I am the most popular character in Naruto!

"Haha! Now you know how powerful I am! Nine-Tails!"

Shukaku was gesturing wildly, completely ignoring the bewildered Naruto and Gamaken on the other side.

[The most ferocious and evil Nine-Lama: You are dead.]

[The cutest Shukaku: Huh? Kurama, what did you say?]

[The fiercest and most vicious Nine Lamas: You insulted me.]

[The cutest Shukaku: I didn't insult you, I insulted Kurama, what does that have to do with you, Kurama?]

[The most ferocious and evil Nine Lamas: You have two arms, don't you?]

bang

Naruto's chakra level suddenly more than doubled, and he screamed as he transferred his chakra to Gamaken.

Instantly, Gamaken, transformed into the Nine-Tails, unleashed even stronger chakra, his power approaching that of a Kage.

"?"

Shukaku looked at the Nine-Tails, which had suddenly become much stronger than before, and muttered a curse.

"Damn it, you're being unreasonable..."

Roar--

The Nine-Tails unleashed an earth-shattering aura, forcing all twelve Konoha 12 back. Sasuke reluctantly retreated to the side, only able to watch as Naruto, his body ablaze with chakra, rode the Nine-Tails towards Shukaku.

Shukaku bared its teeth as Kurama charged toward it, but the fear etched into its DNA made it take a step back.

But then it thought, wait a minute, what am I afraid of?

This thing isn't a real Kurama; it's just a toad that has transformed into a nine-tailed toad.

Besides, everyone here is at the peak of the Kage level, and you haven't broken through the Super Kage level yet. It's hard to say who will win or lose in a fight!

What does a toad know about the Nine-Tails? When it comes to the number of times I, Shukaku, have been beaten, I am the one who has been beaten the most among all the tailed beasts!

As the saying goes, the more you get beaten, the more you learn how to hit someone!

hum!

Damn Nine-Tailed Fox, it's time for me, Shukaku, to get my revenge!

Even if I can't beat you, it wouldn't be bad to beat you up and turn into your toad!

Thinking of this, Shukaku became happy and jumped up to deliver a devastating headshot to Kurama.

"Gamaken! Dodge it! Then quickly use your Steel Tail!"

However, as is well known, the strength of Pokémon with and without a trainer is different.

Under the tutelage of Pokémon Master Naruto, Ninetales used Quick Attack to dodge Shukaku's heavy attack and launched a counterattack. It then followed up with Iron Tail, leaving Shukaku dizzy and disoriented.

"Bite! Scratch! Finally, use Entangle!"

Naruto methodically directed Gamaken to launch the attack. He knew very well that he did not know what kind of attack methods Kurama had, and could only launch physical attacks in this ordinary way.

In that case, let's not deal with Shukaku, let's just deal with the Jinchūriki!

"The final victory still depends on me!"

After Kurama (the Nine-Tails) firmly pinned Shukaku down, Naruto swung his fist and jumped onto Shukaku's head, delivering a powerful punch to the sleeping Gaara.

"Wake up!"

Chapter 653 The People of Konoha

The plan to destroy Konoha ultimately ended in Orochimaru's failure.

The ninjas and civilians of Konoha were terrified. So many giant snakes, so many battles taking place, and even ninja invasions and tailed beast battles—it was all too much for them to comprehend.

Fortunately, with the presence of a guardian angel like Chiaki, the hard work of Jiraiya and the Third Hokage, and the performance of the Konoha Twelve, the situation finally stabilized.

What's puzzling is that none of the ninjas who invaded Konoha survived. Even with Kakashi and his friends' skills, they couldn't preserve any evidence to prove where these ninjas came from.

They all wore black cloaks, concealing themselves in the darkness, as if they had appeared out of thin air.

Furthermore, this group of guys is highly disciplined and extremely secretive.

After Kakashi and Guy defeat them, other ninjas will immediately appear and take their bodies away, leaving no clues for the Konoha ninjas.

Even some of the ninjas that Kakashi and Guy deliberately left behind to faint disappeared in the blink of an eye, which was quite absurd.

This made Kakashi wonder if there was a mole within Konoha.

The Kage of several powerful nations, both capable and motiveful, were attacked. Unable to find the real culprit, Konoha could only pin all the blame on Orochimaru.

See, just like that, a world where only Orochimaru was injured was formed!

The Chunin Exams ended in discord, and Konoha, citing the need for self-examination, closed its borders and ceased all communication with the outside world.

A month later, the merchants who had been locked outside the Land of Fire and the civilians who were preparing to issue missions finally got their chance and poured into the reopened Konoha in a vengeful manner.

