Outside Hidden Rain Village.
Cave entrance.
Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan slowly spun.
'Hidden Leaf Destruction Arc'
If this title truly represents the future, then what is the meaning of him joining the Akatsuki Organization?
What is he doing at that time?
Thinking that this is a projection of the future, and considering the screen's method of arbitrarily cutting the timeline, it's possible that he might have overused his eyes during that time...
So, is such a future still possible?
However, a future that has been broadcast is no longer the future.
Now, he must try to gather as much information as possible.
Based on his many years in the Akatsuki Organization, not many people in the Ninja World could destroy Konoha.
But there just happen to be two such individuals within the Akatsuki Organization.
One is the mysterious Tobi, and the other is the Akatsuki Organization leader, Pain.
Tobi's only revealed space Ninjutsu already grants him immunity to physical attacks.
If he wanted to attack Konoha, he could bring a large number of explosive tags, destroy the entire Konoha, and retreat unscathed.
Pain, furthermore, possesses a Ninjutsu involving repulsion and attraction.
To this day, Itachi has not seen the limits of his use of this Ninjutsu.
Therefore, it is very likely that the screen will expose one of them.
They have the motive, and their strength is sufficient... On a rock.
Obito, under Tobi's mask, snorted coldly.
Destroy Konoha?
If Konoha insists on obstructing the process of collecting Tailed Beasts, then what's the harm in destroying it?
However, if this damned screen really exposes him, with the Ninja World targeting him, the Eye of the Moon Plan would truly be difficult to continue.
So many things are not yet ready.
He only hoped this screen wouldn't ruin things, otherwise he'd have to revive Uchiha Madara early... In the air.
Pain calmly looked at the screen.
According to the information revealed by the screen, Naruto became the Seventh Hokage.
But Naruto has the Nine-Tailed, and the Akatsuki needs the Nine-Tailed.
A conflict is very likely to erupt.
The destruction of Konoha and Naruto's rampage might be linked.
He vaguely sensed this direction.
Pain also wanted to see what the Ninja World's reaction would be if it was truly destroyed.
Could such immense destruction truly bring about genuine peace... The three Kage of Sunagakure, Hidden Mist, and Iwagakure remained spectators.
They were very happy to see the decline of the largest Village, Konoha.
At the same time, they were all wary of this unknown and powerful hidden danger.
If it could destroy Konoha, it could naturally destroy their Villages too.
Everyone in the Ninja World was paying attention to this battle, just as they were when the screen first appeared.
This is a major event concerning the entire Ninja World!
On the screen.
[Above Konoha]
[A figure floats in the air]
[Below is the prosperous Konoha's center]
[Houses are arranged in a circular pattern, layer upon layer inward]
[Looking down from high above]
[All the figures in Konoha shrink to the size of ants]
Looking down, there was a sense of the insignificance of life, the insignificance of Konoha.
The figures below were busy, not knowing why.
What is the difference between humans and ants?
One stomp, and a large number would die.
But humans and ants are also different.
Humans have selfishness, humans have desires.
For their own benefit, they launch a war that harms countless civilians.
For groundless disputes, they can abandon the lives of countless Ninja.
Ninja are suffering, civilians are suffering.
This distorted power struggle.
This distorted world.
This is the Five Great Ninja Villages of the Ninja World.
[Looking up at the sky from Konoha's perspective]
[Only a dark figure in a large black robe with outstretched arms can be seen]
[And a pair of Rinnegan that even purple and white light cannot obscure]
[The scorching sun is blocked behind him]
[The figure is dark, and his back is light]
[Stinging the eyes of those looking up, making them unable to open them]
"From now on,"
"Let the world know Pain."
"Shinra Tensei!!!"
[Intense white light]
White light filled the entire screen, stinging the eyes of countless people in the Ninja World, making them avert their gaze.
At this moment, everyone felt the power of the enemy Naruto was facing in this battle!
Appearing in mid-air, covering the sky and sun, like a god.
Konoha.
Hokage Building.
