AI Model: gemini-3.0-flashChapter 287: The New Hokage Office
Nagato thought it was a bit strange, but he didn't suspect Karen of being a mole.
He simply thought she was young and hadn't experienced the cruelty of war, so she had been frightened by the Tianming Organization in just a few words.
This was fine; it saved him the breath of having to convince her.
"Come with me to the Hidden Rain Village to see Konan."
Nagato spoke up, remembering that the two of them usually got along well.
While he was confident he could make Konan obey his orders, it might not be of her own free will.
What he was doing now was undoubtedly a betrayal.
In Naruto's words, it was a case of 'Why does Your Majesty rebel?'
Karen nodded, putting on a heavy expression.
Seeing this, Nagato couldn't help but sigh; this child was indeed loyal to the Akatsuki Organization.
His actions must have truly disheartened her.
He suspected Konan would feel the same way.
She had followed him the longest and had worked tirelessly to realize their original dream, no matter what it took.
But now, he was the one leading the betrayal.
For a moment, Nagato felt a surge of guilt.
In his mind, Naruto gave Karen a big thumbs up.
That acting was top-notch.
Though, why did it feel a bit manipulative?
He took out a scroll, handed it to Karen, and said, "Consider this a meeting gift for you both. Show it to your Senior Sister; perhaps she will change her mind."
Nagato was stunned for a moment. Why didn't you give it to me?
But he didn't ask.
"There's one more thing."
Naruto looked at Nagato and continued, "The Gedo Statue and the Jinchuriki."
"I will release the Jinchuriki."
Nagato thought for a moment and said, "As for the Gedo Statue, I can give it to you, but you need to understand that my current state was caused by it."
Naruto was somewhat surprised.
Although that hadn't been his intention, Nagato's honesty about the facts was truly upright.
If it were him, he might have used it to set a trap for someone.
"There's no need to release the Jinchuriki for now, and I have no use for the Gedo Statue."
Naruto shook his head and said.
Without the Ten-Tails' Chakra, the Gedo Statuewas just a bottomless pit.
There was no point in him taking it.
Speaking of which, Nagato hadn't summoned the Gedo Statue to fight earlier, for some unknown reason.
It was likely because the price was too high, and since the overall situation had already been decided, he had given up the struggle.
To be honest, Naruto really wasn't afraid of a Gedo Statue without the Ten-Tails.
Besides, he also had the Rinnegan; if it came down to a summoning contest, they'd see who the Gedo Statue would actually listen to.
In a war of attrition, Naruto had absolute confidence in victory.
After all, this Senior Brother of his was a damaged version.
"Why?"
Nagato couldn't help but ask.
When Naruto had raided the Hidden Rain Villageearlier and seen the Jinchuriki but didn't take them, he had found it very strange.
What had the Tianming Organization been opposing the Akatsuki Organization for all this time?
Why would they not want weapons as significant as the Tailed Beasts and the Gedo Statue?
"I have a use for them."
Naruto naturally wouldn't tell him it was because of the active achievements on his person; he had long since prepared an explanation.
"Senior Brother, I remember your original dream was to create a world of peace through communication between people?"
"Yes."
Nagato wasn't surprised that he knew.
This guy had been thriving in the Akatsuki Organization under the identity of The Fool.
If Deva Path Pain hadn't lost control, he would have been even more speechless.
Well, he would have been able to see the surrender performances of Uzumaki Menma and Kakuzu.
But he would find out soon enough.
Aside from Deidara, that crazy and persistent genius artist, not a single person was truly there for the Akatsuki Organization.
"Do you think that's possible?"
Naruto sighed and said, "There will always be some people who, due to various accidents, go astray."
Even in a world made up of simple, ordinary people, it's impossible to eliminate crime.
There are just too many reasons.
Let alone in the world of Ninjas.
Once things spiral out of control, it causes unimaginable harm.
Moreover, the probability of superpowers going out of control is very high.
Because most of the time, these things rely on self-control.
Clearly, that is an extremely difficult thing to achieve.
Besides that, there are those like Uchiha Itachi who learned the wrong lessons.
Nagato fell silent but did not retort.
He had seen too much over the years.
"As long as the majority can do it, overall peace can be achieved."
Nagato said thoughtfully, "That's why I wanted them to understand pain, so they would cherish a hard-won peace."
"Your viewpoint is actually correct, but your methods were a bit terrible."
Naruto smiled and said, "But we can talk about that later. What I want to discuss is the use for the Gedo Statue and the Tailed Beasts: the Infinite Tsukuyomi."
"You actually approve of the Eye of the Moon Plan?"
Nagato found this incredible.
His cooperation with Obito wasn't to implement the Eye of the Moon, but to collect the Tailed Beasts.
The goal was to turn the Tailed Beasts into a final weapon to deter the Five Great Villages, so they would never dare to start a war again.
