Naruto?!!!
How is he here?!
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.
Gaara was genuinely surprised to see Uzumaki Naruto suddenly appear. Without hesitation, he took the initiative to step forward and greet him.
"Naruto!"
Naruto, noticing Gaara, was visibly pleased. He walked up to him with familiarity, extending his hand. "Gaara."
Seeing Naruto offer his hand as usual, Gaara hesitated only for a moment before smiling and shaking it firmly.
However, as his gaze met Naruto's, he couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Naruto, your eyes… and your clothes…?"
Naruto smiled. "It's nothing. Just a minor procedure—consider it a new look."
Jiraiya took a step forward, his expression serious. "Naruto… you really did transplant Nagato's Rinnegan."
Naruto turned to his mentor, still smiling. "Yes, sensei. But it was something Nagato-san willingly gave me."
Jiraiya frowned. "Nagato-san? You're calling him that now? Senior brother?"
Naruto nodded.
Jiraiya's expression darkened. "Have you already forgotten how he treated me? The Pain he created—"
"Pain is the past, sensei," Naruto interjected, his voice calm yet firm. "Deep down, Nagato always longed for peace. But just like Sasuke, he was manipulated by those with their own agendas. He lost his way, just as many others have."
Naruto's Rinnegan shimmered slightly as he continued, "As for the Six Paths of Pain, they are history. Nagato and Konan are now part of my organization. They have severed all ties with the Akatsuki."
Onoki floated up slightly, his aged eyes narrowing. "Your organization? The Ten Organization—aren't they just another Akatsuki?"
Naruto turned to Onoki, a smirk forming on his lips. "Old man Tsuchikage, your Jinton is impressive. Besides Gaara, you're the only one here who can fly freely. Not bad… I must admit, I'm interested. I may not need it, but perhaps I'll have someone study it."
Onoki snorted. "So you expect me to just hand over my techniques?"
Naruto ignored his outburst and turned his gaze toward the Raikage. He observed the man's muscular frame and then nodded approvingly. "Raikage-sama's Lightning Release: Chakra Mode… an impressive technique. Enhancing the body at a cellular level through lightning-natured chakra—it's fascinating."
A snarl formed on the Raikage's lips as he clenched his fists. "What are you getting at, brat?!"
Gaara took a step forward, his concern evident. "Naruto, what happened to you? What have you been through? You can talk to me, as a friend."
Naruto met Gaara's gaze, his expression softening. "It's… complicated. If you truly want to know, we can talk about it privately when the time is right."
Gaara studied him carefully. The Naruto before him was different. And yet, in some ways, he was still the same. He had matured—grown colder, but his essence remained unchanged.
Tsunade finally stepped forward, her tone authoritative. "Naruto! As Hokage, I am ordering you to return to the village immediately and cooperate with the investigation. As for the past…"
She gritted her teeth before continuing. "I will let bygones be bygones. Danzo's actions—I will handle them. You don't have to worry about that."
Gaara added, "Yes, Naruto. Uchiha Madara is searching for you and the Eight-Tails. If you don't feel safe under Konoha's protection, you can come to my village. I will protect you."
Kankuro muttered from the side, "Gaara, Naruto might be our friend, but he still carries the Nine-Tails. The Hokage is standing right here, and you're saying that?"
Temari frowned. "Remember your position, Gaara. You're the Kazekage. This isn't about inviting a friend over for dinner."
Naruto chuckled. "Thank you, Gaara. Truly."
Gaara nodded. "It's nothing. You once fought so hard to bring me back. Now, I just want to do the same for you."
Naruto smiled. "Gaara, my friend, I have not fallen. I've simply moved forward. What you see now may seem sudden, but I assure you—this is who I've chosen to be. And…"
He turned to Tsunade, his expression unreadable. "Grandma Tsunade, I will not return to Konoha with you."
Tsunade's fists clenched. "Why?"
"For one, I don't have the time," Naruto stated simply. "And for another, Uchiha Madara will not capture me so easily."
His gaze darkened slightly as he added, "As for his threats against Konoha—so long as I am here, Konoha will not fall."
Raikage was taken aback, his expression one of frustration. "Why the hell do the rogue shinobi from Konoha always turn out to be so insane? First Sasuke, then Uchiha Madara… and now you?"
He rubbed his temples. "And what's worse, you don't even sound like a rogue ninja. You still act like you're Konoha's guardian."
Jiraiya, who had been listening carefully, took a step forward. His Sage Mode had long since faded, showing how little he considered Naruto a threat.
Placing his remaining hand on Naruto's shoulder, he asked seriously, "Naruto… are you doing all of this to protect everyone?"
Naruto's Rinnegan glowed faintly. His gaze met Jiraiya's, and for a moment, the coldness in his eyes melted away.
His voice was barely above a whisper. "Yes, sensei."
Jiraiya sighed. "You believe a crisis is coming, and you don't think anyone will believe you if you warn them. So, you've chosen to bear this burden alone."
Naruto nodded.
"But it's not just me," he added. "I am growing my own forces. Even now, I came here hoping to forge alliances."
Gaara's expression shifted. "Is it to stop Uchiha Madara's plan?"
Jiraiya and Tsunade immediately turned to Naruto, hope flickering in their eyes. Jiraiya, in particular, looked desperate for an answer.
But Naruto shook his head. "Stopping the Moon's Eye Plan is not my primary goal."
Jiraiya's expression dimmed instantly. "Then… I was wrong?"
Seeing the disappointment on their faces, Naruto continued, "The Ten Organization exists to protect the future. Uchiha Madara's plan is dangerous, yes, but it is a problem that I can handle."
His eyes darkened. "The true threat lies beyond him. Unfortunately, Madara himself remains unaware of it."
Silence fell over the room as Naruto's words sank in.
And in that moment, it became clear—Naruto was walking a path that no one else could yet see.
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