Chapter 49: Three Crystal CoresThe light of the blade flared up, instantly transforming into thousands of chilling sword qi that crisscrossed like a torrential rainstorm.Aside from the three heads suspended in mid-air, even with the terrifying regeneration speed of the beast's remaining body...it couldn't heal completely before being shredded by the pervasive sword qi.As soon as the shredded flesh and blood mist formed, they were ground into powder by the sharp energy.Witnessing this overwhelming scene, The Five Kage froze in place, their hearts filled with unspeakable shock.The boy before them appeared to be no more than ten years old.His physique was still immature, but the steady aura he radiated and the decisive ruthlessness of his strikes were far beyond what any ordinary child could achieve; his maturity and composure far exceeded his years.The fierce slashes lasted for nearly three breaths, and the beast's heaven-defying regenerative power finally began to fall behind the slaughtering speed of the sword qi.The writhing of the flesh at the severed ends grew increasingly sluggish, and its life force drained rapidly; it was clearly at its wit's end.In a short while, the continuous waterfall of sword qi finally ceased, leaving only the scorched smell of blood in the air.The beast's massive carcass turned into powder on the ground; even the last trace of cellular vibration attempting to regenerate was completely severed by the continuous sword qi.There was no more writhing flesh, no more signs of recovery—only silent remains left behind, spread quietly over the cracked earth.Naruto pretended to sheathe his sword, his movements smooth and fluid; not even a speck of dust touched the hem of his clothes.He glanced indifferently at the "battlefield ruins," his eyes cold and devoid of any smugness.The Five Kage remained frozen on the spot, the shock in their eyes lingering for a long time.The Kazekage was the first to snap back to his senses. Looking at the boy who appeared ten but was actually unfathomable, he swallowed hard, his voice trembling slightly:"This... this is simply..."He paused, unable to find the right words to describe the overwhelming scene he had just witnessed.The three heads that had been suspended in mid-air suddenly lost their invisible support and crashed to the ground.In an instant, ripples of spiritual energy like starlight emanated from the severed necks, their flowing brilliance drawing everyone's gaze."Three! This beast actually has three Crystal Cores!" everyone exclaimed, their eyes burning with ill-concealed amazement.Naruto's gaze was indifferent as he flickered forward, calmly taking the three Rinnegan eyes surrounded by golden flowing light.Now, The Five Kage and the surrounding Ninjafinally saw the abnormality of those eyes.They were entirely a brilliant color like molten gold, extremely rare to see."The style of this beast's eyes is quite unique; they're entirely gold?"The Raikage's gruff voice rang out. He leaned in closer, looking at the detached eyes and muttering a comment, his tone full of curiosity.Before his voice had even faded, another strange sight occurred.The three golden Rinnegan eyes in Naruto's palm flashed slightly, and the terrifying phenomenon quickly faded.In an instant, they turned back into three ordinary fleshy eyeballs, with no trace of divinity left.Now, how to distribute these three Crystal Cores became the biggest problem.These three Crystal Cores were of the same quality as the one from the fifth floor, surrounded by a domineering devouring force and containing immeasurable pure energy.After witnessing Naruto's methods of opening the secret realm, no one was willing to give up this heaven-defying opportunity.The rules of this sixth floor were exactly the same as the fifth floor's.The lone beast in this layer had already devoured and annihilated all the spiritual energy and its own kind; these three Crystal Cores were the final treasures of this place.The Raikage rubbed his hands together and looked at Naruto with a simple and honest expression, his tone tinged with urgency:"Young friend Naruto, since you've already obtained those three strange eyes, these three Crystal Cores..."Naruto glanced at him indifferently, his tone calm and steady: "I only want one."Hearing this, the Raikage's old face instantly darkened.What did he mean by "only one"? There were only three in total; was one a small number?He had intended to make an outrageous demand, but Naruto's words left him speechless.But remembering Naruto's unfathomable and terrifying strength just now, the Raikage didn't say anything more and could only turn away sullenly.He cleared his throat for the other four Kage, putting on a