The Third Hokage's expression was serious.
The mysterious person floating above Konoha!
He possesses a pair of Rinnegan!
Those are the legendary eyes that only the Six Paths Sage possessed!
Eyes that can control life and death!
"Nara Shikaku, what do you think?"
Suddenly called upon by Hokage-sama, Nara Shikaku did not panic.
Whenever he was present, the Third Hokage would often ask him for his opinion on many issues.
"He can float in the air, which should be due to the effect of those eyes. Furthermore, that mysterious Ninjutsu, 'Shinra Tensei,' behind him, has never been recorded in existing documents and is also very likely one of the Rinnegan's abilities."
"However, based on the limitations of the Uchiha Clan's eye usage, it can be roughly inferred that even with the Rinnegan, this level of 'Shinra Tensei' probably cannot be used many times."
"And according to some patterns in the previous screen broadcasts, it is very likely that this is the mysterious person's most powerful move, and perhaps even this single move destroyed Konoha in the screen..."
The Third Hokage nodded in affirmation.
After a thorough analysis, dissecting the information revealed by the mysterious person, and even inferring the broadcasting patterns based on the mysterious screen, he truly lived up to his reputation as the Nara Clan's leader, known for their intelligence in Konoha.
Danzo, with one eye bandaged, looked at the Third Hokage, who was wearing a Hokage hat, and questioned in a hoarse, gloomy voice, "Third Hokage, I want to ask first, what were you doing at that time in the screen?"
"As Hokage, can you tolerate an enemy running wild above Konoha?"
The Third Hokage replied calmly, "If I were there, I would certainly be on the front lines of the war."
Danzo: "Hmph, easy to say!"
The Third Hokage: "I believe the screen will surely provide a conclusion. You wait and see."
Danzo: "If your performance in this crisis is in any way biased, then Koharu Utatane and I will have to seriously reconsider the legitimacy of your Hokage position!"
The Third Hokage's voice also deepened.
"As Hokage, you should not question my Will of Fire!"
Danzo ignored him and instead looked at the screen... Outside Hidden Rain Village.
Cave entrance.
Hidan had settled down for a while, but now suddenly heard that familiar voice from the screen, and he couldn't help but get excited.
"Hey, hey, I say, that sounds like our leader's voice!"
Kakuzu: "That is the leader."
Hidan: "Then our Akatsuki Organization is going to be famous throughout the Ninja World! I'll also have a chance to appear on the screen! That guy from Kumogakure last time, his singing and dancing were truly ugly. It's up to our Jashinism..."
Kakuzu: "..."
What an idiot. The last phrase, "Shinra Tensei," is clearly a Ninjutsu only Leader Pain knows.
Furthermore, becoming famous throughout the Ninja World is not a good thing for the current Akatsuki Organization.
He was actually very shocked, not expecting Akatsuki Organization's Pain's strength to be so immense!
As one of the Akatsuki Organization members who collected money, he actually also liked powerful strength and longevity.
He needed the hearts of strong individuals to ensure his longevity, which was also one of his reasons for joining the Akatsuki Organization.
He had even once set his sights on the hearts of Akatsuki Organization members.
However, after much consideration, he had long since given up on that idea.
Fortunately, he didn't act on it. If he had truly been impulsive, five hearts would not have been enough to save his life!
A shiver of fear ran through him, and Kakuzu turned his head to look at the screen.
He had to record every strong individual on the screen. In the future, if he encountered them, preserving his life would be paramount!
To the side, Itachi's eyes flickered.
Pain... Indeed, the Akatsuki Organization has no small conspiracy, even to the extent of destroying Konoha.
He must use the information revealed on the screen, combined with his own known information, to find an opportunity to transmit it back.
Konoha needs peace! And Sasuke is still in Konoha!
On the rock, Obito's expression was somewhat grim.
Although he wasn't exposed, Nagato was!
The Akatsuki Organization's premature emergence would greatly hinder the Eye of the Moon Plan.
Does this mean he really has to rely on Uchiha Madara?
