"Finished."
Naruto looked at the space before him gradually returning to its original state—as if it had never been attacked at all. He murmured softly.
Asura Path Pain couldn't withstand the blow.
In truth, with Naruto's current strength, no one could survive his full-power punch. The reason he'd fought with Asura Path Pain for more than ten minutes was simply to let the enemy display all his capabilities.
All of this stemmed from Naruto's mentality—similar to a cat playing with a mouse. Playing with the prey to his heart's content before eating it directly when satisfied.
Perhaps this brought some lonely pastime to an invincible Naruto.
Naruto turned around and surveyed the wilderness that had become even more devastated from their battle. Rocks lay shattered everywhere. Scorched earth scattered into countless craters. The sparse weeds looked as if they'd been pillaged completely. The few remaining plants had been baptized by artillery fire, leaving only bare, blackened ground.
Fortunately, I brought Asura Path Pain here, away from Konoha's range. Otherwise, Konoha's property would have suffered tremendous damage. Naruto thought with satisfaction.
After the battle concluded, Naruto lifted his foot, intending to return to Konoha. But just as he raised his step, he frowned. A smile curved his lips. "It seems all this isn't over yet."
Saying that, Naruto pivoted and threw a punch.
A missile dragging a flame tail cut through the air and collided with Naruto's fist.
A thunderous explosion rang out. Fire blazed toward the sky.
Naruto stretched out his hand and flicked it casually. A powerful wind instantly scattered the flames before him. Then, in a flash, he picked up his Hokage robe. Returning to normal form, he put on the robe and straightened it slowly with deliberate care.
After tidying up, Naruto turned around. He raised his head, seeming to look at a direction only he knew in his heart. He spoke as if to himself, "Brother Nagato, can't you wait any longer? Since you can't wait, then I'll come visit you personally. We'll have a good communication face to face."
That direction pointed toward the Rain Village.
Originally, he'd planned to visit when he returned from his long journey—or when his travels brought him close to Rain Village. He'd intended to have a proper talk with Senior Brother Nagato and ask him to disband the Akatsuki organization. That way, the entire ninja world wouldn't be thrown into chaos.
He could make friends as much as he wanted.
But now, perhaps because of Itachi, Kisame, and Obito's deaths, Nagato couldn't restrain himself any longer.
Since Nagato couldn't bear it, then Naruto decided to go to Rain Village personally to explain the truth to Senior Brother Nagato. Early tomorrow morning. No—after he'd had a good breakfast first.
After gazing in Rain Village's direction for a while, Naruto stepped forward. He appeared in midair, then flew through the sky in Konoha's direction.
A moment later, Naruto's figure materialized at the scene where Asura Path Pain had attacked Konoha.
Asura Path Pain's attack on Konoha Village had drawn nearly all the village's ninja to this location. While rescuing injured villagers, everyone waited for Naruto's triumphant return.
At this time, Jiraiya was helping Tsunade treat a Konoha villager who'd just been rescued from the ruins.
However, looking at Tsunade's expression, she clearly found Jiraiya's assistance annoying. Of course, with human lives at stake, Jiraiya wouldn't actually get in the way.
Shikamaru led the staff from the Hokage Building. He ran between two locations—the hospital and the attack scene—earnestly compiling detailed information about the injured villagers.
The other ninja clan patriarchs, together with Kakashi, Mitarashi Anko, and other jonin, stood at the edge of the ruined wall created by Asura Path Pain's assault. Some of Naruto's younger friends also accompanied their clan members.
Seeing Naruto return at this moment, everyone looked at him with questioning expressions.
Naruto nodded, indicating the matter had been resolved.
For the result obtained from Naruto's expression, everyone considered it a natural outcome. If Naruto couldn't solve it, then no one in this world could anymore.
They believed in Naruto's strength absolutely.
"I will handle this matter's follow-up personally. Anyone who dares wage war against Konoha will face punishment. We Konoha have never been afraid of war." Naruto's voice rang out with authority across the gathered crowd.
Hearing Naruto's words, the younger ninja all felt excited.
As for the older ninja, at this moment they couldn't help comparing Naruto with the previous Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen. In this comparison, Sarutobi Hiruzen truly had nothing comparable to offer.
Hyuga Hiashi, hearing Naruto's words, felt long-dormant memories stir in his heart. He remembered his younger brother who'd died in his place—Neji's father, Hyuga Hizashi.
