When Richard noticed Naruto and Jiraiya standing outside his office, they likewise spotted him.
Without hesitation, Jiraiya and Naruto approached.
"Can we talk privately?" Jiraiya asked Richard.
"Of course. Let's talk in my office," Richard replied.
Jiraiya nodded in agreement.
Richard glanced at the silent Naruto before leading them into his private office.
"Please sit. Would you like something to drink?" Richard gestured toward the reception area sofa.
"Thank you, but we're fine," Jiraiya quickly declined as he and Naruto sat down.
Richard took a seat across from them. "What brings you here?"
Before Jiraiya could respond, Naruto spoke up. "My father asked us to come to you."
Hearing this, Richard frowned slightly.
Almost immediately, he deduced why the Fourth Hokage had directed Jiraiya and Naruto to approach him.
The Fourth Hokage, uncertain whether Richard would honor his request regarding Naruto, couldn't definitively inform Jiraiya and Naruto of the outcome.
Their visit sought clarification about Richard's decision.
Should he refuse, Jiraiya would attempt further persuasion.
For Konoha, the Yang Nine-Tails within Naruto represented an irreplaceable strategic asset.
Even the First Hokage, despite his limited political acumen, recognized the Nine-Tails should remain in Konoha rather than being distributed to other villages like the remaining Tailed Beasts.
But for the Fourth Hokage and Jiraiya, Konoha's potential loss of the Yang Nine-Tails paled compared to Naruto's survival.
Moreover, they understood that if Richard intended to extract the Yang Nine-Tails from Naruto, no one in Konoha could prevent him.
Even a combined effort from Jiraiya, Tsunade, Kakashi, Guy, and others would prove futile against Richard.
"Since the Fourth Hokage sent you, I'll be direct," Richard stated.
"Naruto, I remain determined to take the Yang Nine-Tails from your body. No one can prevent this."
"However, I promised the Fourth Hokage I would make every effort to keep you alive."
"So while I develop a method to safely extract the Yang Nine-Tails, you needn't worry about my intentions toward you."
Richard explained calmly.
Though aware that both Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique and One's Own Life Reincarnation could resurrect a deceased Jinchūriki, Richard had no intention of employing either technique.
Or rather, he wouldn't consider them as primary options.
Both Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique and One's Own Life Reincarnation required the caster's life as payment.
Unless absolutely necessary, Richard wouldn't rely on these techniques to resurrect Naruto—even if someone else performed the jutsu, these methods wouldn't receive priority.
Hearing Richard's response, Jiraiya quickly interjected: "Before coming here, I consulted Tsunade about this matter."
"Tsunade and I will also research methods to extract the Yang Nine-Tails without endangering Naruto's life."
"However, having never studied this field before, we cannot guarantee when we might discover a solution."
Ideally, Jiraiya would prevent Richard from extracting the Yang Nine-Tails from Naruto entirely.
Unfortunately, no viable alternatives existed.
Jiraiya hadn't employed Sage Mode against Richard.
Yet the Fourth Hokage had utilized both Sage Mode and Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.
Despite these enhancements, the Impure World Reincarnation-empowered Fourth Hokage still failed to defeat Richard.
Though the Fourth Hokage's teacher, Jiraiya harbored no illusions about surpassing his student's performance.
In other words, even deploying his complete arsenal wouldn't suffice against Richard.
"I'm not in any hurry," Richard replied. "If you wish to conduct research, feel free to proceed."
"Minato left me some ninjutsu and sealing technique documentation last night. I've made copies," Jiraiya explained.
As he spoke, Jiraiya performed a summoning jutsu, manifesting an ordinary-looking toad.
Under Richard and Naruto's watchful gaze, this green toad—approximately half a meter long—regurgitated a box onto the table using its tongue.
Then, with a puff of smoke, the toad vanished.
After the toad's departure, Jiraiya opened the box and retrieved its contents.
Richard had expected Jiraiya to provide copies of the Fourth Hokage's documentation.
Surprisingly, Jiraiya offered the original materials.
Though Jiraiya didn't elaborate, Richard immediately understood his reasoning.
By providing the originals, Jiraiya eliminated any suspicion of tampering with the information.
Though the Fourth Hokage might have altered the materials himself, any such modifications would be his responsibility, not Jiraiya's.
Richard accepted the Fourth Hokage's documentation, briefly examining it before storing everything in his system space.
The Fourth Hokage had provided these materials primarily to preserve his ninjutsu and sealing techniques.
Additionally, he hoped these resources might assist Jiraiya in developing a method to safely extract the Yang Nine-Tails from Naruto.
After Richard secured the materials, Jiraiya continued, "If there's nothing else, we'll take our leave."
Richard nodded.
As Jiraiya and Naruto stood and began walking toward the exit, Richard called out, "Wait a moment."
Hearing this, they immediately halted.
"Is there something else?" Jiraiya inquired.
"Just one matter," Richard replied, approaching Naruto. "If you encounter anyone seeking to kill you or extract the Yang Nine-Tails, inform them that you're under my protection."
What?
Jiraiya and Naruto regarded Richard with surprise.
Though not officially affiliated with Konoha, Richard undeniably represented the village's most formidable power and renowned figure.
Jiraiya quickly deduced Richard's motivation.
He wanted neither Naruto's death nor the Yang Nine-Tails claimed by others.
Though less experienced than Jiraiya, after a brief moment, Naruto grasped the implication as well.
"Alright, I understand," Naruto nodded.
"That's all. You may go," Richard concluded.
