ALL NOVEL Chapter 149: Challenge
"And one more thing, Onoki," Naruto continued, his voice cold and filled with anger. "Today, I didn't come here to cause death. If I had, you would already be at the mercy of my blade."
He stepped forward, his eyes locking with Onoki's. "As you were with the destruction of the Uzumaki clan. You're one of the reasons my clan is destroyed today."
The weight of his words hung heavily in the air, a direct accusation that would not be easily ignored.
Onoki's face hardened as Naruto's words pierced through the tense atmosphere. His eyes flickered with a mix of guilt and defiance, but there was no mistaking the sting of the accusation. He had lived with the weight of many sins, but the destruction of the Uzumaki clan—an event he knew had been orchestrated by the combined might of the Five Great Shinobi Nations—was one of the darkest moments of his past.
"I didn't…" Onoki began, his voice faltering for a moment before he regained his composure. "I wasn't the one who ordered their destruction. It wasn't just my decision. It was a collective agreement, a necessary evil at the time. You know how fragile our world was back then—"
"Fragile?" Naruto interrupted, his tone venomous. "You think my people, my clan, were just a footnote in the name of peace? You think the lives of countless innocents can be sacrificed in the name of security? Your security?"
He took a step closer, his chakra flaring with intensity, and the room seemed to tighten with the pressure. The Kages, all watching this exchange, could feel the weight of Naruto's anger.
"Anyway, let's get this over with," Naruto said, his voice steady. "You all come at me together. Tsuna, you can also join them if you want."
"Do you think I would be against you?" Tsunade replied, stepping forward and gently tapping his head.
"Ouch, Tsuna," Naruto winced.
"That's for thinking I would be against you," Tsunade said, her tone softening as she embraced him. "I will always be with you, even if you destroyed the whole world."
Naruto smiled, feeling the warmth of her support.
The room was filled with a tense silence, and for a moment, it seemed like time itself had paused. Tsunade's words were heavy, yet filled with the unwavering loyalty and love she had for Naruto. Her embrace was warm and reassuring, and though Naruto had initially flinched from the light smack on his head, he now returned her hug, his body relaxing as the weight of the moment settled in.
"I don't want to destroy the world, Tsuna," Naruto said quietly, his tone softening. "But I do want to rebuild it—make it better. Make sure no one else has to go through what my clan did. No more innocent bloodshed, no more betrayals. Just peace."
Tsunade's eyes softened as she pulled away from him, gently wiping the tears that had started to form in her eyes. "I know, Naruto. I know. You'll make it happen."
The other Kages watched in silence, their expressions a mixture of surprise and begrudging respect. Despite the anger and tension that had filled the room moments before, there was now a palpable sense of unity among the group. Tsunade's words had reminded them all that, in the end, Naruto wasn't just a powerful shinobi—he was someone who cared deeply about the future and the people around him.
"Okay, about the challenge, let's take it outside, as this room wouldn't stand under our strength," Naruto said, taking Tsunade's hand and heading for the door.
Shizune followed close behind, her gaze fixed on Naruto, concerned but supportive.
The first to join Naruto outside was Rasa. "I will go," he said firmly, walking past them and heading toward the open field.
Temari, not wanting to be left behind, quickly ran up to Naruto. She embraced him from behind, her arms wrapping around his waist. "Be careful, Naruto," she murmured softly, her voice laced with both concern and affection.
Naruto smiled softly as he felt Temari wrap her arms around him from behind. "Temari, you're not worried about me, are you?" he asked, a playful glint in his eyes.
"I just want to make sure you're okay," Temari replied, her voice filled with concern as she tightened her hold slightly. "You're about to face all of them at once, Naruto. You don't know how hard they'll hit."
Naruto turned slightly to face her, his grin widening. "Don't worry. I can handle it. Besides, it's not about defeating them. It's about showing them that Konoha has always been the true beacon of peace and strength. I'm not going to let anything get in the way of that."
Temari let go of him but gave him a lingering look, her eyes filled with both pride and anxiety. She knew Naruto's strength better than anyone, but the situation they were about to face was unprecedented.
As they reached the open area outside the meeting hall, the wind was picking up, making the trees sway gently. The Kages had already gathered, each of them preparing themselves mentally for what was about to come. Naruto took a deep breath, preparing for the challenge that would change everything.
Rasa was the first to step forward, his face solemn but resolute. "Naruto, you've been making a lot of bold claims. Let's see if your strength lives up to them."
Naruto nodded. "I'm ready."
Tsunade, Shizune, and Temari watched from the sidelines, their gazes filled with a mixture of concern and support. They knew Naruto wasn't just fighting for himself but for the future of the shinobi world.
With a swift motion, Naruto pulled out a kunai and threw it high into the air, signaling the beginning of the challenge. As it fell back down, he was already in motion, his body blurring with incredible speed as he dashed toward the Kages.
Rasa was quick to respond, raising his hand to summon his sand defense. But Naruto was faster, his speed and reflexes putting him several steps ahead. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a wooden barrier that collided with Rasa's sand, knocking it away with ease.
The other Kages, not to be outdone, took their positions as well, preparing to face the challenge Naruto had issued.
Onoki, standing a little further back, raised his hands to manipulate the earth, creating enormous boulders that launched toward Naruto. But Naruto anticipated the attack, jumping into the air, his chakra enhanced as he soared higher than the rocks could reach.
"Is that all you've got?" Naruto called out with a smirk, his words carrying a playful tone despite the intensity of the situation.
A stepped forward, his muscles bulging as he charged toward Naruto with lightning-fast strikes, but Naruto sidestepped him with ease, letting his opponent's momentum carry him forward. As A stumbled slightly, Naruto's wooden style erupted from the ground, restraining the Raikage's movements for just a moment.
Naruto's eyes glinted with determination. "This isn't about just winning, but about proving that Konoha's ideals of unity, strength, and peace are unmatched."
Each Kage seemed to weigh his words as they took their next steps. Mei, the Mizukage, activated her mist technique, sending a dense fog across the battlefield to obscure Naruto's vision. However, with his heightened senses and the use of his chakra, Naruto navigated through the mist effortlessly, countering with wood-style jutsu that dispersed the fog around him.
The battle was intense, but Naruto remained calm, using his powers to both defend and attack in equal measure. His agility, his mastery over wood style, and his overwhelming willpower made him a force to be reckoned with. And with every move, he proved that Konoha's strength wasn't just about power—it was about conviction.
On the sidelines, Tsunade, Shizune, and Temari cheered him on, watching in awe as Naruto continued to face the Kages head-on, ready to defend his vision for the world.
After a few minutes of intense fighting, Naruto landed back on the ground, his chakra glowing as he raised his hands in a peaceful gesture. "That's enough," he said calmly, his breathing steady despite the fierce combat.