After taking control of the upper leadership of Kusagakure, Amegakure partially opened its borders and established trade posts along the frontier, allowing limited exchange between the people of the Land of Rain and the Land of Grass.
But new problems quickly surfaced.
The people of the impoverished Land of Rain simply didn't have enough money to buy goods. At best, they could barter food and cloth in exchange for higher-value industrial products.
Even the so-called "god" and "angel" of Amegakure had no easy solution to this.
They couldn't just order merchants to hand out goods for free—that would kill trade entirely, and no merchant would bother coming to the border again. But if things continued like this, the people of the Land of Rain would only grow poorer.
The only real solution… was to gather more talent and accelerate the development of Amegakure's manufacturing industry.
Even so, these policies made Nagato restless.
He had never imagined that governing a country would be this difficult. For a fleeting moment, he even missed the days when the Land of Rain was isolated and closed off…
…but that wasn't the future he wanted.
Just then, sensing chakra fluctuations behind him, Nagato turned and looked toward the blue figure hovering in the air.
Frowning slightly, he asked, "Konan, is Iwagakure stirring trouble at the border again?"
Ever since Amegakure gained control over Kusagakure, Iwagakure's movements along the border had become more frequent.
If not for Ōnoki and the two Jinchūriki capable of using Tailed Beast Bombs, Nagato would have already sent Akatsuki members deep into the Land of Earth to wipe them out.
Still, geography was a constant limitation.
Amegakure and Kusagakure were surrounded by major powers. Even with control over Kusagakure's leadership, they couldn't openly annex the Land of Grass without provoking war.
It was the same dilemma Hanzo the Salamander had once faced.
The difference was—
Nagato was stronger than Hanzo.
And now there was also Uzushio Village rising at the same time, helping share pressure and maintain a fragile balance.
Konan looked at Nagato sitting in his wheelchair, a trace of pain flashing in her eyes. But seeing him pick up Yahiko's dream once more also made her genuinely happy.
After all… the plan to collect the Tailed Beasts was madness. If it failed, the entire Land of Rain would pay the price.
"It's quiet on the Iwagakure side for now," Konan said. "Apparently, Ōnoki had a falling out with one of the Jinchūriki. The situation has temporarily stabilized."
"That's good news," Nagato said, a faint smile appearing on his face. "Once the northern threat is handled, we can use Kusagakure to expand trade with other countries. The villagers… might finally live better lives."
Konan hesitated for a moment, watching him carefully.
Then she spoke.
"Nagato… Jiraiya-sensei has become the Fifth Hokage."
"We are now enemies with him."
"…Jiraiya-sensei… became Hokage?"
Nagato froze.
For a brief moment, something like nostalgia flickered in his eyes. Then he smiled faintly.
"Then we should send congratulations… and perhaps use the opportunity to discuss cooperation with Konoha. The Land of Fire is the richest—"
Konan cut him off, her tone flat.
"Danzō has been exposed as a traitor."
The moment Danzō's name was mentioned, Nagato's expression stiffened.
His eyes turned cold.
"When did this happen?" he asked. "Can we locate him?"
If Konoha was a potential threat… then Danzō was a personal enemy.
Back during the early days of Akatsuki, Danzō had played a major role in its destruction. Alongside Hanzo, he had slaughtered countless comrades.
Including Yahiko.
"According to intelligence from Zetsu," Konan replied, "Danzō is currently somewhere in the Land of Rivers. There's also a possibility he's fled toward the Land of Wind."
"…Zetsu's information…"
Nagato fell silent.
He didn't fully trust Zetsu. The man always appeared alongside that masked figure—almost like an extension of his will.
But this was a rare opportunity to kill Danzō.
He couldn't just let it slip away.
After a moment of thought, Nagato looked at Konan and said firmly, "Prepare immediately—no. I'll go personally."
"I'll kill Danzō myself… and avenge Yahiko."
Konan didn't try to stop him.
Instead, she stepped forward, her gaze resolute.
"I'm coming with you."
Nagato shook his head.
"No. You stay in Amegakure."
"For the sake of the village's future… we can't both leave."
Meanwhile, in Uzushio Village—
Naruto had already received feedback from Kakashi. The gifts had been successfully delivered to Sasuke and Hinata.
The training manual Sasuke received was a collective effort from the Uchiha in the village.
They might have chosen to abandon Konoha… but when it came to Sasuke, they were deadly serious. Every detail in that scroll reflected their care for the last Uchiha left behind.
As for Hinata's gift, part of it came from Kirigakure, and the rest… from the system.
Ever since Naruto had befriended Kurama, the system's presence had faded into the background. But that didn't mean it had stopped functioning.
His inventory was packed with rewards—so many that he didn't even bother checking them anymore.
The reason was simple.
As the leader of Uzushio Village, he had already gained the recognition of its people.
Among them, the Uchiha and the orphaned ninja he had taken in were the most devoted. That recognition had even earned him a Bloodline Limit reward—
The Shikotsumyaku.
Unfortunately, for Naruto, it wasn't particularly useful.
So he simply passed it on to Hinata as a gift.
He couldn't help but wonder…
When Hinata eventually awakened that power, what kind of expression would Hiashi Hyūga make?
As for potential side effects—Naruto wasn't too concerned.
Hinata might seem soft and gentle, but her Byakugan purity was among the highest in the Hyūga clan. After all, the Shikotsumyaku was essentially a form of Kaguya's ancestral power.
At that moment, Naruto sensed a disturbance in his summoning contract.
Frowning slightly, he formed hand seals.
"Summoning Jutsu."
With a puff of smoke, a small snake appeared on the ground and spat out a scroll.
After cleaning it with Wind and Water Release, Naruto opened it and read.
A thoughtful look crossed his face.
The message was from Orochimaru.
He had learned that Naruto had successfully mastered Ryūchi Cave Sage Mode and wanted to exchange for insights on senjutsu cultivation. In return, he offered intelligence on Konoha.
Naruto snorted softly.
"Konoha intel isn't enough to trade for Sage Mode experience."
"If he wants that… he'll have to offer curse mark technology. And while he's at it, he should send over the experimental data from the White Zetsu corpse I gave him last time."
He sent the snake back with his reply.
Before long, a response came.
This time, Orochimaru didn't mention the curse mark at all.
Instead, he sent the White Zetsu research data… along with information that Shimura Danzō had arrived in the Land of Wind.
Naruto crushed the scroll with Wind Release, shaking his head with a faint chuckle.
"Still guarding his secrets, huh? Afraid I'll figure out Jūgo's natural sage body…"
"And conveniently selling Danzō's location again… hoping I'll deal with him for you."
"Orochimaru… you really are a calculating snake."
Even so—
The Mangekyō Sharingan on Danzō's body…
was undeniably tempting.
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