A mere Nine-Tails' Rampage.
He said it so casually.
The last time the Nine-Tails went on a rampage, it nearly destroyed Konoha. Countless people died horrific deaths. The only reason it stopped was because the Fourth Hokage and his wife sacrificed their lives.
And now... how many more people would have to die?
Iruka's eyes went bloodshot with rage. He glared at Kabuto, wishing he could tear him limb from limb right there on the spot. This bastard had the gall to call this a gift! Orochimaru was a madman, and his followers were just as insane.
"You seem a little angry," Kabuto observed, a hint of mock surprise in his voice. He knew all about Naruto's situation. "But aren't you the ones who've kept the kid on the verge of a mental breakdown his whole life?"
Iruka froze. He couldn't even argue. Kabuto was right.
The kid had been on the edge, living under a cloud of hatred since he was born. He'd barely known a moment of kindness or love. Naruto had stumbled through life, pushing back against all the darkness and injustice with nothing but his own stubborn will.
"It was so simple, really," Kabuto continued, his tone light and cheerful. "Konoha's already done ninety-nine percent of the work for us. You've always wanted that kid to die, haven't you?"
"All we had to do was take the final step—tell him the truth and let him finally realize his life has always been a pit of despair. That's all it took."
"No..." Iruka gritted his teeth.
No, it's not like that...
That kid shouldn't have to live in despair forever!
He deserved to see the light!
Naruto Uzumaki, the boy who carried the Nine-Tails, was just an ordinary kid underneath it all. A kid who knew nothing but still carried the village's burden.
After tonight... would he even survive? The villagers already hated the Nine-Tails. Once this rampage was over, what fresh hell would be waiting for Naruto?
Iruka was just a chunin instructor. He wasn't some high-ranking shinobi who understood the politics of jinchuriki. He was just a teacher, worried sick about his student being used as a pawn.
"Naruto..." Iruka clenched his fists. He had to tell everyone the truth. None of this was Naruto's fault. It was all a scheme hatched by Orochimaru's lackey.
-----
Elsewhere in Konoha Village, the night dragged on.
Sleep wasn't coming easily for many people. Some academy graduates were too excited about their new headbands to rest, their families celebrating the arrival of a new ninja. But for others, the deeper thinkers in Konoha, sleep was impossible. There were still hidden dangers to deal with.
One of them was the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
The old man sat in his office, puffing on his pipe, his mind fixed on one thing. He had just finished assigning the new graduates to their teams, but there was still one lingering problem he hadn't solved: Naruto Uzumaki and the Nine-Tails sealed inside him.
While it wasn't an immediate crisis, Hiruzen knew he needed to handle it properly. He wanted a better resolution this time.
It seems... I'll have to ask for his help.
Hiruzen blew a smoke ring. He needed to go to Emiya Shirou.
He hoped Emiya would be the one to tell Naruto the full story of the Nine-Tails. Only Emiya knew all the secrets. It would make it easier for Naruto to accept being a jinchuriki and help him understand that the demon inside him wasn't just a curse.
But it looked like he was out of time.
The windows of the Hokage's office rattled violently. Hiruzen, pipe still in his mouth, walked to the window. In the distance, a red glow lit up the sky. His arm trembled.
"How... How is this possible?"
Why now?
How could Naruto's seal break today of all days?
Hiruzen knew what had happened at the graduation ceremony. He'd seen Jiraiya spending time with Naruto, guiding him through a big day. A rampage shouldn't be happening. And besides, the Nine-Tails had no reason to act up, right?
Not with Emiya Shirou in the village.
But as Hokage, Hiruzen had no time to be confused. He took off his ceremonial hat and robe. Underneath, he wore a set of battle-ready leather armor.
Ever since the Fourth Hokage died and he'd had to take the hat back, he'd slept in his armor, ready to shoulder the burden of protecting Konoha alone.
But now, he wasn't alone. His two students, Tsunade and Jiraiya, were back in the village.