Otherwise, Konan wouldn't have been preparing an ultimate move to kill Obito from the very beginning.
In other words, he and Obito were merely using each other.
"My Eye of the Moon Plan is different from what you're thinking."
Naruto brought up the concept of internet gaming.
He intended to have Nagato lead the project, using the Tailed Beasts and the Gedo Statue with the moon as a server to build a massive virtual reality online game.
Those who wanted to commit crimes or fight? No problem, you can go wild in here.
As long as you're willing to pay, we guarantee you'll experience the thrill of punching the Raikageand kicking the Tsuchikage.
But in reality, sorry, there will be an iron fist of justice.
Of course, staying in the Infinite Tsukuyomi for too long would turn one into a White Zetsu.
So, he'd just add an anti-addiction system.
Perfect.
"???"
Nagato's face was a giant question mark.
He seemed to understand, yet he also didn't.
But he was deeply shocked.
This was a path never before imagined, an innovative path.
"Of course, exactly how to operate it is still an unknown."
Naruto's knowledge of the Infinite Tsukuyomi was limited to the anime; turning it into a game was no simple task.
He could only guess at even the most basic controls for the illusionary content.
But fortunately, the prerequisites had already been met.
The rest was just a matter of building it slowly.
Nagato tried to process what Naruto was saying, but without any frame of reference, he couldn't visualize it.
However, he found himself unusually interested.
If what Naruto said became reality, it meant his own ideals could be realized.
Joining the Tianming Organization didn't seem like a loss.
"I look forward to your Eye of the Moon Plan."
Nagato concluded with those words, then headed to the Hidden Rain Village with Karen via a Teleportation Array.
"Congratulations to you."
Only after Nagato had left did Mei Terumī step forward.
She was a clever woman and naturally knew how to read the room.
Especially when the two big bosses of the Ninja World were chatting, she didn't dare to intrude, lest the Hidden Mist Village be caught in the crossfire.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel that things were too difficult.
This was no way to live.
The threat of the Akatsuki Organization had vanished, but the even more powerful Tianming Organization might be like the sun, never to be extinguished.
Where should the Hidden Mist Village go from here?
"It's nothing worth congratulating."
Naruto gave a faint smile. "It's just a small matter."
"..."
Mei Terumī almost lost her composure.
Explain yourself, what the hell do you mean by'small matter'?
You're just one step away from unifying the Ninja World.
"Li... Your Excellency, what do you plan to do next?"
Mei Terumī had wanted to call him 'little brother' to tease him, but considering the current situation, she didn't dare to act out.
Sigh, there was ultimately a thick wall between them now.
Naruto raised an eyebrow and said, "Are you asking me, or the Tianming Organization? If it's me, I'll probably just be a'salted fish,' wander around, and then get married and have kids or something."
Hearing the word 'married,' Mei Terumī's face darkened; she hated that topic the most.
"You're only fifteen, how can you be thinking about... these things?"
She snapped back to reality, finding it hard to believe.
According to the logic of a normal person, wouldn't you want to properly enjoy the empire you spent so much effort conquering? Show off your power or something?
Why would you want to retire?
"Is a fifteen-year-old not allowed to think about these things?"
Naruto asked in return.
"Fine."
Mei Terumī had no way around it, and besides, it had nothing to do with her. "Then what does your Tianming Organization plan to do next?"
"Naturally, it is to consolidate the fruits of the war, establish a brand new nation, and lead everyone toward a beautiful tomorrow."
"..."
Mei Terumī always felt those words sounded a bit strange.
"By the way, remember to hand the Three-Tailsover to Konoha."
Naruto remembered the nine Jinchuriki; only the Three-Tails was still in the Hidden Mist Village.
"Impossible!"
Mei Terumī refused without hesitation upon hearing this.
Chōjūrō was now the Jinchuriki of the Three-Tails.
Handing over the Three-Tails—wouldn't that mean his death?
More importantly, how could they give away a weapon of such immense strategic significance to others?
"I think you've misunderstood something."
Naruto looked into her beautiful eyes and said softly, "I'm not negotiating with you, do you understand?"
Mei Terumī's body trembled, and she froze in place.
She gritted her teeth, putting on a pitiful look, and said, "We can hand over the Three-Tails, but can you please not harm Chōjūrō's life?"
Since it was unavoidable, she changed her attitude very quickly.
But she was also very smart.
Because under normal circumstances, extracting a Tailed Beast meant certain death for the Jinchuriki.
So she was thinking on her feet, hoping to keep the Three-Tails for a few more decades.
By then, perhaps there would be some extra changes in the Ninja World.
"You can rest assured about that; I won't take his life."
Naruto knew what she was thinking, but she didn't know what he was thinking.
A method to safely extract a Tailed Beast was actually already being worked on by someone.
The teacher of the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, Utakata.
