Night had fallen on the Akatsuki lair. The cloak of red clouds still weighed heavily on Naruto's shoulders. He didn't know whether to feel pride or fear... but deep down, a certainty was growing: from now on, he would follow a path of no return.
Obito led Naruto into a dark room, lit only by torches. On the walls, ancient scrolls, sealed with strange symbols, gave off an ominous aura.
"From today," Obito said, "you will learn to master not only the power of the demon fox, but also forbidden arts that Konoha would have denied you."
Naruto clenched his fists. "I want to become stronger. No matter what it costs me."
A deep laugh echoed in his mind. Kurama. "So prepare yourself, kid... for true power always demands a price."
Obito conjured a series of clones with his Sharingan. —The first lesson is simple: pain builds willpower. You will face your own limits.
The clones attacked Naruto relentlessly. Fists, kunai blows, jutsu. Naruto fell several times, his breath gasping, blood flowing from his split lip. But each time, he got back up, his eyes burning with fierce anger.
Konan watched from the shadows, intrigued. —That child… he refuses to bend. Even in the face of the impossible.
Obito, behind his mask, gave a faint smile. —That's why he'll be dangerous.
After hours of fighting, Naruto finally summoned a flood of red chakra. Kurama's silhouette appeared behind him, roaring ferociously.
"Enough!" Naruto yelled, releasing a wave of chakra that blew up all the clones around him.
Silence fell. Even Nagato, who had come to observe, opened his eyes slightly. "Impressive… He's already tapping into the beast's power without letting himself be completely consumed."
Naruto fell to his knees, exhausted, but a victorious smile lit up his face. "I will become stronger. Stronger than anyone. And the world will regret rejecting me."
Obito stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Good. Then tomorrow, you will learn the forbidden arts of the Akatsuki. And on that day, Naruto Uzumaki will no longer be a mere child… but a weapon."
In the gloom, the red clouds of the Akatsuki seemed to glow like flames heralding destruction.