Upon entering Konoha, they discovered that Konoha was very different.

The number of patrol teams on the streets has increased, and public security management and planning have become more comprehensive. At the same time, notices are posted everywhere, reminding people of various contingency plans for different situations.

In short, the Konoha destruction plan raised awareness throughout the village, increasing vigilance among everyone. Almost every household left an escape route, and those who could even set up a basement as a refuge.

The entire village of Konoha visibly experienced a boost in morale and spirit, with almost everyone spontaneously investigating the origins of those who were not from Konoha.

Well, Konoha isn't that big, but it's not that small either. To be honest, it's just a slightly larger village. With everyone united, it's not difficult to do something like this.

And through generations of cycles, a positive atmosphere will form throughout Konoha, preserving this excellent spirit.

At this moment, inside the Senju Old House.

"I really don't know what to say, Chiaki."

Jiraiya looked at Chiaki with complicated expressions, as well as Orochimaru, who stood lazily beside Chiaki.

"I never expected that this plan to destroy Konoha would bring about such a big change to Konoha. Konoha should be grateful to you."

"Jiraiya-sensei, you flatter me."

Chiaki knelt calmly, glanced at the indifferent Orochimaru, and said to Jiraiya, "Actually, if possible, I hope Konoha can clear Orochimaru's name."

"This……"

Jiraiya hesitated. The peace that Konoha was able to maintain was based on transferring all hatred onto Orochimaru.

If we were to vindicate Orochimaru now, wouldn't that be self-destructive, undoing all of Konoha's current changes?

"No need, Seven."

Orochimaru stretched lazily, showing off his great physique, which made Jiraiya's breathing become heavier.

"Konoha is no longer important to me."

"This ninja world still holds so many mysteries, such a vast territory awaits my exploration, Konoha?"

"Ah."

Orochimaru smiled faintly. How could someone who has seen the stars and the sea be held back by a small river?

Jiraiya opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything.

He had come to a profound realization that Orochimaru had changed beyond recognition; not only had his gender changed, but his thoughts and temperament were also completely different.

To put it bluntly, it's like he's become a completely different person.

"Aunt Snake..."

Chiaki looked at Orochimaru, who gently patted her shoulder and said with a hint of charm and seduction, "Why don't you come to my Sound Village? I'll give you the entire Sound Village, and you can do whatever you want with it."

"no!"

Jiraiya instinctively rejected Orochimaru's proposal, saying, "Chiaki is the life goddess of Konoha, don't even think about sending her anywhere else!"

Jiraiya risked everything for the future of Konoha.

For him, the development of Konoha was more important than anything else.

"Jiraiya, Nana is not the life goddess of Konoha, she is her own life goddess!"

Orochimaru stared coldly at Jiraiya, his Kage-level aura surging. "Don't even think about binding her with something like this!"

"I didn't say anything..."

Jiraiya was startled by Orochimaru and quickly tried to calm him down.

In the previous battle between Manda and Gamabunta, Jiraiya did not fare well.

Although Orochimaru had most of his mind and attention on the other Kage, he didn't have time to deal with Jiraiya.

Jiraiya also didn't intend to fight Orochimaru seriously, but combat strength isn't something you can only know by fighting it all.

After they made contact, Jiraiya realized that he was no match for Orochimaru.

Even if he were to risk his life and still not know the final outcome, Jiraiya still didn't want to risk his life when it came to crucial moments.

"okay."

Chiaki interrupted the standoff between the two, sighed slightly, and said, "Actually, it doesn't matter where I am. I have already obtained the training method of Sage Mode from Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama. Next, I will definitely train in the ninja world and find a suitable place for me to train in Sage Mode, just like Senju Hashirama did."

“You can ask me for help, Seven.”

Orochimaru said seriously, "I'll go back and develop a tool for detecting natural energy for you. Whenever you encounter a place with abundant natural energy, it will automatically alert you to avoid missing it."

"Thank you, Aunt Snake!"

Chiaki smiled faintly at Orochimaru, while Jiraiya retorted defiantly, "I could just go ask the Great Toad Sage!"

"The world is changing so fast, what does it know?"

Orochimaru said dismissively, while Jiraiya stammered, "Well... it can predict the future, can't it?"

"Okay, okay, thank you all anyway."

Chiaki chuckled as she comforted the two, then said earnestly to Jiraiya, "Jiraiya-sensei, I'll be saying goodbye to Konoha for a while now. Could you please tell the Third Hokage?"

Seeing that Jiraiya still wanted to say something, Chiaki patted his hand and said, "Don't worry, my surname is Senju, and I will always be a Konoha person."