Amegakure.
After returning from Sunagakure, Naruto was studying the art of reincarnation in Orochimaru's laboratory. He had no idea that Obito had gone to Sunagakure and then moved on to Kumogakure.
From Naruto's perspective, that Raikage was one of the more violent types. Obito should have known that if he wanted to cause destruction, he ought to choose a village that was easier to deal with—like Sunagakure, or Kirigakure.
Let alone talk about cooperation!
As for the Raikage's violent temper, it was only after being completely crushed by Uchiha Madara during the Fourth Shinobi World War that he finally changed his ways, became more restrained, and began seeking cooperation with other villages.
In the early days, during the formation of the Shinobi Alliance, the Raikage was still mainly focused on his own interests.
"Naruto-kun, according to your suggestion, the source of life force for the Reincarnation Jutsu can be replaced with White Zetsu!" Orochimaru said.
Naruto nodded and replied, "Yeah. Don't worry about the chakra. I can fill that in!"
Orochimaru frowned slightly and said, "But... I don't quite understand. Why does White Zetsu have a soul? I can understand that it possesses vitality, but where does the soul come from?"
After all, according to the principles of the Reincarnation Jutsu, the living vessel must have similar soul attributes as well!
Naruto looked at Orochimaru and calmly said, "Actually, White Zetsu was originally an ancient human being, but they were transformed into White Zetsu by Ōtsutsuki Kaguya and sealed within the God Tree."
Orochimaru heard this explanation for the first time and nodded in surprise. "No wonder!"
Naruto continued, "After all, Kaguya had to prepare for the threat from her own clan in the universe. The ordinary people of this world did not have the ability to resist. Turning them into White Zetsu soldiers capable of fighting was the best option!
That's why this place is also called Kaguya's 'vegetable garden,' used to cultivate White Zetsu soldiers. The Eye of the Moon Plan is about resurrecting Kaguya and turning all humans into White Zetsu soldiers again!"
Orochimaru nodded in realization. "I see."
"Well, in that case, I definitely can't agree with it," Orochimaru said, smiling coldly. "Compared to the cruelty of reality, I despise the hypocrisy of dreams even more."
Seeing Orochimaru speak such words, Naruto smiled slightly.
At this moment, the laboratory door was pushed open.
"Naruto!"
Naruto looked up and saw Nagato.
"Ah, Big Bro, what's wrong?"
Nagato glanced at Naruto, then at Orochimaru, and said solemnly, "Someone's here. It seems... they're here for you!"
Naruto frowned. "For me?"
Nagato nodded. "It's Jiraiya-sensei."
Hearing Jiraiya's arrival, Orochimaru froze for a moment, then gave a faint smile. He turned to Naruto and said, "Don't tell him I'm here."
Naruto chuckled and said, "He already knows."
With that, Naruto walked out.
"Bro, aren't you coming along?"
Nagato shook his head and said, "Forget it. I'd better not see him for now. After all, I once almost killed our master with my own hands."
Naruto nodded, respecting Nagato's choice.
Outside the village, over a lake, Naruto used Body Flicker Technique to appear.
"Pervy Sage, I heard you were looking for me. What happened?"
Jiraiya laughed loudly. "What? I can't visit you unless something's wrong?"
Naruto glanced behind Jiraiya and asked, "Are there other Konoha ninjas with you?"
Shiranui Genma, Raido Namiashi, and Iwashi Tatami looked at Naruto with concern. The more they looked, the more familiar he seemed. This nose, these eyes, this golden hair—he was unmistakably the flesh and blood of the Fourth Hokage!
It was only the whisker-like marks on his cheeks that were different, likely a manifestation of the Nine-Tails' chakra.
Shiranui Genma stepped forward and said, "Naruto, I didn't know before, but now, logically speaking, you should call me 'uncle'!"
Raido Namiashi and Iwashi Tatami also stepped forward, smiling warmly. "That's right, that's right!"
Naruto was stunned by this sudden recognition. He still had some impression of these three men. After all, they had once served as guards to the Hokage across the reigns of the Third and Fourth Hokage. During their tenure, Naruto had been a growing presence among the village's elite Jōnin.
"You guys... what's going on?"
Shiranui Genma looked at Naruto and said softly, "Jiraiya-sama told us everything."
Raido Namiashi apologized, "I'm sorry, Naruto. As your uncles, we didn't take care of you when you were young."
Iwashi Tatami added, "The Fourth Hokage treated us very well. Yet, we failed to take care of his only son. We're truly sorry, Naruto."
Hearing this, Naruto suddenly understood. "Oh, it's that! You scared me. I thought you had done something terrible to me or something. But this... it's fine. It's all in the past. Besides, I had my parents, the Perverted Sage, and the love of many friends in the village!
So even though I felt a little wronged when I was a kid, looking back now, it's really not a big deal."
Shiranui Genma, Raido Namiashi, and Iwashi Tatami all felt deeply relieved. Naruto was still so bright and cheerful, so unlike the dark rumors circulating through the village, suggesting he had turned cold because of his lonely childhood.
Jiraiya stepped forward and said, "Alright, that's enough reminiscing. Naruto, I'm here because I need to discuss something with you."
With that, Jiraiya handed Naruto a letter—it was a message sent from Kumogakure to Konohagakure.
"This is from Kumogakure. It was delivered in a large iron box. They probably used Space-Time Ninjutsu to send it. It's urgent."
Naruto thought for a moment. "Sounds like a gift from the heavens."
He skimmed through the letter quickly, his eyes narrowing. Naruto sneered. "Obito really figured it out!"
Seeing Naruto's relaxed expression, Jiraiya knew the situation wasn't too serious.
"What are you planning to do, Naruto?"
Naruto looked at him and said calmly, "First, contact the Kage of the five great nations immediately. Place Flying Thunder God seals on them. If there's another attack, I can ensure the villagers won't suffer unnecessary casualties!
Second, I've already spoken with Gaara. We need to form a Ninja Alliance as soon as possible and launch an offensive against Obito!"
Jiraiya frowned slightly. "But with your strength, you could stop Obito. Why not do it yourself?"
Naruto looked seriously at Jiraiya. "Pervy Sage, Obito is just a key piece on the board. Judging from everything I've seen so far, he's not the final enemy. So there's no point in moving too early!
Besides, once I remove Obito, the five great nations will lose their external threat. The Alliance will fall apart!"
Shiranui Genma was shocked. He looked at Naruto in disbelief. "Naruto... are you saying you're intentionally leaving Obito alive to act as a hated, evil external threat?!"
Naruto nodded without hesitation.
Jiraiya fell silent.
He didn't question Naruto any further. He realized now—Naruto had seen things they could not.
Raido Namiashi and Iwashi Tatami protested, "But if you do this, a lot of people will die!"
Naruto chuckled bitterly and shook his head. "A lot of people will die?"
At that moment, the look in Naruto's eyes made Shiranui Genma, Raido Namiashi, and Iwashi Tatami all fall into a trance.
That look—so familiar.
It carried the helplessness born from death, from despair at the cruelty of life itself.
They had seen it before, in the eyes of countless Konoha veterans who had survived the last three Great Ninja Wars.
Especially in those who had taken countless lives with their own hands.
How could this be Naruto?
---
Check out other novels
Naruto: l Aspire To Become Hokage Man
🚨🆕Haikyuu: To The Top 🆕🚨
To Get This Week Bonus Chapter - 100 Power Stones
Dear Readers
For 120 Advance Chapters Join My Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/NF25
-------
Please Support My Patreon 🥺