The waves rocked the ship gently as it cut through the endless expanse of blue. Naruto leaned over the railing, his arms dangling lazily as he stared into the sea. He groaned loudly, the sound carrying across the deck.
"I can't believe they won't let us fight," he muttered for what felt like the hundredth time that day. "I also can't believe I'm on another ship in his damn ocean. Las time—"
"Yes, you've told us," the Two Tails Jinchuriki laughed but without malice. Yugito, standing nearby, offered him a small smile. She crossed her arms, her braid swaying slightly in the breeze. About the fighting… I know, Naruto. I'm not happy about it either. But you must cosider iit. If Tobi—" she paused as Naruto gave her a pointed look of approval, "—not Madara, as you say, achieves his goal of capturing all nine Tailed Beasts, it's over for all of us. The Alliance can't risk us getting caught."
Naruto spun around, resting his back against the railing. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. But how are we supposed to sit here and do nothing while everyone else is out there risking their lives?"
Yugito shrugged. "That's the dilemma of being a Jinchuriki, Naruto. We're weapons... but also targets. Our best contribution right now is staying out of their hands."
"Weapons. Targets. Objects. Is that all we are?" Naruto frowned, his blue eyes darkening. "We're people, Yugito. It isn't right."
Yugito opened her mouth to reply, but Killer Bee cut in with a wide grin, striding across the deck with his rhyme book in hand.
"Chill, little bro, don't be so low. You got the glow; let it flow and grow."
Naruto groaned again, more from Bee's rhymes than his frustration. "Back to where everything started, huh?" He glanced at the horizon. The growing island, familiar to his eye even in the distance, evoked a sense of stagnation in him. His voice was wistful, "Makes you think."
Bee clapped him on the back with a grin. "Your outlook is fine, so come on and look, Number Nine."
Naruto chuckled despite himself, pulled into a one-armed hug by the hulking man. Bee's energy was infectious, and for a moment, the heaviness on Naruto's shoulders seemed to lift. Yugito rolled her eyes, though a hint of amusement tugged at the corners of her lips.
"Enough of that," she said, stepping closer. "Naruto, we're not going to be sitting idly and waiting. Bee and I are going to teach you to master the Nine-Tails. It's the next step."
Naruto blinked, surprised. "Wait, what? Like, control its chakra? Is that even possible?"
"It's not easy, but it can be done. That's how Bee and I fight without losing ourselves. It's about partnership." Yugito tilted her head, reminiscent of a cat.
"Partnership? With him?" He scowled. "He hates me." Naruto scratched the back of his head.
Yugito smiled knowingly. "It's a process. But it starts with knowing his name."
"He has a name?" Naruto frowned deeply, his expression one of confusion.
Yugito nodded. "Of course. All the Tailed Beasts do. Matatabi told me her name years ago when I started working to master her chakra."
"Gyūki," Bee, still holding his rhyme book, chimed in without looking up.
Naruto tilted his head. "So what's the Nine-Tails' name?"
Yugito and Bee exchanged a glance before shaking their heads. "It doesn't work like that," Yugito explained. "He has to tell you himself."
Naruto slumped against the railing again, muttering under his breath. "Great. That's going to be easy."
Across the entire expanse of the continent, the Allied Shinobi Forces were hard at work preparing for war. At the center of their efforts was the Communications Division, where Ino and her father worked tirelessly. Using an amplifier for their telepathic powers, they coordinated troop movements and relayed vital orders across the Alliance's vast network. Ino's brow furrowed in concentration as she managed multiple conversations simultaneously, her father's voice grounding her amidst the chaos.
Elsewhere, in the medic corps, Sakura helmed the effort to ensure every unit had adequate medical support. She moved with precision and confidence, her chakra glowing faintly as she oversaw the treatment of injured soldiers. But in her private moments, she focused on her own preparations. Sitting in a quiet corner of the camp, she stored chakra in her Chakra Sabre, the symbol of her newfound resolve. Her eyes opened as the Strength of a Hundred Seal appeared on her forehead, glowing with the promise of power.
"I'm ready," Sakura thought, clenching her fists. Her mind drifted to her former teammates. "Naruto, Sasuke... I've finally caught up to you."
The Alliance readied itself, each member doing their part to prepare for the coming storm. And aboard the ship, Naruto, Yugito, and Bee sailed ever closer to their next challenge, vaguely aware of the trials that awaited them on Genbu Island.
Naruto lay sprawled on the small bed in his cabin, staring at the wooden ceiling of the ship. The rhythmic creaking of the vessel and the distant crash of waves were the only sounds in the quiet room. He closed his eyes, trying to stave off the frustration that had been bubbling inside him ever since the World Shinobi Alliance decided to sideline him from the war.
A sudden puff of smoke startled him upright. Sitting on the floor was a toad, a scroll strapped to its back and an expression of long-suffering disapproval etched on its face.
"Yo," the toad croaked, his voice rough and unceremonious.