matter-of-fact expression:"Ahem! Since young friend Naruto only wants one, then for the remaining two, Kumogakure and Konoha will take one each. No one has any objections, right?"As soon as these words were spoken, the faces of the Kage-level experts from Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and the Hidden Mist darkened instantly, clearly dissatisfied.Fourth Kazekage Rasa was the first to lose his patience and countered coldly:"According to you, are we from Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and the Hidden Mist supposed to come to this secret realm for nothing and leave empty-handed?"Snapped at by Rasa in public, the Raikage's eyes widened in anger, and lightning arcs crackled around him:"Rasa, what do you mean? If it wasn't for Naruto's intervention just now, how would we have taken down that Three-headed beast? What's wrong with me taking one?""Naruto took action, what the hell does that have to do with you, Raikage?"Tsuchikage Ōnoki snorted coldly, his old face tense:"Raikage, everything should be based on order of arrival and the amount of effort put in.""The Five Kage joined forces to keep it in check; why should you and Konoha monopolize them?"For a moment, the atmosphere was tense, with The Five Kage refusing to back down, looking like they might turn on each other on the spot.Naruto stood to the side, watching coldly without intervening.He had expected this group to argue over the Crystal Cores; after all, any treasure that could enhance one's Chakra foundation was a huge temptation for any Ninja village.Just as the two sides were about to come to blows, Naruto finally spoke. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an unquestionable pressure:"Have you argued enough?"Naruto stepped forward slowly, his gaze sweeping across everyone as he said calmly, "I want all three Crystal Cores!"The Raikage said urgently: "Young friend Naruto, this..."He swept his gaze over The Five Kage, whose expressions varied, and said with certainty:"If no one wants to leave empty-handed, I will offer two plans. Pick one of the two, and no arguing.""The first plan..." Naruto flicked his finger, and the three Crystal Cores trembled in unison, golden light spilling out."Shatter these three Crystal Cores simultaneously. The shattered energy won't condense back into cores but will turn into a sky full of pure Chakrastreams, dispersing into this space.""At that time, everyone will rely on their own abilities. Absorb as much as you can; there will be no distinction between individuals or strength—it all depends on yourselves."As he finished speaking, a faint energy ripple seemed to spread through the air.The Five Kage looked at each other, their eyes showing they were moved—though this method was uncertain, it was fair, which was better than fighting over them.But before they could think it over, Narutopresented the second plan."The second plan: draw lots for the remaining two Crystal Cores."With a flick of his finger, two Crystal Cores landed steadily on the ground, their light restrained."I have no physical lots in my hand; I will use Chakra to condense two empty talismans, one with a mark and one blank.""Whoever draws the mark gets one. Those who don't draw it must not utter a single word of complaint."The Raikage swallowed and asked hurriedly: "What about you? Young friend Naruto, you just said you wanted one, and now...""I will naturally take one of them."Naruto spoke indifferently, his tone brook no argument."The plans are mine, and the rules are mine to set. Which one to choose is for you to decide. I'll give you three breaths of time: either shatter the cores together or draw lots. If anyone disagrees..."His tone shifted, and his fingertips slightly condensed as a sharp blade intent quietly spread, causing the surrounding air to ripple with layers of distortion."Then forget it... I'll keep the Crystal Cores, and none of you will touch them."The hearts of The Five Kage tightened.Everyone knew that with Naruto's strength, if he really wanted to keep the Crystal Cores, they wouldn't be able to stop him.The Raikage was the first to relent, his voice gruff: "Drawing lots! Drawing lots is fair! I choose drawing lots!"Rasa pondered for a moment, his brow relaxing, and he nodded: "Drawing lots is feasible; it's more certain than shattering the cores."The Tsuchikage and Mizukage nodded one after another; no one raised any further objections.The corners of Naruto's mouth curled slightly, but there was no smile. He simply said, "In that case, we draw lots."As he finished, five dark mysterious talismans condensed at his fingertips—two with faint marks and three blank as before—and floated gently in front of The Five Kage."Choose."
