"So, here I am, teaming up with two rogue ninjas. If anything goes wrong, Konoha will inevitably get dragged into the mess."
With a flash of inspiration, Yamato removed his forehead protector, which was attached to his mask, and used a kunai to carve a scratch across it—the universal symbol of a rogue ninja.
After putting the mask back on, Yamato chuckled to himself, Now, even if something happens, Konoha's reputation won't be tarnished. I'm a genius!
The ship docked, and the three of them stepped onto the island.
As expected, a large group of Kumogakure shinobi was already waiting for them.
Leading them were Darui and Cee, elite jonin of the Hidden Cloud. Darui had once served as the Raikage's bodyguard during the Five Kage Summit.
Months ago, Darui had narrowly escaped death from Obito's Cursed Seal: Brain Inserting Technique. His left arm was severely injured and had to be amputated. Since then, he had been recovering in Kumogakure.
Now fully healed, Darui's strength had not diminished but had instead grown. His right arm was even stronger than before, and he had already mastered the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, a technique he would later use as the Fifth Raikage.
Facing the three uninvited intruders, Darui held a large jar tied with a white hemp rope in his right arm.
"Hm?" From behind his mask, Naruto's left eye immediately recognized the object. He tensed. The Amber Purifying Pot!
The Amber Purifying Pot was one of the Five Treasured Tools left behind by the Sage of Six Paths. Anyone who responded to the wielder's words would be sealed within the pot.
(Note: Unlike the Red Gourd, which uses word-binding techniques, the Amber Purifying Pot relies on responding to the wielder's call.)
Like the other four tools, the Amber Purifying Pot was originally wielded by the Gold and Silver Brothers of Kumogakure. However, after Ginkaku's defeat at the hands of the Third Raikage, the pot was reclaimed by Kumogakure.
"So that's their plan," Naruto thought to himself.
Darui's mind raced. Using the Amber Purifying Pot consumes a massive amount of chakra. At most, I can seal one person before I'm drained. The other two... I'll leave them to Cee and the others.
Bang!
Darui removed the lid of the pot, pointed its opening at Naruto, and shouted, "Uzumaki Naruto!!!"
But instead of responding, Naruto raised his hand and activated Banshō Ten'in (Universal Pull).
Whoosh!
The pot was yanked out of Darui's grasp and flew into Naruto's hand.
Now in control of the situation, Naruto immediately turned the pot's opening toward Darui.
"No! He knows how the Amber Purifying Pot works!" Darui was alarmed and quickly clamped his mouth shut.
Naruto smirked, then turned the pot toward Cee and called out, "Cee!"
"Huh?" Unlike Darui, Cee wasn't as quick-witted. He instinctively responded.
Whoosh!
An irresistible suction force emanated from the pot.
"Argh!!!" Cee screamed as he was pulled into the pot.
Darui's face turned ashen. "This is a disaster!"
Clang!
Naruto sealed the pot and placed it aside. Turning to Darui, he said calmly, "If I didn't know how the Amber Purifying Pot worked, I might've really fallen for your trick today, Darui."
Darui clenched his fists. "Damn it... Attack!!"
Crackle!
Lightning flickered as the Kumogakure shinobi charged forward in unison.
Naruto's gaze sharpened. These shinobi are the same group that intercepted me outside the Land of Wind last time. They've all learned the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, and they're clearly stronger than before. No choice—I'll have to take them all out in one go.
He reached behind him and pulled out a fan. From beneath his flowing sleeve, a dark golden chakra chain dangled down.
It was the Adamantine Sealing Chains of the Uzumaki Clan.
Naruto connected the chains to the fan's handle. As purple lightning crackled around it, he swung the fan with a wide arc.
"Lightning Release: Adamantine Fan!"
Zap!
Wherever the lightning swept, the Kumogakure shinobi fell like dominos.
Darui broke out in a cold sweat. What the hell? He just used the Amber Purifying Pot, but his chakra levels haven't dropped at all!
That was to be expected. With the complete Uzumaki physique, Naruto could wield the Six Paths' tools effortlessly, even without relying on Kurama's power.
Behind him, Yamato was trembling with fear. "This... This is too reckless!"
Orochimaru chuckled. "The Adamantine Sealing Chains are a bit overkill. But using them to channel purple lightning through the fan? Only Naruto could pull off such a combination."
In just a few moments, all the Kumogakure shinobi were defeated, incapacitated but alive.
"I avoided their vital points, so they'll survive. But they'll be out of commission for a while," Naruto muttered as he put away the fan. Turning his gaze to the now-terrified Darui, he said coolly, "Darui, do you want to end up like them? Why not surrender?"
Darui knew he was no match for Naruto, but he remained resolute. "The word 'surrender' doesn't exist in the dictionary of a Kumogakure ninja!"
"Very well."
Naruto picked up the Amber Purifying Pot, opened its lid, and once again called out Darui's name.
Darui gritted his teeth, his expression dark and grim.
The pot had another secret: even if the target didn't respond, remaining silent for too long would still result in being sealed.
Darui's thoughts raced. Defeating him is impossible. But escaping... there might still be a chance!
Crackle!
Lightning coursed through Darui's body as he activated the Lightning Release Chakra Mode. Enhancing his reflexes and physical speed with the Lightning Body Flicker Technique, he made a desperate run for it.
"Heh." Naruto chuckled softly, purple lightning crackling around him as he carried the pot and pursued Darui with ease.
Darui's heart sank. His speed... It's on par with the Raikage in his prime!
Unable to fight, unable to escape—whether he was sealed by the pot or forced to surrender, either outcome would disgrace Kumogakure.
So, Darui made the only choice he could.
Shing!
Drawing his lightning-infused blade, he turned it toward his own heart, ready to end his life.
"Hey, don't go that far!"
Naruto exclaimed, startled. In a flash, he removed his mask and activated his right eye—the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Kotoamatsukami!
Clang!
The blade froze mere inches from Darui's chest.
"Phew, just in time," Naruto sighed in relief.
Clang!
Darui dropped his blade, walked over to Naruto, and knelt on one knee. "Lord Naruto!"
Naruto asked, "Where is the Raikage?"
Darui replied, "The Raikage is currently incapacitated, training tirelessly in the village."
Naruto smirked. "Makes sense. Even that muscle-headed old man needs time to adapt to his ridiculously heavy body. Darui, from now on, you'll work for me."
Without hesitation, Darui removed his Kumogakure forehead protector, carved a rogue ninja slash across it, and put it back on. "It would be my honor!"
Naruto glanced at Darui's missing left arm and thought, I'll use the Asura Path to craft him a mechanical arm later. Consider it compensation.
Yamato approached hesitantly. "Hey, Naruto... What did you do to him?"
Naruto turned, his Sharingan reverting to its three-tomoe state. Smiling warmly, he replied, "Oh, it's my Mangekyō ability, Kotoamatsukami. After I defeated Danzo, I took this eye from him. It originally belonged to Shisui Uchiha. It can subtly alter someone's thoughts without them realizing it, making them believe the new thoughts are their own. As you can see, it works perfectly."
Yamato couldn't help but feel uneasy. If he used that on me...
Naruto smirked knowingly. "Relax, Captain Yamato. You were once the leader of Team 7, practically half a teacher to me. I wouldn't use Kotoamatsukami on you."
Cold sweat drenched Yamato's back. This is the Naruto of today? Perceptive, unpredictable, and even more dangerous than Orochimaru!
Zzz!
The Sharingan vanished from Naruto's eyes as he put his mask back on.
Whoosh! The hem of his cloak billowed as he declared resolutely, "Let's go. To the Falls of Truth!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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