Mei Terumī stated her conditions, and Naruto fell into brief contemplation.
Although he was extremely wealthy now, five hundred million ryō was still no small sum.
However, Naruto quickly dismissed the thought.
It was just money. Whatever was spent would eventually come back.
At worst, he could always squeeze a few more unscrupulous merchants later.
After making up his mind, Naruto looked at Mei Terumī, who sat across from him.
"These conditions aren't difficult to accept," he said thoughtfully, "but in return, I also hope Kirigakure will cooperate with my plan."
At these words, Mei Terumī's slender brows furrowed slightly.
Naruto didn't look very old.
Logically speaking, he should still be at an age of indulgence.
With power and wealth in hand, wouldn't most people want to enjoy life to the fullest?
So why was he so obsessed with ambition?
Seeing that Mei Terumī did not immediately respond, Naruto guessed what she was thinking.
It wasn't difficult to understand.
The existence of aliens—of the Ōtsutsuki—was simply too fantastical.
No normal person would believe it.
But Naruto knew it was real.
"About the Ōtsutsuki," Naruto said in a low voice, "I'm not lying."
"In my original plan, I didn't intend to involve the entire shinobi world."
"But after thinking it through, this matter concerns everyone."
Seeing him still insisting on the story of the Ōtsutsuki, Mei Terumī gently shook her head.
"Sigh…" Naruto sighed helplessly. "I know. No matter what I say, you won't believe me."
"But even if I'm doubted, I won't regret this choice."
Then, after deliberately lowering her guard, Naruto's tone suddenly turned sharp.
"However… for the shinobi world, what they face right now is me."
"To put it bluntly—whether you believe it or not—my decision will become the future of the shinobi world."
Hearing such arrogant words, not only Chōjūrō and Ao, but even Mei Terumī almost lost her composure.
Even Senju Hashirama had never spoken like this.
However—
Mei Terumī remained rational.
She knew very well that with her strength alone, she could not alter Naruto's will.
Taking a deep breath, she stared directly into Naruto's eyes and said solemnly,
"I hope you aren't lying."
After saying that, Mei Terumī felt a trace of bitterness in her heart.
When did she start believing the words of a child wielding overwhelming power—
a lie that could plunge the entire shinobi world into chaos?
With the negotiations concluded, Mei Terumī departed with her guards.
Only Naruto remained behind.
Then—
An uninvited guest appeared.
A middle-aged Uchiha Sasuke silently emerged from a shadowed corner of the hall.
Expressionless, Sasuke spoke calmly, "This approach won't work."
From Sasuke's perspective, Naruto's actions were indeed meant to prevent an Ōtsutsuki invasion.
But Sasuke wanted Naruto to understand—
He had far more experience dealing with the Ōtsutsuki.
If Naruto truly wanted to stop them, he would have to return with Sasuke and face them directly.
Naruto leaned back in his chair and looked at Sasuke.
"That doesn't matter. I never planned to rely on them to fight the Ōtsutsuki."
Sasuke fell silent.
Indeed.
At this point in time, perhaps only Sasuke truly understood how terrifying Naruto had become.
Naruto had countless ways to unify the shinobi world—and every one of them would succeed.
What he chose now was merely the gentlest option.
But what Sasuke hadn't expected was that Naruto wasn't doing this to gather strength.
"It seems you also understand the Ōtsutsuki to some extent," Sasuke said gravely.
"But fighting them isn't just about unity."
"The shinobi world needs individuals who transcend the limits of shinobi—
beings that surpass common understanding."
In truth, Naruto's knowledge of events beyond Shippuden was incomplete.
He could only estimate the Ōtsutsuki's strength based on what he already knew.
Eventually, he would need to see it for himself—or gather information through the simulator.
But that would have to wait.
After thinking for a moment, Naruto replied,
"Maybe. When I feel like it, I'll go back with you and take a look."
"You must," Sasuke said, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Even for your own sake."
Then he spoke words that should have alarmed Naruto.
"In the future, you will disappear—suddenly and inexplicably."
"All memories of you will vanish."
"Only I, who possess Six Paths power, and the victim—Uzumaki Boruto—will remember you."
"He is your son."
"In that future, he will be hunted by the entire shinobi world because of your disappearance."
"You wouldn't want your son to stand against the world alone… would you?"
This was indeed a serious issue.
But Naruto did not appear overly concerned.
There were still many years before the Ōtsutsuki would arrive.
And with the system, the limits of his future strength were unknown.
He had time.
Plenty of it.
Waving his hand, Naruto said casually,
"Go to the Ryūmyaku first. I'll join you within a month."
Seeing Naruto agree, Sasuke finally relaxed.
"…Thank you."
Though he didn't understand why this version of Naruto was so powerful, it was undoubtedly a good thing.
After leaving Naruto's territory, Sasuke found himself interested in this world.
After all, a month here was nothing compared to time in his own world.
He had no reason to rush.
And perhaps… there was someone here he still wished to see.
The Konoha Forest.
Though close to Konoha Village, rogue shinobi still lurked within.
Uchiha Itachi was one of them.
The last time they met, Itachi had escaped Naruto's grasp.
With the Akatsuki dissolved and no missions left, Itachi had no reason to wander.
Yet returning to Konoha went against his plans.
So he remained nearby—watching Sasuke from the shadows.
He wanted to know Sasuke's situation.
He wanted events to follow the path he had carefully arranged.
After days of searching, Sasuke found him.
Itachi was hiding in the depths of the forest, quietly observing his younger brother.
The Akatsuki cloak was gone.
He wore plain gray clothing, blending into the surroundings.
At that moment, Itachi sat inside a simple wooden hut, using a summoned animal to gather intelligence.
Creak.
The sound of a wooden door opening echoed.
Itachi's pupils shrank.
One hand immediately reached for a kunai.
Anyone who could approach him silently was dangerous.
He stood up, formed a hand seal, and moved toward the doorway—
Only to see a familiar yet unfamiliar middle-aged man standing there, wearing a conflicted expression.
"You are…"
Itachi stared at the face, his voice faltering.
For the first time in years, Uchiha Itachi was unsure what to say.
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