Obito harbored doubts about Uchiha Madara.
Who knows what schemes that monster, who has lived for so long, truly has!
Looking at the screen and hearing the phrase "Shinra Tensei," Konan's brow furrowed tightly.
He, in the screen, was really going to use that move that consumes life force!
Hokage Building
Fifth Hokage Tsunade looked at the explosions outside the window, one after another.
"Report, there's a sighting of an intruder!"
"Black clothes, with red cloud patterns!"
Hearing the continuous flow of enemy information,
Tsunade's heart grew heavy.
Akatsuki, have they finally arrived? The Akatsuki Organization.
This mysterious organization that captures Tailed Beasts.
They have already captured multiple Tailed Beasts in other Ninja countries.
Shukaku the One-Tail from the Hidden Sand Village has already been taken.
Currently, the Akatsuki Organization is aware of the Nine-Tailed's existence in Konoha.
They will definitely invade Konoha.
Furthermore, Jiraiya once went to investigate the Akatsuki Organization.
And never returned!
Tsunade, as Hokage,
had many things to consider.
The voice of Mount Myōboku elder Fukasaku echoed in her ears.
'I hope that child is the Child of Prophecy; little Jiraiya entrusted everything to that child.'
Naruto was another person, besides Nawaki and Kato Dan, to whom Tsunade gave the First Hokage's necklace.
Tsunade would only give it to those closest and dearest to her.
Now, outside the window, chaos reigned.
Konoha was facing its greatest crisis ever.
After much thought,
"Issue an emergency alert!"
"And, call Naruto back!!!"
At this moment, Tsunade chose to trust Naruto.
On the other side.
Mount Myōboku
Gamakichi and Fukasaku looked up.
Above a towering earthen cone,
A flat stone slab was balanced precariously on its tip.
Naruto was meditating on it, absorbing natural energy.
"Anyway, this training is finally over, isn't it! I still have something important to do!"
After greeting them, Naruto lightly leaped down from the earthen cone and hurried off into the distance.
Upon seeing these two scenes in succession,
Everyone in the Ninja World was filled with anticipation.
Naruto's training was going smoothly, and his strength was increasing.
Now, everyone looked forward to our Seventh Hokage turning the tide!
The mysterious Pain's Shinra Tensei!!!
Konoha's great crisis!!!
Uzumaki Naruto, the heavy responsibility of saving Konoha rests on your shoulders!
At the same time,
Some people were also puzzled.
If Naruto was there,
How could Konoha be destroyed!?
Konoha Administration Department
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were startled by the explosions outside and stood up.
A hoarse, deep voice came.
"The Akatsuki's attack has begun."
The two looked towards the doorway.
"Danzo!"
After an exchange, Danzo informed the two about the Akatsuki Organization invaders.
"...In this critical situation, the Fifth Hokage is still calling Naruto back to the Village!"
Mitokado Homura: "Wouldn't doing that just add fuel to the fire!"
Danzo: "Yes, if we simply comply with the Fifth Hokage's demands, Konoha will surely be destroyed..."
Konoha.
Hokage Building.
The Third Hokage saw the Fifth Hokage's figure, Tsunade, on the screen.
At that moment, he felt relieved.
If he were to consider which of his students' Will of Fire was more trustworthy,
Besides Jiraiya, it was Tsunade!
Since the Fifth Hokage was not that guy Danzo,
How could Konoha possibly be destroyed?
The Third Hokage was puzzled by this matter.
Danzo was consumed by a lust for power.
This was something the Third Hokage had felt increasingly in recent years.
However, due to certain aspects, Konoha still needed an organization like Root.
That's why the Third Hokage had never acted against him.
In terms of becoming Hokage, Danzo was far from qualified.
Immediately after,
The Third Hokage saw the next scene on the screen.
He roughly understood why Konoha would be destroyed.
At this critical moment of life and death,
That guy Danzo on the screen was still thinking of creating conflict and slandering the Fifth Hokage.
