In Naruto's mind, the system's intense warning sounded instantly.
However... "system big brother, your strict demands on me, all your warnings, they are all for my own good!"
"I was also very grateful that you stopped me from stealing things from Hokage-sama's house before, but..."
"Iruka-sensei... he might be in danger!"
"This time, there's no way you can stop me!"
"[Warning! Lightning Release's Baptism! Countdown 5...]"
Uzumaki Naruto didn't hesitate; his body was still flying wildly.
"[Physical Strength Monster] activated!"
He pushed his strength to the limit, his speed exploding, his body transforming into an afterimage, constantly darting through the jungle!
"[4...]"
"It's useless!"
"[3...]"
"I will definitely..."
"[2...]"
"...make amends for my mistakes..."
"[1...]"
"[I will never let Iruka-sensei be harmed!]"
"[0!]"
In an instant.
Rumble—
Boom!!!
Only Naruto could see, hear, and feel the violent Lightning Release power that instantly descended from the sky, pouring down and fiercely striking Naruto's body!
"Ah ah ah ah ah—"
A heart-wrenching scream came, and Naruto was completely electrified by the power of Lightning Release, feeling excruciating pain to his bones, along with a strong numbing effect that made his muscles twitch and tremble!
Bang—
Naruto fell directly from between the dense leaves and branches, slamming heavily onto the jungle floor, his entire body twisted and curled from the electricity, screaming incessantly... "[Please host...]"
Naruto suddenly roared, "Electrocute me to death then!"
"Even if it's like this..."
"I must still go save Iruka-sensei!"
His features became distorted and ferocious, his eyes turned bloodshot, his teeth became sharper, and the fox-whisker-like markings on his face seemed to tear open!
Uzumaki Naruto, enduring the Lightning Release's Baptism, gritting his teeth through unimaginable intense pain, stood up again step by step, continuing to move deeper into the Forest of Death!!!
Chapter 54: Let go of Iruka-sensei, or else... I'll kill you! Please give me monthly votes!!!
Rumble—
Boom!!!
The Lightning Release's Baptism, from the system!
This was a terrifying punishment that would not cease for a moment!
Although only Naruto himself could see and feel it, the intense pain and deep damage were real and showed no mercy!
Naruto felt the constant lightning strikes, as if his entire body was being torn apart, then healed, and then torn apart again!
However, it wasn't just despair-inducing pain... the current of the Lightning Release also came with a numbing effect, causing every inch of skin, muscle, bone, and even internal organs throughout his body to twitch and tremble, making it impossible for him to move even an inch!
But... so what?!
Uzumaki Naruto was now overwhelmed by unimaginable fear and guilt, worry and regret... He would never fall here, nor would he stop moving forward!
"Iruka... sensei..."
Naruto gritted his teeth, roaring repeatedly, and incredibly, with sheer willpower, endured the lightning strikes and stood up again!
He took a difficult step... snap!
Although it was just a soft sound, it had already used up all his strength and will!
Bang—
"Ah ah ah ah ah—"
He was electrocuted and fell down again.
His body was trembling violently.
"I... I will never give up..."
Naruto gritted his teeth, his five fingers trembling as he plunged them into the mud on the ground!
Then... little by little, he crawled forward!
"[Warning! Please host...]"
"Shut! Your! Mouth!"
Naruto roared, enduring the Lightning Release's Baptism again, and crawled forward!
Suddenly—
"You damn brat!"
"Stop right now!"
In his intense pain, Naruto heard this incredibly unfamiliar yet somewhat familiar voice.
It was the mysterious monster inside his body.
The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox.
Kurama!
Kurama was furious: "You damn brat! What exactly do you want to do?!"
At this moment, Kurama, just like Naruto, was constantly enduring the Lightning Release's Baptism from the system!
Rumble—
Rumble!
The violent current, striking him, made his fur stand on end and explode, and the almost insane pain was too much for him to bear, his fox pupils narrowing vertically, burning fiercely red as if on fire!
Naruto, however, didn't want to pay him any attention.
"Iruka-sensei is in danger..."
"I'm going to save him!"
The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox roared, "Don't tell me you can't even get there; even if you did, what then?!"
"With your current strength, who can you save?!"
Naruto didn't care at all.
"I'm going!"
"What's it to you?!"
Kurama was enraged: "Nonsense! Of course it's my business!"
"If you forcefully defy the system's warning, you're not the only one being punished!"
"I'm enduring the pain right along with you!"
Naruto gritted his teeth: "Then leave my body!"
Kurama: "...Do you think this great one likes being sealed inside you?!"
"If I could leave, would I stay and suffer myself?!"
"Ah ah ah—"
Rumble—
The lightning exploded again, continuous and unending, and the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox had no choice but to endure the seemingly endless pain... But no matter what, Naruto still had no thought of giving up.
"[Warning! Warning! War...]"
"You shut up too!"
At this moment, the system, Kurama, and Naruto, all had their own thoughts, but no one could convince anyone else!
The system wanted Naruto to go back, stop taking risks, and continue his training.
Naruto only wanted to save Iruka-sensei and atone for his mistakes and sins.
Kurama didn't care about any of this nonsense; he just wanted the Lightning Release's Baptism to stop as soon as possible!
Their respective thoughts were... Naruto: "Even if I die, I will save Iruka-sensei!"
System: "I'd like to see how long you can last!"
Kurama: "...You two go crazy by yourselves, don't drag me into it, okay?!"
However, even Kurama understood... the system would never compromise.
Because it seemed to have no emotions; it was just a cold, mechanical tool.
As for Naruto... he was completely consumed by his emotions at this point, even completely disregarding the Lightning Release's Baptism... While constantly being struck by lightning, the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox could only frantically rack his brains.
"At this point, there's only one way..."
He roared: "You damn brat!"
"I can temporarily lend you my power!"
"Hurry and save that Iruka, then immediately go back to training!"
Naruto seemed to hear him, and yet seemed not to... At this moment, he was already on the verge of collapse.
However, Kurama also had no way out, and enduring the Lightning Release's Baptism, he transferred a portion of his Nine-Tailed Chakra to Naruto.
Upon receiving this power, Naruto not only increased his own strength but also regained some energy, and his will became even more tenacious.
He roared, actually standing up again, and continued to move forward step by step... One step, two steps...