Chapter 79: The Reaper
The Third Hokage didn't speak. He didn't answer.
Yes—he hadn't expected this.
He had never thought Naruto would grow to this extent.
He hadn't expected that Naruto could destroy Konoha all by himself.
What was even more unexpected was that the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki he had been monitoring all this time—at this very moment—was standing before him, looking down on him, the Third Hokage.
All of this made him feel ashamed.
Made him angry.
Made him feel like he was trapped in an unbelievable nightmare.
Suddenly, a burst of mad hatred and rage rose in the Third Hokage's mind.
He would never allow anything to escape his control.
He was the Third Hokage.
He was the face of the village.
Even though Naruto was the darkness of Konoha—the result of their political regime—he would never allow Uzumaki Naruto to violate his dignity here. To strike him in the face.
The Third Hokage raised his head, glaring at Naruto with dark, cold eyes.
Now, he had made up his mind.
Then, the Third Hokage took a deep breath, glared at Naruto, and said darkly to the seriously injured Ape Demon:
"Ape Demon, help me buy some time. I must deal with this traitor today."
After hearing what the Third Hokage said, the Ape Demon was taken aback. He looked at the Third Hokage in astonishment.
When he saw the fierce determination in the Third Hokage's eyes, he seemed to understand what the Third Hokage was about to do.
Immediately, the Ape Demon asked in surprise:
"Sarutobi—are you going to use that?"
The Third Hokage nodded fiercely. He glanced at the ruins of Konoha around him, then looked at Naruto, and said solemnly:
"That's right. Uzumaki Naruto destroyed Konoha, killed Konoha's elders, disrupted the village's peace, and caused countless casualties. I cannot let such a heinous traitor remain in this world."
"Even if he is Minato's child—that does not excuse what I am about to do."
The Ape Demon saw that the Third Hokage had made up his mind. His eyes were firm and full of ruthlessness. The Ape Demon couldn't say anything more, so he nodded.
Then, the Ape Demon pushed himself up, stood, and looked at Naruto solemnly.
And Naruto had also heard the Third Hokage's words.
Seeing the Third Hokage's extremely fierce eyes glaring at him, he could tell—
It seemed the Third Hokage was about to fight him to the death.
Before Naruto could say anything, the Third Hokage suddenly stood up, pointed at Naruto, and roared with hatred:
"Uzumaki Naruto! You destroyed Konoha, killed Konoha's elders, and murdered countless of your fellow villagers. Your crimes are unforgivable!"
"As the Third Hokage, no matter what, I cannot allow you to continue living in this world."
"Today—I will bring justice and eliminate this evil for the people."
Listening to the Third Hokage's words, Naruto couldn't help but feel amused.
Bring justice?
Eliminate evil?
When Konoha had persecuted him all those years ago, why hadn't they spoken so righteously? Why hadn't they brought justice then?
Why hadn't they eliminated evil for the people?
When they had enjoyed venting their anger and darkness on Naruto—why hadn't they expected revenge?
Bring justice.
Those words should be used by Naruto.
What he was doing was bringing justice.
And he was that justice.
Naruto was not afraid of the Third Hokage's threat.
He wanted to see how the Third Hokage would try to save his dignity, even now.
Then—
After the Third Hokage finished speaking, a surge of black chakra suddenly erupted from his body.
That chakra was very evil. Full of darkness. Extremely tyrannical.
Next, the Third Hokage began forming hand signs rapidly.
As the Third Hokage formed his seals, Naruto could see that the Hokage's life force and chakra were rapidly fading away.
It was as if this ninjutsu consumed not chakra—but life itself.
Sure enough, the Third Hokage was casting a forbidden technique.
He truly was going all out.
He wanted to die alongside Naruto.
And this forbidden technique—Naruto was very familiar with it.
Because this technique was exactly the Uzumaki clan's forbidden technique. The same one he had seen when he first arrived in this world.
Then, the Third Hokage shouted in rage:
"Forbidden Technique—Reaper Death Seal!"
With the Third Hokage's shout—
Behind the Third Hokage, a dark figure suddenly rose.
The dark figure was very hazy, forming a ghost. It wore a misty white robe, had a hideous demon mask on its face, and held a knife in its mouth.
That's right—this was the Uzumaki clan's forbidden technique.
The Reaper Death Seal.
Unexpectedly, the Third Hokage was actually using this terrible forbidden technique at this moment. He wanted to use it to deal with Naruto.
Naruto saw the dark ghost appear behind the Third Hokage. He couldn't help but smile mockingly. He looked at the Third Hokage and said sarcastically:
"The Reaper Death Seal?"
"How ridiculous. Back then, the Fourth Hokage used this forbidden technique to seal the Nine-Tails. He sacrificed himself to save the village and pinned his hopes on his son. And now, you want to use this same forbidden technique to seal that very child."
That's right—the Reaper Death Seal was the forbidden technique the Fourth Hokage had used to seal the Nine-Tails.
It was also the dreaded forbidden technique of the Uzumaki clan.
Originally, the Fourth Hokage had used it to seal half of the Nine-Tails' power to save the village—and it was also a technique that placed his hopes on his child, Naruto.
Now, being used by the Third Hokage to seal Naruto—it seemed somewhat ridiculous.
But the Third Hokage felt no shame at all. He sneered.
He seemed very confident that he could use this forbidden technique to seal Naruto.
At this moment, he was already mad. No matter what means he had to use, he wanted to get rid of Naruto.
The Third Hokage looked at Naruto darkly and shouted angrily:
"I didn't expect you to know about this. But no matter—Uzumaki Naruto! Your end has come! The Reaper can seal even the Nine-Tails. You cannot escape."
"Let this forbidden technique seal you completely!"
After speaking, the Third Hokage immediately closed his hand seals. Chakra was injected into the hazy ghost behind him once more.
The dark, evil spirit also began to move. It slowly drew its short sword, trying to approach Naruto and end his life.
But unexpectedly—Naruto saw the evil spirit approaching and showed not the slightest fear. Instead, he sneered and said calmly:
"You really think this forbidden technique can seal me?"