"Senior Yagura, Utakata, you..."
The moment Karatachi Yagura agreed as well, Naruto found himself unable to speak.
He was certainly moved.
In truth, they had only known each other for a few days.
Their understanding of one another had likewise only developed over these past few days at Mount Myōboku.
Yet after Utakata proposed that plan, Karatachi Yagura agreed without hesitation, leaving Naruto with deeply complicated feelings.
Because that plan not only required Utakata and Karatachi Yagura to make sacrifices, it also required their unparalleled trust in Naruto.
If Naruto failed to complete the mission, the two of them would essentially be throwing their lives away for nothing.
"Why can't I be the one who sacrifices himself?"
With a bitter smile, Naruto could not help asking.
Yet when faced with Naruto's question, both Utakata and Karatachi Yagura remained calm.
Then Karatachi Yagura spoke.
"I think Utakata believes that you are the strongest among the three of us. That is why only you can deliver the final blow.
If it were me or Utakata, we might not be able to inflict effective damage on the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path."
Utakata nodded at Karatachi Yagura's explanation.
"So, Naruto, you do not need to feel pressured. The choice we made is the most suitable one; we are not deliberately trying to sacrifice ourselves.
Because only you, the Nine-Tails' Perfect Jinchuriki, can unleash the decisive strike we create!"
Seeing Naruto's unwilling expression, Utakata, the one who had proposed the plan, comforted him.
Just as he had said, Naruto was the most suitable person to carry out the final strike.
If he or Karatachi Yagura carried out that final strike, then the other two would probably be making their sacrifices in vain.
Therefore, the only person who could deliver the final blow was