Naruto: Different Path

(T/N: Please consider reviewing this Fanfic, Thanks and appreciate all who support me)

(T/N: Enjoy!!)

<><><><><><>

After everything was done, Naruto returned to Konoha's camp to meet Danzo. At that moment, Danzo looked as if he had narrowly escaped death. 

Seeing Naruto approach, Danzo said, "Naruto, although we don't always see eye to eye, I must thank you for arriving in time."

"While I am not afraid of death, I still have unfinished missions to complete."

Naruto understood Danzo's mission; Danzo was, after all, an ambitious man. 

Even with Izanagi at his disposal, Danzo's situation would have been precarious without Naruto's intervention.

Danzo invited Naruto to sit, an unusual gesture for someone like him. It seemed his perspective might have shifted somewhat. 

Turning to Naruto, Danzo asked, "What do you think the Mizukage will do next? And how should we respond?"

Naruto replied, "This time, I deliberately let Chojuro go. He will surely report my strength to the Mizukage. If I were her, I'd halt all actions and secretly retreat as soon as possible."

Danzo nodded in agreement. "Ao has already been sent to the Land of Fire under my orders. With you and me working together, Kirigakure has little chance of success."

However, Naruto's tone shifted. "Still, I believe Kirigakure will continue their offensive."

Danzo acknowledged this with a nod. "I think the same. Organizing an operation of this scale isn't easy." 

"Even if the Mizukage realizes this, most of her subordinates won't agree to withdraw." 

"Thus, Kirigakure is likely to press on, though the Mizukage will undoubtedly prepare an escape route in advance."

Naruto nodded. To be fair, Danzo's strategic insight was quite impressive. The fact that he sought Naruto's counsel likely stemmed from Naruto's strength.

Danzo suggested, "In my opinion, we should preemptively cut off all their escape routes and eliminate everyone, including the Mizukage."

Naruto hesitated. His expression conflicted. Seeing this, Danzo sighed and said, "I've heard that Jiraiya and Tsunade haven't been going all out against the enemy." 

"Don't they understand? This is the Fourth Shinobi World War. No matter how lenient they are, the enemy will show no mercy to Konoha!"

Naruto fixed his gaze on Danzo and remarked, "I didn't expect you, Danzo-sama, to have such detailed knowledge of the other battlefields so quickly."

Danzo tapped his cane against the ground and replied, "Indeed, I have people stationed at the other fronts." 

"While it's not possible to know every detail, I have a good grasp of the general situation." 

"Naruto, you're still young and don't yet understand the harsh realities of this world. The Hokage's ideals may be noble, but their naivety will eventually harm Konoha."

Naruto couldn't deny the truth in Danzo's words. After some thought, he said, "I think we don't have to annihilate Kirigakure this time."

Danzo cut him off. "Are you seriously going to adopt such a naive approach? The grudge between us and Kirigakure won't be resolved so easily."

Naruto raised his hand to stop Danzo. "No, my reasons have nothing to do with what you're suggesting. I have longer-term considerations." 

"There are many unknowns in this world. Until we understand them fully, they still have value. As for the specifics, I can't reveal them yet."

Danzo looked at Naruto with a rare trace of confusion in his eyes. Previously, Danzo had seen Naruto as a highly talented youth, one of Konoha's finest prodigies. 

But now, he sensed that Naruto was far more complex, hiding secrets Danzo could hardly fathom.

For now, however, Danzo had no time to ponder such things. He focused on working with Naruto to devise strategies for the impending battle.

The next day, Kirigakure launched another attack, but the Mizukage was noticeably absent this time. 

When Naruto entered Sage Mode, he confirmed that he could not sense the Mizukage's chakra, indicating she wasn't nearby.

Wearing his mask, Naruto was known only as a member of the ANBU. His true identity remained a mystery. 

A Kirigakure shinobi charged at him, but Naruto decapitated the attacker effortlessly with a simple swing of his Thunder God Sword.

By then, both sides had fully engaged in battle. Konoha's forces maintained a defensive strategy, utilizing their fortifications to repel Kirigakure's advances.

Naruto moved to the front lines to minimise Konoha's casualties, creating two shadow clones. 

He performed a powerful jutsu with his clones: Sage Art: Violent Water Wave.

Like roaring rivers, three massive torrents of water materialized out of nowhere, surging from Konoha's elevated position and flooding down onto Kirigakure's forces below.

The vanguard of Kirigakure saw a giant shadow blotting out the sun, and before they realized it was water, it was too late. 

Such a powerful water-style jutsu was beyond their comprehension, far surpassing even what the Mizukage might perform.

After all, the strength of a jutsu isn't just about skill—it's deeply tied to the user's chakra reserves. 

Naruto, with three shadow clones and the amplification of Sage Mode, achieved this overwhelming effect. 

However, the technique drained Naruto's sage chakra in one use, forcing him to summon a clone to replenish it.

The surprise attack had devastating results. Kirigakure's front line was swept away, their fates uncertain. 

The area below the fortifications turned into a vast, turbulent lake.

Those farther from the initial wave struggled to counter the water with their jutsu, but their efforts were barely enough to contend with this familiar yet overpowering water-style technique.

While they were occupied, Naruto prepared his next move. 

Channelling his immense chakra into the Thunder God Sword and working with his clones, he unleashed another jutsu: Sage Art: Lightning Hell.

His chakra surged into the water, turning it into a sea of lightning. 

Countless Kirigakure shinobi perished, the water's surface stained red with blood. Corpses floated everywhere.

The survivors, dazed and in disbelief, felt as if they were trapped in a nightmare. 

This level of power was beyond their imagination. With just one move, countless lives were lost.

The masked ANBU wielding the glowing sword was the cause of this devastation. 

