Chapter 13.2: Kaguya's Point of View on Naruto
Context :
Kaguya, still under her identity as Hikari, has remained silent since the confrontation with Jiraku Kaen. Although in her spirit form, she has been closely observing Naruto throughout the mission, his actions, his words, and most importantly, his attitude towards enemies like Jiraku. This chapter explores Kaguya's thoughts, her internal conflict, and her perception of Naruto, whom she sees as both an obstacle and an enigma.
Naruto's group set up camp for the night. The dancing flames of the campfire cast shadows on the tired faces of Naruto, Hinata, and Kiba. Everyone was exhausted, but an atmosphere of determination reigned.
Kaguya, in her spiritual space inside Naruto, observed everything from her host's eyes. She stood in the darkness of her own mind, analyzing every movement and word.
"He's stupid. Idiotically optimistic, even in the face of enemies who sometimes outmatch him. Yet… he wins. Not just through strength or power, but through something deeper."
Kaguya remembered the moment when Naruto had reached out to Jiraku, despite the latter's obvious hatred.
"That boy isn't just strong… he's dangerous. Not because of his physical power, but because he believes he can change the hearts of others. Even I feel that influence sometimes."
A shiver ran through her.
"But that would be a mistake. I cannot let myself be influenced by him. My goal remains clear: to recover my strength and return to my full power. No matter how many times he tries to convince me, I will not fail."
Kaguya noticed the way Hinata looked at Naruto. Her soft eyes, her discreet smile… it was obvious to her.
"That girl is pathetic. She looks at him like he's a god among men. She doesn't understand that the boy is just a tool. A powerful tool, yes, but a mere mortal. Why are humans so emotionally weak?"
Then, his gaze fell on Naruto. He was talking with Kiba, a tired but sincere smile on his face.
"What about him? How can he be so carefree after everything he's been through? Why doesn't he keep his emotions to himself?"
In Naruto's mindspace, Kurama growled, interrupting Kaguya's thoughts.
—You think too much, Kaguya. It's almost funny to see you trying to understand Naruto.
Kaguya slowly turned her gaze towards the nine-tailed fox.
— You dare to speak to me like that, you beast?
Kurama snickered.
— Yes, because unlike you, I know Naruto. I know what he represents. And you, you are here, trapped in his shadow, trying to understand him while despising him.
Kaguya narrowed her eyes.
— I don't need to understand. It's just a means to an end.
Kurama replied mockingly:
—That's it. Keep telling yourself that. But be careful, Kaguya. If you stay around him too long, you might end up changing.
She looked away, annoyed.
"Change? Ridiculous. I'm the original goddess. He's the one who's impressionable, not me."
Back in the real world, Kaguya watched as Naruto moved slightly away from the group, sitting alone under a tree.
"What is he doing?"
She exited Naruto's mind and reappeared in her human form, slightly concealed by the shadows of the trees. She approached silently.
"What are you doing here all alone?" she finally asked.
Naruto jumped slightly, then smiled upon seeing her.
— Oh, Hikari! Nothing special. I was just thinking about what Jiraku said.
She sat down across from him, crossing her arms.
— Why do you care? He's an enemy. His words are worthless.
Naruto shook his head.
—Maybe… but he wasn't wrong. Small nations have suffered. That's something I want to change, even if it takes time.
Kaguya stared at him, a glint of incomprehension in her eyes.
—Why waste your energy on people you don't even know?
Naruto shrugged.
—Because that's what being a ninja is. Being Hokage. Taking care of everyone, not just those close to you.
He looked her straight in the eyes.
—You may never understand this, Hikari, but that's how I see it.
Kaguya's Thoughts:
"He is insane. Such a mentality only leads to destruction… yet he persists."
She looked away, staring at the flames of the camp in the distance.
"Naruto Uzumaki… maybe you're more complex than I imagined. But that doesn't change anything. In the end, I will destroy you if that's what it takes to achieve my goal."
Yet, deep inside her, a strange feeling was emerging. A seed of uncertainty that she couldn't ignore.
End of Chapter.
