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

"Yes, it's been a while. I'm no longer the leader of Akatsuki."

Nagato, who had been carefully considering his words, didn't keep them in suspense and went straight to the point, explaining the current situation.

Hearing this, Naruto frowned and asked with some confusion, "The masked man attacked you. He shouldn't have the strength to defeat you. What exactly happened?"

"You knew all along that the masked man would attack us?" Xiao Nan asked in surprise.

Naruto nodded slightly: "The masked man will definitely make a move against you. His goal is to realize the Eye of the Moon Plan, to trap all life in the ninja world in the illusion of the Infinite Tsukuyomi, not just to collect the tailed beasts."

Nagato sighed inwardly and continued, "You're right, the masked man is no match for me and Konan, but he resurrected Madara Uchiha, and even Zetsu and the other Akatsuki members betrayed us."

"After the battle with Madara Uchiha, both of us were severely injured, and Zetsu stole the Rinnegan from us."

"You and Madara Uchiha both suffered heavy losses?" Naruto looked at him suspiciously. Sensing the change in Naruto's emotions, Nagato hesitated for a moment before speaking:

"I fought Madara Uchiha to a draw, but I felt he could take me down at any moment, he just hasn't made a move yet..."

Naruto said calmly, "Of course, your Rinnegan is his. Before transplanting the Rinnegan into you, Madara Uchiha must have left a backup plan, such as the cursed seal hidden in your body."

Before he could finish speaking, Naruto instantly appeared in front of Nagato and pierced through Nagato's body.

Before Nagato and Konan could react, he took out the Command Seal from Nagato's body and tore it apart right in front of them.

Upon seeing this, Konan's expression changed, and hundreds of explosive tags appeared beside her, but Nagato stopped her with a gesture. After removing his eyepatch, he looked at Naruto, who had entered Sage Mode.

"Konan, Naruto meant us no harm, otherwise we would have been dead long ago."

That being said, Nagato could clearly sense that Naruto was stronger. If he and Naruto were evenly matched two years ago, now, even with the Rinnegan, he was no match for Naruto.

However, Naruto's strength is not entirely a bad thing; at least someone can deal with Madara Uchiha and the masked man.

After a pause, Nagato, ignoring the blood flowing from his chest, said, "But Naruto, what exactly is this 'Eye of the Moon Plan' you mentioned? Is the masked man and his group targeting the Eye of the Moon Plan?"

"The Eye of the Moon Project is to collect the nine tailed beasts and use the moon to project a super-large genjutsu that will cover the ninja world, causing all ninja life to fall into a deep sleep and enter an eternal dream."

After listening to Naruto's description, Nagato fell silent and began to seriously consider the feasibility of the Eye of the Moon plan.

The Akatsuki's previous collection of tailed beasts to create the Ten-Tails weapon was intended to deter major powers and maintain peace. However, Naruto viewed this peace as fragile and unable to change the oppressed fate of the ninja world's inhabitants.

According to Naruto's description, Madara Uchiha and the masked man's Eye of the Moon plan was to trap all of humanity in an illusion.

Compared to the harsh reality, the ordinary people in the village would probably prefer to have a beautiful dream, even if it's a dream from which they will never wake up.

Chapter 276 Nagato's Joining

The Eye of the Moon Project may seem wonderful, but it will lead humanity as a whole astray and ultimately cause the ninja civilization to perish.

However, for the countless individuals in the ninja world, most of them do not care whether civilization perishes. If they can immerse themselves in the dream of Infinite Tsukuyomi, many would be willing to pay the price with their lives.

This is also why the Otsutsuki Cult emerged in the ninja world during the era of Sasuke and Naruto.

Compared to the reality that the ninja world's population had decreased by 30% and most cities had been reduced to ruins after the Fourth Shinobi World War, ordinary people in the ninja world who had tasted the benefits of the Infinite Tsukuyomi were unable to live without it.

Faced with this group of ordinary people who have lost all hope, even Naruto, who is skilled at persuasion, would probably be helpless.

However, he is not Naruto Uzumaki. He does not need the approval of ordinary people. The Infinite Tsukuyomi is just a hoax created by Black Zetsu. He has no psychological burden at all.

Looking at Nagato, whose expression was gradually becoming dazed, Naruto sneered and said, "Nagato, two years have passed. I thought you would have some opinions of your own, but it seems you are still the same as before."

