Watching Nagato recover his health, Konan's face remained calm, but her heart was filled with relief.
Recently, Nagato had accepted Obito's suggestion.
In order to further ensure the success of the peace plan for the Shinobi World, he had decided to make himself stronger.
Obito's proposal was to implant Hashirama's cells into Nagato—specifically, Hashirama cells extracted and refined via the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
The combat-type White Zetsu were created using these very cells.
Unlike the mass-produced fodder White Zetsu, combat-types were extremely rare and correspondingly powerful.
Take Obito, for example: half his body was made from combat-type White Zetsu cells.
Just that half alone allowed him to use Kamui's intangibility without pressure.
Moreover, it let him use basic Wood Release techniques as well.
The Hashirama cells recently infused into Nagato's body were even more concentrated than what Obito had given himself!
Obito wasn't worried about any backlash from the cells either—after all, with the Rinnegan in place, it could easily suppress the rampancy of Hashirama cells.
Not to mention Nagato's own powerful Uzumaki bloodline, which made him an ideal match for the cells.
Looking at Nagato, who had undergone a complete transformation—his chakra, ocular power, and techniques all massively enhanced—Obito finally stopped worrying that Uzumaki Naruto might interfere with the Eye of the Moon Plan.
As for whether Nagato might break free of control?
Obito wasn't concerned in the slightest.
After all, when they implanted the Rinnegan into Nagato, they had absolutely left behind contingencies.
Nagato stretched his body a little. Compared to his formerly emaciated figure, he now looked like a young man in his early twenties.
He could feel it clearly—his chakra and ocular power had grown exponentially, and his confidence was now swelling.
He already saw himself as a god before; now that he had undergone this transformation, that feeling was only reinforced.
"Uzumaki Naruto captured the Five-Tails yesterday," Obito said coldly. "Nagato, it's time for you to step in and eliminate this variable."
Nagato frowned and asked in return, "Why is Uzumaki Naruto collecting Tailed Beasts?"
The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path was in his hands—it was the core vessel for synthesizing the Ten-Tails.
Nagato couldn't figure out what Naruto's actual goal was.
Obito, on the other hand, wasn't interested in overthinking it.
"No matter the reason, his presence and his actions are a direct threat to the Akatsuki. Take him down first, and we'll know everything afterward."
Nagato didn't appreciate Obito's commanding tone.
The two of them seemed like allies on the surface, but both had their own agendas.
Obito only saw Nagato as a puppet—a weapon to be used.
Nagato, in turn, was merely using Obito's intelligence network and abilities.
At that moment, Konan, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.
"Someone like Uzumaki Naruto—why not try to recruit him into the Akatsuki? If we can bring him over to our side, our plan will become even more effective."
Her words stunned both men.
Nagato clearly showed interest in the idea. As someone who valued strength, he never rejected useful talent.
Obito narrowed his Sharingan beneath the mask and spoke in a low voice.
"You really think someone like him will take orders from the Akatsuki? He's a walking time bomb!"
Hearing Obito's pessimistic assessment only made Nagato more inclined toward Konan's idea.
As for whether Naruto would become a threat?
He wasn't the least bit concerned.
With these eyes, what kind of bomb could explode harder than Chibaku Tensei?
"We'll do as Konan says," Nagato declared. "She and I will go meet Uzumaki Naruto in person and see if we can bring him into the Akatsuki."
His tone left no room for argument.
Obito said nothing.
He was clearly displeased with Nagato's decision.
But when he thought about the Eye of the Moon Plan and how irresistible its premise was…
He figured, "Who could possibly reject the world's most beautiful dream?"
If Naruto learned about the Eye of the Moon Plan, there was indeed a chance he'd join them.
With that thought, Obito no longer objected to their proposal.
If they could win him over, great. If not, kill him.
…
While the Akatsuki were scheming how to handle Naruto, the man himself activated Flying Thunder God.
The next second, he appeared inside a steam-filled bathroom.
The warm lights were on, and in the bathtub, Mei Terumī, who had once again pulled an all-nighter, was leaning back and enjoying a peaceful soak.
She lifted one smooth, well-proportioned leg out of the water and gently scrubbed with foamy bubbles.
On the counter beside the tub sat some bath soap… and the Flying Thunder God kunai Naruto had gifted her.
Ever since receiving it, Mei had kept it close—never using it in combat, and unwilling to part with it.
So when someone suddenly appeared in the bathroom, her body jolted in fright.
Her first instinct was to assume it was an enemy attack, and she prepared to weave signs for Boil Release.
But when she saw who it was—
Naruto's face—
Her hands slowly returned to the water.
She rolled her eyes at him with a sigh of relief.
"Seriously? Can't you at least give a heads-up before you show up like that? You nearly gave me a heart attack."
"I can leave if you want," Naruto replied with a grin.
Mei's fear quickly turned into delight. A playful smile curled at her lips.
"No way. You're already here, and you scared me half to death… shouldn't you stay and make it up to me?"
Completely unconcerned about being naked, Mei stood up in the tub and pulled Naruto in.
Now they were squeezed together in the bath.
Cramped, yes—but this kind of "cramped" was the sort no man would ever say no to.
The sheer softness of the sensation was pure bliss.
Originally, Naruto came to speak to Mei about the Tailed Beasts in Kirigakure.
But while that was important… right now, this was more important.
Today, Mei was exceptionally forward. As expected of an older woman, even without any "technique," the experience was excellent.
No wonder she could handle Boil Release and Lava Release with that mouth—her control over temperature was... masterful.
From the bathroom to the living room couch, and then to the bedroom—
They didn't stop for two and a half hours.
As they collapsed on the bed, Mei was thoroughly content.
The exhaustion and tension she had been carrying for days vanished in an instant.
Her lower abdomen felt warm, and her physical strength and chakra seemed noticeably improved.
Her gaze toward Naruto now carried a hint of longing.
"If only I could keep this man by my side forever…" Mei thought wistfully.
But she knew—Naruto was not someone she could keep.
"You came to see me," Mei looked at Naruto and asked, half-testing: "It's about the Tailed Beasts in Kirigakure, right?"
In recent days, she had also received intelligence from her subordinates:
Naruto was gathering Tailed Beasts.
And the Three-Tails and Six-Tails… were right here in the Mist Village.