Vague thoughts flashed through Naruto's mind. He knew what the people who were with him were trying to achieve. After experiencing unbearable suffering, they became completely disillusioned with the Shinobi world and now yearned for its destruction, wishing death to everyone.
In truth, he didn't agree with their ideas.
His goal was limited to the destruction of Konoha, and that was all. Neither he nor even the Nine-Tails inside him wanted to destroy the whole world.
Although he has embarked on a dark path, he has not yet reached such an extreme.
However, after talking to these people, he realized that they were all good people. Everyone had their own bitter reason for wanting this world to die, and they didn't know what to say. Convince them to give up hate? He, whose mind was completely consumed by the desire for revenge on Konoha, was supposed to advise others to put aside their hatred?
There was nothing to be done, it remained only to act according to circumstances.
After all, Naruto was still a good person at heart.
— Naruto, don't get distracted! Focus on removing the seal! Kurama's voice rang out in his mind, and Naruto immediately put aside extraneous thoughts.
Neither he nor Kurama had a sure way to get rid of the seal. Their current method was extremely crude and painful. It was grueling work, like water sharpening a stone. Using their spiritual connection, they worked together, from inside and out, and with the help of someone else's power, they tried to erase the seal. The efficiency was extremely low.
Moreover, each such attempt caused serious damage to his body. Every time after that, Naruto coughed up blood, feeling his internal organs constrict. The pain was as if his guts were being pulled out and violently trampled underfoot.
Only his incredibly resilient body allowed him to stay alive until now.
Soon, another attempt to crack the seal came to an end.
"Have they found the Child of the prophecy?"
— No, there is no news about him yet. However, we cannot exclude the possibility that they have already found it and are hiding it somewhere!
— To destroy this world, we must find the Child from the prophecy and strangle him in the cradle!
"Haha, Naruto, of all of us, you have the greatest power. When the time comes to kill the Child, we will count on you!
They were talking, and in their eyes burned a passionate desire to destroy the world. According to the prophecy, they didn't need to do anything else — just kill the Child from the prophecy, eliminate the one who is able to defeat Uchiha Yue, and then this world will fall.
They had high hopes for Naruto. Although he was weak now, the power hidden within him surpassed all of them combined. It was only worth it…
— Ah, ah!
A death cry rang out.
— What…
Scarlet splashes of blood drenched Naruto's face. The man who was laughing and talking to him just now, wanting to destroy the world, has now lost his head. The headless body generously sprayed hot blood. Naruto's pupils narrowed, a stunned expression on his face.
The man who was alive a moment ago is now dead!
And then he saw them. Several figures in black cloaks with red clouds embroidered on them surrounded them from all sides.
"Naruto, run!" One of the ninja behind him immediately jumped up, grabbed Naruto by the arm and, putting all his strength into the throw, threw him away from the encirclement.
— Uncle!
Naruto stabilized himself in the air. The power inside him exploded. Although he was still sealed, he had managed to unleash enough power to fight recently!
—Run, Naruto, run!" Don't pay any attention to us! Inherit our will and destroy this world for us! Ah-ah-ah! Uncle roared, unleashing all his strength, and rushed at the enemy.
And then he was smitten.
— Ah, ah!!! Kurama!!! Give me strength...— roared Naruto, desperately calling for strength inside himself.
His flesh began to swell, and his skin cracked as he tried to unleash his might at all costs. But in the next instant, a heavy blow landed on his stomach.
— Huh…
A stream of blood gushed out of Naruto's mouth. His eyes bulged out of their sockets, and his body crashed to the ground like a meteor.
— Ah, ah!!!
A cloud of dust rose. Lying in the funnel, Naruto tried to stand up, tried to fight, but before he could even raise his head, someone's foot landed on it.
— Who are you, who are you?! Naruto roared and squirmed furiously. — Why did you kill the uncle and the others?! If you need anything, please contact me!!!
If his power wasn't sealed, his struggle would have made sense. He could even compete with the half-dead Nagato and maybe even win.
But now…
The strong ruthlessly humiliate the weak.
Nagato slammed Naruto's head into the ground without another word, ignoring his attempts to resist. He couldn't defeat Uchiha Yue, he couldn't defeat Jigen, but couldn't he handle some sealed jinchuuriki?
"I've finally found you, jinchuuriki of the Nine—Tails, Naruto!" It would be very annoying if something happened to you!
Nagato looked at Naruto, who continued to squirm under his foot, and allowed himself a slight smile. Lately, he had suffered one defeat after another, and recently he had suffered the unthinkable humiliation when he was pinned to the ground like a dog, which almost crushed his self-confidence.
Now, looking at Naruto, he felt strong again. Even if Naruto was crippled right now.
Soon Naruto was tightly bound. No one cared about his thoughts. Nagato immediately summoned Gedo Maso and began extracting the Nine-Tails. The seal on Naruto's body was instantly crushed.
— Ngh-a-ah!
An agonized groan escaped Naruto's mouth. He felt like his insides were being torn apart.
A furious roar erupted from his body, a terrifying force pierced through him, but it did nothing to help. Kurama's silhouette began to appear, and he was slowly being pulled out of his body.
— No, Kurama!!! Naruto shouted desperately.
Time passed. Soon, having reached their destination, Nagato and the others left the place, leaving Naruto lying motionless on the ground.
He was still breathing, but when Nagato and his men left, they didn't launch a control strike. After all, it was common knowledge in the Shinobi world that a jinchuuriki who lost a tailed beast was doomed to death.
After a while, Naruto slowly opened his eyes, which reflected immense sorrow. He struggled to his feet and took a look at the bodies of his comrades. Just now, they were discussing killing the Child of Prophecy and destroying the world, and now…