"Why should you agree to him?"
Nine-Tails's huge head was pressed against the cold iron bars, its scarlet vertical pupils filled with undisguised doubts and a trace of anger as if it had been fooled.
Its voice was like muffled thunder, echoing within Sealing Space.
"Konoha is destroyed and destroyed. Isn't this what you want? Kid!
You clearly hate this place, hate the ignorant people, hate those in power who are so high above you but turn a blind eye to your pain!
Although it is not completely destroyed now, it is enough to cause them pain for a long time.
Why do you want to help them rebuild?"
The consciousness of Naruto is still sitting cross-legged in front of the sealed door. He did not directly answer Nine-Tails's question.
"I like a poem very much."
Nine-Tails was stunned. "Poem? What poem?"
Why hasn't he seen any poems?
Naruto ignored it and read two of the sentences in a clear and slow tone:
"A monk can be taught a lesson even if he is a fool, but a monster will cause disaster if he is a ghost."
Nine-Tails was confused by what he heard and shook his head irritably. "What do you mean? Talk like a human!"
Naruto then turned his gaze back to Nine-Tails. In the depths of those blue eyes, it seemed as if ice had cracked, revealing an even darker and deeper cold pool underneath.
"Konoha ordinary residents, those who once feared me, rejected me, and threw stones at me are 'foolish people'."
Naruto explained.
"They are 'monks'.
Ignorant, blindly obedient, and easily incited, but in essence, they are just tools deceived and domesticated by Third, Danzo and other high-level officials.
It is an existence that is ruled and treated as a tool by the rulers.
They themselves are not the source of evil.
There may be room for change by admonishing, guiding, or... using facts to 'educate'."
His voice paused and became colder:
"And Shimura Danzō, as well as his set of Root's dark logic, and the corrupt forces attached to it... they are the 'demon' in the poem.
It's the ghost lurking under Konoha's shiny surface, and it's the source of disaster.
They use fear and conspiracy to murder a few people who threaten their interests to maintain so-called 'stability'. They are one of the real brewers of many tragedies in Konoha."
Naruto's eyes were as sharp as a knife. "As for Third Hiruzen Sarutobi... he may have good intentions at first, but he was indecisive, constantly compromised on issues of principle, condoned or even acquiesced in many of Danzo's actions, and used 'overall situation', 'balance', and 'helplessness' to excuse himself.
He has allowed the growth of 'demon', and to a certain extent, he himself can be classified as a part of 'demon', at least it is the breeding ground for 'demon' to exist."
Nine-Tails listened with some rapt attention, but still puzzled. "So what?"
They are all in the same boat. If you destroy Konoha and let them all die, won't it be all over?"
"No."
Naruto shook his head slowly and raised the corners of his mouth.
This guy is indeed not Kurama.
"That would be too cheap for them, especially Third."
His voice was low, with a coldness that could penetrate people's hearts:
"The most uncomfortable way for Third is not to kill him.
By killing him, he could close his eyes peacefully with the glory and self-satisfaction of "dying for Konoha" and "protecting the village".
That was one of his longed-for destinations."
Naruto raised his head, his eyes seemed to penetrate Consciousness Space, and saw the dying old man lying on the hospital bed in reality.
"What I want to do is to deny all his persistence and the concept of 'balance' that he spent his whole life maintaining, even if it requires sacrificing a few.
It's not about denying for the sake of denying, but taking the essence and discarding the dross.
Facts prove that Third's cowardice is undesirable.
I want him to see it with his own eyes while he is still alive.
Without using his methods, without compromising, without sacrificing innocent people, Konoha can rebuild and become stronger in another way, faster, better and brighter!
The weapon of criticism can never replace the weapon of criticism.
Between countries, we still rely on our fists to speak.
Being indecisive will only make more people think that Konoha is easy to bully.
Only by hitting with one punch can you avoid hundreds of punches!"
"I want him to understand that protection is good.
But his so-called 'protection' is, in many cases, nothing more than a fig leaf for incompetence and cowardice.
The 'Will of Fire' he believed in all his life has been twisted into a Shackles that maintains the status quo and fears change in his hands!"
Naruto's tone was unequivocal. "It is honorable to die on the battlefield to protect your homeland.
But I don't intend to give him this honor.
He only deserves to be on the sickbed, full of doubts, unwillingness, and self-doubt.
Watching the village that deteriorated under his rule take on a new life that he couldn't understand or control."
"In this way, he will not be able to rest in peace even when he dies.
His faith will be completely shattered.
This is the best 'punishment' for him."
Nine-Tails was silent, as if thinking about Naruto's words.
However, at this moment, Naruto suddenly changed the topic and looked directly at Nine-Tails.
"In this way, do you understand? Asura."
Nine-Tails's expression suddenly changed.
Then its big mouth opened, and in just a few breaths, the entire Consciousness Space completely changed.
Instead, there is an endless, pure and empty Pure White Space.
It is difficult to distinguish up, down, left, and right here, there is no sound, there is only soft but ubiquitous white light, and the "ground" as soft as clouds under your feet.
The grass, the iron fence, and even Nine-Tails's huge fox body disappeared.
Naruto still stood where he was, as if he had anticipated the drastic changes around him.
He turned around slowly.
Behind him, in the pure white, a figure was slowly condensing and walking out of nothingness.
It was a man wearing a simple white robe.
He has a gentle face and deep eyes, full of compassion and love, but also reveals a kind of fatigue that has gone through vicissitudes of life and some kind of deep obsession.
His whole body exudes a soft and powerful aura, which is integrated with this Pure White Space.
It is Sage of Six Paths's second son, Asura!
Chakra of Asura slowly condensed into an entity and walked not far in front of Naruto, stopping.
He stared at Naruto quietly, his clear-looking eyes full of complex emotions.
Surprise, scrutiny, helplessness at being seen through, and deeper curiosity.
He spoke, his voice empty and distant, echoing in this Pure White Space:
"When... did you recognize me?"
Naruto met Asura's gaze without flinching at all. His face was still calm, but beneath that calmness was a calmness and alienation that had already seen through everything.
Naruto's voice is clear and sure, and it is particularly loud in this quiet space.
"Start with you trying to influence my judgment."
"Also, I have already told Nine-Tails why he did not kill Third."