"Go, inform Jiraiya and Tsunade," Hiruzen ordered the ANBU guards hidden in the shadows. He started to add something else. "And..."
He stopped himself. No need to state the obvious. He knew Emiya wouldn't just stand by and watch. Whether it was for Naruto or the Nine-Tails, Emiya's character wouldn't allow him to sit by while a tragedy unfolded.
-----
At the Konoha Hospital, Emiya Shirou was spending his evening as he often did—discussing medical ninjutsu with Tsunade or reviewing her case files and offering corrections.
The room was brightly lit. He stood leaning against a window, a solitary figure against the glass. From the outside, it was a familiar sight. He seemed to never need rest, as if he were always busy.
When the Nine-Tails' chakra flared into existence, Emiya glanced at the clock on the wall. "A little later than I expected. But it doesn't matter."
-----
Inside the Uzumaki Clan's Mask Hall, the Nine-Tails' chakra was surging, growing more powerful by the second. The number of tails sprouting from Naruto's back was increasing.
Mizuki, the man who had started all this, was frozen in terror. He could feel the overwhelming power radiating from the boy and knew how utterly insignificant he was in comparison.
"No... Don't..." Tears and snot streamed down Mizuki's face.
The raw red chakra in the air was so dense it was almost suffocating. He could feel a murderous intent pressing in on him. The corrosive energy was getting stronger, and his skin had already started to burn from just being near it.
"Naruto!" he screamed from his hiding spot in the corner, his voice cracking. "Calm down, kid! Don't you want to see your father? Just find the treasure, and you can ask him why he sealed the Nine-Tails in your body!"
That had been the plan. The mysterious man he was working with had told him to use that lie. As long as Naruto wanted answers from his father, he would help them find the Uzumaki clan's treasure—a relic said to communicate between the living and the dead.
But what the hell went wrong? They hadn't found a single trace of the treasure. Naruto had learned the truth, and the Nine-Tails had immediately lost control.
The next moment, an eighth tail burst from Naruto's back. He was no longer recognizable. His entire body was encased in a cloak of crimson chakra, eight tails lashing wildly behind him. He had become a monster.
"Help... Help me..." Mizuki whimpered, his eyes rolling back in his head.
BOOM!
The wall of the Mask Hall exploded inward. Tsunade smashed through, her brow furrowed in annoyance. "What are you screaming about?" she barked. "Shut the hell up!"
"Lady Tsunade..." Mizuki sobbed, looking at her like she was his savior.
"What's the situation?" Jiraiya appeared beside Tsunade in a flash. He shot a quick glance at Mizuki before his eyes locked on Naruto, his expression turning grim. "Eight tails? On his first-ever rampage?"
The ANBU hadn't even had time to alert them. The moment the Nine-Tails' chakra erupted, Tsunade and Jiraiya had been on the move, their speed outmatching even their teacher, Hiruzen.
"It's just this guy here," Tsunade said, her eyes narrowed. "And this is the Mask Hall my grandmother built."
She clenched her fist and glared at Mizuki. "He must be behind this. We'll deal with him later."
"N-no! It wasn't me!" Mizuki waved his hands frantically, trying to deny everything. "It was Naruto! The kid wanted to know about his parents!"
"Ignore him," Jiraiya said, raising his palm. His eyes were dead serious. "Let's seal the Nine-Tails first. With a chakra outbreak this massive, the kid's already lost his mind. Sealing it again is going to be tough."
But the mindless Naruto sensed the threat. A crimson chakra claw lunged at Jiraiya's chest, moving so fast that even he couldn't react in time.
"Get out of the way!"
Tsunade kicked Jiraiya clear. She slammed her palms together, releasing the chakra from both her Cursed Seal and the Strength of a Hundred Seal. Dark markings flowed like water across her face.
She knew she couldn't afford to hold back. The moment the fight started, she would need to be at full power.