Nagato, sitting in the center, his eyes glowing with the Rinnegan, staring at Naruto as if peering into his soul, spoke:
"So... this is the rejected child of Konoha. The one who carries the demon fox."
Naruto lowered his head, but his blue eyes shone with suppressed rage. "Yes... I am the one they hated. The one they called a monster... but I will show them that I am much more than a burden."
Konan, standing next to Nagato, observed the child. "You are still weak, but I feel... a deep pain. Pain forges the sharpest weapons."
Obito placed his hand on Naruto's shoulder. "You want them to pay? You want the world to remember your name? Then join us. But know... once you make this choice, you can never go back."
Naruto felt Kurama laugh in his mind. "Accept, kid... Together, we'll make them taste terror."
Naruto raised his head. A flame burned in his eyes. "I join you. But not to serve you... I join you to become strong enough to crush Konoha and all those who rejected me."
A heavy silence filled the cave. Then Nagato gave a cold smile. "Then... from this day forward, you are one of us. You will take the Shadow Oath."
They handed him a black cloak with red clouds. Naruto put it on, feeling the fabric as heavy as a chain, but powerful as armor.
Nagato spoke the words of the ritual: "Let pain become your strength. Let shadow become your light. Welcome... Naruto Uzumaki, future scourge of the shinobi world."
And, for the first time, Naruto felt he was no longer alone.