Naruto blinked, startled. "Uh… hey? Who are you?"
"I'm Gerotora," the toad replied, unimpressed. "I was entrusted by your father with protecting the key to the Nine-Tails' full power." It's amphibian eyes narrowed in a comical display of incredulity. "While I don't personally agree with the decision, I'm here to deliver it to you."
"Wait—what? My dad? And what do you mean 'key'? I've already got the Nine-Tails sealed in me." Naruto's eyes widened, confusion quickly turning into disbelief.
Gerotora eyed Naruto critically, hopping closer. "Not all of it. The Fourth Hokage, your father, split the Nine-Tails' chakra into two parts: the Yang half, which is sealed inside you, and the Yin half, which he stored separately to lighten your burden. I'm here because your sensei, Jiraiya, believed you'd one day be ready to control all of it."
Naruto's mouth fell open. "You're saying… I've only been carrying half of the Nine-Tails this whole time?"
"Yup," Gerotora said bluntly, his gaze sweeping over Naruto. "You don't look like much, but I guess you'll have to do."
Naruto scowled, irritation flashing in his blue eyes. "Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence. Nice to know you're rooting for me."
The toad snorted, unimpressed by Naruto's sarcasm. "Look, kid, the Great Toad Sage predicted that you'd be the one to surpass all those who came before you. That's why I'm here. Now, are you going to take this key, or are we wasting time?"
Naruto hesitated, his hand hovering over the scroll. Memories of his past battles, of succumbing to the lure of the Nine-Tails flickered through his mind—its hatred, its overwhelming power, the fear he'd felt every time it took control. But then he thought of his friends, his village, and the people he wanted to protect. With renewed determination, he grabbed the scroll and signed his name in bold strokes.
"Good," Gerotora said. In a puff of smoke, the toad leapt onto Naruto's chest, and Naruto felt a strange warmth settle deep within his gut as Gerotora disappeared into the seal.
Later that day, Naruto stood on the deck of the ship, leaning against the railing as the shoreline of their destination came into view. The island, nestled in the middle of the endless ocean, loomed in the distance like a forgotten giant.
"I still can't believe they're making us sit out the war," Naruto grumbled, watching the waves crash against the ship. He knew he was starting to sound like a broken record, but he couldn't help it. "We should be out there, fighting!"
Yugito, standing beside him, gave him a small smile. "I get it, Naruto. I feel the same way. But the Alliance has a point—if that masked man gets his hands on all of us, it's over."
"Yo, we're here to train, not complain! The power within needs some tame." Bee joined them, his ever-present grin in place.
Naruto rolled his eyes. "You're still doing the rhyme thing, huh?"
"You'll get it soon, fool—you're a Jinchuriki too." Bee laughed, slapping Naruto on the back.
Yugito folded her arms, her expression growing thoughtful. "When I first started training with Matatabi's chakra, I thought it was just raw power. But over time, I realized there was more to it—there's a will behind it. Something ancient. Something…" She paused, searching for the right word. She bit her lip in irritation as the word eluded her.
Naruto turned to her, intrigued. "What do you mean?"
"I mean the Nine-Tails might be more than just a monster sealed inside you. It might have a name, a personality, and an important history. Matatabi does, and so does Gyūki." She glanced at Bee, who nodded in agreement.
Naruto frowned. "Why hasn't it told me?"
"Maybe it doesn't trust you yet," Yugito answered with a nonchalant shrug.
Bee leaned on the railing, looking out at the approaching island. "Building trust ain't quick or cheap, but it's what you'll need to dig deep."
Naruto sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and determination. "Well, guess I'll just have to figure it out."
The ship docked on the shores of the massive turtle island, its rocky cliffs and dense jungle as imposing as Naruto remembered. Motoi, a man Naruto had met briefly during his last excursion onto Genbu Island, was waiting for them at the edge of the forest, a welcoming smile on his face.
"Welcome back," Motoi said, bowing to Bee. "It's good to see you again. And I see you've brought some old friends this time."
Naruto grinned. "Motoi-san! Long time no see!"
Motoi chuckled. "I heard you've come here to train, Naruto. Well, this island is as dangerous as you remember—if not more so."
"Good," Naruto said, his confidence renewed. "Bring it on."
Bee clapped a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Time to dig into the fox's soul, and finally take control!"
As they ventured into the island's dense jungle, Naruto couldn't shake the feeling that this was the start of something monumental. He didn't know what challenges awaited him, but for the first time, he felt ready to face them.
The next day, Naruto sat cross-legged before the Falls of Truth, the cascading water reflecting a faint shimmer of his own determination. Motoi's instructions were simple: close his eyes and confront the part of himself that stood in the way of mastering the Nine-Tails. Naruto closed his eyes, the roar of the waterfall surrounding him in a white noise that forced him inward.
When his eyes opened again, he wasn't at the waterfall anymore. Standing before him was a perfect mirror image of himself—except his doppelgänger's eyes were sharp, cruel, and glowing scarlet with malice. The figure sneered.
