Chapter 9: Chapter 9: The War Beyond the Walls
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A Storm Approaches
The ground shook violently as a massive horde of Titans marched toward Shiganshina. But these were not ordinary Titans—dark markings covered their bodies, their eyes glowing red with demonic energy. They moved faster than normal Titans, their growls distorted, as if something unnatural was controlling them.
And at the very front…
Zeke Yeager.
The Beast Titan towered over the battlefield, standing in its primate-like posture, its glowing golden eyes fixated on the ruins of Shiganshina. But Zeke was not alone.
Standing beside him, wrapped in a black and crimson cloak, was a tall figure with piercing red eyes. His pale skin almost glowed under the moonlight, and his presence alone sent a chill through the air.
Naruto felt it instantly.
The sheer malice.
The presence of something ancient.
His Sage Mode flared in response.
Tanjiro took a shaky breath, gripping his Nichirin blade tightly. "That's…"
Eldryn's voice was grim.
"Muzan Kibutsuji."
The King of Demons.
The one responsible for the demon curse. The true enemy standing behind everything.
And now, he had allied himself with Zeke.
Naruto exhaled, cracking his knuckles. "Well, this just got a whole lot worse."
Zenitsu, peeking from behind a broken wall, whispered, "C-Can I go home now?"
Tengen Uzui grinned, spinning his twin blades. "Nah, lightning boy. This is just getting interesting."
Mikasa narrowed her eyes, standing beside Eren. "Zeke… He's here."
Eren clenched his fists, his rage simmering just beneath the surface.
Zeke… The Beast Titan.
The traitor.
His own brother.
And now, he had brought an army of monsters to finish what he started.
Eren's fingernails dug into his palms.
"…I'll kill him."
Naruto turned to him, sensing the anger radiating from Eren's body. "Hey. Keep your head clear."
Eren's teeth clenched. "He's the reason everything fell apart. He's the reason our people have suffered for so long!"
Naruto put a hand on his shoulder. "Yeah, and you want revenge. I get it. But if you go in blind, you'll lose."
Eren growled. He hated to admit it—but Naruto was right.
This wasn't just a battle.
This was war.
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The Army of the Devourer
Zeke raised a single hand.
And the Titan horde stopped.
For a moment, everything was silent.
Then—
Zeke's voice boomed across the battlefield.
"Eren… I know you're there." His voice was calm, almost gentle, but filled with an eerie authority. "It's time you stopped running."
Eren took a step forward, his fury boiling over. "Running?! YOU'RE the one who betrayed our people!"
Zeke sighed. "Eren, you still don't understand, do you?" His golden eyes locked onto him. "You think this war is about freedom. But the truth is, we are all just pawns of something greater."
Naruto narrowed his eyes. "That's some big talk for a guy who just teamed up with a literal demon king."
Muzan finally spoke, his voice silky smooth and utterly chilling.
"Naruto Uzumaki."
Naruto tensed.
Muzan smiled.
"I've heard much about you." His red eyes gleamed. "A warrior from another world… one who wields a power even I do not understand."
Naruto crossed his arms. "Yeah? Well, all you need to know is that I'm the guy who's about to kick your ass."
Muzan chuckled. "Oh, how amusing."
Then, his aura flared.
And suddenly, the night itself darkened.
The Titans behind him shuddered—and then, their bodies began to change.
Naruto's Sage Mode flared. "Wait… what the hell?!"
The Titans screamed.
And they transformed.
Their bodies twisted, their muscles bulging, as horns sprouted from their heads. Their teeth sharpened into fangs, their eyes burning with demonic energy.
Tanjiro's face went pale. "No… He turned them into demons."
Eldryn's eyes darkened. "This… This is the true army of the Devourer."
Zeke extended his arm. "Now do you see, Eren?" His voice was almost sad. "This war was never about Eldians and Marleyans. It was always about something bigger."
Eren's breath shook.
Because for the first time…
He didn't know if they could win.
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A Plan for Survival
Naruto turned to the group. "Alright. We need a strategy. Now."
Mikasa kept her gaze on the army. "We can't fight them all at once."
Tengen grinned. "But we can divide and conquer."
Eldryn nodded. "Agreed. But we must act quickly."
Naruto looked at Tanjiro. "Alright, Demon Slayer—what's our best move?"
Tanjiro inhaled sharply, then spoke. "The demon-enhanced Titans are going to regenerate like normal demons. That means we have to cut their napes AND use Nichirin blades."
Mikasa looked at her swords. "Then we need to coat our blades with whatever your swords are made of."
Tengen nodded. "Leave that to me. I'll get them flamboyantly prepared."
Naruto turned to Eren. "You ready?"
Eren took a deep breath. "Yeah."
Zenitsu, still trembling, looked between the group. "And me?"
Naruto grinned. "You? You're gonna do what you do best."
Zenitsu blinked. "Which is?"
Naruto smirked.
"Be the fastest one here."
Zenitsu's breath hitched.
Naruto cracked his knuckles, looking back at the demonic Titan army.
The final battle had begun.
And there was no turning back now.
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To Be Continued…