After noticing the change in Minato Namikaze's expression, the Nine-Tailed Fox said in a dark voice, "Naruto, did you already know the masked man's true identity? Were you deliberately guiding Minato?"
Naruto rolled his eyes and replied lazily, "I don't know shit. Even if the Fourth Hokage figures it out, that's his problem, not mine. But yeah… the masked man and Itachi Uchiha do have a few things in common."
Kurama snorted, clearly unimpressed. "If you don't want to talk, then don't. I'm not that curious anyway."
Seeing the big fox acting all tsundere, Naruto shrugged. "Fine, I'll say it. I suspect the masked man is one of the Fourth Hokage's former students… you know, the kind of guy who helps old ladies cross the street and looks harmless as hell."
Kurama froze for a second, then let out a cold laugh. "Konoha really breeds monsters, huh? Two geniuses—one kills his entire clan, the other attacks his teacher and his teacher's wife. What a proud tradition."
Naruto spread his hands helplessly. "That's just the tip of the iceberg. There's even crazier shit. Now you get why I ditched Konohagakure and built my own setup. That place is a whole mess—can't fix it even if you cut cock and start over."
Kurama nodded slightly, then suddenly frowned. "Naruto, the leader of the Akatsuki is nearby. Be careful. If things go south, I'll lend you my power—let you enter that so-called 'Dark Kurama Mode.'"
Naruto twitched. "Dark Kurama Mode… seriously? That name sounds like something a chuunibyou would shout before getting his ass kicked."
Even so, he nodded. Borrowing Kurama's power? No hesitation there.
...
Meanwhile, Nagato walked through the streets in the form of Pain.
The Deva Path looked strange, sure—but not that strange. Just a bit too many piercings. Nothing that would make people scream and run for their lives.
Nagato wasn't here for sightseeing. He was hunting Orochimaru.
A few days ago, after leaving the Land of Rain, he had sensed Orochimaru's ring and tracked him all the way here. But once he reached the Land of Waves, the chakra signal vanished again.
After thinking it through, Nagato quickly figured out the snake's plan—lure him here, make him clash with Uzushio Village's leader, then sneak in and steal the Rinnegan during the chaos.
Classic Orochimaru. Slimy bastard never changes.
Still, Nagato wasn't worried. Compared to Pain, Orochimaru was manageable. He had already been crushed once and forced into the organization.
Instead of rushing, Nagato decided to observe the country—see how the people here lived compared to those in the Land of Rain.
The result? Complicated.
Despite years under Kado's exploitation, the Land of Waves wasn't much worse off than the Land of Rain. In some ways… not even that different.
Did that mean Konan's policies were too harsh?
No. If anything, her rule was far kinder than Hanzo's. The real issue was the damage left behind by endless ninja wars.
At least the Land of Waves hadn't been turned into a battlefield.
Eventually, feeling a bit… awkward (not hungry, since this body didn't even need food), Nagato stepped into a small restaurant.
Just as he stood there, unsure what to do—
"A bowl of ramen, and a bowl of kombu soup."
A calm voice broke the silence.
Nagato looked up.
Naruto sat down right across from him.
With a relaxed smile, Naruto rested his chin on his hand and said, "You don't look like a local. Tourist? Bad timing—the Land of Waves isn't exactly a vacation spot yet. Give it a few years."
Nagato narrowed his eyes. "And you are?"
Naruto shrugged casually. "Just a ninja from Uzushio Village. I've been assigned to track down suspicious guys hiding on this island… so here I am."
"Oh?" Nagato replied calmly. "So you're worried about the news leaking out?"
Naruto waved his hand dismissively. "Nah. We're not hiding anything. Uzushio Village took over the Land of Waves—that's true. But I prefer to call it… a rescue mission."
He signaled the waiter. "Two juices."
Nagato listened silently.
Naruto continued, sipping his drink, "This country didn't even have a ninja village. No protection, no stability. We're just doing what Kado never could."
Nagato leaned forward slightly. "Then what's your next step?"
Naruto looked at him like he'd just asked a stupid question. "Infrastructure first. Then industry, trade, tourism. Basic stuff. Didn't your village teach you that?"
Nagato paused. "…No."
Awkward.
Even somewhere inside, Minato was probably thinking: Since when the hell do ninja academies teach economics?
Nagato quickly regained composure. "Even if you succeed… what's the benefit for a ninja village?"
Naruto smirked. "Simple. Rich people pay taxes. Poor people don't. You want a strong village? Feed the people first. Otherwise, what—expect them to magically shit out money?"
Nagato pressed further. "And how exactly do you plan to do that?"
Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly. "Nice try. Fishing for secrets? I'm just a small-time ninja. Want details? Go ask the boss."
Nagato stared at him for a moment… then sighed.
"No need to pretend anymore," he said quietly. "You are the leader of Uzushio Village—Menma Uzumaki. There's no one else it could be."
The air shifted.
Naruto dropped the act instantly, his expression turning cold.
"Since you've figured it out…" he said slowly, locking eyes with him, "then how about you explain something first?"
"The leader of Akatsuki… Pain."
"Why the hell are you in my country?"
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