Naruto followed Obito into a dark cave. There, he encountered other mysterious figures dressed in black cloaks adorned with red clouds. The Akatsuki.
The stares were heavy. Some despised him, others sized him up like prey. "That kid? He's weak…" one of them said. "But he has Kurama. That's what matters," Obito replied.
Naruto gritted his teeth. "More looks of rejection… once again I must prove my worth."
Kurama sneered in his mind. "Then show them. Unleash some of my power…"
A red aura blazed around Naruto. His anger took shape. For the first time, the Akatsuki members saw this boy as more than a child.
They had just gained a weapon.