š HEAR YE, HEAR YE, BRAVE SOULS! šāØ
š„ Let the drums of destiny roar as we welcome our newest LEGENDARY adventurersā¦ āļø Moran! āļøšā”ļø Our journey just leveled UP with their arrival!
***********************************
Naruto had never been the type to dwell on the future. He was a man rooted in the present, making decisions based on instinct rather than careful foresight.
As he stood before Yagura Karatachi, the Fourth Mizukage, he had no idea what ripple effects his actions would create. But that was never his concern.
Yagura's eyes burned with rage, his body trembling with the surge of tailed beast chakra. Without hesitation, he began to transform, his form shifting into the fearsome Version 2 Tailed Beast Mode. A crimson cloak of chakra enveloped him, bubbling and boiling like molten lava.
His physical strength skyrocketed, and his speed became a blur to the untrained eye.
With a ferocious roar, Yagura charged at Naruto like a wild beast.
But Naruto remained calm.
With just a thought, he vanished from Yagura's path, teleporting effortlessly to another spot using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Yagura's fist smashed into the ground where Naruto had been standing, creating a massive crater.
Naruto narrowed his eyes. I can't let him fully transform into Isobu's complete form. If that happens, I'll have to reveal my trump cardsā¦ and I can't risk that with Obito lurking in the shadows.
He knew that Yagura's Coral Palmāa dangerous ability capable of rapidly growing coral structures to immobilize and drain chakraācould be problematic if he got hit.
Without wasting time, Naruto slowly extended his hand.
Adamantine Sealing Chains!
Golden chains erupted from his body, snaking through the air with blinding speed. They wrapped around Yagura, binding him tightly.
The chains glowed faintly, suppressing the flow of chakra and cutting off Yagura's connection to Isobu.
Yagura thrashed violently, his muscles bulging as he tried to break free. But no matter how hard he struggled, the chains didn't budge.
Even Kuramaāthe Nine-Tailsācouldn't break them, so how could Yagura?
Naruto raised one hand, forming a simple seal with his fingers.
Wood Release: Binding Roots!
Suddenly, thick roots burst from the ground, wrapping around Yagura's body like living serpents. The roots pulsed with life, draining his chakra with every second.
Yagura's struggles weakened.
Naruto stepped closer, his expression unreadable beneath his mask.
This is the moment.
He placed his palm gently on Yagura's forehead, closing his eyes as he focused. His consciousness slipped into Yagura's mindscape, but not before leaving a shadow clone outside to keep watch.
Obito Uchiha was still out there, and Naruto wasn't going to give him the chance to interfere with his Kamui.
----
Inside Yagura's Mindscape
The inner world was dark and murky, filled with thick mist.Ā
Naruto stood on the still, dark waters of the mindscapeāa vast, endless ocean under a crimson sky. The oppressive silence was broken only by the faint ripple of water beneath his feet as he took a casual step forward.
In the center, bound by heavy chakra chains, was Isobu, the Three-Tails. His massive, turtle-like form seemed both majestic and sorrowful. Three large tails swayed lazily behind him, and his single eyeāfilled with exhaustionāwatched Naruto's arrival.
Mist curled around the beast's form, thick and suffocating.
But Naruto simply raised a hand in greeting, a soft, almost casual smile tugging at his lips.
"Yo, Isobu."
The words echoed across the water, carried with a warmth so disarming that Isobu's enormous eye blinkedāonce, slowlyāfilled with something foreign: surprise.
For centuries, humans had come to him with greed in their heartsāseeking power, domination, and control. But this boyā¦
He was smiling.
Isobu's deep, rumbling voice rolled like distant thunder. "Youā¦ are not like the others."
Naruto chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his head. "Heh, yeah. I get that a lot."
Isobu's massive form shifted slightly, the water trembling under his weight. His singular eye narrowed, scrutinizing the strange human standing before him so fearlessly.
"What do you want?" The words were not barked with malice but heavy with suspicionāa question born from centuries of betrayal.
Naruto's smile faded, replaced by something softer. His voice dropped, carrying an honesty that cut deeper than any blade.
"I'm here to set you free."
Silence.
"Free?" The word tasted foreign in Isobu's mouth, as if it didn't belong to his world.
