Root Headquarters.
"What? A ninja in Sunagakure caused that much destruction?" Root's intelligence network quickly transmitted the information from the Sand Village to the Root base.
Root's intelligence organization had infiltrated more than half of the ninja world.
They had spies in every major village.
However…
Information about Shukaku and his actions had been quickly suppressed by the Sand.
So, even Root's organization didn't know who had caused such massive destruction.
From the intelligence reports, the destructive power had reached the Kage level.
Besides the new Kazekage, the Sand Village shouldn't have any other Kage-level powerhouses, right?
Danzo's eyes flickered, a sense of crisis rising within him.
Compared to Konoha, the strength of the Sand Village was naturally not worth mentioning.
If it weren't for the checks and balances from other ninja villages, Konoha might have already flattened Sunagakure.
After the mutually destructive Konoha Crush, they had formed an alliance with the Sand Village, but they were certainly still wary of each other in secret.
The display of Kage-level destructive power this time was no small matter; it wasn't just Root's intelligence network, but even many Sand villagers had witnessed it.
Which Kage-level powerhouse was so careless?
Anyone who can reach the Kage level is certainly not a fool.
When he had first heard that the new Kazekage was that Gaara kid, Danzo had been slightly disdainful.
Those who could hold the position of Kage were all individuals who had clawed their way out of a sea of blood, masters of all kinds of strategies.
It was basically impossible for a child to properly fill the role of Kazekage.
But now, it seemed this kid was not so simple.
Danzo narrowed his eyes, a dangerous light glinting within them.
If he wasn't mistaken…
This Kage-level powerhouse was deliberately sending a message to the other ninja villages.
The Sand Village is not to be trifled with. The Sand Village has a powerhouse that cannot be underestimated.
And that Kazekage brat…
He had used lightning-fast methods to lock down the information, only allowing Danzo to know of the existence of a Kage-level powerhouse, but preventing him from investigating further.
This was an indirect way of telling him…
He knows about the strength of Root's intelligence network.
But even so, you cannot obtain the Sand Village's internal intelligence.
It was a deterrent, and a warning.
The Sand Village was not to be trifled with!!
"To think that a brat in his early teens could have such cunning and methods," Danzo couldn't help but suck in a cold breath after thinking through the implications.
"The Sand Village is not simple. This Kazekage might have a powerful expert guiding him from behind the scenes," Danzo muttered to himself, his expression grave.
"It seems I need to accelerate Naruto's growth. Konoha needs a new Root leader and a new Hokage. Only when I take office can I truly contend with these other villages."
A worried look appeared on Danzo's face.
Troubles from without, and dangers from within.
Konoha was in peril.
…
A few more days passed, and the time for parting finally arrived.
Naruto, along with Aburame Neri and Rock Lee, bid farewell to Orochimaru and his subordinates, then left Otogakure with the sealed Hollow.
On the road.
Aburame Neri looked at Naruto and asked, "I'd like to know your plans from here on out, Leader." After a moment's hesitation, she finally said the word 'Leader.'
"Plans? Of course, the first step is to get stronger. Then, we'll put on a grand show for Konoha," Naruto said with a light laugh, a smirk playing on his lips.
He then looked at Neri, his eyes deep. "And you, you need to choose the right side."
Under Naruto's gaze, Neri felt the hair on her body stand on end, her very soul feeling as if it had been frozen solid.
Naruto withdrew his gaze and said flatly, "What you want… Konoha cannot give you."
Hearing this, Neri nodded in deep agreement.
Since she was young, she had an indelible fascination with all kinds of organs. But with the failure of Root's talent program, her research talent had been dismissed as a mere hobby.
She had originally thought that research would indeed only ever be her hobby.
But after coming into contact with Orochimaru again and receiving more systematic training, the desire for research had been rekindled in her heart.
She realized…
She was meant to be a researcher.
She was born for scientific research.
Her once gray world had burst into different colors.
Those lovely organs were now like rainbows.
Filling her entire world.
But in Root, she couldn't get resources.
As the saying goes, your environment determines your starting point.
Root's research environment was too poor; they even had to rely on Orochimaru's help just to study the Sharingan.
Born in such an environment, Neri's research level was naturally not going to be very high.
After spending less than a month with a top-tier research talent like Orochimaru, Neri felt she had benefited more than she had in the past ten years.
A good mentor was just that important.
And what Konoha couldn't give her, Naruto could.
Naruto and Orochimaru were like-minded partners. They collaborated on research, and Naruto's own research skills were not lacking.
By following Naruto, she could definitely get a significant share of resources.
Not only that, but Naruto's power base was currently small. As a veteran member joining now, she would be given great importance in the future.
She would even have the chance to become a Hollow or a Shinigami.
And thereby obtain eternal life!
Although the risks of following Naruto were great, at least there was hope.
If she stayed in Root, what was the difference between that and being a cripple?
"I want to do more research. I'm on your side, Leader!" Having thought it all through, Neri said with conviction.
Then, she became a little sheepish. "In that case, could you give me some organs to study~~ I want to see your body."
