Naruto: I, who fooled the ninja world, was hailed as a savior.

Chapter 394 You and I are the same kind! (See the author's comments)

Kazuma stared intently at Naruto Uzumaki, who was gradually emerging from the smoke and dust.

Previously, when he saw the unusual movement in the culture tank, he had already guessed that the visitor might be Naruto Uzumaki, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

Only the Nine-Tails' chakra, which shares the same origin, can create a strong resonance with Sora.

However, upon truly seeing Naruto's current appearance, even with Kazuma's composure, his expression instantly turned extremely ugly.

Naruto was enveloped in a thick, dark red chakra cloak, and his face was even covered by half a pale, grotesque bone mask.

"What...did you do?" Kazuma's dry voice was filled with disbelief.

What a joke!
He had spent countless hours and conducted inhumane human experiments to achieve the fusion of the Nine-Tails' power with that of the Hollow.

Why has this kid so easily taken control of us now?
Naruto ignored Kazuma and looked around at the surrounding area.

Here, unlike the areas where 'virtual' beings and humans were previously imprisoned, there are no cold arrays of instruments or neatly arranged culture tanks.

Beneath their feet lay an endless expanse of black soil, emitting an overwhelming, pungent stench, with half-hidden, stark white bones and clothing faintly visible.

This is the area where Kazuma conducted his research on "Earth Release: Soil of the Dead," and countless people have been cruelly buried here.

“Tell me,” Naruto slowly raised his eyes, his voice hoarse and cold, “Why did you do this?”

"cough!"

Kazuma clutched his chest, coughing up blood, but a twisted smile appeared on his face: "Naruto Uzumaki, I know you. You're smart. You don't even seem like a ninja."

“During your time studying in the capital, I have carefully reviewed every paper you completed in class and every policy essay you wrote!”

"Although you are very restrained, I can tell that you are questioning the closed nature of the ninja village system, and you are analyzing the flaws in the mission system!"

Kazuma stared intently at Naruto, as if trying to see into his soul: "You even know perfectly well that the peace under the balance of power is nothing but a fragile illusion!"

"If that's the case, you must have had the same question as me: why, even after the five great powers have been established for decades, large-scale wars still break out time and time again?"

Why do small-scale conflicts, assassinations, and conspiracies never cease? Why are those who possess power destined to kill each other?

"Especially when I saw that fleeting look of disdain in your eyes that day, when that teacher was explaining the cause of the Third Shinobi World War..."

"I knew it! You knew perfectly well!" Kazuma's voice suddenly rose. "The real cause of that war wasn't the disappearance of the Third Kazekage at all!"

"That's nothing but a lame excuse from the Sand Village's higher-ups to divert attention from internal conflicts!"

At this point, Kazuma's smile vanished completely, replaced by hatred and rage as he roared, "What truly caused the war was the conflict between Sunagakure and the Daimyo of the Land of Wind!"

"And the root of all this is the distorted system where 'shadows' and 'daimyo' coexist!"

"A country is like a game of shogi. Only with one 'jade' can the game be clear and the commands be unified!"

"But what about the five major powers today?"

Kazuma stared intently at the silent Naruto and said angrily, "The Daimyo is a 'jewel' in name only, possessing land and people."

"But the Hokage possesses the strongest military power. The Daimyo needs the power of ninjas to maintain his rule, yet he is constantly afraid that this power will become too strong and backfire on him!"

"The Hokage needs the Daimyo's resources and legitimacy, but cannot tolerate the interference of secular power in the internal affairs of the ninja!"

"Suspicion, checks and balances, covert struggles... have never ceased. Every seemingly external battle is inextricably linked to the conflict and contradiction between these two powers!"

"Ninjas need war to demonstrate their value to the country, and daimyo need war to ensure that the power of ninjas does not grow to the point of threatening themselves."

"Two 'jade' pieces coexisting on the same land, without distinction of rank, isn't this a form of division? Isn't this the root of all chaos?!"

At this point, Kazuma finally stopped, breathing heavily. He looked intently at Naruto, his tone becoming highly inflammatory: "Naruto, you and I are the same kind. We both possess vision beyond the ordinary; we both see the corruption and distortion of this world! You should understand that a country cannot have two 'jewels' at the same time!"

"Shadows are nothing more than the root of chaos that divides national power and breeds disorder!"

"Naruto, join me!" Kazuma's voice was full of enticement. "We can join forces, with your power and my preparations..."

“We can create a completely new order, a new era defined by ourselves! Why should we serve the hypocritical Will of Fire that Hiruzen Sarutobi speaks of?”

"Only by completely bringing the power of the ninjas under the command of the Daimyo and making them a force truly controlled by the nation can the Land of Fire achieve lasting peace and order!"

The laboratory was deathly silent, with only the blood-red alarm flashing silently. Kazuma stared intently at Naruto, whose face was obscured by light and shadow, awaiting his response.

After a moment, Naruto finally spoke slowly.

"If what you say is true," his scarlet vertical pupils swept across the dark soil beneath his feet, "what then is buried here to you?"

"How can change happen without bloodshed and sacrifice?" Kazuma exclaimed fervently. "They didn't die by my hand, but by the crushing power of a distorted system!"

"Their deaths will lay the foundation for a new order!"

"This is a necessary sacrifice!"

Upon hearing this, Naruto, who had his head down, let out a low, ambiguous chuckle.

"Ah……"

There was no trace of joy or anger in that laughter, only a cold, knowing understanding.

“You’re right.” Naruto’s tone was chillingly calm. “A country shouldn’t have two ‘Jades’ at the same time.”

"Change does indeed require bloodshed and sacrifice."

“In this respect, I am not as good as you.” He raised his head slightly, his scarlet vertical pupils staring at Kazuma. “I am too soft-hearted and cannot bring myself to do it.”

Upon hearing this, Kazuma felt an overwhelming surge of joy!

"You, you also think..." Thinking that Naruto had finally been persuaded, he excitedly took half a step forward.

However, before he could finish speaking...

boom!
A loud explosion rang out, and Naruto's figure vanished from the spot in an instant!
Almost instinctively, Ma's expression changed drastically, and his hands formed hand seals at top speed.

Earth Release: Hardening Technique!
His body surface was instantly covered with a granite-like grayish-brown luster, and the hardness of his muscles and bones instantly increased to a level comparable to refined steel!

but……

puff!

The dull thud, like a sharp blade piercing rotten wood, clearly reached Kazuma's ears.

A claw, enveloped in tailed beast chakra and covered with hideous, pale bones, easily pierced his hardened abdomen and emerged from his back.

Fresh blood dripped down the bones.

(This is so hard to keep going. How could anyone think that the Naruto storyline I wrote is about patriotism? Isn't it obviously meant to let the protagonist take control of the Land of Fire after Konoha and reap points and spiritual energy?)

　I didn't think about this at all when I was writing it. I just wanted Naruto to continue what the Sage of Six Paths hadn't finished, building on his achievements, to let more people master chakra and ninjutsu. The protagonist would then conveniently achieve his own goals in the process: control of the Land of Fire, and reap more points and spiritual energy.

　　Don't tell me you skipped chapters before because of this misunderstanding. I can tolerate you even cursing me, but you actually thought I would write such idiotic plot? I'm really starting to lose my temper...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)