Chapter 11:
The scent of charred earth lingered in the air, the remnants of destruction and desperation heavy over the battlefield. Craters marred the once-verdant plains, now littered with lifeless bodies—shinobi who had answered the call to stop a nightmare and paid the ultimate price. Blood soaked the ground, pooling in the cracks of scorched earth.
Naruto stood amidst the devastation, crimson chakra coiling around him like a serpent. His gaze swept over the fallen, eyes devoid of compassion—cruel and distant. The demon's influence was ever-present, whispering sweet promises of carnage. The essence of Kurama's chakra was now a poison—vicious and intoxicating—ensnaring the fractured soul that was once Naruto Uzumaki.
A distant cough broke the silence. Blood dripped from Tsunade's lips as she pushed herself up, defiance etched into her face. Her body was bruised and battered, her once-vibrant strength reduced to flickers. The battle had been a disaster—plans that once held promise crumbled under the raw fury of the Crimson Demon.
"Tsunade," Naruto drawled, voice dripping with mockery. "Still alive? Stubborn as ever."
Tsunade's eyes blazed with fury. "Naruto, stop this madness! You were meant to protect the village, to be its hero!"
Naruto sneered, the twisted smile revealing pointed teeth. "That Naruto is dead. I am reborn—a god of destruction. Konoha cast me out, ridiculed me, hated me. Now, they will remember my name in fear."
A flicker of sadness crossed Tsunade's face. "You were loved. You had friends—family. Even if you can't remember it, the bond is still there!"
Naruto's expression twisted. The whispers in his mind grew louder, and the beast within growled. "Friends?" He spat, disdain dripping from the word. "They feared me. Used me. It was never about bonds—it was control. But now, I'm free!"
Tsunade clenched her fists, muscles trembling. Memories of the mischievous boy who dreamed of becoming Hokage flashed in her mind—bright eyes, wide smiles, and a determination that could move mountains. That boy was gone, swallowed by the darkness within.
She steadied herself. "Then I'll free you from your suffering!"
Naruto's smile widened. "You can try."
He lunged, crimson chakra flaring as he closed the distance in a heartbeat. Tsunade barely raised her arms before a monstrous claw struck, tearing through her defenses. Pain blossomed across her chest as she was hurled back, crashing into the dirt.
Naruto's chuckle was dark. "You're weak."
Struggling to rise, Tsunade's vision blurred. But she forced herself up, resolve burning bright. The Will of Fire was not so easily extinguished. She charged, chakra enhancing her strength. The ground cratered as she leaped, fist cocked back.
Naruto's eyes flashed, and his chakra coalesced into a shield. Her punch connected, the impact sending shockwaves rippling outward. The barrier cracked but held.
Naruto's lips curled into a smile. "Is that all?"
Tsunade's eyes widened as he retaliated—an arm of chakra smashed into her, pinning her against a rock. The air left her lungs as she gasped, struggling.
Naruto leaned closer, eyes glimmering. "You fight for a village that left me to suffer. Pathetic."
Tsunade snarled, spitting blood. "You were never abandoned. You were loved, Naruto!"
He snarled back, red eyes flickering. "Enough lies!"
The pressure intensified, and Tsunade's vision darkened. The whispers clawed at Naruto's mind—telling him to end her, to erase his past. His grip tightened, and Tsunade's breath slowed.
But then—a flicker.
Images flashed in his mind. A young boy eating ramen, laughing with Iruka-sensei. A promise of protection made to a pink-haired girl. An oath to bring back a wayward friend. Bonds that once meant everything.
Naruto's grip slackened, his eyes flickering between crimson and blue.
Tsunade seized the moment. "You can fight this, Naruto!" she gasped, desperation lining her words.
The inner demon roared in rage, and Naruto's eyes flared red again. With a snarl, he hurled Tsunade aside, bloodlust returning tenfold. "Enough!"
He raised a hand, crimson energy condensing into a ball—a manifestation of death.
But before he could strike, a figure flickered into existence. Sand spiraled, blocking Naruto's attack. The blast erupted, but the sand absorbed the impact, grains scattering.
Naruto's gaze narrowed. "Kazekage."
Gaara stood firm, eyes steady. "Naruto."
The air crackled with tension as Gaara surveyed the ruin—the death, the despair. The friend he once knew was lost. Yet Gaara's resolve did not waver. "I won't let you continue this madness."
Naruto's grin widened. "Try and stop me."
Gaara's hands formed seals, and the ground rumbled. Sand erupted in torrents, grasping at Naruto's limbs. The Crimson Demon slashed, but the sand persisted—unyielding. Gaara's expression was calm but strained. "You're not invincible, Naruto."
Naruto roared, crimson chakra flaring as he broke free. He charged, demonic speed and strength turning him into a crimson blur. Gaara's sand met him, forming a barrier that shattered under the assault. Blood sprayed from a gash on Gaara's forehead.
He gritted his teeth. "You're no longer the Naruto I knew. You are a beast."
Naruto's laughter was a cruel echo. "And beasts devour."
With a flick of his wrist, a tail of chakra speared forward. Gaara barely evaded, sand hardening around his limbs as he countered with a Sand Coffin. Naruto burst free, red eyes blazing.
Their clash was a violent dance—sand and chakra weaving death and destruction. But Naruto's power was overwhelming, and Gaara faltered.
Naruto's clawed hand wrapped around Gaara's throat, lifting him off the ground. The Kazekage struggled, but Naruto's grip was iron.
"You can't save me," Naruto hissed. "No one can."
But then, a voice—a whisper carried on the wind.
"Naruto!"
The Crimson Demon glanced back. Standing amidst the wreckage was Hinata, Byakugan active, eyes resolute despite the fear. She trembled but stood firm.
"I won't give up on you!" she cried, desperation and determination intertwining.
Naruto sneered. "Another fool clinging to hope."
But Hinata's eyes softened. "I believe in you. No matter what you've become, I'll reach you."
Naruto's gaze narrowed. "Empty words."
Hinata stepped forward, defiance in every step. "Then let me show you!"
Her palms glowed as she charged, chakra focused. Gaara's eyes widened. "No!"
Naruto scoffed, a clawed hand ready to strike her down. But Hinata was faster—striking his chest. The pulse of chakra disrupted the beast's influence. Naruto gasped, eyes flickering blue for a moment before red reclaimed them.
Rage twisted his features, but the brief flicker had weakened him.
Gaara capitalized on the opening, sand surging forth and binding Naruto's limbs. The Crimson Demon thrashed, but the restraints held.
Hinata's voice was soft but firm. "Come back to us, Naruto."
Naruto's eyes narrowed, but a flicker of doubt danced within. The demon's grip on his soul trembled.
The battle was far from over, but a glimmer of hope shone amidst the darkness.
Please give me more power stone for more chapters ❤️.