In Uzushiogakure…
"Radiant Spiral."
"This katana can permanently seal the hatred and corruption of the Red Death," Clone 2 explained. "But... it needs immense chakra."
"Immense chakra, huh?" All three of them chuckled as Clone 1 handed the blade to Haruto.
"Alright then... Kurama!"
"Tch... I think I've fallen into your trap again, kid," Kurama muttered, slamming his hands together. "Ready!"
A tidal wave of chakra erupted from Haruto as he hurled the Radiant Spiral toward the Red Death. The golden patterns along the blade lit up, glowing like ancient runes, each one pulsing with power.
Haruto infused it with both his chakra and Kurama's, charging forward in a blur. Time seemed to slow as the Radiant Spiral collided with the Red Death in an elegant, blazing arc.
As the blades clashed, a massive surge of corrupted chakra erupted from the Red Death, resisting violently. But the Radiant Spiral held firm, binding the dark weapon.
Moments passed before the Red Death finally calmed. The runes on the Radiant Spiral faded, releasing a powerful wave of chakra back into Haruto.
"Hoho~..." Haruto admired the blade. "This one... I'll give to Naruto."
Clone 2 walked up and said, "It had a sheath too."
Haruto grabbed it, sliding the Radiant Spiral inside before strapping it across his back. He picked up the Red Death and sheathed it in its own ominous casing.
And then he left… unaware of a single, forgotten mask still lying in the shadows.
---
Later…
Haruto leapt from tree to tree, drawing the Red Death mid-air. A single slash released a wide arc of fire, cutting down a row of trees like paper.
Satisfied, he sheathed the blade and continued toward the location Kurama had pinpointed—where his other half was.
Soon, he spotted Naruto playfully sparring with Jiraiya.
"Kid, you're a hundred years too young to trick me with a transformation jutsu," Jiraiya laughed.
"Oh yeah? Checkmate!" Naruto grinned, pressing his attack.
Haruto stood atop a branch, watching with a warm smirk.
'He's improving...'
Naruto's kick was blocked, but he followed with a flurry of strikes that actually forced Jiraiya back. Just as the two were about to fist-bump, Haruto dropped down and blocked both their punches with a smile.
"Yo, Naruto."
"Haruto!" Naruto gasped before pulling him into a tight hug. "I missed you, man!"
"Same here, buddy."
Jiraiya crossed his arms. "What are you doing here?"
"Me?" Haruto pointed to himself with a grin. "I'm on a training trip."
"Oh? Join us!"
"Nah… mine's a little more extreme."
"Yeah, like infiltrating Akatsuki," jiraiya joked.
Haruto smirked. "How'd you guess?"
Jiraiya's expression stiffened. "Wait, seriously?"
Haruto changed the subject. "I went to our ancestral land... and inherited a 'blessing.'"
He handed Naruto the Radiant Spiral. The blade shimmered red, golden lines running from hilt to tip.
"Here. It's called the Radiant Spiral."
"For real? You're giving me this?!" Naruto beamed, already unsheathing it with sparkling eyes.
"Yeah. I've got one that suits me better. It's all red," Haruto chuckled.
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes. "I've seen this blade before… I just can't remember where."
"Probably just hallucinating, Sensei."
"Yeah… maybe."
"Hey, uh, Pervy Sage," Naruto asked, "you know kenjutsu?"
"Hey! Don't call me that!"
'Is this Jiraiya's destiny? To forever be "Pervy Sage"?' Haruto mused, feeling like Neji observing fate itself.
He shrugged. "You two train. I'll be going."
"No! Why?" Naruto pouted.
"Next time I'll stay longer," Haruto promised.
"Pinky promise?" Naruto extended his pinky.
Haruto laughed and locked fingers with him. "Pinky promise."
---
Somewhere deeper in the underworld…
"Time to earn some ryo," Haruto muttered, stepping into a hidden base.
Masked figures filled the room. Haruto, now wearing his own mask—a mouthless, matte black alloy with crimson streaks and glowing red eyes—looked like a specter of death.
The receptionist went still as he approached and handed over his ID.
"What can I do for you, Mr. Crimson Halo?" the attendant asked, using his codename.
Haruto's voice was low and hoarse. "Mission catalog."
The attendant nodded and pointed to the board.
Haruto scanned the list and paused at one.
Target: Ryuunosuke
Rank: Elite Jōnin – Rogue
Last Known Location: Lawha Valley
Bounty: 5,000,000 Ryo
He took the mission and vanished.
---
At Lawha Valley, smoke rose from a cave. Haruto perched atop it.
Zap!
A flash of lightning shot toward him—he dodged effortlessly.
"What?! How did you dodge that?!"
Haruto's mask glowed red, revealing his awakened Rinnegan.
"Shinra Tensei."
Ryuunosuke was blasted back, slamming into the cave wall.
"Universal Pull."
The rogue ninja flew toward Haruto, who disabled his chakra and pinned him to the ground.
"If you can beat me in kenjutsu, I'll let you go."
"R-Really?" Ryuunosuke stammered.
He reached for Haruto's foot—"Please… please let me li—"
A dagger flashed, aiming for Haruto's knee—but it shattered on contact.
"Puny tricks…" Haruto muttered, lifting him effortlessly.
"Fight me. Properly."
Ryuunosuke unsheathed his katana, swinging desperately—but Haruto deflected it effortlessly with the Red Death.
With one precise movement, Ryuunosuke's head was severed—tears still in his eyes as it fell to the ground.
Thump!
Haruto picked up the head, packed it, buried the body, and returned to the mercenary base.
---
Months passed.
Mission after mission.
One kill after another.
His name spread across the ninja world.
They called him:
Crimson Halo—The Red Death.