After Sailing with the Pirate King, I Returned to Konoha - 177

Chapter 177: The Indescribable Beginning

(TL NOTE: So, I tried organizing this into a proper book series with volumes and everything, but honestly? It just turned into a complete mess and I was confusing myself more than helping anyone. I'm going back to the simple chapter-by-chapter format. Sorry for any confusion!)

"Naruto-san?"

Karin looked at Naruto with some confusion.

She didn't doubt Naruto's words—if he said this thing was going to explode, then it definitely would.

But why only have them leave? Shouldn't everyone go together?

"I want to try something. If you're here, I might get distracted."

As he spoke, he reached out and patted Karin's head.

With those words said, neither Karin nor Sasuke had anything more to say.

Before leaving, Sasuke took a deep look at Naruto, receiving Naruto's reassuring gaze in return.

Alright then.

He hadn't seen any color symbolizing disaster on Naruto, so most likely everything would be fine.

As the two departed, Naruto turned back to look at that twisted monster.

"Speaking of which, this is my first time trying to eat something like this."

Fortunately, Naruto's psychological fortitude was quite strong. If it were someone else seeing the combined form of Zero-Tails and Shinnō, forget about appetite—not vomiting would be considered good.

"...You..."

The face of Shinnō on Zero-Tails' body opened its mouth, actually recognizing Naruto's appearance and seeming to want to say something.

But Naruto no longer had time to listen.

After flexing his jaw, Naruto opened his mouth toward the monster before him.

At the same time, several chains shot out from Naruto's mouth, quickly binding Zero-Tails' body.

Against Zero-Tails, a chakra construct, Adamantine Sealing Chains were undoubtedly the best choice.

Of course, originally Adamantine Sealing Chains should extend from the back—but this was easily solved.

Naruto had once directly "swallowed" part of the chains, subsequently gaining the ability to create Adamantine Sealing Chains from various parts of his body.

This preparation was precisely for situations like today.

"Ahhhhhhh!"

Though Shinnō appeared to have lost his sanity, he seemed to understand that his upcoming fate might not be pleasant and began struggling desperately.

But no matter how hard he struggled, he remained tightly bound by the chains and was gradually pulled toward Naruto's mouth.

Meanwhile, Karin directly used wind to lift Sasuke back to the pipe entrance, where they could use chakra again. From here, Sasuke could just use chakra adhesion to run up.

"Hey, aren't you worried about Naruto-san at all?"

Karin, who hadn't seen the final eye contact between the two, was somewhat annoyed with the silent Sasuke.

Even though they had just fought side by side.

Hearing this, Sasuke glanced at her, then continued running upward without saying a single word.

That look seemed to indicate he found such stupid questions beneath answering.

"Hey! You—"

The two returned to the upper level like this, one talking and one silent, and briefed Jiraiya on the power room situation.

Meanwhile, Jiraiya also updated them on what had just happened.

The remaining enemies chose to retreat with their wounded ally rather than press their numerical advantage.

That tactical decision spoke volumes about just how catastrophic the situation had become.

"Since Naruto said so..."

Jiraiya had great confidence in Naruto.

This wasn't because he understood Naruto well. Quite the opposite—precisely because Naruto seemed full of mysteries to Jiraiya.

Even with explanations, whenever Naruto acted, it would still refresh Jiraiya's understanding.

Learning the Rasengan instantly was like this, defeating Orochimaru was like this, producing those miraculous Devil Fruits was still like this.

He also believed Naruto wouldn't do anything without certainty.

"Then next—"

Saying this, Jiraiya was about to splash ink to create flying birds to carry everyone.

"No need for such trouble."

Karin interrupted first, then directly transformed back into giant bird form.

"Oh? I forgot you also have this ability, Karin."

Actually, he hadn't forgotten. Jiraiya knew Karin didn't like being treated as a mount—unless that person was Naruto.

So he had deliberately not mentioned this.

"Get on!"

Perhaps their time together had made Karin gradually accept Sasuke as a new companion, as she showed no signs of disgust.

Sasuke cared even less.

The next moment, Garuda's wind blades cut open the control room door, then the giant bird flew out, circling high in the sky and looking down at the Angkor Fortress below, which was already becoming unstable due to power issues.

In the power room, the fortress began tilting to one side due to power problems, and surrounding debris flew up.

But this couldn't affect what was happening in the center.

"Burp—"

As the last bit of chakra was swallowed by Naruto, the originally exploding power core began gradually extinguishing.

Having lost Zero-Tails, only some residual energy remained usable in the Angkor Fortress's power furnace.

This sky carrier would soon crash.

But Naruto had no time to worry about this now.

"You brat, you really are outrageous..."

Kurama had watched the entire process of Naruto devouring Zero-Tails. Honestly, as a fellow chakra being, he felt somewhat empathetic.

If Naruto did this to other tailed beasts too...

But Naruto didn't respond to Kurama.

Because at this moment, his mind was being filled with countless malicious thoughts.

Wanting to kill, to plunder, to destroy!

Zero-Tails was a product of Dark Chakra combined with human malice. Until the Munch Factory completely digested it, this malice would continuously influence Naruto.

He opened his eyes—the whites had turned completely black, and his body emanated an ominous chakra aura.

Though this muttering couldn't truly brainwash Naruto, it did affect his spirit somewhat.

Bang!

Just because something blocked half his path, Naruto somewhat uncontrollably struck out with a punch, completely crushing that mechanical device into scrap metal.

But this further damaged the power room's stability, leaking more of the already scarce energy.

Frowning and smacking his lips, Naruto seemed to sense something and spat to the side.

Completely separated from Zero-Tails, Shinnō's true form was revealed—a withered old man.

But this could be considered a blessing in disguise, as he regained consciousness.

"You—you monster!"

Shinnō looked at Naruto with terror, as if looking at something indescribable.

When previously merged with Zero-Tails, he could observe everything around him.

What did it feel like to personally witness oneself being devoured without resistance?

But Naruto was too lazy to deal with this old fool, still operating his Munch-Munch Fruit ability at full power, trying to completely "assimilate" Zero-Tails.

So Shinnō saw Naruto's body rapidly condense Dark Chakra similar to his earlier state, forming Zero-Tails-style arms.

Those palms merely brushed against his body unintentionally, yet he felt the already dried chakra in his body being absorbed again.

When Naruto completed digestion, he saw Shinnō had completely become a "mummy."

Rumble!

"Oh—almost forgot about this."

The massive tremor made Naruto realize this fortress was falling.

He didn't waste time, directly charging up and punching through the core power room wall.

Howling wind sounds came through the tunnel his fist had created.

But Naruto's Observation Haki sensed something else.

Below the Angkor Fortress was the small town where they had previously enjoyed hot springs.

"Ah—not good!"