Jiraiya and Naruto nodded simultaneously before departing.
After their exit, Richard settled into the chair behind his desk, contemplating how to extract the Yang Nine-Tails without killing Naruto, ultimately using the "Rune Seal" to transform the Yang Nine-Tails into an energy crystal like the Yin Nine-Tails.
Time passed swiftly.
Almost imperceptibly, ten months elapsed.
During this period, Richard abandoned his previous global wandering, spending most of his time in Konoha.
After more than six months of research, he successfully developed a method to extract the Yang Nine-Tails without endangering Naruto's life.
His solution proved remarkably straightforward.
Typically, a Jinchūriki would perish upon losing their Tailed Beast.
Regardless of a Jinchūriki's vitality, this outcome seemed inevitable.
However, exceptions existed to this rule.
The Eight-Tails could sustain its Jinchūriki by leaving a severed tentacle within the host's body.
Similarly, the Ten-Tails' Demonic Statue of the Outer Path could preserve a Jinchūriki's life if a portion remained within the host.
Drawing inspiration from the Eight-Tails' tentacle method and the Ten-Tails' Demonic Statue, Richard first extracted a small quantity of Yang Nine-Tails chakra from Naruto.
Then, he drew a similar amount of Yin Nine-Tails chakra from the Yin Nine-Tails Energy Crystal.
Finally, he combined these chakra samples to create a Nine-Tails Energy Crystal with significantly reduced energy density.
After creating this crystal, the next step proved straightforward.
He located Naruto and, in the presence of Jiraiya and Tsunade, extracted the Yang Nine-Tails from Naruto's body.
Then, before Naruto could succumb, he sealed the Nine-Tails Energy Crystal within Naruto.
This Nine-Tails Energy Crystal successfully sustained Naruto's life.
Provided Naruto refrained from depleting the Nine-Tails chakra within the crystal, his survival remained assured.
After extracting the Yang Nine-Tails from Naruto and transforming it into an energy crystal via Rune Seal, Richard merged the Yang Nine-Tails Energy Crystal with the Yin Nine-Tails Energy Crystal.
Though Obito remained unaware of Richard's true intentions, Richard harbored no concerns about potential complications.
Should Obito abandon the goal of becoming the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki, Richard would simply use Impure World Reincarnation to resurrect Madara Uchiha, then compel Nagato to perform Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique to properly revive Madara, allowing him to become the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki as in the original timeline.
Though largely confined to the village, Richard regularly received updates from Tsunade regarding Akatsuki's ongoing Tailed Beast collection efforts.
Beyond the Nine-Tails and Three-Tails, Akatsuki systematically gathered the remaining seven Tailed Beasts in pairs, mirroring the original timeline.
According to Tsunade's recent intelligence, apart from the Eight-Tails—which remained uncaptured—the other six Tailed Beasts had fallen into Akatsuki's possession.
Barring unforeseen developments, the Eight-Tails would soon join Akatsuki's collection.
At that point, Richard would confront Obito.
Konoha. Near the Uchiha District. Master Bedroom, Second Floor.
Richard, who had worked until midnight, slowly opened his eyes and carefully withdrew his arm from beneath Yugao's head where it had served as her pillow.
Despite his gentle movements, Yugao still awakened.
"Good afternoon," Richard greeted, noticing her open eyes.
"Is it already afternoon?" Yugao asked.
"Nearly so," Richard confirmed.
Hearing this, Yugao immediately sat upright. "I'm late! Lady Tsunade requested my presence at the Hokage's office before noon today. She has a new assignment for me."
Before Richard could respond, Yugao sprang from bed and hurried to the bathroom.
Richard followed at a leisurely pace, calmly beginning his morning routine.
After washing and changing into fresh clothing, Richard offered, "I'll take you there."
"Thank you!" replied Yugao, already dressed in standard jonin attire—black pants and green flak jacket—with her vibranium katana secured.
Richard approached, placing his arm around her waist.
Then, he activated Flying Thunder God.
Instantly, they vanished from their bedroom, reappearing in the Hokage's office.
Though they arrived slightly late, Tsunade remained occupied with village affairs.
Shizune stood at her right, holding a stack of documents.
Seeing Richard and Yugao materialize, Tsunade set down her pen.
She sighed resignedly before instructing Shizune: "Give Yugao her mission scroll."
"Yes, Lady Tsunade," Shizune promptly replied, retrieving the mission scroll from the desk and presenting it to Yugao.
Without hesitation, Yugao unrolled the scroll and quickly reviewed its contents.
"No problem. I can complete this assignment," Yugao responded confidently.
Tsunade's new mission wasn't particularly challenging—a standard A-rank protection detail.
For someone possessing the Rinnegan, this assignment presented minimal difficulty and could be executed solo.
"Very well, I entrust this to you," Tsunade acknowledged.
"The client should already be waiting at the village gate. Proceed there directly."
"Yes, Lady Tsunade," Yugao responded with a slight bow.
She then turned to Richard. "I'm off on my mission."
"Take care," Richard replied.
After receiving Richard's acknowledgment, Yugao departed the Hokage's office, using Body Flicker Technique to hasten toward the village entrance.
"Shizune, please submit these documents for processing. I'll address the remainder this afternoon," Tsunade instructed.
"Of course, Lady Tsunade," Shizune replied, recognizing Tsunade wished to speak privately with Richard.
Under the watchful gazes of Tsunade and Richard, Shizune exited the office, gently closing the door behind her.
"Do you have time to visit Cloud Village now?" Tsunade immediately asked Richard after Shizune's departure.