At this moment, Morkel's eyes were filled with complex emotions. He felt a faint sense of belonging to Konoha, but it was never strong. Now, after learning the truth about Naruto's past, he couldn't help but question it. Was this seemingly cold and rigid ninja village truly worth his loyalty?
The tragedy of Naruto's childhood, the Hyuga family's suffering, and the Uchiha clan's extermination — all of it was tied to Konoha's top officials.
In the interrogation room below, chaos reigned. Naruto had lost control, his rage causing the entire structure to collapse. Villagers fled in panic, not understanding the cause of the destruction. Among the fleeing crowd, Morkel spotted Iruka, as well as Shikamaru, Neji, and their group, who all looked confused.
As Naruto's rampage neared Ichiraku Ramen Shop, Morkel intervened.
"Bang!"
Morkel blocked Naruto's monstrous claws with his bare hands. By this time, Naruto had sprouted four tails, his body shrouded in a red Chakra cloak that made him barely recognizable.
Naruto roared, gathering an immense amount of Chakra in his mouth. Morkel knew this "mouth cannon" could devastate the village. While he questioned Konoha's leadership, he had no desire to see innocents like Iruka and Uncle Ichiraku harmed. Without hesitation, he teleported Naruto outside the village using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Back in Konoha, Tsunade watched the place where Morkel had disappeared. A question lingered in her mind: would they come back?
Realizing Orochimaru had vanished amidst the chaos, Tsunade cursed. "He caused all this just to escape?! Damn it!"
A nearby ninja added, "The Third Hokage pursued Orochimaru. He hasn't returned yet."
Outside the village, Naruto's devastating attack obliterated half a mountain. Morkel appeared behind him, tapping him on the back.
Naruto turned, now fully transformed into a Chakra-formed Nine Tails. The monstrous fox roared at Morkel.
Morkel frowned. He would have to fight.
Entering Naruto's sealed space, Morkel found himself before the colossal iron gate holding the Nine Tails. The fox glared at him with its scarlet eyes.
"Impressive," the Nine Tails sneered. "You can enter this space directly. But don't think you're superior just because you know Wood Style. Who do you think you are?!"
Morkel remained calm. "Withdraw your Chakra and let Naruto recover."
"You dare command me?" Nine Tails scoffed. "You think you're special because of Wood Style?"
Morkel had no desire to fight the Nine Tails, but the fox's arrogance left him no choice. A sage mask appeared on Morkel's face.
"Sage Art: Wood Style — True Several Thousand Hands!"
A towering wooden Buddha appeared, hundreds of meters tall. The Nine Tails' confidence faltered.
"You're bluffing! You can't pass the seal!"
Morkel grinned. "Watch me."
The Buddha passed through the iron gate effortlessly. Nine Tails' eyes widened in panic.
"No... don't come closer!"
Without hesitation, the Buddha grabbed Nine Tails, slamming it repeatedly against the ground. The fox howled, its pride shattered.
As Naruto's Chakra cloak faded, he collapsed, exhausted. Morkel checked his injuries. "Your recovery is fast. Nine Tails' Chakra is useful."
Naruto groggily opened his eyes. Morkel asked, "What will you do now?"
Naruto was silent. His belief in becoming Hokage had wavered.
"Let's keep traveling," Naruto finally said. "We haven't visited Wanokuni yet."
Morkel nodded. Sometimes, only through journeying could one find clarity.
Half a month later, in the Hokage's office, senior officials gathered.
"The Third Hokage hasn't returned. Could something have happened?" one asked.
"He's stubborn, but experienced. He should be fine," another replied.
"We need to discuss Morkel and Naruto. They left without notice. We should remove them from the Konoha Shinobi list."
Tsunade stood abruptly. "No."
"Tsunade, this is the top management's decision."
"Enough of these foolish decisions!" she shouted. "Morkel and Naruto have done more for Konoha than you old fossils combined!"
"Are you going to oppose Konoha's leadership for two defectors?"
"Yes. It's time for a change. Anbu!"
Yamato, Morkel's former teacher, appeared. "Yes, Hokage."
"Take them away. Let them reflect on their mistakes."
Yamato nodded. "Understood."
With the room cleared, Tsunade sighed. "Morkel... what are you thinking?"
In the mountains of the Land of Ghosts, Morkel and Naruto grilled fish by the fire.
"You really know how to cook," Naruto said. "You even grill fish perfectly."
Morkel laughed. "Learn to cook. I want a turn to eat without cooking."
Suddenly, the ground shook violently.
"Earthquake?" Naruto asked.
Morkel shook his head. "Not sure. Let's check it out."
They reached a mountaintop, looking down at the source. From an underground gate emerged thousands of armored, clay-like soldiers.
"Terracotta Warriors," Morkel muttered. "Jiraiya mentioned these once. Created by evil forces decades ago."
"What do we do? Report it to Konoha?"
Morkel nodded. "I'll send a message."
In the Hokage's office, Tsunade found a letter on her desk.
"A message from Morkel."
Her expression hardened as she read it: "Terracotta Warriors sighted in the Land of Ghosts."
Memories of past battles surfaced. She summoned Anbu to investigate.
Meanwhile, Morkel and Naruto observed the army marching toward a shrine.
"Should we help?" Naruto asked.
"Of course. Your father once said, 'He who does not act is not a hero.'"
Naruto sighed. "Why do you keep saying he's my father?"
At the shrine, guards protected a purple-eyed girl, Shion, the shrine maiden.
"Only Shion can seal the demon!" a guard shouted.
Suddenly, men in white robes appeared. "That's her. Let's take her."
"Fire Style: Fire Tornado Ball!" one of them shouted, launching an attack.
Morkel and Naruto stepped forward. "Not on our watch," Morkel said.
The battle for the Land of Ghosts had begun.