What Naruto cared about were those things mentioned earlier.
The compensation offered by the Hidden Cloud was more than just these.
They included money and resources aplenty.
Besides these, they had their own little schemes—not to set a trap for Naruto, but rather to win him over.
Among the numerous compensations, there were things not raised by Naruto, such as real estate within the Land of Lightning, especially two properties arranged within the Hidden Cloud Village, which clearly revealed their intentions.
If they couldn't regard him as an enemy, then they must attract him to their side.
Perhaps one day, he might remember the houses he owns in the Land of Lightning and decide to vacation there, forming bonds with others, which may eventually persuade him to stay longer.
Of course, the odds are slim, so slim that they only exist in fantasies.
But if such a small probability event could be provoked by a few houses, why not give it a try?
This kind of strategy wasn't something the Raikage A could come up with.
To a ninja, they were mere tools.
Even a "Shadow's" consideration was simply about how to manage and allocate duties among these tools.
These suggestions came from the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning upon learning of the situation.
Since he couldn't afford to offend the enemy, it's better to offer generous compensation.
If this could mend relations, all the better.
Naruto didn't care much about these things.
Karin checked everything enthusiastically, grinning from ear to ear.
A week later.
The ship set sail from the Hidden Cloud.
Led by Mabui, the Raikage's secretary, Naruto was on his way to the Island of True Falls.
The island's location was elusive, and the Hidden Cloud couldn't control it.
After multiple course adjustments, it took two full days of sailing to finally locate the island.
It was enormous, shrouded in thick fog, completely different from any other islands encountered along the journey.
The island's perimeter lacked low beaches and tall palm trees, nor were there any seabirds or crabs.
Instead, it was surrounded almost entirely by sharp, towering stone spires, untouched by the wind and waves, only covered with dense moss and barnacles, making them look even more menacing and sharp.
Amid the stone spires, the vague silhouettes of beasts and human corpses could be seen, with creepy crawlies slithering in between.
There was an air of "threat" about the place.
Naruto gazed into the distance.
Beneath this island, there was a vast life force.
Was it the "turtle" the Cloud mentioned?
Despite its size, it wasn't strong.
Within its body, there was almost no sense of chakra, only faint traces of "natural energy."
Even for natural energy, both its quantity and quality were exceedingly thin. Young toads of Mount Myoboku contained more natural energy within them.
The ship did not approach, stopping three or four hundred meters away.
"Is there no port?" asked Karin, observing the Cloud shinobi preparing to disembark.
Mabui shook her head and explained, "The island moves, so any port built will 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."
As she spoke, a male ninja with black paint across his nose instantly appeared from within the island, landing on a stalagmite and waving in greeting. "I have received orders from Lord Raikage."
"I am here to welcome you."
He formed seals with his hands.
The barrier was lifted.
The mist enveloping the island seemed to lighten.
"Please follow me," the man said, gesturing with his hand.
The ninja on the ship gathered their belongings, jumping overboard one after another, stepping onto the water.
Naruto, carrying Karin, walked through the sky.
Looking down, he could see the entire island.
Within the stalagmites was a dense forest, encircling small hills at the center.
The Cloud ninjas, still climbing the stalagmites, couldn't help but look up, seeing the golden figure bypass the natural barrier and enter the island before them.
The welcoming Cloud ninja was amazed, "Is this Naruto Uzumaki?"
His voice was filled with respect for the powerful.
The ninja with the ability to fly.
As far as he knew, only the Tsuchikage could do it.
In his youth, he had once seen the Tsuchikage fly.
But perhaps it was the appearance and stature of the Tsuchikage, or maybe it was due to the jutsu itself.
The Tsuchikage's flying posture looked as if he were being suspended, far less relaxed and elegant compared to Naruto Uzumaki.
The other Cloud ninjas remained silent, casting him a complex glance.
Yes, this was Uzumaki Naruto.
When the Cloud ninjas reached the island, Naruto was waiting at the entrance.
The ninja responsible for welcoming them was about to lead them to their accommodations first.
"Let's head to the True Falls first," Naruto said with a smile, gently refuting the arrangement.
The ninja hesitated, nodded his head, and led the way.
The Raikage had instructed them to fulfill any of Uzumaki Naruto's requests unconditionally.
The True Falls was located at the center of this "Turtle Island," amidst the mountains.
