After a day and a night of relentless travel, Naraku finally brought Kana into the Land of Fire.
The heart that had been constantly on edge finally relaxed a little.
Amegakure and Kusagakure were unlikely to pursue them across the border.
They wouldn't dare to openly enter the Land of Fire in pursuit.
Now, the only thing to be wary of was the Root members sent by Danzō.
Food and water had run out.
Considering Kana was already weak, Naraku refused to use her blood after the second time and forbade her from harming herself.
He relied on Popularity Points to slowly replenish his Chakra, ensuring he still had the most basic ability to move.
The Land of Fire had a higher density of villages and towns, so he should quickly find supplies and properly recover his body.
Therefore, he was not in a hurry.
But everything seen through Kana's eyes was a different matter.
From her perspective, Naraku was at his limit every moment, enduring until they entered the Land of Fire.
Now, he seemed to be on the verge of collapsing.
This made her so anxious that she wished she could jump off the stubborn man's back.
When she finally saw the curling smoke of a distant village, tears welled up in her eyes.
She choked as she patted Naraku's shoulder.
"Naraku, Naraku, there are people there!"
"Okay."
Naraku's voice was even hoarser, and he looked too exhausted to utter another word.
But he still held Kana's thigh tightly and ran towards the small village.
Upon reaching the outskirts of the village, Naraku first hid Kana.
Then, he stealthily entered and found a relatively prosperous household.
He quietly took some food and water from the granary, and also got a pair of shoes for Kana.
Before leaving, he left enough silver on the lid of the water jar...
With food and water, Naraku and Kana's luck also improved.
They found a small, overgrown sinkhole.
From its structure, there was another exit on the other side, making it an excellent hidden resting place.
After eating, Naraku originally wanted to use the Chakra replenished by the System to stay awake and guard alone.
He also wanted to check if the Animator had any updates, which might provide some useful information.
But Kana absolutely forbade it, saying that she could sense a larger area and should be the one on night watch.
Unable to argue with her, he had no choice but to sit against a rock wall and close his eyes to rest.
Once he relaxed, the physical and mental exhaustion immediately surged forth, engulfing his consciousness like a tide.
In just a short while, Naraku fell into a deep sleep.
The System automatically played the anime in the form of a dream, allowing him to watch the progress in his mental space.
The anime's progress, after Kushina became the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, showed several episodes of other people's experiences.
The Animator likely hadn't discovered the abnormal situation with Naraku at the time, so they aired other, more interesting storylines first.
But soon, Naraku's figure appeared on screen.
He went on missions alone, returned home to rest alone, and trained alone until late at night.
He stared blankly at the night sky, his dark pupils reflecting the myriad stars, accumulating into an unknown complex emotion.
[Leaving Kakashi and Sakumo, Naraku spoke even less.]
[He looks so lonely.]
The screen went dark and then bright again.
Naraku walked out of the Hokage Building and, in a flash, left the village, traveling through the jungle.
A light rain gradually began to fall from the sky.
Beside the boundless dark clouds, it was marked as the Land of Rain.
Next, he disguised himself and entered Amegakure, then feigned illness to infiltrate the Akatsuki.
[Such beautiful long hair was cut so cleanly? (╯‵□′)╯︵┴─┴]
[Gray-haired Naraku feels so different, so refreshing.]
[Indeed, I already liked Naraku a lot, but this made my heart pound even more.]
[More like the Hatake Household.]
[It's hard to say if he deliberately dyed it a whitish-gray, hehe.]
[Naraku's disguise is so heartbreaking, it reminds me of the hardships he endured before.]
[Eating hair? And giving medicine? Is this really some evil organization?]
[No, in a Ninja World accustomed to schemes and deception, the Akatsuki's kindness is a bit eerie.]
[The Akatsuki is either truly a savior or an astonishing villain.]
Everyone initially thought he would successfully gather intelligence.
But after searching through files for a long time, he couldn't find anything unusual.
As Naraku quietly left the office, the episode was nearing its end.
In the last few seconds, paper fluttered, and a blue-haired girl emerged from the wall, startling a large wave of bullet comments.
[Holy crap, he's been discovered!]
[Beautiful young lady!]
[This, isn't this Konan?]
[It really is!]
[Yay! Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan are finally back in the main storyline!]
[So this is the organization Yahiko and his group founded? No wonder it's like doing charity.]
[It makes sense.]
[Marararara, our own people are fighting our own people!]
The viewers, who already knew Naraku had been discovered by Konan through the omniscient perspective, were a bit nervous, fearing a fight would break out.
But in the next episode, when they saw Yahiko leading Naraku around for a tour after dawn, they all burst into laughter.
[Hahahahaha, what are you guys doing?]
[I never thought, Yahiko, you big-eyed guy, you also like to tease kids.]
[Yahiko: I found you, but I won't say anything, hehe, just playing~]
[Yahiko: Look, we're not doing anything bad, okay?]
[Naraku seems to have sensed something was off too, hahahahahaha.]
