The Inner Struggle
Hollows, born from negative emotions, often possess power that surpasses their original selves. But Naruto was no ordinary Shinigami. His strength wasn't limited to his Reiatsu—he also had his chakra system, a unique combination that made him a formidable opponent. Naruto knew that a Hollow driven by madness and rage could never defeat him. According to Aizen, mastering the Hollowfication process could grant immense power, potentially even breaking through to Kage-level strength. If Naruto could achieve that, he'd secure his place in Konoha.
But seeing this twisted version of himself—this Hollow—filled Naruto with disgust. The way it snarled, the way it fought, the way it embodied everything he despised about weakness and rage… it was unbearable.
"Unforgivable!" the Hollow roared, its voice dripping with fury. It couldn't accept that the "weak" original had overpowered it so easily. With a burst of energy, it shook Naruto off and unleashed a Cero, a destructive blast of energy that tore through the ground.
Naruto dodged effortlessly, his expression cold. "This move is powerful, but it's too ugly," he muttered. The sight of his own face contorted in rage, spitting out a Cero, was almost too much to bear. It only deepened his resolve to destroy this Hollow.
"Eight Gates Formation: Gate of Opening, Gate of Healing, Gate of Life—open!" Naruto's body surged with power as he activated the first three gates. In an instant, he appeared behind the Hollow, his speed far beyond what the Hollow could perceive.
Before the Hollow could react, Naruto's fist connected with its back, sending it flying. Naruto didn't let up. He appeared above the Hollow, raining down blows with precision and ferocity. Each strike landed with a resounding boom, the Hollow's body twisting and contorting under the relentless assault.
The Hollow struggled to comprehend what was happening. How could the original, the one it had dismissed as weak, be so much stronger? It roared in frustration, its Reiatsu surging as it tried to fight back. But Naruto was faster, stronger, and far more controlled.
"Roar!" the Hollow screamed, its Reiatsu exploding outward in a shockwave that forced Naruto back. It stood, its body trembling with rage and pain. "You think you've won? I'll show you true power!"
Naruto didn't respond. Instead, he smirked, his eyes cold and calculating. "You've made a mistake," he said, his voice calm. "From the beginning, you were nothing more than prey."
With that, Naruto unleashed another flurry of attacks. Each punch and kick landed with devastating force, the Hollow's body crumpling under the onslaught. It tried to fight back, but Naruto's speed and precision left it no opening. By the time Naruto finished, the Hollow was a broken, twitching mess on the ground.
Naruto grabbed the Hollow by what remained of its mask, lifting it effortlessly. "Is this all you've got?" he sneered. "Pathetic."
He tossed the Hollow aside like garbage, turning his back on it. The Hollow's eyes widened in fear and disbelief. It had been so confident, so sure of its superiority. But now, it realized the truth—it was nothing more than a tool, a stepping stone for Naruto's growth.
The Outer World
In the physical world, Naruto's body began to change. A thick, white mist surrounded him, condensing into a bone-like mask that covered half his face. His Reiatsu and chakra surged, creating a vortex of energy that cracked the ground beneath him. The air grew heavy, filled with the oppressive weight of his power.
Jiraiya, Fukasaku, and Shima watched in alarm. "He's losing control!" Fukasaku shouted. "We need to stop him before it's too late!"
Toad Bunta drew his sword, ready to intervene. Jiraiya clenched his fists, his mind racing. If Naruto lost himself to the Hollow's influence, the consequences would be catastrophic.
But just as they prepared to act, Naruto's hand shot up, gripping the mask. With a sharp crack, he tore it off, shattering it into pieces. The oppressive energy dissipated, and Naruto's eyes cleared, returning to their usual calm.
"Sorry for worrying everyone," Naruto said, his voice steady. "I'm fine now."
The tension in the air evaporated as everyone let out a collective sigh of relief. Jiraiya stepped forward, his expression a mix of concern and pride. "Naruto, what happened?"
Naruto shook his head. "Just a little… inner conflict. But it's over now."
Fukasaku and Shima exchanged worried glances. "Naruto, your Bloodline Limit… it's dangerous. If you lose control again, the consequences could be devastating."
Naruto nodded, his expression serious. "I understand. I'll be more careful from now on."
A New Resolve
The incident left everyone shaken. Naruto's power was growing at an alarming rate, but so were the risks. Jiraiya knew they couldn't afford to let Naruto continue training in Sage Mode—not until they understood the full extent of his Bloodline Limit.
For Naruto, the experience was a wake-up call. He had faced his inner darkness and emerged victorious, but the battle had left its mark. He knew he couldn't afford to lose control again. The stakes were too high.
As the group prepared to leave Mount Myōboku, Naruto took one last look at the serene landscape. The psychic world had given him strength, but it had also revealed the dangers that lay within him. He would need to tread carefully from now on.