In Naruto's mind, a warning sound from the System suddenly erupted. However…
"System, your strict requirements and your warnings to me are all for my own good! I'm grateful that you stopped me from stealing from the Hokage's house, but… Iruka-sensei, he… he might be in danger! There's no way you can stop me this time!"
[Warning! Baptism of Lightning Release initiated! Countdown: 5…]
Uzumaki Naruto did not hesitate, his body still flying madly through the trees.
[Physical Monster] entry activated! He increased his strength to its absolute extreme, his speed exploding as his body turned into an afterimage, and he kept rushing through the jungle!
[4…]
"It's no use!"
[3…]
"I will definitely…"
[2…]
"…make up for my mistakes…"
[1…]
"I will never let anything happen to Iruka-sensei!"
[0!]
In that instant, *rumble— BOOM!!!*
Only Naruto could see, hear, and sense the violent power of the lightning, which suddenly descended from the sky, poured down, and struck his body fiercely!
"Ahhhhhhhhh—" A heart-wrenching scream was heard, and Naruto was shocked by the power of the lightning, which caused a pain that penetrated his very heart and bones. It also had a strong, paralyzing effect, causing his muscles to twitch and tremble uncontrollably!
*Thud—*
Naruto fell directly from the dense leaves and branches, landing heavily on the jungle floor. His entire body was twisted and curled up by the electric shock, and he screamed in agony.
[Host, please…]
Naruto suddenly roared, "Even if you shock me to death! Even so… I must go and save Iruka-sensei!"
His facial features became hideous and distorted, his eyes turned a fierce red, his teeth became sharper, and the fox whisker-like marks on his face seemed to be torn apart! Uzumaki Naruto actually endured the baptism of the Lightning Release, enduring an unimaginable pain, gnashing his teeth as he stood up once again, step by step, towards the depths of the Forest of Death. He would move on!!!
*Rumble—*
*BOOM!!!*
From the System came the baptism of lightning! This was a horrific punishment that would never stop! Although only Naruto himself could see and feel it, the intense pain and deep hurt were real, and there would be no mercy at all! Naruto felt the lightning strikes every moment, as if his entire body was being torn apart, healed again, and then torn apart once more! However, it was more than just the despairing pain. The electric current from the lightning release had a paralyzing effect, causing every inch of his skin, muscles, bones, and even his internal organs to twitch and tremble, making it impossible for him to move at all!
But… so what?!
At this moment, Uzumaki Naruto was overwhelmed by an unimaginable fear and guilt, worry and regret. He would never fall here, and he would never stop moving forward!
"Iruka… sensei…" Naruto gritted his teeth and roared continuously, and he actually relied on his willpower to withstand the thunder and lightning and stand up again! He took one difficult step.
*Thud!*
Although it was just a slight sound, it had already exhausted all of his strength and will!
*Thud—*
"Ahhhhhhhhh—" He was electrocuted and fell down again. His body was shaking violently.
"I… I will never give up on someone i care anout…" Naruto gritted his teeth, and his five fingers trembled as he suddenly plunged them into the soft soil on the ground! Then, little by little, he crawled forward!
[Warning! Host, please…]
"Shut up! Just shut up!" Naruto roared, endured the baptism of the Lightning Release once again, and crawled forward!
Suddenly— "You annoying brat! Stop it now!"
Naruto heard this extremely strange yet somewhat familiar voice in the midst of his severe pain. It was the inexplicable monster that resided within his body: the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, Kurama!
Kurama was furious. "You brat! What in the world do you think you're doing?!" At this moment, Kurama, just like Naruto, was constantly enduring the baptism of the System's lightning release!
*Rumble—*
*Rumble!*
The violent electric current made the fur all over his body stand up and explode. The almost insane pain made it even more difficult for him to bear. The fox demon's pupils stood up vertically, becoming as red as if they were on fire!
But Naruto didn't want to pay any attention to him at all. "Iruka-sensei is in danger… I'm going to save him!"
The Nine-Tailed Fox roared, "It's impossible for you to get there with these damn lightning sgock! Even if you do get there, what will you do?! With your current strength, who can you possibly save?!"
Naruto didn't care. "I'm going! why do you care anyways?It's none of your business!"
Kurama was furious. "Nonsense! Of course it's my business as well. You defied the system's warning, and you're not the only one who's being punished! Even I am suffering right along with you!"
Naruto gritted his teeth. "Then get out of my body!"
Kurama retorted, "…Do you think I like being sealed inside of you?! If I could leave, would I stay here And suffer?!"
"Ahhhh—"
*Rumble—*
Thunder exploded again, continuously and endlessly, and the Nine-Tailed Fox had to endure the pain that seemed to never end. But no matter what, Naruto still had no intention of giving up.
[Warning! Warning! Warning…]
"You shut up damn system!"
At this moment, the System, Kurama, and Naruto all had their own thoughts, but no one could convince the others! The System wanted Naruto to go back, stop taking risks, and continue his training. Naruto only wanted to save Iruka-sensei and make up for his own mistakes and sins. Kurama didn't care about these trivial matters at all. He just wanted the baptism of lightning to stop as soon as possible!
Their respective thoughts were:
**Naruto:** "Even if I die, I will go and save Iruka-sensei!"
**System:** "I want to see how long you can hold on!"
**Kurama:** "…Can you two just go crazy on your own and not drag me down with you, please?"
However, even Kurama understood that there was simply no chance of compromise with the System. Because it seemed to have no emotions at all; it was just a cold, mechanical tool. As for Naruto… by this time, he was completely carried away and had even begun to ignore the baptism of the Lightning Release.
While being struck by lightning continuously, the Nine-Tailed Fox could only use its brain frantically. "At this point, there is only one way…" He roared, "You little brat! I can lend you my power temporarily! Hurry up and save that Iruka, then go back to doing whatever the system wants you to do!"
Naruto seemed to have heard his words, but he also seemed not to have heard them. At this time, he was already on the verge of complete collapse. However, Kurama had no way out and had to endure the baptism of the Lightning Release, transferring part of his Nine-Tails' chakra to Naruto.
After receiving this power, Naruto not only improved his own strength but also recovered some of his strength, and his will became even stronger. He roared angrily, then stood up once again and continued to move forward, step by painful step. One step, then two steps…