The things mentioned earlier are what Naruto cares about.
The compensation offered by the Cloud Village isn't limited to just those.
Money and resources are certainly abundant.
Besides these, they have their own subtle intentions. Of course, it's not about scheming against Naruto or setting traps.
Among the many compensations, there are several things Naruto didn't mention, such as a few properties within the Land of Lightning, especially two located in the Cloud Village itself. This completely reveals their hidden intentions.
If they can't treat him as an enemy, they might as well win him over.
Who knows? One day he might remember that he owns a few properties in the Land of Lightning. Even if it's just for a vacation, if he spends some time there and forms bonds with others, he might be willing to stay in this country for a longer period.
Of course, the chances are slim, so slim that it's merely a fantasy.
But if such a low-probability event only costs a few properties, why not give it a try?
This is something the Raikage, A, could never come up with.
To him, ninjas are just tools.
Even the "Kage" only considers how to manage and assign work to these tools.
This was the opinion of the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning after learning about this matter.
Since it's an enemy they cannot afford to offend, they should compensate generously and straightforwardly.
If it offers a chance to mend relations, so much the better.
Naruto doesn't care much about these things.
Karin carefully checked everything and couldn't stop smiling.
A week later.
A ship departed from the Cloud Village.
Led by the Raikage's secretary, Mabui, they took Naruto to the Falls of Truth.
The location of that island is elusive, and the Cloud Village doesn't have the ability to control it.
After several course adjustments and two full days of sailing, they finally found the small island.
It was enormous, hidden within thick fog.
Unlike any of the other islands they encountered along the way.
The perimeter of this island wasn't surrounded by low sandy beaches or tall palm trees, let alone seagulls or crabs. Instead, it was encircled by jagged, protruding stalagmites. The wind and waves had not weathered them; rather, they were covered in dense moss and barnacles, making them appear even more menacing and sharp.
Amidst those stalagmites, one could vaguely see some beast and human corpses. Reptiles slithered among them.
It gave off an ominous feeling.
Naruto gazed into the distance.
Underneath this island, there was a vast and powerful life force.
Could this be the "turtle" the Cloud Village mentioned?
But it has size without strength.
Within its body, there was almost no detectable "chakra," only traces of "natural energy." Yet even in terms of "natural energy," both its quantity and quality were extremely sparse. Even the young toads of Mount Myoboku contain more natural energy than it does.
The ship didn't approach any closer, stopping at a distance of about three to four hundred meters.
"No dock?" Karin asked as she noticed the Cloud ninjas preparing to disembark and land on the island.
Mabui shook her head and explained, "This island moves, so any dock built would eventually be swallowed by the sea."
"Moreover,"
"The harder it is to land on this island, the more advantageous it is for us in the Cloud Village."
As she spoke,
A male ninja with black war paint on his nose emerged from the island and stood on a stalagmite, waving to them, "I have received Raikage-sama's orders."
"I will be responsible for hosting you this time."
He formed hand signs.
The barrier was lifted.
The mist shrouding the island seemed to thin out a bit.
"Please follow me," the man beckoned.
The ninjas on the ship grabbed their luggage, jumped into the water, and began walking towards the island.
Naruto lifted Karin and walked across the sky.
Looking down, he could see the entire island.
Within the stalagmites was a dense forest, with a small hill nestled in the center.
The Cloud ninjas who had just climbed the stalagmites couldn't help but look up at the golden figure that had already crossed the natural barrier and entered the island ahead of them.
The Cloud ninja in charge of the reception was amazed, "So, this is Uzumaki Naruto?"
His voice was filled with reverence for a powerful individual.
A ninja with the ability to fly.
As far as he knew, only the Tsuchikage could fly.
In his youth, he had also witnessed the Tsuchikage in flight.
But perhaps because of the Tsuchikage's appearance and physique, or maybe due to the technique, the Tsuchikage's flying posture was like being suspended, far less graceful and relaxed than the elegance and ease displayed by Uzumaki Naruto.
The other Cloud ninjas remained silent, only casting complex glances at him.
Indeed.
This is Uzumaki Naruto.
When the Cloud ninjas landed on the island, they found Naruto waiting at the entrance.
The ninja in charge of reception was about to lead them to their accommodations.
"Let's head to the Falls of Truth first," Naruto smiled, rejecting his arrangement but with a gentle tone.
The ninja was stunned, nodded, and led the way.
The Raikage's orders were to unconditionally fulfill any of Uzumaki Naruto's requests.
The Falls of Truth were located at the center of this "Turtle Island."
It appeared quite small, far less impressive than the waterfalls within the Land of Lightning. A small river, only four or five people wide, cascaded from a cliff more than ten meters high, crashing into a pool just slightly larger than the stream itself.
