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"What do you want to do?"
The Masked Man's eyelids twitched when he saw Naruto's eager, almost predatory gaze, as if he wanted to chop him apart. He couldn't help but ask cautiously.
"It's nothing, nothing."
Naruto shook his head nonchalantly, his eyes still locked onto him, and said, "Um… can you turn around? I have a surprise for you."
A surprise? You want to chop me, don't you? When you lie, can you at least put away the knife in your hand?!
The Masked Man stared at Naruto speechlessly, then shook his head and said, "No need. The 'surprise' you've already given me is more than enough."
The news of the 'Mysterious Person' attacking Konoha Village, killing Tsunade-hime—who was about to become Hokage—and then being hunted by Konoha had already spread throughout the Ninja World. Naturally, the Masked Man had received the news.
Although "Tsunade's death" occurred after he had sent information to Naruto, the Masked Man believed that the incident was something Naruto had done as a 'letter of allegiance.'
As for why he was certain that the Masked Man who attacked Konoha was Naruto—it was because the characteristics were too obvious.
Someone who could control lightning, wore full-body armor, and possessed both traits… besides Naruto, there was practically no second person.
However, the Masked Man couldn't understand something. He hadn't provoked Naruto recently, so why did this guy look like he wanted to chop him the moment they met?
Of course, it's because I know the crimes you committed in the past!
If Naruto knew what the Masked Man was thinking, he would definitely answer like that—and then immediately swing his blade.
But Naruto still needed to use him to meet the Akatsuki Organization's apparent leader, so he decided to let him live a little longer.
With that thought, Naruto put away the Infinite in his hand, then looked at the Masked Man and said, "Didn't you say you were going to take me to meet your organization's leader? Let's go."
"Of course."
The Masked Man let out a sigh of relief when Naruto finally put his weapon away, then said in a deep voice, "But before that, I want to confirm one thing. The incident in Konoha not long ago… that was you, wasn't it?"
Although he was already certain, he still wanted to hear it directly.
"That's right."
Naruto nodded without hesitation, a hint of pride in his tone. "How about it? Should this letter of allegiance satisfy you?"
"Very satisfied."
The Masked Man nodded, clearly pleased. "Let's go. I'll take you to meet the leader now."
Naruto nodded and followed him all the way to the Akatsuki Organization's headquarters in the Land of Rain.
So this is where the Akatsuki base is?
After entering the Land of Rain so brazenly, Naruto couldn't help but ask in his mind, "Dad, what's going on with this country? It feels like they don't guard against the Akatsuki at all—and they even seem… respectful."
Minato Namikaze gave a thoughtful hum, then said, "When I was alive, this country was ruled by a powerful ninja named Hanzō. Because of his strength, he was called the 'Demigod.' Even Jiraiya-sensei and the others received the title 'Three Ninja' from him."
"Logically, someone like him wouldn't allow an organization like Akatsuki to exist here. So either he reached some kind of agreement with them… or he's already been killed."
"The 'Ninja Demigod' who gave Jiraiya-sensei and Granny Tsunade their title?"
Naruto quickly grasped the implication. "So you think it's more likely he was killed by Akatsuki?"
"Hmm."
Minato nodded. "Given the current situation… it's very likely."
He paused, his tone turning heavier.
"When I was Hokage, I studied this country. Under Hanzō, the people lived harsh lives—very difficult ones."
"But now… they seem to be living better."
This contradiction made things unclear.
At first, Minato had classified Akatsuki as a dangerous terrorist organization.
But now…
Things weren't so simple.
Still, that possibility was quickly shattered.
Because when Naruto followed the Masked Man to meet the Akatsuki leader—Hanzō did not appear.
If there had been cooperation, he would have shown himself.
His absence confirmed the worst possibility.
Hanzō was likely dead.
And this country… had been taken over.
For Minato, this was alarming.
A nation with enough military strength to affect the entire Ninja World—now controlled by a dangerous organization.
The consequences of that… were unimaginable.
But Naruto didn't think that far.
Instead, he noticed something else.
A familiar figure—Orochimaru.
And at this moment, Orochimaru was confronting the Akatsuki leader, as if a battle could break out at any moment.
The Masked Man noticed as well. After bringing Naruto over, he didn't introduce him immediately. Instead, he stood to the side, silently observing.
"Orochimaru, you did this on purpose, didn't you?"
Pain—Deva Path—stared at Orochimaru with indifferent eyes and spoke in a deep voice.
"By arranging for me and that Uchiha boy to encounter Danzo at the same time… you wanted us to eliminate him for you—and provoke a clash between us as well?"
"You even intended to use me to kill that Uchiha."
Not long ago, Pain and Uchiha Itachi had clashed over Danzo's fate.
In the end, Pain had been slightly superior.
But even so, he hadn't pursued Itachi to the death.
Now, the confrontation had shifted… to Orochimaru.
"Actually, I wanted both of you to die together… what a pity it didn't work."
Orochimaru sighed inwardly, but outwardly he smiled.
"Leader, you wrong me. I had no idea Itachi would appear."
"Hmph. It better be so."
Pain's voice turned cold, his Rinnegan flickering with pressure.
"If there is a next time… I will kill you myself."
"Yes, yes~"
Orochimaru's tense body relaxed.
Crisis avoided.
But internally—
He still wanted those eyes.
Both of them.
On the other side—
Naruto's attention had completely shifted.
The moment he saw Pain's eyes—
He froze.
Then urgently spoke in his mind:
"Kurama… are those the Rinnegan?"
"…That's right."
The Nine-Tails was equally shocked.
"But… how are those eyes here?"
Naruto didn't care about that.
"Then if we make him use that power… we can revive Mom and Dad, right?"
"…Yes. But it requires the user's life."
"I'll make him agree."
Naruto's voice was firm.
"No matter the cost."
Even if it means force.
The Nine-Tails fell silent.
For some reason—
He believed Naruto could do it.
"…But something's wrong with him," Naruto said suddenly.
"What do you mean?"
"I can't feel life from him. No emotions either… he feels like a corpse."
"…It might be the Rinnegan," Kurama said thoughtfully.
"Those eyes are beyond normal understanding."
Naruto reluctantly accepted that explanation.
Then—
Pain's gaze shifted toward them.
"Is he the one you want to recruit?"
"That's right."
The Masked Man nodded.
"He passed my test—but your approval is still needed."
Pain gave him a faint, warning glance… then looked at Naruto.
"State your name. Remove your mask. I will confirm your identity."
"No need."
Before Naruto could speak, the Masked Man interrupted.
"You've heard about Konoha, haven't you? He did that. Tsunade's life was his pledge. This armor is proof enough."
As soon as those words fell—
Orochimaru's gaze snapped toward Naruto.
Filled with killing intent.