Before Naruto could ask more, the ground split open with a deafening crack. Black smoke poured from the fissure, followed by a monstrous roar that shook dust from the ceiling.
A creature erupted from the darkness—massive, wolf-like, but made of shifting shadow. Its ribs glowed red, as if burning from within.
Naruto felt chills run down his spine.
Kurama growled in his mind:
"I know that stench. It's older than tailed beasts."
Raiden's voice thundered:
"That is the Hoshigan—Eater of Hope. A being sealed long before the shinobi era. It devours light, grows from despair. Hashirama and I imprisoned it here."
The shadow creature lunged at Raiden, who raised a shimmering barrier of golden chakra.
But cracks appeared instantly.
"Naruto!" Shikamaru shouted. "He can't hold it!"
Naruto surged forward, Kurama's chakra exploding around him in golden waves.
"Then I'll help!!!"
He formed a massive Rasengan and slammed it into the beast's side. The creature recoiled—but instead of weakening, its red markings brightened.
Shikamaru's eyes widened.
"It's absorbing your chakra!"
Raiden roared, "You cannot fight it with power! Only with—"
His words were cut off as the beast smashed him across the chamber. Raiden crashed into the far wall and crumbled to his knees.
Naruto's heart dropped.
"Old man! You okay?!"
Raiden coughed blood.
"Listen to me. The Hoshigan grows by stealing hope. To defeat it, you must ignite more hope than it can consume."
Naruto blinked.
"Uh… how do I do that?!"
Raiden smiled weakly.
"By becoming what you already are. The fire that lights the world."