At that time, Cloud Village had wanted to obtain the Hyuga family's eyes. They'd sent spies to infiltrate Konoha. Hyuga Hiashi, learning of this infiltration, had naturally chosen to eliminate the Cloud Village spies.
Afterward, Cloud Village used the spy's death to create a political controversy. They demanded Hiashi's life in compensation. Otherwise, Cloud Village would wage war against Konoha at all costs.
At that time, Sarutobi Hiruzen had been in charge of Konoha.
By all rights, the Hyuga family were members of Konoha. This incident had been Cloud Village's fault from the beginning. Sarutobi Hiruzen's proper response should have been to protect the Hyuga family and uphold the principle of defending Konoha—even if Cloud Village wanted war, then so be it.
Konoha, since Lord Senju Hashirama founded it, had never feared war.
However, Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn't actively prepared for battle. Instead, he'd taken the opportunity to pressure the Hyuga family. He'd claimed that having just experienced the Nine-Tails' attack, Konoha was severely wounded. Blindly starting war with Cloud Village would destroy the foundation Lord Senju Hashirama had created.
He'd said solemnly, for the sake of Konoha's peace, Hyuga Hiashi should die.
Of course, the Hyuga family wouldn't accept these excuses. They could only think the Hyuga family's eyes suffered from Sarutobi Hiruzen's jealousy—just as he'd been jealous of the Uchiha clan's eyes.
Because the Sarutobi Hiruzen clan didn't possess any outstanding bloodline abilities. The Uchiha family's eyes were red, and their hearts were also red. The Sarutobi Hiruzen family's eyes were black, and their hearts were also black.
Though the Hyuga couldn't have been angrier with Sarutobi Hiruzen's decision at the time, circumstances had been stronger than people. To prevent the Hyuga clan's bloodline from flowing into Cloud Village—and seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen watching from the sidelines like a vulture—Hyuga Hizashi had no choice. He died in place of his elder brother, Hyuga Hiashi. His body was sent to Cloud Village.
At that point, the farce that made the Hyuga family feel utterly ridiculous finally ended.
It was also because of this farce that Hyuga Hiashi lost all sense of belonging to Sarutobi Hiruzen and his version of Konoha. This was why the Hyuga clan had always kept a low profile throughout the entire village afterward.
That's why, when Hinata went outside, there were villagers' children who didn't know about the Hyuga family's eyes—children who bullied and mocked Hinata without consequence.
At the same time, this was also the reason why Hyuga Hiashi had watched Sarutobi Hiruzen being killed by Naruto without offering help. After Sarutobi Hiruzen took office, his political maneuvering—uniting his faction while cutting down and eliminating dissidents—had already caused several families to distance themselves.
Now it seemed that if this matter had occurred during Naruto's tenure as Hokage, Naruto would have already marched to Cloud Village to eliminate the Raikage himself.
Thinking this, Hyuga Hiashi spoke to the daughter beside him. "Hinata, you've found yourself a good husband."
Hinata, suddenly hearing her father say such words, felt her face flush instantly red. She lowered her head and whispered, "Father! What are you saying? I... I'm still part of the Hyuga family."
Looking at his shy daughter, Hyuga Hiashi smiled gently. Then he set his eyes on Neji.
Neji's expression looked listless. There were still healing bruises on his face. Hiashi didn't know that his nephew had apparently offended someone several days ago. According to his experience, the fist marks on Neji's face didn't look like Naruto's handiwork.
Besides, that afternoon when Neji had come home for dinner with a bruised and swollen face, Hiashi knew Naruto had already left Konoha that morning—on his way to find Tsunade.
Therefore, he'd learned Naruto hadn't caused the injuries on Neji's face.
It seems I still lack proper care for my nephew. After all, his father died because of me.
Of course, Hiashi understood his nephew's thoughts somewhat. Neji didn't know the truth of that year. He simply thought his father had been ruthlessly sacrificed by the main family because of his status as a branch member.
Therefore, Neji maintained slight hostility toward the main family and his uncle's household.
Hiashi could see Neji's hostility clearly. But Hiashi didn't explain the truth to Neji, because he felt that this hostility toward the main family made Neji practice very hard. His nephew had become so strong that even his own daughter Hinata—born into the main family—couldn't match Neji's abilities.