Inciting conflict between the Advisors and the Hokage.
He was simply a rotten apple!
He looked at Danzo in the Hokage's office at that moment.
"What do you have to say now, Danzo! You asked where I was; now you know!"
The matter was clear.
Since the Fifth Hokage was already in power and the Third Hokage was nowhere to be seen,
The only answer was that the Third Hokage was dead.
Danzo couldn't say much at this moment.
He couldn't possibly blame a dead person.
"..."
Seeing Danzo silent,
The Third Hokage retorted, "Danzo, I want to ask you, what were you doing when Konoha was destroyed?! You were sowing discord, you were undermining Konoha's internal stability!!"
Seeing the Third Hokage's old face burning with anger, Danzo couldn't help but explain, "If the Fifth Hokage's strategy had problems, wouldn't it be better for me to point them out in time? I'm just presenting objective facts; how to choose is up to Homura and Koharu!"
This slander was thrown at them.
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, the two old Advisors, were so angry their hearts were uneasy... On the screen.
Konoha Streets
All that could be seen were broken walls and ruined buildings.
From a peaceful, prosperous, and lively Konoha to a pile of ruins.
It only took one step.
That was war.
Under the ruins, who knew how many Konoha villagers who didn't have time to escape were buried.
At various locations in Konoha, Pain's Six Paths of Pain were all causing destruction.
Whether it was resisting Ninja or innocent civilians,
They appeared so powerless in the face of destructive force.
Konoha Hospital
Sakura looked at the crowded hall, and her heart ached.
Broken arms and legs were considered minor.
More difficult to accept were those with fatal injuries.
The painful wails made the hospital seem like a living hell.
Sakura didn't have time to think much; she skillfully used healing jutsu, helping the medical team rescue the injured.
Hokage Building
"...I heard from Danzo that the Akatsuki Organization's target is Naruto. Naruto is still a child; how can he deal with Pain, who even Jiraiya couldn't defeat? If Naruto is killed and the Nine-Tailed falls into their hands, that would be..."
Before the two old Advisors could finish speaking, Tsunade charged forward aggressively, grabbing both of them by their collars.
"And you two, who do you think you are!!!"
Many years ago, Tsunade was a person who couldn't go to the battlefield.
Hemophobia, this was a fatal psychological illness in battle.
Enemies would intentionally draw blood, and Tsunade, despite her monstrous strength, might not even be able to defeat an ordinary Chunin.
That time, Naruto used his hand to block a kunai.
The kunai pierced through his entire palm, and blood splattered across the grass.
Yet Naruto still smiled and replied,
'Until I become Hokage, I will absolutely not die.'
This is what Naruto taught Tsunade!
When the news of Jiraiya's sacrifice came back,
It was also Naruto who said,
'I will avenge the Perverted Sage; how can I just sit back and do nothing?'
This is the sense of responsibility Tsunade saw in Naruto!
Such a Naruto!
How could he be the child these two withered old people spoke of!
As Konoha was about to be destroyed, these two old geezers were still being swayed by Danzo's meaningless words.
They lived their whole lives and were still rotten wood!
"How long do you intend to treat him as a child?"
"He has inherited the Will of Konoha and grown."
"Naruto is now surpassing Jiraiya."
"He is not a hidden tool of Konoha used to wage war."
"But a Ninja who protects Konoha."
"Uzumaki Naruto!!!"
She threw the two pieces of rotten wood to the ground.
Tsunade stared at them with piercing eyes.
"Jiraiya, Sarutobi Sensei, and also Chiyo-sama of Sunagakure."
"Possess something you two do not."
"Do you know what it is?"
'Thinking about it carefully, it's a bit different. Our mission is to set an example for the next generation, to assist them. For that, I can smile and give my life.'
'Where the leaves dance, the fire will burn. The firelight will illuminate the Village, and the tree leaves will sprout anew.'
'In this Ninja World created by boring old people, I am truly happy that someone like you has appeared. The Sand and Konoha, and the future thereafter, should be different from our time. Kakashi said that your incredible power will definitely bring great changes to the future. Become a Hokage unlike any before!'
