The next morning, the sun rose as usual.
The incident involving the attack by the ninjas from the Land of Demons the night before had finally been properly resolved.
The priestess had been transferred to a safer location, and the wounded had been treated.
Naruto had also gained further recognition from the upper echelons of power.
For the Uchiha clan, without Naruto's help the previous night, the outcome of the events would have been uncertain.
It had also made Uchiha Fugaku realize the shortcomings of his plan.
He began to scale down the Uchiha clan's ambitions, intending to gradually replace the old factions with a more thoughtful and comprehensive plan.
Winning Naruto over became an increasingly important part of that plan.
The only problem was that Sako and Naruto were still too young to formalize their relationship, which added an element of uncertainty.
After all, the Hyūga were also actively pursuing him.
Even though Uchiha Fugaku had great confidence in his daughter Sako, he feared that Konoha's high command might one day pair Naruto with Hyūga Hinata… or someone else.
So, ensuring Sako spent more time with Naruto became one of the new strategic moves.
...
At the orphanage, that morning, the weather was clear and sunny.
Naruto sat cross-legged on the rooftop, practicing yang.
In the courtyard, Mizukage played with the other children.
Thanks to the power Naruto had once again demonstrated the night before, the higher-ups in Konoha and the priestess now allowed Mizukage to go out freely.
After all, a child needed companionship and shouldn't be suffocated.
This was also part of the plan to gradually integrate the future priestess into Konoha.
"Big Brother Naruto~, come play with us!" the children called out to him from below.
Naruto opened his eyes, jumped down, and was quickly surrounded by the children, sharing joyful moments with them.
Seeing Naruto, like an older brother, taking care of the children, nono couldn't help but smile gently.
But the next moment, her saintly face clouded over with melancholy.
Because… Naruto's actions the previous night had drawn Danzō's intense attention.
After a thorough investigation and a night of information gathering… once it was confirmed that Naruto's explosive power had reached "Kage" level, Danzō made a major decision on the spot.
That decision... was to order nono to bring Naruto to the Root hideout, in front of him, by any means necessary.
It was obvious.
After defeating one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Zabuza Momochi, Naruto's destructive power had already reached elite jōnin level, or beyond.
The explosion caused by Yomi the night before, and the deaths of several ninjas from the Land of Demons, clearly showed Naruto's destructive power had hit "Kage" level.
Of course, having Kage-level destructive power didn't mean all of his skills were at that level.
In terms of overall ability, Naruto Uzumaki could barely reach chūnin level in other areas.
In short, a dangerously high destructive power was in the hands of a child.
That perfectly matched Naruto Uzumaki's identity as the Kyūbi's host…
Pressing her lips together, thinking of the safety of everyone at the orphanage and of Kabuto, nono had no choice but to carry out Danzō's orders.
...
In the rest room.
"Naruto, I want to take you somewhere…"
As she said those words, nono felt intense pain in her heart.
The more she deceived this kind-hearted young man, the more her conscience was tormented.
"Where to, Director?" Naruto asked curiously with a smile.
Completely unaware that he was about to meet the darkest man in Konoha.
God, I am guilty…
nono prayed inwardly to the divine, asking for forgiveness for her sins.
The more she prayed, the more her holy aura became visible.
Before Naruto stood a nun — a sacred angel with a motherly glowing face above and a tempting body below…
Naruto didn't mind being tricked by her.
After all, the more she tricked him now, the higher the price she would pay later, right?
It was what you'd call advance consumption, an early loan!
"This place... might be a little dark…"
nono averted her gaze, searching for the words, and finally said this.
She was sitting on a chair, her nun's robe falling gracefully.
Her clothes couldn't hide her provocative figure.
Demon… This was a demon's sin!
Naruto laughed inwardly.
"No problem, I don't have night blindness…"
Having learned many medical terms from nono, Naruto used them effortlessly.
"Director, take me there."
Naruto jumped from his chair, excited.
"I trust you completely, Director~!"
Seeing Naruto's smile and hearing his trusting words, nono felt even greater pain.
"All right."
nono nodded, and thanks to her 007-level skills, she managed not to show a single crack in her expression.
Then she stood up and led Naruto out of the orphanage…
...
A dark passageway.
nono in front, Naruto behind.
They gradually descended, getting farther and farther from the surface.
"You're really going to follow this woman all the way to Danzō's lair?"
Kyūbi warned Naruto in a serious tone.
After all, his opponent wasn't naive — he was one of the worst humans in the shinobi world...
One of the worst, because standing opposite him was another equally twisted individual.
"Don't worry, Kyūbi, old man Danzō's a good guy~!"
Naruto declared that Danzō, devoted to Konoha, had no bad intentions.
Danzō, who dreamed of becoming Hokage, was the coolest~!
"Hmph! I hope you don't end up in his hands…"
Kyūbi couldn't do anything about it.
For now, the seal only allowed three tails to be released.
And considering the darkness in Naruto Uzumaki's soul, it would probably take seven…
No, eight tails to make him lose control.
Kyūbi consoled himself.
The feeling of entrusting your life to someone else was truly unpleasant.
Kyūbi felt helpless.jpg
"If I can't beat old Danzō, I can at least escape from him, right?"
Naruto continued chatting with Kyūbi as he walked.
Life always finds a way. I'm not stupid — I'm Naruto Uzumaki.
"And besides… I'm very interested in what old man Danzō has to say."
In fact, I should be the one going to see him.
Now that the Uchiha clan had changed its strategy, moving from violent revolution to a softer approach…
How did Danzō plan to use Uchiha Itachi to wipe out the Uchiha clan?
That was crucial to adapting his own plan.
Sako, I must save her.
Uchiha Izumi, too.
And Sako's mom, Aunt Mikoto, especially!
No one can stop me — Naruto Uzumaki. No one.
After a long walk, Naruto finally arrived at the place nono had indicated.
The deepest construction in Konoha… the true hideout of Danzō.
The heart of Root.