Naruto took another step forward, unafraid, even as the giant beast loomed like a god. "I know how much pain humans have caused you. How they've treated you like a toolā¦ a weapon."
He paused, his gaze steady, filled with something Isobu had never seen before.
Genuine sympathy.
"I'm sorry for that."
Isobu froze.
For centuries, he had heard humans scream commands, threats, and curses. But neverāneverāhad one apologized.
"ā¦Who are you?" Isobu finally rumbled, his voice quieter now, laced with confusion. "How do you know my name?"
Naruto's grin returned, but this time, it carried a hint of pride.
"The name's Naruto Uzumaki." He jabbed a thumb at his chest. "And I know you becauseā¦ well, I've got a friend kinda like you."
Isobu's eye narrowed. His gaze shifted slightly, as if peering past Naruto, sensing something hidden beneath the surface.
Then he felt it.
A pulse. A familiar, ancient presence woven into Naruto's very being.
Chakra.
Not just any chakraāKurama's chakra.
Isobu's eye widened slightly, the recognition hitting like a distant memory resurfacing from the depths.
"You'reā¦ a JinchÅ«riki."
Naruto's smile softened, his eyes reflecting both understanding and the weight of his own struggles. "Yep. And since Kurama and I are buddies,"
His voice lowered, filled with quiet conviction. "I'm here to help you."
Isobu stared for a long moment, his gaze piercing, as if trying to see through the boy's very soul.
But all he found there was truth.
No malice. No hidden agenda. Just an unshakable determinationā¦ and something even rarer.
Compassion.
For the first time in centuries, the Three-Tails didn't feel like a prisoner.
He felt seen.
Without another word, Naruto drew his sword. But instead of threatening Isobu, he turned his attention to the chains binding the beast to Yagura's will.
His blade gleamed with dark energy.
With precise strikes, Naruto sliced through the chains, each cut releasing a wave of energy as the oppressive bonds shattered.
Isobu let out a deep sigh, feeling the weight of centuries of oppression finally lift.
"I'll visit again," Naruto promised with a grin. "For now, go rest in your homeā¦ the lake."
Isobu rumbled in agreement but shot one last glance at Naruto. "You're different, Narutoā¦ Kurama's lucky to have a JinchÅ«riki like you."
Kurama's voice echoed in Naruto's mind. "Tch. As if."
Naruto burst out laughing, and even Isobu chuckled softly.
----
Back in the Real World
Naruto's eyes snapped open.
He stepped back, releasing Yagura from the wooden roots and sealing chains.
Isobu's presence faded, his massive form disappearing into the distance as he returned to the lake, his true home.
Yagura collapsed to his knees, his body frail without Isobu's chakra sustaining him. He was just a hollow shell nowāa man on the brink of death.
For the first time in years, Yagura's eyes were clear.
Naruto didn't say anything. He simply gave a small wave and turned away. This was not his moment to interfere.
Mei Terumi arrived shortly after, her expression mixed with triumph and sadness.
Naruto nodded at her. "He's all yours."
Mei approached Yagura cautiously.
Yagura lifted his head, his face filled with regret and guilt. His voice was weak but sincere. "Meiā¦ Iā¦ I'm sorry."
Tears glistened in Mei's eyes, but she held them back.
Yagura continued, his breath shallow. "I didn't knowā¦ I was being controlledā¦ I turned our village into a nightmare. Pleaseā¦ clean this bloodā¦ rebuild Kirigakureā¦ make it better than I ever could."
Mei knelt beside him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I will. Rest now."
With one final breath, Yagura's body went still.
Silence filled the air.
Naruto watched from the distance, his heart heavy but resolute. Another shadow had fallen, but the dawn was coming.
The Village Hidden in the Mist was no longer the Village of the Bloody Mist.
--- ā¦ ā¦ ā¦ ---
šØ Want to read chapters before anyone else? Head over to Patreon for early access and exclusive perks!
š If you're enjoying the stories and want to help keep them coming, your support means everything. Join us and stay ahead!
š Patreon: patreon.com/Myth_Valley
ā Or support directly: buymeacoffee.com/myth_valley
Let's keep the adventure alive! š„šāØ