"The power of belief..."
At this moment, countless people in the Ninja World shed tears.
The young man who was once in the Ninja Academy,
Said he wanted to become Hokage but was ridiculed by everyone!
Now, finally, someone believed in him.
Uzumaki Naruto had become a name of significance and responsibility.
Each step he took was firm and grounded.
He personally infected everyone he knew with his passion and actions!
To keep his word and do what he said was his Ninja Way!
Countless people, through the screen,
Began
Konoha.
Hokage Building.
The Third Hokage was deeply moved by Tsunade's words.
Tsunade, without realizing it, had also become a reliable person!
She was worthy of the title of Hokage.
Do you believe in Naruto?
This was also why, in this battle,
the Third Hokage, outside the screen, also felt that Naruto was bound to win.
After the old guys retired, new people would have to step up.
But watching so many lives in Konoha vanish,
the Third Hokage still felt genuinely sad.
Danzo: "Damn it, causing so many deaths, the Fifth Hokage is largely to blame!"
His words were self-righteous, but in reality, he felt no sadness whatsoever.
Danzo was merely using this opportunity to absolve himself of the blame for interfering in Hokage affairs earlier.
As soon as he said this,
the clan leaders present all looked at Danzo with disgust.
Shikaku, the clan leader, thought the deepest.
It had already come to this, and old man Danzo was still fixated on his own petty interests.
Did he really think Root was indispensable to Konoha?
Konoha had already been destroyed; the Third Hokage would no longer cover up Danzo's schemes.
Especially at a time like this, everyone in Konoha needed to unite.
No one knew if they would be the next to die in battle.
Old Danzo had truly been in the shadows for too long, unable to distinguish right from wrong... Hearing Danzo's words, the Third Hokage's brows furrowed tightly.
"Danzo Shimura, is this the time for you to assign blame?"
Calling out Danzo's full name directly, the Third Hokage already had the idea of taking action.
Danzo: "The records of Konoha's casualties are all listed on the screen; I'm not just making things up."
The Third Hokage: "Alright, if that's the case, I'd like to see what role you played in this incident..."
After speaking, the Third Hokage looked at the screen.
[Hokage Building]
[After rebuking Homura and Koharu, Tsunade summoned a red contact frog.]
[She told him to go call Naruto back to Konoha.]
[After receiving information from Shizune, Tsunade assigned orders to those around her.]
[She then walked out of her office, preparing to summon her summoning beast, Slug.]
As one of the Three Great Sage Regions, Shikkotsu Forest's Slug
could create clones for protection and healing.
It played a crucial role in large-scale battles like this.
[Tsunade led the crowd into urgent action.]
[The Hokage office door closed.]
[Leaving only this red toad.]
["Alright, I also need to hurry to Lord Fukasaku!"]
[A figure suddenly appeared behind him.]
[One strike.]
[The red toad's goggles flew into the air, splattered with blood.]
[The red toad died with its eyes open.]
[The figure gradually became clear.]
[Danzo's familiar bandaged face, covering one eye, was revealed.]
["What a bunch of useless guys, only growing older but not more capable, actually completely suppressed by Tsunade."]
[Danzo looked indifferently at the toad's corpse before him.]
["But this way, the Nine-Tailed can be trapped."]
The next scene.
[Mount Myōboku]
[A scene of peace.]
[Naruto lay on a giant green leaf.]
He was waiting for Old Man Fukasaku, preparing for the next stage of training.
His body, which had been training for a long time, was relaxing, but his mind couldn't relax at all.
The Akatsuki Organization was looking for him.
Enemies that even the Perverted Sage couldn't defeat.
Naruto was very worried about Konoha's situation.
[Fukasaku leaped over in a few steps.]
["Little Naruto, don't overthink things now, quickly do what you're supposed to do."]
["If anything happens, a contact frog will come to tell us."]
[Hearing Old Man Fukasaku's words, Naruto also cheered up.]
