Naruto resolved to face Shinshiki alone!
His decision met with opposition throughout the Shinobi Nation!
The Heaven Shinobi all gathered at Naruto's home, hoping he would reconsider.
Hashirama was the most agitated, as though he had suffered a terrible injustice. "Why would you make such a reckless decision? Didn't we agree to face hardship together? Don't you trust our strength? Do you think we'll hold you back?"
Tobirama remained as calm as ever. "Brother, don't be childish. Naruto isn't that narrow-minded. Let's hear him out before we decide!"
Hashirama reluctantly closed his mouth. Usually, he was the one urging Tobirama to calm down, but this time their roles were reversed.
In truth, everyone was just as anxious and impatient as Hashirama. Now, they all suppressed their emotions and waited for Naruto to speak.
Under everyone's gaze, Naruto rose and walked to the window. On this rainy night in Amegakure, the moon and stars were shut out by clouds and rain, suspended far beyond the sky as they gazed compassionately down at the earth...
Rain pattered against the window. The background sound was so clear and rhythmic, so familiar that it felt entirely natural. This was the "tranquility" unique to Amegakure.
Amid that tranquility, Naruto spoke. "First, whether you join the battle or not will make an enormous difference to how it unfolds. At the very least, even now, I don't believe I have a guaranteed chance of victory against Shinshiki on my own!"
"Reckless, isn't it?"
"But I've actually been thinking a great deal these past few days."
"About the past, the present, the future..."
"And I reached a pessimistic conclusion."
Naruto tightened his grip on the window frame.
"Yes, we've all grown stronger. Strong enough that, together, we could defeat Shinshiki, who was once hopelessly beyond our reach!"
"But...