I, Naruto Uzumaki, don't need your approval.

Once Nagato regained consciousness, he sensed Konan's chakra and said, "Konan, didn't I tell you to escape alone? Why did you take me with you, increasing unnecessary risks?"

After a moment of contemplation, Konan revealed her true feelings: "Nagato, you are more important than the village and my ideals. I have already lost Yahiko, and I don't want to lose you too."

“I was watching from the sidelines while you were fighting the mysterious expert, but I didn’t join you.”

"After going through so much, I feel like the Rinnegan is a curse. Would our lives be better without the Rinnegan?"

Upon hearing this, Nagato fell silent, then said, "But without the Rinnegan, Jiraiya-sensei probably wouldn't have noticed us back then, and we wouldn't have been able to become the rulers of Amegakure."

“However, your decision to stay out of the way was correct. I could sense that Madara Uchiha, who was fighting me, wasn’t using his full strength. He had the ability to capture me, but he deliberately let me go…”

"He didn't use his full strength? Why?"

Konan's eyes widened in shock. The battle between Nagato and Madara Uchiha had altered the terrain near Amegakure. Susanoo, capable of withstanding Shinra Tensei, and even the ability to turn an empty space into a forest had appeared, and the opponent hadn't even used his full strength yet.

After pondering for a moment, Nagato said, "Perhaps there is also a conflict of interest between him and the masked man."

Konan nodded. The masked man and Madara Uchiha weren't on the same side, which was one of the few pieces of good news at the moment. But the most urgent task was to choose a suitable place to settle down.

Although she and Nagato still maintain a certain level of fighting ability, they would certainly be doomed if Madara Uchiha and the masked man found them. But in such a vast ninja world, where could they find refuge?

Thinking of this, Konan and Nagato exchanged a glance and said in unison, "Konoha, Uzushio Village!"

Xiao Nan was somewhat surprised: "Why is it Wochao Village?"

As Jiraiya's former student, Konan trusted Jiraiya even more. In recent years, Amegakure and Konoha have also carried out certain activities, but why did Nagato choose Uzushio Village?

"I believe in Naruto. Only Naruto can accept us."

After a pause, Nagato didn't argue with Konan, but said, "Should we contact some Amegakure ninjas who are out in the area first? We need intelligence and communication channels."

Chapter 274 Intelligence from the Akatsuki Organization

Inside the Konoha training ground.

Sasuke found Kakashi practicing the Flying Thunder God Technique and challenged him to a duel.

After mastering the secret techniques left behind by Sasuke, his strength increased rapidly, and he even successfully awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan under the stimulation of the chakra left by Sasuke.

Having acquired the Mangekyou Sharingan, he gained the confidence to defeat Kakashi and went out to cause trouble for Itachi Uchiha.

Looking at the brimming Sasuke, Kakashi accepted Sasuke's challenge. He didn't think Sasuke could be his match, not even after the special training he received from Shisui and Naruto.

After forming the seal of opposition, Kakashi and Sasuke activated their Sharingan and disappeared from the training ground.

Both of them had a fast, accurate, and ruthless fighting style, clashing at extremely high speeds in the training ground, occasionally sparking from their swords and flashing with dazzling lightning.

After creating distance again, Kakashi's expression became somewhat serious, and he placed his hand on the short sword at his waist.

Sasuke's growth rate is too fast. He only recently stepped into the threshold of becoming a Jonin, but now his performance is no less than that of an elite Jonin. He is already very close to what he was three years ago.

With his hands clasped together, Kakashi unleashed purple lightning from his palms—a ninjutsu he had recently developed.

Even without the Sharingan, it can unleash power comparable to the Lightning Blade, and with the Sharingan, its power is further enhanced.

Seemingly sensing Kakashi's seriousness, Sasuke's Sharingan also switched to a six-pointed star shape.

Mangekyou Sharingan… Kakashi dispersed the purple lightning in his hand and said with a solemn expression, “Sasuke, when did you awaken the Mangekyou Sharingan?”

Sasuke didn't reply, but simply said, "Am I now qualified to know information about Itachi?"

Sasuke's meeting with Sasuke was a secret. During those days, Sasuke kept provoking him and told him that he had a special Yin Release power within him, and that once activated, awakening the Mangekyou Sharingan would not be difficult.

However, to advance further, one must fuse with the Mangekyou Sharingan of a close relative in order to evolve to the Eternal stage.

