So, where is the Jinchuriki of the Five-Tails now?
Outside Iwagakure, seven figures appeared.
The Animal Path among the Six Paths of Pain was still male at this time.
On their way here, they had conveniently captured the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, who was heading back.
They had originally planned to travel together, but halfway there, White Zetsu suddenly appeared and told Pain that Uzumaki Naruto had already taken over Iwagakure.
This news instantly raised Pain and Konan's alertness to the maximum.
Iwagakure had actually been wiped out so quickly?
Since the Rinnegan's control has a maximum range, Nagato's movement slowed down their travel speed.
But this also meant that Naruto had taken Iwagakure in just a day or two!
Ōnoki's reputation was no exaggeration; the opponent had truly defeated the Ninjas of Iwagakure with only two people and occupied the entire village.
The Nine-Tails was essential; the Gedo Statue was currently absorbing Nagato's Chakra.
Whether it was to free Nagato or to use the power of the Ten-Tails to bring the world into complete peace, the Tailed Beasts were necessary.
Nagato and Konan discussed it and decided to fight a battle first to test the opponent's strength.
When they arrived at Iwagakure, they saw the village craftsmen rebuilding the houses.
The speed of reconstruction could never keep up with the speed of destruction.
"Has he already left?"
Konan's elegant brows furrowed slightly.
"Probably not. He will definitely wait until Konoha Ninjas arrive to garrison the place before leaving."
Pain looked down at Iwagakure below.
"His purpose for starting the war must be to conquer territory. If he leaves now, he won't be able to hold the land; it would just be senseless killing."
"Although I would hope the opponent was such a lunatic who starts wars to satisfy his own bloodlust, judging by his actions in the Grass Ninja Village, he is not that kind of person."
A reckless madman would be easy to deal with.
But a cunning schemer is much harder to handle.
If the opponent were only out to satisfy his bloodlust, he could have just sent Hidan to fight him; once Hidan got the opponent's blood, the battle would basically be over.
One point that concerned Nagato was that after the opponent wiped out the Grass Ninja Village, he headed straight for the Land of Earth instead of invading the Land of Rain.
The outside world did not know the news of Hanzou's death.
Even the Amegakure Smoke Faction, which was at odds with the forces under the Akatsuki Organization's control, would not leak the news of Hanzou's death.
So, was the opponent wary of Hanzou's reputation, or...
Was there another reason?
Nagato decided to control the Animal Path to go in first and scout the situation.
The Animal Path could directly summon the other Pains inside, and Konan could take this opportunity to prepare some Exploding Tagss.
Soon, the man with long orange hair walked up to the front of Iwagakure.
"Halt."
Two Iwagakure gatekeeper Ninjas blocked the Animal Path's way.
"I am from the Akatsuki Organization. I have accepted a commission from the Tsuchikage-sama."
The Animal Path took out a mission scroll and showed it to the two of them.
"This..."
The two Iwagakure Ninjas looked at each other.
Tsuchikage-sama actually secretly asked the Akatsuki Organization to eliminate the Sixth Hokage?
Has the Old Man been drinking fake wine?
Thousands of Iwagakure Ninjas couldn't defeat the Sixth Hokage-sama; can a mercenary group like the Akatsuki Organization win?
"We need to find Tsuchikage-sama to verify the authenticity. Please wait a moment."
One of the two gatekeepers handed the scroll to a companion waiting for a shift change, said a few words, and then returned to the gate to continue guarding.
Soon, the Iwagakure Ninja responsible for delivering the message arrived at the Tsuchikage's office.
At this time, Naruto was listening to Ōnoki's lecture.
When the Iwagakure Ninja entered and saw Naruto present, he was instantly at a loss.
Oh no, this thing must not be seen by him.
"Wait."
Naruto stood up, stepped forward, and took the scroll from his hand.
"Alright, you may leave now. I will resolve this matter together with the Tsuchikage."
It's all over!
The Iwagakure Ninja gave a respectful bow and left the office, then immediately started sprinting.
Calm on the surface, his back was already drenched in sweat.
Something big is going to happen!
Tsuchikage-sama, it's not me who harmed you; it's this chaotic world that has harmed you!
"Why so flustered?"
Ōnoki muttered dissatisfiedly.
It really makes people look down on Iwagakure Ninjas.
They've already been occupied, yet they're still so afraid of him.
"Hehe, Old Man, look, there's actually a bounty on me here!"
Naruto opened the scroll, looked at it, and then pointed to the signature on the scroll.
"Look, your name is even written on it. A price of 230 million Ryo; they really are looking down on me."
When Ōnoki heard about the bounty on Uzumaki Naruto, he had a bad feeling. Wasn't this the mission scroll he had issued to the Akatsuki Organization?
Not good, my old life!
Ōnoki's teeth began to chatter: "Hokage-sama, this..."
"I understand. This thing must be a fake, right, Old Man?"
Flames danced silently at Naruto's fingertips, licking the edges of the scroll, quickly turning it into several curled, scattering ashes and a charred wooden stick.
His voice remained gentle, even carrying a generous smile.
"Yes, it's a fake!"
Ōnoki quickly followed the lead: "I will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly and give Your Excellency the Hokage an explanation."
Compared to the Akatsuki Organization, the Naruto in front of him was even more terrifying.
He hadn't expected the Akatsuki guys to be so reckless; he needed to get Deidara back quickly.
Otherwise, if Naruto decided to act against the Akatsuki and killed Deidara...
If he lost his disciple, Ōnoki would have nowhere to cry.
Naruto casually tossed the carbonized wooden stick onto the ground.
"Alright, Old Man, don't be so nervous. How about we go take a look together?"
"Fine, let's go together."
Ōnoki breathed a sigh of relief.
Naruto was the first to leave the Tsuchikage's office.
After he left, his eyes narrowed.
This Old Man had previously wanted the Akatsuki Organization to intercept him, which was only human nature.
Although he had obtained the cultivation method for Dust Release, just looking at a cultivation scroll was still not as good as guidance from a famous master.
In this world, Ōnoki is the only one who knows Dust Release; in the original story, after Ōnoki died, no one knew Dust Release anymore.
The difficulty of learning this thing was indeed very high.
Otherwise, why wouldn't Deidara, Akatsuchi, Kitsuchi, and Kurotsuchi know it?
They were Ōnoki's disciple, son, and granddaughter.
Looking at the Ninja World, only the Second Tsuchikage and the Third Tsuchikage knew Dust Release.
At this time, Hikari was practicing with Kurotsuchi.
Kurotsuchi was completely suppressed by Hikari in both Ninjutsu and Taijutsu.
When she was pinned to the ground by Hikari once again, Kurotsuchi finally gave up.
"You're so strong. How did you and that Uzumaki Naruto train? How can you be so powerful?"
After Kurotsuchi admitted defeat, Hikari let go of her. She rubbed her shoulder and asked very curiously.
"Hard work, sweat, actual combat, as well as a large amount of Chakra and Kekkei Genkai."
Hearing the last two, Kurotsuchi's expression immediately collapsed.
Although she had a lot of Chakra, it was completely incomparable to Hikari and Naruto.
Whether it was Susanoo or that giant Eight-Armed Ashura, Kurotsuchi couldn't summon them even if she squeezed herself dry.
"So annoying, why can't the Old Man's Dust Release be inherited!"
Kekkei Tōta is strong, but it cannot be inherited!
Otherwise, she would also want to fly in the sky and use Dust Release to attack from above.