Chapter 9:
The village of Konoha was on edge. News of Naruto's rampage had spread like wildfire, and fear gripped even the most battle-hardened shinobi. The once-cherished name of Naruto Uzumaki was now a curse—a reminder of betrayal and death.
In the Hokage's office, a tense silence lingered. Shikamaru stood with grim determination, eyes scanning the room filled with shinobi leaders—Kakashi, Gai, Sakura, and the remaining members of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio. The weight of their losses was etched into their faces. Hidan and Kisame were dead, and the Akatsuki had been shattered. Yet, the real threat remained.
"We can't let this continue," Shikamaru said, voice steady. "If the Crimson Demon is left unchecked, the Five Great Nations won't survive."
Gai slammed a fist into his palm. "Naruto or not, he is a threat! We must protect the village!"
Sakura's fists trembled, knuckles white. "There has to be a way to bring him back. We can't give up on him."
Kakashi met her gaze, the weight of experience and sorrow in his eyes. "If he's truly lost, we must accept the reality. Sentiment won't stop him."
Tension crackled until Shikamaru broke it. "We need a strategy. A direct confrontation would be suicide. We need to outthink him."
"We'll use a combination of shadow manipulation, sealing jutsu, and brute force," Shikamaru outlined. "Kakashi-sensei, you and Gai-sensei will engage him head-on. Ino, Chouji, and I will support from a distance. Sakura, you'll handle medical support and jump in if needed."
Sakura nodded, though fear lingered in her eyes.
The forest was eerily silent, shadows dancing as the moon bathed the trees in a silver glow. Leaves rustled softly, betraying the slightest movement. The squad advanced cautiously, senses on high alert.
Suddenly, crimson eyes emerged from the darkness—cold, malevolent, and filled with hatred. Naruto's form appeared, demonic chakra swirling around him, painting the forest floor with a bloody glow. His lips curled into a wicked grin.
"Come to die, have you?" he taunted.
Kakashi and Gai wasted no time. Gai opened the Sixth Gate, emerald energy igniting around him. "Morning Peacock!" A barrage of flaming fists tore through the air. Kakashi charged, Sharingan spinning, kunai aimed with precision.
Naruto dodged with impossible speed, weaving between attacks. A crimson arm of chakra lashed out, smashing Gai backward, blood spraying from his mouth. Kakashi's kunai was caught mid-strike, and Naruto's hand glowed with sinister energy.
"Chidori!" Kakashi shouted, driving lightning into Naruto's chest.
The attack connected, sparking violently. But Naruto's eyes flashed, and the crimson chakra devoured the Chidori. A wave of force erupted, flinging Kakashi away. He crashed into a tree, coughing blood.
Shikamaru's shadows surged forward, tendrils coiling around Naruto's body. "Got you!"
Naruto smirked. The shadows trembled, then shattered. Shikamaru gasped as Naruto's gaze met his.
"Pitiful," Naruto sneered, vanishing in a blur.
Shikamaru's eyes widened as a clawed hand pierced his chest. Blood spilled, and he crumpled, eyes fading.
"SHIKAMARU!" Ino screamed. She performed the Mind Transfer Jutsu, but the moment she entered Naruto's mind, a torrent of malevolence engulfed her. The entity within tore her consciousness apart, leaving her lifeless on the ground.
Chouji roared in fury, expanding his body and swinging a colossal fist. Naruto caught it effortlessly, crushing Chouji's bones with a sickening crunch. The Akimichi fell, unmoving.
Sakura's eyes filled with tears as her friends fell one by one. Rage consumed her. "I'll save you, Naruto!"
Her fists glowed with chakra as she charged. Naruto caught her punch, crushing her wrist. She screamed, eyes filled with pain and desperation. He tossed her aside like a doll.
Kakashi and Gai regrouped, panting and bloodied. Gai's eyes were fierce. "Kakashi, it's time."
Kakashi nodded solemnly. "Gate of Death…open!"
Red energy engulfed Gai, veins bulging. He shot forward, his body ablaze. "Night Guy!"
Naruto's eyes widened as Gai's kick connected, ripping through him. The ground shattered, a crater forming beneath them. Naruto's body buckled under the force, but crimson chakra flared, mending his wounds.
Gai collapsed, body broken. Kakashi's Sharingan spun as he prepared Kamui. But Naruto's eyes flashed red, and Kakashi froze in place.
"Too slow," Naruto mocked, his hand piercing Kakashi's chest. Blood sprayed as Kakashi's eyes widened, life fading.
The forest was silent again. Broken bodies littered the ground. Naruto stood victorious, eyes cold and merciless. The demon within him snarled, unsatisfied.
The Crimson Demon's rampage had claimed even more souls, and the shinobi world trembled.
Far away, the remaining Kages convened. The Raikage's fists trembled with fury. "The monster must be destroyed!"
Gaara's eyes were somber. "Naruto was once our ally. Now he is a threat we can't ignore."
Mei Terumī's gaze hardened. "Then we end this. Together."
The world braced for war. The Crimson Demon's shadow loomed, an unstoppable force of terror. The darkness of Naruto's soul consumed all in its path, and no sanctuary remained.
The nightmare was far from over.