Beside her, Rock Lee's face was ashen, his expression one of a man who had been shocked for ten thousand years.
Seeing Neri practically drooling, the corner of Naruto's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
He never thought this girl would have such perverted thoughts.
As expected, all scientists are unconventional.
Maybe, I should just…
No!!
I must maintain my dignity.
"Behave yourself. Don't think about such nonsense," Naruto said flatly, suppressing the discomfort in his heart.
"Then…" The disappointment on Neri's face vanished in a flash. She looked into Naruto's azure eyes, and her small, scarlet tongue playfully licked her lips. She gently pulled her clothes down to her right shoulder, revealing her fair, tender skin, and said seductively, "Can I have a little of the leader's essence? Just a little will do."
"Hiss!!" Beside them, Lee sucked in countless sharp breaths, his whole body practically turning into a refrigerator. His expression was one of utter shock, and he stumbled back until he hit a tree, using his right hand to support himself.
Naruto, who was already aware of the affairs between men and women, took a step back, his gaze unintentionally lingering on Neri's delicate, snow-white collarbone.
It had to be said, Neri's skin was fair and tender, looking so soft one could pinch water out of it.
And her… assets… were also commendable. But when Naruto saw the black insects squirming between the white peaks, his heart instantly cooled.
The thought of the young and beautiful Neri's body being filled with a dense swarm of insects completely extinguished any interest he might have had.
"Let's go."
His expression turned cold.
Being rejected again, Neri couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
She began to reflect.
I'm clearly young and beautiful, with a perfect figure. Any man would be attracted to me.
During my missions, there was no shortage of fearless ninja who tried to assault me.
In the end, without exception, they all died miserable deaths.
So, there's definitely nothing wrong with my charm.
The only problem must be with Naruto himself.
…
After returning to Konoha, they handed over all the findings on the Hollow to Danzo.
After forming the hand seals, the Hollow, sealed in a special experimental tank, appeared before Danzo.
"So this is the monster!" The moment he saw the Hollow, a greedy light shone from Danzo's eyes.
He approached the immobilized Hollow and examined it meticulously.
The smooth lines of its body, the overflowing mysterious power.
And the chest cavity, as deep and profound as a work of art.
Everything was so intoxicating.
As long as he studied the Hollow properly, he could definitely obtain even more terrifying power.
As long as he held the Hollows in his hand, in the future, not just Konoha, but the entire ninja world would be his for the taking.
At this thought, Danzo couldn't help but let out a sinister laugh.
Root's experiments on the Hollow began immediately.
But Naruto was confident that with Root's level of research, they wouldn't be able to figure out anything significant.
For completing this important mission, Naruto once again received Danzo's praise.
Danzo trusted Naruto even more and gave his team a long vacation.
But afterward, Danzo naturally secretly summoned the one he believed to be his spy, Aburame Neri.
He swiftly questioned her about the details of Naruto's actions during the mission.
Whether he had any improper thoughts or behaviors.
Neri, who had already sided with Naruto, perfectly handled all of Danzo's questions.
And she dispelled his suspicions.
…
Meanwhile, in the Land of Demons.
Shion had just fallen asleep.
Her vision went dark.
When Shion opened her eyes, she found herself in a scene that looked like hell.
A churning sea of blood stretched out in all directions.
And in the very center, a blond man was tied to a cross.
In front of the man, a black-haired man wearing a black cloak with red clouds laughed coldly as he raised the sword in his hand. "Welcome to my world!"
The man bound to the cross lifted his head, revealing his iconic, pure blue eyes.
Shion couldn't help but cry out, "Naruto?!"
As she spoke, her vision distorted, and her consciousness once again plunged into an endless abyss.
She woke with a start, sitting up in bed, and realized her back was covered in a cold sweat.
She gasped for breath, recalling the details of the prophecy, her eyes filled with terror.
Since becoming a Shinigami, her prophetic abilities had been enhanced, but they had also become more uncontrollable.
This was the first prophecy she had had since becoming a Shinigami.
And its contents terrified her.
In the prophecy, it seemed Naruto was about to be killed by that mysterious man.
"Naruto," Shion clutched the blanket, her heart aching.
In the past, she had lived to seal Moryo, to fulfill her duty.
Now, she lived for Naruto.
"Someone, prepare my things. I am going to Konoha," she said, getting up, her white hair flowing in the wind.
As the priestess of the Land of Demons, leaving the country was a very dangerous matter.
The priestess herself possessed considerable power, which many ninja villages were interested in.
As long as Shion stayed in the Land of Demons, it was fine.
The other ninja villages would still give the Land of Demons some face.
But once she left, she would inevitably face threats from some of the villages.
Therefore, Shion's decision was immediately met with opposition from everyone.
Troubled, Shion sat barefoot on a rock in the garden, her feet dangling in the pond.
But soon, her eyes lit up.
She had thought of a way to contact Naruto.
If there was one thing that connected her to Naruto…
It was, of course, the Pure Land.
Through the Pure Land, she might be able to contact Naruto.
And tell him the contents of her prophecy.