Chapter 14: A New Threat Ahead
Opening Scene: Return to Konoha
The group finally crossed the large gates of the village. Naruto, Hinata and Kiba were tired but relieved to find their home again. Raiken, unconscious and securely tied up, was carried by two ANBU who had joined them on the way.
— "Well, we're finally here," Naruto said, stretching.
Hinata smiled softly, even though her thoughts seemed elsewhere.
Kiba, on the other hand, growled as he looked at Raiken.
— "That guy... he really gave us a hard time. We better deliver him quickly before he wakes up."
Naruto nodded.
— "Let's go to Kakashi-sensei's office. We have to tell him everything."
At the Hokage's office:
Kakashi sat calmly behind his desk, listening to Naruto's detailed report. Beside him, Shikamaru was already leafing through scrolls containing preliminary information on Akumu Shin'en.
— "A group that uses the chakra residue of tailed beasts…" Kakashi muttered as he stared at Naruto.
— "That explains their power. But their goal remains unclear."
Shikamaru intervened:
— "If their intention is to amass as much chakra as possible, they might try something devastating. We must act quickly."
Naruto clenched his fists.
— "They won't stop there. Jiraku and Raiken… these guys aren't like the other enemies we've faced. They'll do anything to achieve their goals, even destroy themselves."
Hinata, silent until then, added timidly:
— "And there was something strange about Raiken… like he bore a personal hatred towards you, Naruto-kun."
Kiba added:
— "That's true. This gang has a grudge against Konoha and, more broadly, against all the great nations. They probably have other members as dangerous as the ones we faced."
Kakashi nodded.
— "Raiken will be entrusted to Ibiki and Ino. We must obtain all the information we can. In the meantime, Naruto, rest. You will need it."
In a dark room lit only by torches, the leader of Akumu Shin'en stood before a large plan drawn on a scroll.
Around him, the remaining members of his group were gathered, each in a different posture. Akiko had returned, sitting calmly in a corner, a smirk on her face.
— "Raiken has failed," the leader declared coldly.
— "That doesn't change our goal. We've already recovered some of the Juubi's chakra residue, but there's still more left near the site of the last battle. We need to speed up our plans before the major nations step up their security."
One of the members, a colossus with a deep voice, intervened:
— "Raiken was a fool. He should have been eliminated before this mission. Now they know who we are."
The chief raised his hand to quiet the murmurs.
— "Don't underestimate Konoha, but don't be afraid either. I have another mission for you."
He turned his gaze to a smaller man in a dark coat, his eyes glowing slightly in the shadows.
— "Takeshi, infiltrate Konoha. Find holes in their security. We can't let Raiken reveal what he knows, even under torture."
Takeshi nodded and disappeared in a swirl of smoke.
In the evening, Naruto was sitting on the roof of his apartment, looking at the stars. Hikari, in her spirit form, materialized next to him.
— "You seem thoughtful," she remarked neutrally.
Naruto shrugged.
— "I just… I don't understand why these guys hate us so much. I mean, I know we made mistakes, but is that really a reason to destroy everything?"
Kaguya crossed her arms, her gaze distant.
— "Hatred is a powerful force, Naruto Uzumaki. Sometimes it consumes everything, even reason."
He turned his head towards her.
— "And you? How many centuries have you lived with this hatred? You could be like them, you know."
She stared at him, surprised by his boldness.
— "Do not compare me to these mortals. Their hatred is insignificant compared to what I have endured."
Naruto smiled.
— "Maybe. But deep down, it's the same. You're both stuck in the past, unable to move forward."
She clenched her fists, but forced herself to stay calm.
— "Don't provoke me, Naruto. I could destroy you if I wanted to."
Naruto burst out laughing.
— "Yeah, yeah. But you don't. Why?"
Kaguya remained silent, confused by his question.
The next day, a messenger arrived at Kakashi's office, carrying a sealed letter from the Land of Wind.
— "The site of the last battle has been attacked. The outposts have been destroyed, and traces of complex seals have been found."
Kakashi, his eyes serious, looked at Shikamaru.
— "Akumu Shin'en has started to move. We must call a meeting with the other nations. This is only just beginning."
End of Chapter.