---
"Naruto, what do you mean by this?"
Jiraiya's sharp instincts immediately caught onto the underlying message in Naruto's words.
"What do you mean by saying that the real problem is still ahead and that Uchiha Madara is still in the dark at this moment? Are you saying there's someone manipulating Uchiha Madara from behind the scenes?"
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed as he stared at Naruto.
Naruto sighed. "You could put it that way. To be precise, there's another force behind the one controlling Madara."
Gaara's brows furrowed. "Another force?"
Naruto nodded. Then, he turned to Tsunade and Jiraiya. "Granny Tsunade, Sensei, the role I've given myself now is to be the final player behind the scenes, the one controlling the one who thinks he's in control."
Darui frowned. "Hey, hey, Naruto, just talk straight. Don't start rapping like Killer B. I already get headaches listening to that."
Raikage grunted in agreement, his irritation growing as he internally grumbled, Why is Konoha's Jinchūriki as unreliable as my brother? He couldn't help but think that keeping both the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails out of direct battle was the right choice. If his brother and Naruto met, they might just start composing rhymes instead of fighting. The war might as well be canceled for a concert instead.
Mei Terumī interjected. "Naruto Uzumaki, can't you just explain things clearly? Since you said you're here to join us, we need full transparency."
Onoki stood up. "That's right, brat. You want my technique, don't you? If you make a significant contribution to this war, I'll consider passing it on to you."
Kurotsuchi scoffed from the side. "Old man, didn't you say you'd only pass that technique down to the next Tsuchikage?"
Onoki glanced at his granddaughter as if she were an idiot. You fool, do you even understand negotiation? You always make grand promises first, and whether you fulfill them is another matter.
Naruto looked around at the gathered Kage. "I know that Uchiha Madara has just revealed his plan to you all. So, let me share mine."
He swept his gaze over them before continuing. "I want the Five Great Shinobi Villages to unite under a single command—the Allied Shinobi Forces—and after the war, I want to remain its supreme commander. The ninja forces of all five villages should remain unified as a single entity, continuing to train under my guidance."
Raikage immediately erupted. "You brat, who the hell do you think you are?! You expect us to listen to you?!"
Onoki snorted. "You're even more delusional than Uchiha Madara!"
Gaara remained silent, his expression complex as he analyzed Naruto's words.
Tsunade folded her arms, her voice stern. "Naruto, that's impossible. This war is being fought to protect you and Killer B. Moreover, making you commander of the coalition wouldn't be accepted by anyone."
Naruto nodded, unsurprised. "I expected as much. That's why I came here to test the waters. If it doesn't work out, I'll proceed with my own plan. Either way, you'll still be standing alongside me when the time comes."
Jiraiya, his expression serious, asked, "Naruto, you said that even after the war, you'd continue training the army. Are you preparing for another conflict?"
Naruto looked at him intently, an enigmatic expression in his eyes. "Sensei, do you remember what I told you about the will of the gods?"
Jiraiya nodded gravely. With Uchiha Madara's recent revelations about the Sage of Six Paths and the Eye of the Moon Plan, such things no longer seemed as far-fetched as before.
Naruto smiled slightly. "See? You've already started accepting these concepts. Do you remember what you told me when I left the village?"
Jiraiya nodded again. "I said you had fallen."
Naruto sighed. "Exactly. That's human nature. Until they see things with their own eyes, people won't break away from their preconceptions or embrace new truths. It's the same with this war. If I had told you years ago that the Five Great Villages would form a united front, would you have believed me?"
The room fell silent as the gathered Kage exchanged glances. The idea that they would ever fight alongside each other had once seemed impossible.
"So," Naruto continued, "right now, the idea of following my command might sound absurd. But in the future, it will be seen as the wisest choice. And as leader of the Allied Shinobi Forces, I can help you end this war by defeating Uchiha Madara and stopping the Eye of the Moon Plan."
Mei Terumī's eyes narrowed. "You have a way to deal with Uchiha Madara?"
Naruto nodded confidently.
Raikage scoffed. "Are you joking?! Handing over the fate of the ninja world to a kid like you? That's laughable!"
Onoki nodded in agreement. "I stand with the Raikage on this."
Mei glanced at Gaara, who remained silent, clearly conflicted.
Raikage turned to Tsunade. "Hokage, you aren't seriously going to support this, are you?"
Tsunade was quiet for a moment before she sighed. "Naruto, I'm sorry. But I can't trust you with this. We're talking about the future of entire nations. However, I promise that with me and your master here, you'll be protected."
Naruto shrugged. "In that case, there's nothing left to discuss. I have other matters to attend to."
With that, Naruto began to rise into the air, levitating effortlessly.
Onoki's eyes widened. "This kid…?! He knows my technique?!"
C, Raikage's sensory-type shinobi, gasped. "No, this isn't the Tsuchikage's technique. This is one of the Rinnegan's abilities—manipulating gravity and repulsion!"
Raikage's face twisted in frustration. "Hokage! Didn't we agree to capture the Nine-Tails?! If we don't act now, when will we?!"
With that, Raikage leaped into action, cloaking himself in Lightning Release Armor, launching himself at Naruto with overwhelming speed, aiming for a devastating attack.
Naruto, still rising, watched Raikage's approach. He let out a cold chuckle, lifting his arm slowly.
C's eyes widened. "Lord Raikage, be careful! His chakra is shifting!"
Raikage smirked. Another pretender, just like Sasuke…
Before he could finish his thought, Naruto's voice rang out:
"Almighty Push."
A massive wave of repulsive force erupted.
Raikage's charge abruptly halted mid-air as an overwhelming force sent him flying back.
His eyes widened in shock. "What?! This repulsive force…?!"
With a loud impact, the Raikage was sent crashing backward, unable to resist Naruto's power.
---
Check out other novels
Naruto: l Aspire To Become Hokage Man
🚨🆕Haikyuu: To The Top 🆕🚨
To Get This Week Bonus Chapter - 200 Power Stones
Dear Readers
For 120 Advance Chapters Join My Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/NF25
-------