Outside the Waterfall of Truth, Yugito stared at the terrifying chakra erupting from within, cold sweat covering her face. "What's going on? Why are Naruto's chakra fluctuations so intense? Is there really such immense darkness hidden in his heart?"
Within Yugito's inner world, the Two-Tails Nekomata said, "That's right, Yugito. Back then, you didn't have even a tenth of Naruto's darkness."
"Then doesn't that mean Naruto..." Yugito was filled with worry. Every Jinchuriki harbored darkness in their heart. To fist-bump with a Tailed Beast and gain its complete recognition, one had to confront their inner self head-on.
In Naruto's inner world, the Nine-Tails sensed that something was wrong with Naruto and could not help frowning.
"What's going on? Even if he failed, he should have exited his inner world. What happened to Naruto?" The Nine-Tails furrowed his brow.
Kushina hurriedly asked, "Kurama, did something happen to Naruto? Why does his chakra feel so chaotic?"
The Nine-Tails shook his head. He did not know what had happened in the inner world, but the situation was definitely different from what Awen remembered.
Minato Namikaze comforted Kushina. "Calm down, Kushina. Believe in our child. He's grown up. Without us even knowing, he has already become an adult."
Though he comforted Kushina like that, Minato was even more panicked than she was. Naruto's situation was dangerous; the Nine-Tails' grave expression made that clear. But what could they do now?
Naruto, you must be safe! Minato silently prayed.
Within the inner world, Dark Naruto sneered. "Is that all the nonsense you have to say? Men may not shed tears easily, but do you think crying will make me accept you so casually? You're far too naive."
Dark Naruto threw Naruto aside, punched him in the face, and sent him sprawling across the shallow water.