After Naruto finished sealing their powers, he lifted his gaze toward the two figures who offered no resistance, watching calmly as their strength was completely suppressed.
With Naruto's current power, any attempt to resist would have been meaningless. That overwhelming force had already left a deep impression on them.
Nagato slowly clenched his fist, only to feel nothing.
The power he had relied on for so long was gone.
An unfamiliar sense of dread rose in his heart—as if he had suddenly become no different from an ordinary person. For someone accustomed to standing above others, the sensation was deeply unsettling.
He could no longer perceive chakra at all.
"So even his sealing techniques are this refined…"
Nagato muttered softly.
"Brother Nagato, why don't you come take a look at my place?" Naruto said with a smile. "It might be different from what you're imagining."
The goodwill in Naruto's tone caught both of them off guard.
"…Since things have already come to this," Nagato sighed, "then I'll see it for myself. Perhaps you truly are doing better than I ever did."
Naruto's strength alone was enough to inspire awe.
He was decisive—far more so than Nagato had ever been. The Five Great Nations had already fallen. Any clear-sighted person could tell that the Umbrella Organization's ultimate objective was the remaining Five Great Hidden Villages and the Akatsuki, unifying the ninja world under absolute control.
Without another word, Naruto led the two away.
In a flash of space–time distortion, Flying Thunder God activated, and the three vanished—reappearing directly inside the Umbrella base.
"Give me a minute. I'll be right back," Naruto said.
And then he disappeared again.
When Naruto reappeared, he had returned to the battlefield where he and Nagato had fought earlier.
His perception quickly locked onto several approaching chakra signatures—it was Umbrella's reinforcements.
Soon, familiar figures came into view, Zabuza among them.
"The battle's over," Naruto said calmly. "Let's head back."
The reinforcement team froze.
Over… just like that?
Naruto stepped forward, surveying the devastation left behind by his battle with Nagato. Then, without hesitation, he formed four hand seals and spoke softly:
"Water Release: Water Spout."
In an instant, a massive surge of water poured into the crater ahead of them. The ruined terrain was rapidly flooded, forming a small to medium-sized lake right before their eyes.
The Umbrella shinobi were stunned.
If they remembered correctly, Water Spout was only a C-rank Water Release ninjutsu.
Normally, it required eight hand seals.
So since when did it only take four?
Had they all learned a fake version?
An ordinary ninja could at best create a small pool with this technique—but the scene before them made one truth painfully clear:
There was a real difference between people.
Even Zabuza fell silent.
Wasn't Naruto primarily skilled in Earth Release and Wind Release?
Since when was his Water Release this terrifying?
The scale alone rivaled techniques used by legendary water-style specialists. Even those rumored to have formed pacts with the sea would struggle to push a C-rank ninjutsu this far.
Then again… this was Naruto.
If anyone could turn the ordinary into the miraculous, it was him.
Only someone like this was worthy of leading them forward.
"What are you staring at?" Zabuza barked suddenly. "Isn't this basic stuff? You brats slack off in training and then act like country bumpkins who've never seen the world! Training gets doubled when we get back!"
As a leader, Zabuza naturally couldn't afford to show weakness.
"…But I am from the countryside," a ninja muttered quietly from the back of the group. He had only recently been transferred to headquarters due to his talent.
"Hm?"
Though faint, the voice didn't escape Zabuza's ears.
He shot the speaker a glare so sharp that the young ninja immediately stiffened, a chill running down his spine.
"Alright, alright," a man in his thirties said with a chuckle, patting Zabuza on the shoulder. "Don't be so hard on the youngsters."
He was an elite jōnin and someone who usually got along well with Zabuza.
"I heard your Water Dragon Jutsu needs forty-four hand seals," he continued. "But the one I learned only needs four."
"..."
"Hahahahaha!"
A burst of laughter erupted from the crowd, instantly darkening Zabuza's expression.
"Fall in!"
With a resentful shout, Zabuza turned on his heel and strode away.
Naruto, meanwhile, activated Flying Thunder God once more and returned to the Umbrella Organization's headquarters. He had already arranged accommodations for Nagato and Konan within his personal residence—a vast estate by any standard.
Seeing Naruto return, both of them unconsciously let out a breath of relief.
This place was unfamiliar. Though they sensed no immediate hostility, the fact that they had lost their powers still left them uneasy.
"Sister Konan," Naruto said calmly, "you can come with me and take a look around the organization. As for Brother Nagato, it's better for you to rest and recuperate for now. We'll equip you with the best prosthetics and make sure you receive the highest level of medical treatment."
Nagato was clearly not in a condition to appear before others.
Though the Uzumaki Clan was famed for its vitality, his hair had lost its former luster—streaks of white now mixed into his red hair. This was a clear sign of severe life-force depletion.
His legs had been crippled during the earlier battle, and his body was now so emaciated that he was little more than skin and bones.
Konan exchanged a glance with Nagato and nodded slightly before following Naruto. Before leaving, she changed into a standard ninja outfit.
Although not many people recognized Konan herself, the attire of the Akatsuki was infamous.
In the current ninja world, the black cloaks patterned with red clouds were known to virtually every shinobi.
At least… among ninja.
The two soon arrived at Umbrella's central district—the core of the organization. Schools, research facilities, and various operational buildings were all concentrated here.
"Sister Konan, let me show you what our organization looks like," Naruto said with a smile.
That warm, unguarded smile caused Konan to pause for a brief moment.
As they walked through the area, people frequently turned to look at them, whispering quietly among themselves.
Naruto felt a bit helpless. With his current sensory ability, it was impossible not to hear what they were saying.
"Look at the woman next to Lord Naruto—she's incredible!"
"You idiot, shouldn't we be wondering when Lord Naruto picked up such a beauty?"
"She has such an elegant temperament. Is that Lord Naruto's type? Though she looks a bit older…"
"Didn't Lord Naruto have a childhood friend from the Hyūga Clan? The clan head's daughter, right?"
"Shh! Lord Naruto's coming—stop talking!"
As Naruto passed by, several people straightened instinctively.
"Good afternoon, Lord Naruto!"
Naruto nodded lightly. "Hello, everyone."
After he walked past, several girls couldn't help but stare at his retreating figure, eyes filled with admiration.
Konan quietly observed everything—the environment, the people… and Naruto himself.
There was no coldness in his demeanor, no deliberate distance or oppressive authority. Yet the people around him were clearly loyal and respectful.
How had he earned such trust?
As if sensing her thoughts, Naruto spoke slowly, without looking back.
"Those in high positions don't gain awe and obedience by separating themselves from the masses," he said. "True respect depends on what you do—and how you do it."
Konan paused slightly.
She seemed to understand, yet not entirely.
Naruto didn't elaborate further. He simply continued walking forward.
(End of Chapter)
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