"You're well-informed," Naruto said without denying it.
Mei Terumī blinked playfully, a little smug. "What, did you think I became Mizukage for nothing?"
"So you definitely know where the Tailed Beasts are, right?" Naruto pressed.
"Uh…" Mei's expression grew a bit awkward.
"The last Jinchūriki of the Three-Tails was Yagura. He died, so the Three-Tails died with him."
"But I heard that when a Tailed Beast dies, it'll revive somewhere in the ninja world a few years later."
"As for the Six-Tails, I've been looking for him too. That guy defected from Kirigakure way back during the Blood Mist era."
Naruto was reminded by Mei—right, during this time, the Three-Tails hadn't been revived yet.
"Then I'll just have to find the Six-Tails."
Naruto formed a hand seal, originally intending to use Shadow Clone Jutsu.
But after thinking about it, he switched to Wood Clone Jutsu instead.
Compared to Shadow Clones, Wood Clones were far more practical.
He produced dozens of Wood Clones and engraved Flying Thunder God formulas onto each of them.
The moment he finished, they dispersed.
From Mei's home as the center point, the Wood Clones spread out to scan and search for the Six-Tails' chakra.
Meanwhile, Naruto stayed put, waiting for updates.
Seeing him take action, Mei pursed her lips. She originally wanted to ask why Naruto was collecting all the Tailed Beasts…
But when the words reached her lips, she held back.
Even if they had shared physical intimacy, she still felt that some questions were better left unasked.
So instead, she asked a different question.
"Naruto… do you think I still have a future as Mizukage?"
As she asked, Mei looked him in the eyes, waiting for an answer.
Before meeting Naruto, she had never doubted herself.
All she wanted was to become the village leader and restore prosperity to the battered Kirigakure left behind by Yagura.
But after hearing that Naruto had almost wiped out Kumogakure alone, that faith began to waver.
If someone could casually erase a village, what meaning did all her hard work hold?
Naruto didn't hesitate.
"You're asking me? Of course I'd say no. This is something only you can answer."
Mei mulled over that and nodded slowly.
…
While Naruto's clones swept the Mist Village perimeter in search of the Six-Tails' Jinchūriki—Utakata—the Akatsuki also began to move.
The countless White Zetsu scattered throughout the ninja world were mobilized to locate Naruto.
As dusk approached, casting a golden-red hue over the skies…
One of Naruto's Wood Clones sensed a signature in a forest—it had found Utakata, host of the Six-Tails.
In that same instant, Naruto's real body opened his eyes and activated Flying Thunder God.
Appearing in the forest, Naruto laid eyes on Utakata.
With long hair, loose clothing, and a clean appearance, he was rather handsome.
Utakata looked over and scowled. "You're not from Kirigakure. If you don't want to die, get out of my way. I'm not in the mood to kill today."
Naruto didn't respond.
He moved.
Ocular power. Pressure.
"Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique."
First, Naruto's gaze alone froze Utakata in place.
Then, with a casual clap of the hands, a massive wooden dragon surged forth and wrapped around Utakata in an instant.
Entangled, Utakata instinctively tried to resist by drawing on the Six-Tails' chakra.
But to his shock, the moment he tapped into that power, it was absorbed by the very dragon constricting him.
Refusing to accept this, he increased the flow of chakra.
Same result.
In just one exchange—he was already helpless.
His eyes trembled. Gritting his teeth, Utakata asked bitterly, "Who are you?! Why are you doing this to me?!"
Naruto still had no intention of answering.
Just as he was about to forcibly extract the Six-Tails—
Clap clap clap!
A round of slow applause came from the distance.
"Impressive, truly impressive. Subduing the Six-Tails' Jinchūriki in a single move—looks like the rumors weren't all exaggeration. Uzumaki Naruto, you really do possess extraordinary power!"
Three figures in Akatsuki cloaks approached.
It was Nagato, now in full health, masked Obito, and Konan the White Tiger.
Their quick arrival wasn't thanks to White Zetsu's intel.
They had already identified the likely locations of several Tailed Beasts.
So when Naruto showed up and dispatched dozens of clones to search openly, it gave away his position instantly.
As the three approached, Naruto showed no surprise.
He had already noticed them nearby.
'Since you've come… then don't even think about leaving.'
That was fine by him—saved him the trouble of hunting them down.
Especially Obito. That guy had personally threatened his life when he was just a baby.
The heat from those Explosive Tags, right before they detonated—it was still burned into his memory.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, something felt off.
Naruto's gaze locked onto Nagato.
Wait a minute—why is he standing?
And looking pretty damn strong, too.
'Could this be a butterfly effect from me being too high-profile lately?' Naruto mused.
In the next moment, he activated both Tenseigan x-ray vision and Transparent World perception to examine the three.
Masked man? Yep, definitely Obito, matched the memories.
Konan? Nothing strange there either.
Although this glance did confirm—the White Tiger ring did suit her quite well.
The only real surprise was just how… curvy her figure was under that loose red cloud robe.
As for Nagato?
Under Naruto's Tenseigan vision, his chakra reserves were vast.
His Rinnegan shimmered with enormous ocular power.
Naruto estimated… about 200 units of chakra.
That was extremely high. Compared to himself?
Only about ten times less.
'Terrifying indeed.'
"Uzumaki Naruto!" Obito spoke solemnly. "I, Uchiha Madara, recognize your strength. On behalf of the Akatsuki, I invite you to join us."
"I've heard your story… don't you find this broken ninja world disappointing?"
"Come! Join the Akatsuki. Let's remake this world from the ashes!"
With arms spread wide, Obito tried to strike a grand pose, clearly copying Madara's persona.
He was quite pleased with his performance, awaiting Naruto's reply.
Naruto smiled—full of undisguised contempt.
"You? Madara?"
"You can't even show your real face. You're just a rat hiding in the dark."
"You 'recognize' me? You think you're qualified?"
The air went still.
Obito's hands, hidden within his sleeves, clenched so hard his knuckles cracked.
Nagato, on the other hand, watched with clear interest.
He found himself agreeing with Naruto's words.
If a man couldn't even show his true face—how could he possibly be the legendary Uchiha Madara?