"Orochimaru makes our life pretty easy...he managed to summon some strong folks, so we might get the chance to strike! If I can touch him, my spores will do the rest!" - White Zetsu

"I agree...with your Spore Technique, his chakra will get absorbed and his movements will be restricted, making it easy for anyone to defeat him...but with Sasuke and Jiraiya being here as well, it won't be easy to get you to get into physical contact with him...also don't forget that we need him alive to question him! So wait until the end of the fight!" - Black Zetsu

The Anbu were coordinating another attack: This time Sai used Ink lions to draw attention from Kakuzu, while the others supported him.

Slowly, they started to get closer to Kakuzu amidst their dodging, but this wasn't as easy as it sounds.

Some of the Anbu were almost hit a bunch of times, which would mean game over for them.

But the most problematic thing was that only one of them was proficient in lightning-based techniques since the other two who could use it as well had their hearts taken out.

Meaning every laid on the shoulders of one Anbu!

"DAMN!! LET ME FIGHT TOO!!" - Naruto couldn't hold back anymore, but was of course stopped by Yamato, wrapping him with a wood piece.

"Don't be stupid. You are the enemy's target, if you rush in there and he manages to catch you, it would be a disaster. Furthermore, you will probably just get into the Anbu's way! Didn't Kakashi teach you to trust your comrades?" - Yamato (still disguised).

"You know Kakashi-sensei?" - Sakura who was there as well asked.

"Yes...but let's leave that for after this mission is over and focus on wha-"

"BUT SASUKE IS RIGHT OVER THERE!! I HAVE TO DEFEAT THAT AKATSUKI BASTARD AND GET TO SASUKE FAST!!" - Naruto

"As I said, you'll only get into the way, so stay right here where I can protect you." - Yamato

"...damn it..." - Naruto felt that he was weak again.

Is this all his three years of training amounted to?

Sasuke was right here in front of him, but he is just a hindrance to his comrades so all he can do is wait?

His thoughts went deeper and deeper into the spiral of frustration, and soon the only thing he could hear was his own thoughts - until he heard an old familiar voice: "Little boy...look how pathetic and weak you are...the only thing you can do is ask for my power...so go ahead and ask for it and you'll get powerful enough to erase everyone in your way!"

Naruto found himself in front of a large gate in what seemed another dimension.

He looked towards Kurama's face behind the gate.

"Alright then give it to me!" - Naruto said seriously.

"HAHAHAHAHA!! That's right you are nothing without my power...but I have to tell you that this tiny amount might not be enough...if you want my whole power, remove that seal!" - Kurama

"!" - Naruto was hesitating.

He knew that this was a dangerous idea, but he also knew that every second counted and he couldn't waste this opportunity to get Sasuke back.

"What are you hesitating for...don't you remember how you were completely outclassed by this Eiji? If you don't take my offer, you'll just get defeated pathetically again." - Kurama

Naruto recalled how he was humiliated by Eiji not long ago.

This really hurt his confidence in himself and since then he had many doubts about himself, but he hid it behind his usual self, like asking Jiraiya for training, and being loud and trying to fake his usual confidence.

But deep down he knew he was lying to himself.

He walked towards the seal and raised his hand.

And then he suddenly stopped.

"What are you doing? You just have to remove i-"

"I won't." - Naruto looked up with a smile and clear gaze.

"What? Don't you see how weak you are?" - Kurama

"I know that I'm weak...but the truth is I was always weak...that's why I trained and worked hard to get where I am...it doesn't matter how weak I'm currently - I just have to overcome it and get stronger until I reach my goal and become Hokage. That's my ninja way!" - Naruto

"You fool...you will just lose pathetically...you will never get out this, without my help...but since you declined, I won't even give you a portion of my power!"

"Hehehe...but you helped me enough already..." - Naruto touched his nose while grinning.

"Huh? What are you talking about?" - Kurama

"You reminded me of this Eiji bastard, and that's when I got an idea..."

Meanwhile, in the outside world, almost no time passed but Yamato saw how red chakra suddenly started to form around Naruto's body.

He couldn't let Naruto run out of control because of Kurama's chakra, so he prepared to instantly take action.

But then the red chakra vanished just like that.

And Naruto looked at him calmly with a clear gaze: "Please let me fight! I know I can do it...please trust me!"

Yamato gulped.

Naruto was clear-headed and his gaze showed overflowing confidence that he was sure he could do it - not like the overemotional and agitated Naruto just a minute ago.

"Sigh...why are you so sure?" - Yamato

"I want to try a technique I just thought of." - Naruto was about to use a new technique he didn't use ever in the original timeline - and it was one of Eiji's techniques he got inspiration from!