Nara Shikamaru and the others were drenched in cold sweat.
They had spent more than a year with Naruto and understood his personality well.
Under normal circumstances, Naruto was easygoing—almost too laid-back. But the moment something involved Hinata, he became frighteningly stubborn.
Just look at what happened during that ridiculous kunai-throwing bet.
Sasuke had barely interrupted their moment, and Naruto had reacted like he was ready to start a war.
Now… Hinata was grounded?
Shikamaru didn't even want to imagine what would happen when Naruto found out.
He gulped and tried to salvage the situation. "Naruto, the Hyuga clan is a major family. They're not going to let you in so easily."
"Why don't we wait a couple of days? Maybe they'll let Hinata out on their own."
Naruto smiled brightly—but Shikamaru saw no warmth in his eyes.
"Wait a second, Shikamaru," Naruto said, voice oddly calm. "You just said 'let Hinata out'... so you're admitting she's locked up?"
Shikamaru froze.
Damn it. Normally, he was the smart one. How did he mess that up?
"Naruto, listen—"
Too late.
Naruto turned on his heel and strode toward the door.
"Naruto, you can't just go!" Shikamaru shot forward and grabbed his shoulder. "Think about this! If you rush in, the Hyuga clan won't just let it slide!"
Kiba, Chōji, Shino, and even Sasuke realized the gravity of the situation and sprang into action, grabbing Naruto's arms and legs in an attempt to hold him back.
Naruto barely seemed to notice them.
He kept walking forward, dragging them along like they weighed nothing.
Sasuke's eyes widened. "Naruto, what the hell!? How are you this strong!?"
Shikamaru, gripping Naruto's leg with all his might, was also in disbelief.
Five people were holding him down. Five!
And he wasn't even slowing down?
"Shit. No choice."
Shikamaru gritted his teeth, released Naruto's leg, and dropped into a crouch, forming a hand seal.
"Shadow Imitation Jutsu!"
The shadows beneath him stretched forward and connected to Naruto's, stopping him in his tracks.
Shikamaru exhaled in relief.
They had him.
Even if Naruto was absurdly strong, the Shadow Imitation Jutsu wasn't something he could just break through—
Then Naruto took another step.
A surge of chakra tore the shadow apart like it was paper.
Shikamaru's breath caught.
"You've gotta be kidding me…"
Naruto just broke free. With pure strength.
"All together!" Shikamaru shouted. "We can't stop him alone!"
"Ino–Shika–Chō Formation!"
"Got it!"
"Leave it to me!"
Chōji's body expanded as he activated the Expansion Jutsu, his massive hand reaching out to grab Naruto.
Shikamaru extended his shadow once more, aiming to rebind Naruto's movements.
Ino formed a hand seal and activated the Mind Transfer Jutsu, sending her consciousness straight into Naruto's mind.
For a brief moment, she made contact.
Then—
"GET LOST!!!"
A monstrous voice roared in Naruto's head.
A wave of killing intent blasted through her mindscape.
Ino's eyes shot open in horror.
Her body went limp as she collapsed to the ground, pale and trembling.
"What… was that voice…?" she whispered, gasping for breath.
Naruto kept walking.
Chōji's giant arm strained to hold him back but was slowly being dragged forward.
Shikamaru's shadow tore apart again like it was nothing.
The group watched in silent shock as Naruto walked straight down the street, undeterred.
Shikamaru swallowed hard.
"Naruto… just how strong are you?"
He had always known Naruto was powerful. But this? This was something else.
Even if they weren't fully trained yet, the heirs of the Ino–Shika–Chō trio had just used their clan's secret techniques together…
And they still couldn't stop him.
Sasuke clenched his fists.
All this time, he thought he was the strongest in their class. Maybe Naruto was close, but still second to him.
But now?
The reality was hitting him hard.
Shikamaru, still kneeling on the ground, wiped the sweat from his brow and muttered, "Alright… what now?"
They couldn't stop Naruto. That much was clear.
But if he went alone, he was bound to clash with the Hyuga clan. And if that happened…
"We have to warn the adults."
Shikamaru forced himself to stand. "I'll get my dad. The rest of you, follow me."
"As the heirs of the Ino–Shika–Chō, we can at least mediate. If Naruto fights the Hyuga clan, maybe they'll hold back for our sake."
The others hesitated, but ultimately nodded.
Meanwhile—
Inside Naruto's mind, in the dark, sealed chamber of the Nine-Tails, a pair of red, slit-pupil eyes gleamed.
The giant fox stirred, baring his fangs.
"Naruto," Kurama rumbled. "I've never seen you this angry before."
The boy didn't respond.
Kurama's voice lowered, almost amused.
"You want power?"
"Take mine."
"I'll make sure you don't lose control… this time."
--
(A/N: Advance Chapters Are Available On My Patreon... Please Think Of Joining It)