After exchanging identities, the Naraku on screen looked at a note handed to him by Konan.
Memories flashed back: the unrefusable strict demands in the mission brief, the Anbu responsibilities Sakumo had mentioned, the contact person who had vanished without a trace, the message conveyed to the "enemy"...
Naraku finally awoke from his dream, murmuring softly in his heart.
--So that's how it is... To kill me...
--Because I am an Uchiha.
He remained silent, his gaze gradually dimming, unconsciously clenching his fists.
When he heard Yahiko ask for his name, he replied with his name, devoid of joy or sorrow.
He also gave the surname that represented both pride and loneliness.
[Under normal circumstances, Naraku, having walked into a trap, would surely die. Luckily, the leader of the Akatsuki was Yahiko.]
[It must be Danzō! No doubt!]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi's ban is completely useless to Danzō, isn't it?]
[I've completely realized the Uchiha Clan's predicament; it's practically a burning crisis.]
[Wuwuwu Naraku, don't be sad, only that damned Danzō is the bad guy.]
[The village trying every means to kill him, anyone would feel a chill.]
[From Naraku's perspective, Konoha is truly disappointing.]
Yahiko timely broke the silence, proactively inviting Naraku to lunch.
At the table, he talked endlessly about the Akatsuki's development.
Nagato and Konan's accustomed reactions beside him added a touch of humor, significantly diluting the gloomy atmosphere.
The scene of the four of them eating at the same table reminded many viewers of their school days.
[This looks so much like our middle school cafeteria.]
[Better than the high school I attended; that cafeteria didn't even have stools, you had to stand and eat quickly.]
[Then our school was pretty good; at least it had tables, chairs, and benches.]
[Yahiko is really so verbose, hahahahaha.]
Naraku declined Yahiko's invitation, staring blankly at the Akatsuki members coming and going around him.
Everyone's faces showed some fatigue, but there was light in everyone's eyes.
They firmly believed that the cause they dedicated themselves to was righteous and remained optimistic about the future.
Naraku couldn't help but offer a warning.
He feared that these lights would also be swallowed by the darkness of the world.
He feared that invaluable passion would be extinguished by the coldness of human nature.
He feared that Akatsuki would become like Tamai then, or the Uchiha now.
Yahiko, however, said that to gain the trust of others, one must first offer genuine sincerity.
A faint light flickered in Naraku's eyes again, seemingly revealing a glimmer of hope for breaking the world's vicious cycle.
Shattered hope was mended by the world's most noble and pure wish.
It transformed into threads of warmth that returned to his restless heart, soothing the constant fear.
He remembered the Clan Leader's words.
Perhaps when his master became Hokage, the Uchiha and Konoha would not head towards ruin.
[The Akatsuki as a whole really has a magical enthusiasm that can infect people.]
[Naraku now sees everyone like Matsukata.]
[The Uchiha's situation is almost suffocating him.]
[The lessons witnessed firsthand were too tragic; Naraku can't help but overthink.]
[If there are no torches from now on, I will be the only light.]
[To be the first to dare to offer genuine sincerity, Yahiko is a true man! (ToT)]
[Go, Akatsuki, become the hope of the world.]
Perhaps wanting to add another chance to the beautiful future Yahiko described, or perhaps inspired and temporarily forgetting that heavy burden, Naraku tried to recall what prosperous places he had seen looked like.
He cautiously offered a suggestion.
Yahiko held his hand and refused to let go, even offering to give up his position as Leader.
This back-and-forth between the two made the audience burst into laughter.
In the end, Naraku's difficult and slightly exasperated refusal echoed from inside the room to the corridor, startling a small bird outside the window.
[Help, Yahiko really looks like a bad uncle luring children, it's too funny.]
[Such explosive enthusiasm, he definitely can't handle it, hahahaha.]
[Naraku: Wasn't I here to go undercover?]
[Naraku: Oh no, I've become the Leader of an "evil organization"?]
[To scare Naraku like this is quite impressive; Kakashi and Sakumo couldn't do it.]
[That's great, Naraku has recovered some of his previous lively appearance.]
Unlike the somewhat cheerful atmosphere at the end of the previous episode, this episode began with a pervasive, oppressive, and chilling coldness.
The camera was set very low, almost on the damp ground.
A shoe stepped by, splashing a little water.
Then the owner of that shoe appeared in full view of the audience as he ran further away.
[Hmm??? Something's wrong, something's wrong.]
[There's something fishy.]
[This atmosphere is either an execution or a duel.]
The camera cut to Naraku.
He skillfully set up many Explosive Tag traps around him, then turned to see a signal flare burning in the sky.
Its eerie, deep color lingered under the dark clouds, reflecting in his calm, unruffled eyes.
Naraku expressionlessly ate several Soldier Pills (Chakra replenishing pills) and increased his speed.
[Pursuers! The old man really had another trick up his sleeve.]
[Naraku must have been mentally prepared. After all, a plan to kill someone couldn't be as simple as just sending a message to Akatsuki.]