For this, Hiashi felt very pleased. He hoped Neji could become even stronger.
If he explained the truth about his father's death too early, would Neji work as hard without this hatred burning in his heart?
Later, events developed somewhat beyond Hiashi's expectations. One day, his daughter's appetite increased dramatically. Her strength gradually grew. Neji could no longer defeat Hinata in sparring.
Since Neji was no longer Hinata's opponent, Hiashi decided it was time for his nephew to know the truth. Thinking this, Hiashi addressed Neji, "Neji, after dinner—when it's time for evening training—wait for me. I have something to tell you."
"Yes, Patriarch." Neji spoke respectfully. But internally, he thought, What does Hyuga Hiashi want with me? For a moment, Neji's mind filled with guesses—still the malicious kind.
"Hokage-sama, the casualty list has been compiled." At this time, Shikamaru finished counting the villagers' casualties. He approached Naruto's side.
"How many?" Naruto asked directly.
Right now, he was Konoha's Hokage. Besides, before succeeding to the position, these Konoha villagers had all become his friends. So even though these villagers had slandered Naruto because of rumors in the past...
Now, he was Konoha's Hokage first and a friend second. His vision and perspective stood higher. He would never hold grudges about what those villagers had done to him before.
They were just Konoha's villagers—the most ordinary people, the most easily controlled by those in power.
"Three people seriously injured. Twenty-three people with minor injuries. And deaths..." Shikamaru paused at this point, then said in a low voice, "Two people."
"I see. Now let me go visit the injured villagers." Naruto walked toward Tsunade. Shikamaru followed Naruto, looking every bit the Hokage's capable assistant.
Naruto came to Tsunade's side. Looking at the unconscious Konoha villager being treated by her, Naruto asked, "Sister Tsunade, how is he?"
Tsunade stopped what she was doing. "Don't worry. He won't die with me treating him."
At that moment, the unconscious villager suddenly opened his eyes. He looked at Tsunade and spoke urgently, "Doctor, don't stop! Time is life!"
Well, it seems this Konoha villager won't die. Thinking this, Naruto addressed Shikamaru, "Let's go. We'll visit the other villagers at the hospital."
The rescued injured villagers had already been transferred to the hospital for treatment.
For the more serious cases, Tsunade conducted emergency treatment on-site, sending them to the hospital only after they were out of immediate danger.
Arriving at the hospital, Naruto walked into a ward. He saw Shizune and Sakura helping villagers with their wounds. Naruto walked over. The villager immediately greeted him, "Lord Hokage!"
Naruto nodded. "How is it? Is your injury serious?"
"It's just minor skin trauma." The Konoha villager felt genuinely flattered. He'd never imagined that as an ordinary villager, Hokage-sama would come visit him personally.
If it were the previous Hokage leaders, they wouldn't have paid attention to common people like himself.
Perhaps only the Fourth Hokage—also from an ordinary family—would have valued the lives of people like him.
"Heal your wounds well. Don't worry about housing. As long as Konoha exists, you won't lack a place to live." Naruto promised earnestly.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama." For a moment, the villager felt intense guilt in his heart. Back then, he'd also spoken harshly to Hokage-sama. Thinking of this, the villager shed tears of shame. "I'm sorry, Hokage-sama. When you were young, I said terrible things to you..."
"You don't need to apologize. You're part of Konoha. You even became friends with me when I took office. This is what I should do." Naruto's smile carried genuine warmth.
After that, he visited other injured Konoha villagers one after another. He received many confessions and apologies—no surprises there.
After the visits, Naruto took Shikamaru back to the Hokage Building. The Konoha villagers lying in their hospital beds watched Naruto's tall, handsome back. Their eyes burned with emotion. They all thought in their hearts: You truly are the Fourth Hokage's child.
Rain Village, within the Akatsuki organization's base.
Nagato sat in his wheelchair with closed eyes, meditating. Suddenly his eyes snapped open. He turned the wheelchair and looked in Konoha's direction. Movement showed in his expression.
"What's wrong?" Seeing Nagato's face, Konan immediately asked. She knew Nagato well. He maintained absolute confidence in everything. Anything in his hands would proceed according to his will.
Nagato's expression at this moment obviously indicated something had spiraled beyond his control.
Hearing Konan's question, Nagato closed his eyes. When he opened them again, a long time had passed. He let out a deep sigh.
"We have... a traitor among us."