed.
Then—power surged.
Naruto felt it crash through him like a tidal wave. Kurama's chakra, once divided, now fused back into its original whole. The complete Nine-Tails towered above him, far larger than either half alone, its body solid and immense, tails thrashing like mountains in motion. The sheer pressure of its chakra rolled outward, making the Four Violet Flames Barrier tremble and hum.
For the first time, Naruto truly sensed what complete meant. Compared to this, the Yang half he had relied on before felt like nothing more than a fragment.
He closed his eyes briefly, breathing in. This is it. The true power of the Nine-Tails.
Kurama's growl vibrated through the air, but this time, there was no separate Yin or Yang voice—only a unified presence.
With a faint smile, Naruto formed a seal and pressed his palm to the earth. "True Transformation Technique."
Smoke burst outward. The gigantic fox shrank, chakra condensing into human form. Within seconds, Naruto stood there again, his cloak of power hidden beneath the guise of flesh and blood.
From the shadows, a slow clap echoed. Orochimaru approached, his golden eyes glinting with amusement. "Impressive… truly impressive, Naruto-kun." He licked his lips. "You've completely absorbed the power of the Nine-Tails. Not even the Fourth Hokage dreamed of such a thing. Your strength… It's already stepping into a realm beyond human."
Naruto shot him a side glance. "You really like laying it on thick, don't you, Orochimaru?"
The Sannin chuckled, unbothered by the jab. "Flattery or truth, sometimes they are the same. What matters is that you've taken another step closer to your dream."
Naruto exhaled, suppressing the wild storm of chakra inside him. He didn't need to flaunt it. The fox within had submitted—no, had become whole under his will. That was enough.
He looked at Orochimaru. "Let's head back. The commotion here will draw attention before long."
"Very well." Orochimaru's tongue flicked across his lips. "As expected of you, Naruto-kun, always thinking several steps ahead."
Naruto placed a hand on his shoulder. A flash of space-time distortion, and the two vanished from the ruins of Uzushio, leaving behind only shattered stone and whispers of power.
Back in the underground research base, the air smelled faintly of disinfectant and damp stone. Orochimaru leaned casually against the wall, eyes narrowing with intrigue.
"Now then," he began, "about your next request… the development of a Yin clone. For that, I'll require Sasuke's cells as a foundation, combined with yours. The compatibility is… exquisite."
Naruto nodded, his expression serious. "Do it. But don't forget—the Oni Yaro technique. I want it secured as soon as possible."
Orochimaru chuckled. "So eager. You needn't worry, Naruto-kun. Kabuto is already preparing the groundwork. Everything will proceed smoothly."
"Good." Naruto's tone was clipped, decisive. He trusted Orochimaru's competence when it came to forbidden research. The man might be a serpent, but he was his serpent now.
Dawn light was creeping faintly into the world above by the time Naruto rose to leave. He placed his hand on the Flying Thunder God marker and disappeared in a blur of yellow light, reappearing in Konoha as if he had never been gone.
Far away, in the hidden base of Akatsuki, a different storm brewed.
Nagato stood slowly, his new legs—grown from White Zetsu cells—supporting him with surprising strength. For the first time in over a decade, he was no longer bound to the mechanical support frame. Chakra pulsed through him, revitalized, his once-gaunt frame now holding new vigor. His hair, streaked with exhaustion before, deepened in color, his Rinnegan gleaming with renewed light.
Konan's lips curved into a rare smile. "Nagato… you're walking again. It feels like a dream."
"I've made you worry for too long, Konan." His voice was low but steadier than before. "But now, I can fight once more. The path of pain is not yet over."
Uchiha Obito watched silently from beneath his mask, a spark of unease flickering behind his single Sharingan. The results of the White Zetsu graft were even better than he had anticipated. Still, he kept his tone light. "With your strength restored, Akatsuki will move faster than ever. The world won't be able to resist."
Nagato's gaze sharpened. "Then we waste no time. The hunt for the tailed beasts resumes."
Meanwhile, Obito slipped away, Kamui swirling around him. He emerged in a dim chamber where Uchiha Sasuke awaited, pale and silent. The younger Uchiha's hand clenched around the bandages covering his eyes.
"Obito," Sasuke said without hesitation. "Do it. Give me Itachi's eyes."
Obito tilted his head, feigning mild surprise. "So, you've finally decided."
"I'll surpass him. And Naruto." Sasuke's voice was laced with iron. "I'll crush Konoha with my own hands."
Obito's eye gleamed. "Good. With the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, your path will open."
The surgery preparations began, the scent of antiseptic mixing with the promise of blood and vengeance.
Back in Konoha, Tsunade slammed a mission report onto her desk, her temper boiling over.
"Damn it! Akatsuki moved faster than we thought. The Three-Tails, Four-Tails, and Five-Tails have already been captured!" Her fist cracked the wood beneath her palm. "That stubborn fool Ōnoki—if he had taken my warnings seriously, this wouldn't have happened!"
Shizune stood to the side, tense and silent, not daring to interrupt.
Finally, Tsunade exhaled sharply and barked, "Summon Team Seven. Now."
At Ichiraku Ramen, Naruto's chopsticks froze mid-bite when an ANBU operative appeared at his side.
"Uzumaki Naruto. Hokage-sama requests your immediate presence."
Naruto sighed, setting his bowl down with regret. "Figures. Guess lunch will have to wait." He tossed some coins onto the counter. "Sorry, old man. Duty calls."
Teuchi smiled knowingly. "Go on, Naruto. The Hokage's orders come first."
Moments later, Naruto entered the Hokage's office. Sakura was already there, and Kakashi arrived just after him, flipping his book closed.
Tsunade's expression was grave. "Your mission is to locate the Seven-Tails' jinchūriki. Akatsuki's pace is too fast—we can't afford to lose another. Protect her before they move."
Kakashi accepted the scroll. "Understood."
As they left the tower, Naruto glanced up at the sky, his lips curling into a faint smile. The Seven-Tails, huh? Too bad, Tsunade-baa-chan… she's been in my hands for a long time already. Akatsuki won't find her, no matter how hard they search.
Adjusting his pack, he joined Kakashi and Sakura at the gate, their journey beginning once again into a world already trembling from Akatsuki's advance.
And far away, under the grey sky, Nagato raised his Rinnegan toward the horizon, whispering to himself:
"The time for true peace has come. Through pain."
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