[Holy crap, that's ruthless. He even cooperated with the Amegakure Anbu?]
[I suspect Root infiltrated Amegakure and used them to intercept and kill Naraku.]
[Eating so many Soldier Pills is very harmful to the body. Naraku is going all out.]
The heavy rain poured down, and enemies swarmed from all directions, covering the mountains and fields.
"It really is an Uchiha!"
"Kill him! Dig out his eyes!"
"No, we must capture him alive! Amegakure also needs a Kekkei Genkai!"
"This is a Sharingan!"
The attacks grew more frantic, and Naraku's every defense and counterattack seemed increasingly desperate.
When the inferno wave of the Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation covered half the sky, reddening the dark clouds, the camera switched to an upward shot, further highlighting its unstoppable power.
[Using Uchiha Fire Release to burn people to death in the rain, such an unfamiliar sight.]
[Naraku can't lose, otherwise, I don't dare to imagine the consequences.]
[Holy crap! Isn't this an A-Rank Ninjutsu!?]
[Naraku is so fierce now!]
[Naraku's talent is too exceptional!]
The picture quality and fluidity of this episode were already very high.
When Naraku was injured in the shoulder and fell to the ground, one could even clearly see every splash of water he created.
The camera shot from beside his ear.
Enemies were everywhere: in mid-air, among the branches, and on the ground.
Ninja Tools and Ninjutsu rushed towards him with a density that made one's scalp tingle.
The screen suddenly slowed down, and the sound effects became deeper as a result.
Naraku's eyes, which had returned to their dark color due to lack of Chakra, widened slightly.
They reflected the attacks that were almost indistinguishable from the heavy rain.
The shadow of death enveloped every corner of his surroundings, yet he heard a faint call.
"Naraku."
In the hazy white light, two figures, one large and one small, were looking at him, simultaneously extending their hands.
--I can't fall here...!
The next moment, the screen speed returned to normal.
Naraku escaped from the heavy encirclement in an extremely perilous fashion.
He leaped to the top of a towering giant tree, his left hand flashing with electricity.
The camera zoomed in, and the faint blood-red glow of the Sharingan flickered in the rain, its Three-Tomoe Sharingan spinning ceaselessly.
[Naraku! Naraku, get up!]
[It's over, he's seeing his life flash before his eyes.]
[Sakumo and Kakashi are still waiting for you, Naraku, uwuwuwu.]
[Hmm???]
[Holy crap!!!]
[My***! Three-Tomoe Sharingan!]
[NB!!]
[Hahahahahaha, I knew Naraku wouldn't die!!]
"This Jutsu is called Kirin."
As he performed the Jutsu, stirring music began to play.
Kirin emerged from the thunderclouds, roaring to the heavens as it pounced towards the earth.
It transformed into a divine wrath that pierced through heaven and earth.
The ground shook, and the booming roar almost shattered the audience's eardrums, their hearts pounding as if they were truly there.
[So cool!!!]
[So fierce, who said our Naraku wasn't A-Rank?!]
[Kirin descends, I am invincible!!]
[The Uchiha will rise again!]
[Tremble, Ninja World! Your second Ninja World Asura is returning!!]
The System automatically skipped to the next episode.
But it wasn't Naraku entering Kusagakure and meeting Kana.
Instead, it was the Konoha gates standing tall in the sunlight.
A man walked by, and the perspective shifted to directly in front of him.
It revealed a head of white hair and that familiar face, with two Ninja Swords gleaming on his back.
[Sakumo! Save Naraku! Please!]
[My god has returned!]
[White Fang of Konoha, attack!]
Sakumo truly lived up to his reputation as the "King of Saves" among the audience, and he did not disappoint.
He discovered the suspicious aspects of Naraku's mission.
When the Ninja Sword used for killing was plunged near the ear of a civilian Ninja, it clearly reflected the terrified expression of the other party.
The White Fang of Konoha, standing with his sword, finally revealed his sharp edge to the audience once again, unstoppable.
[When did Sakumo become so hot-tempered?]
[How could he not be angry? Naraku is his child too.]
[A child he raised for several years, just abandoned in the Land of Rain with no news. He's already being quite rational.]
[If my child was secretly killed by my own high-ranking officials, I'd explode on the spot; everyone would have to die.]
When Sakumo leaped from Konoha's walls, the scene slowed down.
Kakashi, who was about to enter Konoha below the wall, opened his eyes wide.
He saw his father flash past in mid-air, and the urgent, angry expression on his face.
He unhesitatingly summoned his Ninja Dogs and chased after him.
When he caught up to Sakumo, who had deliberately slowed down, and heard his father say that Naraku was missing and there was no news, a close-up on his eyes allowed the audience to clearly observe his suddenly constricted pupils.
They also heard his rapid breathing.
— —
Naraku woke from his dream.
He slowly stretched, and despite his disheveled state, still offered a smile to Kana, who was vigilantly watching her surroundings.
He knew which way to go now.