As Naruto withdrew his blade from the water and scanned the remaining Kirigakure forces, his gaze terrorised their hearts.

Just as Naruto was about to pursue the survivors, a crimson figure emerged from the depths. 

Blood from the water began converging toward the figure, intensifying in density.

Sensing the immense power emanating from this mysterious foe, Naruto quickly retreated to a safe distance and summoned a shadow clone to replenish his sage chakra.

Naruto carefully observed the individual in front of him. 

This technique—manipulating blood in such a way—was something only the "Bloodthirsty Demon" was known for. 

Sure enough, a voice echoed from the swirling blood around them.

"Black Flash... this battlefield, filled with so much blood, is my paradise. As long as this blood flows, I won't die!" 

With a crazed grin, the figure charged straight at Naruto. 

Remaining cautious, Naruto created two shadow clones, sending them back to the Konoha camp to gather Sage Mode chakra. 

The astonishing power of Naruto's earlier ninjutsu was not lost on the Konoha shinobi. 

While many had heard tales of the infamous "Black Flash", witnessing his abilities firsthand left an indelible impression. 

As the clones arrived, the Konoha ninja instinctively made way. Though they didn't fully understand his plan, they quickly surrounded the clones to protect them.

The Bloodthirsty Demon, now with blood-red claws gleaming ominously, launched another attack at Naruto, its range and intensity far surpassing his previous attempts. 

Naruto raised his Thunder God Sword, infused it with Sage Mode chakra, and struck. 

The blade deflected the claws and pierced through the Demon's body.

However, the blood surrounding the Demon began to swirl rapidly, carrying his shattered body out of Naruto's range. 

In mere moments, his form was fully restored. Seeing someone capable of holding their ground against Naruto, the remaining Mist ninja regained their courage and resumed their assault on Konoha's defences. 

Despite this, they maintained a cautious distance from Naruto to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.

As the Bloodthirsty Demon lunged at Naruto again, the clash reignited between the two factions. 

With each confrontation, more lives were lost, and blood flowed continuously into the lake created by Naruto's earlier jutsu. 

In turn, the Demon absorbed this blood, empowering him further.

Naruto launched a series of powerful attacks, shattering the Demon's body repeatedly, but the enemy always reconstituted himself. 

This regeneration seemed unstoppable, as the battlefield's countless casualties continuously supplied him with fresh blood. 

Growing increasingly anxious, Naruto thrust his Thunder God Sword deep into the Demon's body and unleashed a powerful lightning discharge. 

The intense chakra tore the Demon apart, scattering his blood into faint streams. 

Yet, with the endless supply of blood on the battlefield, he was soon whole again.

The Demon sneered viciously. "As expected of the infamous Black Flash, to be able to destroy my body in an instant." 

"But as long as there's blood here, no matter how powerful your attacks are, you'll never kill me!"

The blood flowed toward him faster than ever, and he concentrated all his power into his claws, which now radiated an ominous red glow. 

Naruto could sense the immense and malevolent force contained within. The Demon's voice thundered across the battlefield.

"Let this end here! Even if I have to sell my body and soul to the devil, I'll take you down with me! Ninja Art: Blood Demon Ascension!"

The surrounding water and blood merged in an instant, forming a towering, blood-red beast. 

Comparable in size to Gamabunta, its shape was fluid and ever-changing due to the water, but its massive crimson claws remained constant. 

The Bloodthirsty Demon stood at the centre of this monstrous entity, seemingly in full control of the beast.

Raising one massive claw, the monster swiped at Naruto, casting a massive shadow over him. 

Sensing the attack's overwhelming force, Naruto teleported away using the Flying Thunder God Technique. 

The claw struck the water, sending a colossal wave rippling outward. Weaker shinobi scrambled to avoid the chaos.

Naruto reappeared behind the creature, his Thunder God Sword enlarged by chakra and slashed. 

The beast split in two, but the liquid components quickly reassembled, bolstered by the battlefield's abundant blood. 

Multiple attacks yielded the same result, draining Naruto's Sage chakra without a decisive victory.

Realizing time was against him. Naruto summoned shadow clones to replenish his Sage Mode chakra. 

Meanwhile, the creature continued its relentless assault, its claws imbued with the Demon's hatred toward Naruto. 

The Demon's regeneration, fueled by the deaths on the battlefield, seemed unstoppable.

Naruto thought grimly. This isn't something I can resolve quickly. If I don't act soon, I may not even survive. 

His gaze hardened. "Looks like I'll have to summon the two great sages to use genjutsu to finish this."

As Naruto prepared to form the seals, a voice came from behind. "Black Flash, don't waste any more time on him. I'll lend you a hand."

Naruto turned to see Danzo, his clothes stained with blood, a sign of the enemies he'd dispatched on his way. 

Danzo's Sharingan glinted ominously as he stepped forward. Naruto understood his intent and nodded.

Danzo's eye transformed into the distinctive Mangekyō Sharingan pattern, a star-like design with four points. 

The Bloodthirsty Demon suddenly faltered, his blood beast freezing in place, the liquid no longer responding to his control.

Naruto seized the opportunity. With lightning speed, he charged forward, his Thunder God Sword radiating brilliant light. 

The blade pierced through the Demon, and with a final surge of electricity, the once unstoppable foe disintegrated into ashes.

The surrounding blood lost its unnatural vitality and pooled into the crimson lake Naruto had created earlier.

Naruto stood over the aftermath, his sword unstained by a single drop of blood. Staring at the pool, he sighed inwardly. 

He was a formidable opponent. Even someone like me couldn't take him down easily. 

Kotoamatsukami truly deserves its reputation as the strongest genjutsu. It's terrifying.

If you want to support me, join my patr**on. Have 20 advanced Chapters for you guys.

patr**n.com/saitamablast > N:DP NOVEL TIER