After a moment of silence, Kakashi said, "I can't make this decision myself. I need to ask Naruto. Without his permission, I can't let you leave Konoha."

Sasuke snorted coldly and said sarcastically, "Isn't Kakashi-sensei a Jonin of Konoha? Why does he need to ask Naruto for permission to do things? Could it be that everything Kakashi-sensei said before was a lie, and his true identity is actually a spy from Uzushio Village?"

Kakashi touched his nose, somewhat embarrassed.

He was indeed loyal to Konoha and the Hokage, but he was loyal to the Fourth Hokage. What did that have to do with the Third Hokage? The Third Hokage couldn't represent Konoha either, and the Sarutobi clan even betrayed the village.

Sasuke guessed Kakashi's thoughts and stopped provoking him.

Without Kakashi's support over the years, his strength wouldn't have improved so rapidly. He might have only been a Chunin when he participated in the Chunin Exams, which was far from enough.

After a brief, awkward chat, the master and apprentice headed towards the vortex camp.

The guards at the Uzushio village were already used to seeing Kakashi and Sasuke arrive, and they quickly came up to greet them warmly. After all, Kakashi and Sasuke would eventually become part of Uzushio village, and perhaps even high-ranking members.

As for the other Konoha ninjas near the Uzushio base, they could only endure it, even if they were somewhat annoyed.

The fact that Konoha is currently maintaining peace is more than half due to the garrison from Uzushio Village. Otherwise, the Sarutobi clan's ninja army alone, along with the conflict with the Daimyo, would have been enough to cause the village to collapse.

Not to mention, the One-Tailed Jinchuriki is currently imprisoned within Konoha, which is also an unstable factor.

After reporting their findings, Kakashi and Sasuke met Naruto, who was sunbathing.

Just as Kakashi was about to say something, Sasuke became eager to challenge Naruto. Defeating Naruto had become an obsession in his heart, and if he didn't fight him soon, it was on the verge of evolving into a mental demon.

Naruto smiled faintly and nodded, "Alright, I'm itching to try it too."

A few seconds later, Sasuke, who had awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan, was subdued by Naruto with one hand and fell to the ground face down, looking at Naruto with a defiant expression.

He was toyed with and manipulated by Naruto when he was at the Ninja Academy because he was not strong enough.

Now that he has awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan, he should at least be an elite Jonin, yet he was still easily crushed by Naruto. Haven't all those years of training been for nothing?

Getting up from the ground, Sasuke asked curiously, "Naruto, what kind of ninjutsu did you just use? I felt like the ground beneath my feet was hostile towards me. I was no match for it."

Naruto said casually, "Just some Sage Mode tips and tricks. Didn't he teach you Sage Mode?"

Sasuke shook his head slightly: "He didn't teach me Sage Mode, he only taught me how to awaken the Mangekyou Sharingan, the subsequent evolution of the Sharingan, and some simple and easy-to-use ninjutsu."

"I forgot about that. He doesn't seem to have learned any immortal arts either. To be honest, you guys are all pretty weak."

Sasuke was speechless, but a sense of powerlessness rose in his heart. Even the future Sasuke was being evaluated like this by Naruto. Wouldn't he have no chance to turn things around in the future? This was a glimmer of hope.

Kakashi, standing to the side, was somewhat confused. Who was the 'he' that Naruto and Sasuke were talking about?

Besides Shisui, are there any other Uchiha clans in Uzushio Village who have awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan? It couldn't possibly be Obito's group, could it? If Naruto knew about Obito, he would be the first to come and tear Obito to pieces.

After hesitating for a moment, Kakashi stepped forward and explained Sasuke's purpose.

Hearing this, Naruto glanced at Sasuke, made a rough assessment in his mind, and said, "Sasuke, you are no match for Itachi Uchiha for the time being. If you want to defeat him, you might as well give up and go to sleep."

In the original work, even with the Sharingan with three tomoe and the cursed seal form, Sasuke was no match for Itachi.

Sasuke, who has only just awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan, is no match for Itachi, whose Cursed Seal and three-tomoe Sharingan are actually comparable to the Mangekyou Sharingan. Itachi also has a significant advantage in terms of age.

However, if it were a fight against Sasuke, Itachi would probably hold back.

After hearing Naruto's words, Sasuke frowned and said, "I just need information about Itachi. I will train hard to be strong enough to defeat him. Is that not enough?"

Naruto said calmly, "Itachi has a few companions who are no less capable than him. Otherwise, Shisui and the others would have already taken care of Itachi. You wouldn't have had a chance."