Utakata had defected from the Hidden Mist Villageyears ago because he thought his teacher was going to kill him to take the Six-Tails.
But in reality, his teacher had developed a method to safely extract the Tailed Beast and wanted to test it.
Unfortunately, they hadn't communicated clearly beforehand, leading to a misunderstanding.
However, Naruto could understand.
After all, this method was unknown; no one knew if it would succeed.
If it failed, it would be all over.
"You said it, don't lie to me."
Mei Terumī patted her chest and said.
"I have no reason to lie to you."
Naruto shook his head and said, "If I really wanted the Three-Tails, you wouldn't be able to stop me."
Mei Terumī was left speechless.
You're so right that I actually can't argue back.
It's really infuriating.
She led the Hidden Mist Ninjas away from Langya Pavilion, this place of sorrow.
She, who had always been strong, had suffered setback after setback.
It made her realize the importance of strength.
"If only I were ten years younger."
Mei Terumī couldn't help but look back.
If she were ten years younger, she might have been able to make this kid her'subject'.
But she quickly shook her head.
Her resolve had indeed wavered.
She was actually thinking about relying on a man.
After Mei Terumī left, Naruto found that he didn't seem to have anything to do.
He thought for a moment, asked Merlin for directions, and then appeared by a certain riverbank.
"Fishing?"
Naruto sat down on a stool of his own accord and asked, "Any luck?"
"Not yet."
Uchiha Itachi replied.
He looked very relaxed.
That feeling reminded Naruto of his own state after the college entrance exams—a feeling that the world was vast and he was free to fly.
"What happened to the Akatsuki Organization?"
Uchiha Itachi asked, then suddenly smiled and said, "I'm being silly. Since you've appeared, it means the Akatsuki Organization has been completely wiped out."
"Pretty much."
Naruto turned his head to look at a wooden house not far away.
Orochimaru seemed to be preparing lunch; there was a faint aroma.
"And Sasuke?"
Uchiha Itachi asked again.
"He's fine."
Naruto said casually, "With his strength, it would be hard for anything to happen to him."
Uchiha Itachi immediately felt relieved; since the Akatsuki Organization was gone, no one would threaten Sasuke.
"Stay for a meal?"
"No."
Naruto waved his hand and said, "I should head back to Konoha. By the way, where is Yakushi Kabuto?"
"Following Orochimaru's orders, he has already returned to Otogakure."
Uchiha Itachi paused, then said, "Or perhaps before long, he will go to Konoha."
Naruto was a bit puzzled but didn't ask.
In any case, it wasn't much of a threat to him.
Besides, Yakushi Kabuto lived for Orochimaru; there was no reason for him to attack Konoha. It was more likely he would return to Konoha.
After all, that's what he did in the original work.
A top-tier villain boss returning to the countryside to become an orphanage director.
It could practically be written as a new media novel.
That vibe of a War God returning to find his daughter sleeping in a pigsty and summoning a hundred thousand soldiers in a rage.
Naruto shook those strange thoughts out of his head and bid farewell to Uchiha Itachi.
"Help me take care of Itsu and Haru."
Uchiha Itachi said quickly.
Naruto's body vanished and reappeared in Konoha.
To his surprise, Tsunade had also already returned.
Only about an hour had passed.
You really speed-ran the Ninja World.
That's a bit fast.
Naruto took a peek at the Hokage Office and then fled in a hurry.
The room was filled halfway with documents.
In addition to the Jonin, even Sakura and Karin, the new batch of Chunin and Jonin, were there.
It meant there were just too many things to do.
Naruto could understand, but he didn't want to deal with it.
Aside from the Land of Water, there were nearly twenty other countries in the entire Ninja Worldthat now had to be handled.
He planned to wait a couple of days.
Some things required his personal appearance.
Returning to the Hyuga Compound, it was very quiet; Hinata wasn't there either.
As a member of the Hyuga Clan, she naturally had to seize this rare opportunity to go out and earn some merit.
[Congratulations to the host for achieving the active achievement: The Lonely Villain.]
[The host will receive one targeted card draw, one regular card draw, ten attribute points, and one special Buff.]
[Special Buff: Time is not about how much you have, but how you use it. Time Management Buff: For the next week, you will gain Bullet Time.]
[Note: Bullet Time allows the user to enter a state where they are slow or stopped, but time in the outside world does not stop.]
Wasn't 'The Lonely Villain' Uchiha Obito's active achievement?
So he really didn't die after all.
Makes sense.
With his cautiousness, going to fight the Tianming Organization, he'd surely have to use Izanagi to set up a resurrection technique first.
Given the situation in the Ninja World, Obito was indeed the only villain left.
Naruto rubbed his chin; he knew what he should aim for with his targeted draw.
The Heavenly Eye, or rather, Clairvoyance—a reconnaissance Ninjutsu that could reflect the entire Ninja World.
Obito was a must-kill.