At the end of the waterfall, in the center of that pool, was a platform shaped into a circle.
"This is the place known as the Falls of Truth," the ninja introduced. "If you sit on the platform in the center of the pool, close your eyes, and meditate, you'll be able to see your true self."
Naruto stepped forward, ready to go.
Mabui asked, "Uzumaki-sama, do you need us to leave?"
Naruto smiled at them and shook his head.
He sat on the platform and closed his eyes.
Two Nine-Tails foxes followed him, assuming human-like forms, and entered meditation by his side.
A surge of natural energy flowed in. Naruto did not resist, allowing it to envelop him.
The sound of rushing water suddenly vanished.
The darkness before him was replaced by the scene of the waterfall that had appeared earlier.
Naruto looked up, and from behind the waterfall, a figure emerged.
It was another version of himself.
He wore the same captain's cloak, with two swords at his waist.
But his eyes were different. The eyes of this other self, emerging from the waterfall, were as crimson as blood, filled with hatred and anger.
"Why didn't you destroy the Cloud Village?" he asked as he walked out. "You clearly gave them a chance."
"But they didn't appreciate it."
"Especially that guy named A."
"He even had all sorts of other thoughts when making reparations."
"Ninjas are such dull creatures. If that's the case, why not completely annihilate them?"
Naruto turned his head to the sides.
The Nine-Tails foxes had disappeared.
Is this something only I can face within my own heart?
He responded, "Destroying the Cloud Village would lead to a meaningless war."
"The old Five Great Ninja Villages would be replaced by new ones."
"What does that have to do with you?" the red-eyed Naruto raised his voice, spreading his hands. "The end of a living being's life is just the beginning of another journey. That's something you've said yourself."
"Do you really care about those lives?"
Naruto's expression remained calm. "It's not about caring; it's about respect."
"If you are another version of me, you should be well aware of our situation."
"Are you referring to those in the Soul Society?" the red-eyed Naruto whispered, grinning viciously. "Don't try to test me."
"I am just another you."
"I have all your memories, whether in the Ninja World or in the Soul Society."
Naruto nodded, ruling out the possibility that this was just a "genjutsu" of the Falls of Truth. A mere "genjutsu" couldn't know about events in another world.
The red-eyed version of himself truly stemmed from his inner self.
He continued, "Since you know, you are aware that we are Shinigami."
"As Shinigami, our duty is to respect life."
"Those people may indeed have nothing to do with me."
"I have no reason to love them, but likewise, I have no reason to hate them."
"For those who anger me, stripping them of a few decades of life as punishment seems appropriate to me."
"But those ordinary people..."
"They neither committed evil nor offended me. Why should they suffer such pain?"
The red-eyed Naruto's tone hardened. "Then kill all the ninjas."
"Whoever wants to start a war, kill them!"
"That way, those innocent ordinary people won't have to endure such pain."
Naruto was unmoved by his words. "Killing all the ninjas won't solve the problem."
"If a tool is misused, is it the tool's fault?"
"By destroying all the tools, can you ensure that new tools won't be created in the future?"
The red-eyed Naruto stared at the Naruto sitting on the platform by the pool, lowering his voice. "But this is the deepest desire within your heart. Why are you trying so hard to deny it?"
"You do not represent me," Naruto shook his head.
He slowly stood up, placing his hand on the sword "Ashura." "I admit that I have indeed had thoughts like you said."
"But these are not my final will."
"You represent only the evil side of my heart, filled with 'hatred' and 'resentment.'"
The red-eyed Naruto also gripped the sword "Ashura." "So, you can't resist making a move against me?"
Naruto instantly stepped forward, slashing his sword.
The red-eyed Naruto raised his sword, easily countering.
The clash of equal chakra and spiritual power created a massive surge of momentum and waves.
Back in the real world.
By the pool's edge.
"What exactly is the function of the Falls of Truth?" Karin looked at Naruto, sensing the chakra flowing within him.
"The Falls of Truth projects another version of oneself in the inner world," Mabui explained to Karin. "Like a mirror, it reflects a completely opposite self."
"In the Cloud Village, usually only Jinchuriki come here to train."
"This is my first time here, so I've never truly seen it..."
She didn't finish her sentence.
Suddenly, a vast power surged from the blond youth.
The ninjas by the shore could hardly bear it, gritting their teeth as they were oppressed by the overwhelming aura.
~~~
Next Chapter is... Available?!! Go!!!
Btw, [However... since Yugito was instantly killed by him, it was clear that this ability wouldn't be lacking either. -> Yugito change to C] that's all