Sasuke was somewhat bewildered; it seemed he had indeed overlooked this matter.

He was only focused on defeating Itachi and avenging his clan, but he never considered that Itachi might have accomplices, and that he would have to deal with more than just Itachi.

Suddenly, a small snake emerged from the ground and spat out a scroll from its mouth.

After Naruto finished reading the intelligence report, he looked at Kakashi and Sasuke with a strange expression and said, "There's something related to the Akatsuki that I need to go out and handle. Do you want to come with me?"

"Akatsuki? Is that the organization Itachi joined?"

Sasuke became interested; he was eager to obtain any information about Itachi and was not going to let this opportunity slip by.

Kakashi hesitated. If he remembered correctly, Obito was a member of the Akatsuki. Would Naruto encounter Obito on his trip? If so, what would Naruto do to Obito?

In the end, Kakashi accepted Naruto's invitation, wanting to obtain information about Obito.

Chapter 275 The Eye of the Moon Project is a hoax

A few hours later, Naruto brought Kakashi and Sasuke to a town in the Land of Fire.

In a secluded street in the town, Naruto saw Orochimaru dressed casually and waved to him, saying, "Long time no see, Orochimaru-senpai."

Upon hearing Orochimaru's name, Kakashi and Sasuke became wary.

Sasuke, in particular, frowned and stared intently at Orochimaru after recalling how he had been tricked by Orochimaru during the Chunin Exams.

Kakashi, on the other hand, seemed unsurprised. Judging from the Chunin Exams, Orochimaru and Naruto at least knew each other.

Orochimaru also noticed Kakashi and Sasuke. After sensing Sasuke's aura, he narrowed his eyes and said, "I didn't expect that you could use the power of the Heavenly Curse Seal without my help."

"Sasuke-kun, I'm becoming more and more interested in you."

Sasuke looked up at Orochimaru and said expressionlessly, "You can try."

Two months ago, he was no match for Orochimaru, but he's a completely different person now. Naruto brought him and Kakashi-sensei here, could it be to deal with this venomous snake?

At this moment, Naruto noticed the tense standoff between Orochimaru and Sasuke and said calmly, "Don't fight in front of me. You know the consequences. But judging from Orochimaru's development progress, you shouldn't need Sasuke's body."

Upon hearing Naruto speak, Orochimaru withdrew his covetous gaze: "Thanks to Lord Naruto, the progress of the cloning is indeed quite good, but it would be a waste not to use a perfect body like Sasuke's for experiments."

Sasuke retorted without hesitation, "I think your body is also a good trophy."

Seeing that the atmosphere was getting increasingly awkward, Kakashi pondered for a long time before saying, "Naruto, you didn't ask us to come here to meet Orochimaru, did you? Could it be that Uzumaki Village and Otogakure have a new collaboration?"

“Of course not…” Naruto smiled and shook his head, then looked at Orochimaru and said, “Orochimaru-senpai, please lead the way. The guests inside must be getting impatient.”

Orochimaru nodded slightly and pointed to the izakaya not far away: "They're in there."

Upon hearing this, Naruto headed straight for the izakaya. Kakashi and Sasuke tried to follow, but Orochimaru blocked their way.

"Kakashi-kun and Sasuke-kun, you should stay outside for now."

Kakashi and Sasuke frowned, looking at Orochimaru with unfriendly expressions, and said, "Orochimaru, who exactly is the person Naruto wants to see? Is someone worth protecting outside?"

Orochimaru glanced at the distant sky, a longing expression on his face, and slowly said, "The people Naruto wants to see are the leaders of Akatsuki, Jiraiya's two foolish disciples, Nagato and Konan."

"To meet the leader of Akatsuki, who is Jiraiya's disciple?"

Sasuke looked at Kakashi with a puzzled expression. Kakashi was also somewhat confused, but quickly frowned. Why did Naruto want to meet with the leader of Akatsuki? The importance of this meeting was probably no less than that of the Five Kage Summit.

Inside a dimly lit room on the second floor of the izakaya.

Naruto saw Nagato with his eyes bandaged and the pale-faced murderer, and said with some emotion, "It's been a long time, Nagato-san, and it's my first time meeting Konan-senpai."

Upon hearing the address of his cousin, Changmen felt a mix of emotions, and his face showed a complex mix of conflict and disappointment.

He clearly had the strength to fight Naruto when they last met, but after losing the Rinnegan, he also lost his pride, and his tone was full of desolation.