"Well, well. Look who decided to show up," Dark Naruto hissed. "The impostor himself."
"I'm not the imposter…" Naruto blinked in surprise. "Don't you know that you're the fake me?"
Dark Naruto laughed bitterly, his voice laced with venom. "Don't act so dumb. I'm you. The real you. The one who actually knows how pathetic you really are."
Naruto's fists clenched, his frustration bubbling over. "Pathetic? I've fought harder than anyone to get where I am! Who are you to talk like that?"
"Oh, please. You think you're some kind of hero? You're just a weapon, Naruto. A tool for the village. And let's not forget all the mistakes you've made, the people you've let down—couldn't save." Dark Naruto's grin widened. His eyes gleamed with malice. "I mean, really. Do you think they trust you? Or do they just need you for now?"
Anger boiled over, and Naruto launched himself at Dark Naruto. Their fists collided, and the two became a blur of movement, trading blows in perfect synchronization. Each strike, each move, was matched exactly by the other. No matter what Naruto did, Dark Naruto was there to block, counter, or attack in turn. The battle ended in a deadlock, both panting and glaring at one another.
"This isn't over," the Dark variant of Naruto spat as he vanished into the mist of the waterfall.
Naruto opened his eyes, shaken. He turned to Motoi, who stood nearby with Yamato. "Motoi-san… I saw him. He looked just like me. He called himself the real me."
Motoi nodded grimly. "That's your Dark self, the part of you that holds all your doubts, your anger, your hatred. To master the Nine-Tails, you need to defeat him—or make peace with him."
Meanwhile, Killer Bee was locked in an unusual contest with a pair of towering bears, wrestling them with a broad grin on his face. The Eight-Tails sighed from within.
"Bee, shouldn't you be helping the boy instead of playing with bears?"
"Chill out, Gyūki!" Bee replied, throwing one of the bears over his shoulder. "The kid's got this. He just needs time to figure it out."
Back at the waterfall, Motoi sat with Naruto and Yugito, his expression distant. "You're not the first person to struggle with a Tailed Beast, Naruto," he began. "The Eight-Tails has a bloody history in our village. Before Bee, no one could control it. Each host lost control eventually, and every time it rampaged, people died. My father… he was one of them."
Naruto and Yamato listened in silence as Motoi continued. "When Bee was chosen as the next host, I thought it was pointless. I hated the Eight-Tails, and I hated Bee for being its vessel. I… I tried to kill him."
"What?" Naruto gasped.
Motoi nodded, shame heavy in his voice. "I failed, of course. Bee stopped me easily, and he… he offered me his hand. A fist bump. I didn't understand it at the time, but he forgave me. And I couldn't face him after that. I've been carrying that shame ever since."
Naruto excused himself, wandering off to think. Motoi's story stirred something inside him. Did the villagers trust him the way Motoi had come to trust Bee? Or did they just see him as a weapon, as Dark Naruto had said?
A sudden scream interrupted his thoughts. He turned to see Motoi struggling in the grasp of a giant squid's tentacles. Without hesitation, Naruto charged forward, summoning a shadow clone to assist. Yugito, nearby, leapt into action, activating her Chakra Cloak and extending incorporeal chakra-coated claws at the beast.
"Let him go!" Naruto shouted, slamming a Rasengan into the squid's massive body. The creature screeched but tightened its grip on Motoi.
Just then, a familiar voice rang out. "Yo, let me show you how it's done!" Killer Bee appeared, his Lightning Release-enhanced punch tearing through the squid's tentacle and freeing Motoi. The squid shrieked and retreated back into the depths.
Motoi, catching his breath, turned to Bee with tears in his eyes. "I… I tried to kill you, Bee. All those years ago."
Bee smiled, holding out his fist. "And I forgave you, fool. You're my brother, no matter what."
Motoi hesitated, then bumped Bee's fist with his own. Naruto smiled, warmth spreading through him at the sight.
Afterward, Bee approached Naruto, his tone more serious than usual. "You did good, kid. Helped Motoi face his darkness. Now it's your turn."
Naruto returned to the Falls of Truth, steeling himself as he sat down once more. This time, when Dark Naruto appeared, there was no malice in his eyes—only confusion. His inverted doppelganger, as if a reflection cast in a broken mirror, tilted his head in bemusement.
"What's changed?" Dark Naruto asked, his tone softer.
Naruto smiled. "I believe in myself, again. I know who I am, and I know I can do this. You're a part of me, and I'm not gonna fight you anymore."
Dark Naruto's eyes widened as Naruto stepped forward and embraced him. Slowly, Dark Naruto dissolved into a golden light that flowed into Naruto's chest.
Bee nodded approvingly as Naruto stood, his confidence unshaken. "Good. You passed the first test. Now let's see if you can take on the Nine-Tails." Bee gestured for Naruto to follow him to a hidden cave behind the waterfall. The true challenge awaited.