The waterfall appeared small, a far cry from those found within the Land of Lightning—a narrow stream, only wide enough for four or five people, cascading from a cliff over ten meters high, crashing thunderously into a pool just a little larger than the width of the stream.
At the pool's center, there was a platform shaped into a circle.
Naruto stepped forward, intending to walk there.
Mabui asked, "Lord Uzumaki, should we step back?"
Naruto smiled at them and shook his head.
Sitting down on the platform, he closed his eyes.
The two Nine-Tails followed suit, assuming human-like postures, and began meditating beside him.
A surge of natural energy flooded in. Naruto did not resist, allowing it to envelop him.
The rushing sound of water suddenly vanished from his ears.
The darkness before his eyes faded, and the waterfall scene he had seen earlier reappeared.
Naruto looked up, seeing a figure emerge from behind the waterfall.
It was another version of himself.
Similarly cloaked with the captain's haori and two swords at the waist, yet, the eyes differ. Emerging from the waterfall, his own eyes are as crimson as blood, filled with hatred and rage.
"Why have you not destroyed the Hidden Cloud?" he asks as he walks forth, "You clearly gave them a chance."
"But they did not cherish it."
"Especially that guy named A."
"Even when making reparations, there were chaotic thoughts."
"Ninjas are such boring creatures. If that's the case, why not annihilate them completely?"
Naruto turns his head from side to side.
The Nine-Tails is absent.
Is this a confrontation only he can face within his own heart?
He responds, "Destroying the Hidden Cloud would lead to meaningless war."
"The old five great ninja villages would fall, and new ones would arise."
"And what does that have to do with you?" the red-eyed Naruto raises his voice, opening his palms, "The end of a life is just the start of another journey, isn't that what you always say?"
"Do you truly care about their lives?"
Naruto's face remains calm, "It's not caring, it's respecting."
"Since you're another me, you should know our situation."
"Are you referring to those in the Seireitei?" the red-eyed Naruto grins mockingly, "Don't try to test me."
"I am indeed another you."
"Holding all your memories, whether in the ninja world or in the Soul Society."
Naruto nods, eliminating the possibility that this is merely an illusion from the Real Waterfall. Such an illusion couldn't know about another world.
The red-eyed version of himself truly originates from his 'heart'.
He continues, "Since you're aware, then you know, we are Shinigami."
"As Shinigami, our duty is to respect life."
"Those people truly have nothing to do with me."
"I have no reason to love them, but similarly, I have no reason to hate them."
"Those who provoke me will lose decades of their life as a consequence, which I find fitting."
"But those ordinary people..."
"They haven't done anything wrong, nor have they offended me. Why should they endure such suffering?"
Red-Eyed Naruto spoke forcefully, "Then kill all the ninja."
"Whoever wants to start a war, kill them!"
"This way, innocent people won't have to suffer."
Naruto was unaffected by his words, "Killing all the ninja won't solve anything."
"Is it the tool's fault if it's misused?"
"Destroying all the tools doesn't guarantee new ones won't be created."
Red-Eyed Naruto stared at the Naruto sitting on the pool's edge, softening his tone, "But this is what you truly wish deep inside. Why do you strive to deny it?"
"You can't speak for me." Naruto shook his head.
He slowly stood up, resting his hand on the sword 'Ashura', "I admit that I've had those thoughts you mentioned."
"But they are not my final will."
"What you represent is merely the 'hatred' and 'resentment' within me."
Red-Eyed Naruto also grasped the sword 'Ashura', "Couldn't resist trying to attack me?"
Naruto swiftly moved, swinging the sword.
Red-Eyed Naruto raised his blade, easily countering.
Their equal chakra and soul power clashed, unleashing a torrent of energy.
In the real world.
Beside the pool.
"What exactly does the True Falls do?" Karin observed Naruto, sensing the chakra circulating within him.
"The True Falls project another self within one's inner world," Mabui explained to Karin, "like a mirror, it projects a complete opposite."
"In the Land of Clouds, usually only Jinchuriki come here to train."
"This is my first time here; I haven't truly seen it."
She hadn't finished speaking.
Suddenly, an immense power surged from the blond boy.
Several ninjas by the shore couldn't bear the pressure, gritting their teeth, overwhelmed by the aura.
(End of Chapter)