["Alright, then let's start the fusion practice!"]
These two obvious scenes were shown consecutively.
The entire Ninja World was stunned by Danzo of Konoha's actions.
This Danzo was too shameless!
If Danzo hadn't made that strike!
The title on the screen might not have mentioned the destruction of Konoha!
Holding a high position in Konoha, yet single-mindedly targeting the Fifth Hokage!
Even for this, disregarding the bigger picture, making such a decisive move!
He truly was an "important" character!
It felt like...
Konoha's enemies were not just Pain.
But also this old man!
Konoha.
Hokage Building.
The Third Hokage slammed his hand on the table.
"Danzo Shimura, what more do you have to say!!!"
All of the Third Hokage's previous tolerance for Danzo now turned into hatred!
Leaving aside the fact that the contact frog was a Konoha comrade, and Danzo's crime of assassinating a comrade.
Just looking at Naruto, who was crucial to this battle.
Yet Danzo prevented Naruto from returning to save Konoha.
In war, this would be treated as a rogue Ninja!
This Danzo was truly audacious!
Thinking that after he was gone, Danzo would act so recklessly.
The Third Hokage couldn't help but feel a lingering fear!
Danzo calmly avoided the Third Hokage's scolding, lowering his eyes and saying indifferently.
"This is myself in the screen, it doesn't represent a decision I actually made, Lord Third Hokage, don't be deceived by the screen."
As soon as he said this, let alone the Third Hokage, even the clan leaders couldn't help but discuss it animatedly.
This old man had previously said that everything in the screen was a detailed record.
Now, in a blink of an eye, he said the screen was unreliable.
Danzo had it both ways!
The Third Hokage coldly replied: "Danzo Shimura, as the Third Hokage, I have the right to question your personal Will of Fire and the Root you lead. Prepare yourself..."
He had reached his limit with Danzo.
He wouldn't beat around the bush with him anymore.
Now his words were very clear.
As long as Danzo revealed any weakness next, the Third Hokage was prepared to remove Danzo from his position in Konoha.
On the screen.
[Root]
[A dark secret base.]
[Danzo stood before a group of kneeling Root members.]
["This way, Tsunade's era will end, but we can't just hand the Nine-Tailed over to Akatsuki. I've already ruled out that possibility."]
["Before the chaos above subsides, we will lie low underground."]
[A Root member asked a question.]
["Shouldn't we go assist them? Even if Lord Danzo leads us, if Konoha and its people disappear, it's meaningless."]
[Danzo responded indifferently.]
["The Princess is also a woman who became Hokage; since she used the Slug Technique, there won't be a total annihilation."]
["Although there may be some casualties, for me, these are necessary sacrifices."]
[At this moment, Danzo slowly opened his single eye.]
["For me to become Hokage."]
As soon as Danzo's last words came out,
it instantly caused an uproar throughout the entire Ninja World.
This old man actually had the ambition to become Hokage!
If Naruto's desire to become Hokage was a dream,
then Danzo's desire to become Hokage was an undeniable ambition!
Especially his actions!
They had no connection whatsoever to the spirit of Konoha shown in the previous screen!
They could even be used as a negative example!
At a time when all of Konoha's Ninja were on the front lines protecting civilians and fighting enemies,
this old man took Root and hid underground.
He euphemistically called "those casualties necessary sacrifices"!
His shameless face was exposed vividly by the screen!
Under normal circumstances, this old man might have actually succeeded!
Fortunately, Naruto was no ordinary person.
The future Seventh Hokage, Uzumaki Naruto!
to trust this young man who never disappointed anyone!
His Ninja Way spread before everyone in the Ninja World!
The name Uzumaki Naruto was destined to resound before everyone in the Ninja World!
Does it have to be this way, no matter what, Nagato?
In a certain cave, Nagato watched the screen through Pain's Rinnegan, looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar appearance of "screen Pain."
An unspeakable feeling welled up in Nagato's heart.
What kind of resolve did you have back then?