"what…"

"If Infinite Tsukuyomi is truly so wonderful, then what is the price?"

"What is the price... what is the price..."

Naruto's words seemed to echo in Nagato's mind. Soon, Nagato frowned and began to consider the rationality of the Eye of the Moon plan.

Given his mastery of genjutsu during the Rinnegan era, it wouldn't be difficult for him to make ordinary people dream of illusions.

But while dreaming, time still passes in the real world, and someone must provide water and food in the real world, otherwise ordinary people under the illusion will die of thirst and hunger in a few days.

Most importantly, they are a mysterious entity that created the Ten-Tails, a weapon of war, and invented the Infinite Tsukuyomi.

Why should the ninja world's humans be given the dream of Infinite Tsukuyomi? There must be a price to pay, and that price is the lives of the ninja world's humans.

At this moment, Naruto chuckled and said, "You should have guessed it by now. The Eye of the Moon Plan and the Infinite Tsukuyomi are tools for reaping the ninja world, and the one wielding the scythe is none other than Kaguya, the goddess who appeared in the ninja world a thousand years ago."

After listening for a long time, Konan raised a question: "Didn't Madara Uchiha and the masked man know that the Eye of the Moon Plan was a conspiracy?"

"They knew it might be a trap, but they had no other choice but to believe..."

Of the three who carried out the Eye of the Moon Plan—Madara, Obito, and Black Zetsu—only Madara may have truly believed in it. His arrogance led him to believe only in what he found, such as the Eye of the Moon Plan recorded on the stone tablet at the Naka Shrine.

Obito, on the other hand, was different. He didn't quite believe in the Eye of the Moon Plan, but he hated the ninja world that made him feel despair.

As for Black Zetsu, he is the most innocent character in the Eye of the Moon Project, solely focused on rescuing Kaguya Otsutsuki, who is imprisoned on the moon.

"These things are no longer important..."

Nagato waved his hand, looking dejected, and said, "After losing the Rinnegan, I am already a loser. I can't resist Uchiha Madara and the masked man. I came here just to tell you about Uchiha Madara."

"After that, I plan to live in seclusion in the ninja world with Konan and no longer concern myself with other matters."

Looking at Nagato, who seemed ready to give up, Naruto said in a low voice, "Can you really abandon Amegakure? Can you really abandon the Land of Rain and the Land of Grass that you've worked so hard to cultivate?"

Nagato was stunned. Of course he couldn't let go, but he no longer had the strength to protect Amegakure.

Losing the Rinnegan was not just about losing his Kage-level fighting power; his body had been drained of its life force by the Gedo Mazo over the years, and it was already on the verge of collapse.

Even transplanting the eyes of fallen soldiers could not stop the loss of life.

Naruto saw through Nagato's thoughts and extended his fist. Nagato instinctively parried the punch, and then a stream of extremely pure Yang Release chakra was channeled into Nagato's body.

If Nagato feels a warm sensation in her body, it means that the hidden injuries accumulated over the years and the vitality that has been lost are gradually recovering.

Faced with Naruto's medical ninjutsu, Nagato once again felt the gap between himself and Naruto. After his body had recovered most of its strength, he said with a complicated expression, "We used to be enemies, you don't need to save me."

"I still remember the invitation from three years ago, and it still stands... I invite you to join Vortex Village once again."

After healing Nagato's assassination attempt, Naruto flashed his signature smile and slowly extended his palm, emanating an irresistible aura.

Nagato was still somewhat hesitant, but Konan answered for him and took Naruto's hand.

"Nagato and I have joined Uzushio Village, but we have lost our leadership of the Akatsuki organization, so Naruto, don't have too high hopes."

"Once you join Uzushio Village, we'll be on the same side. Unlike other ninja villages, if Uzushio Village is in trouble, I'll be the first to step forward and stop all the enemies for you."

Naruto said with considerable confidence, and with his current strength, he certainly had the right to be confident.

After accepting Nagato and Konan into Uzushio Village, Naruto talked with the two for a long time. This time, they discussed the difficulties that the Land of Rain and the Land of Whirlpools encountered in their development and exchanged their experiences in governing the country.

Perhaps influenced by Naruto, a smile gradually appeared on Nagato's face.

A few hours later, Naruto and the others finished their chat. Nagato said with a serious expression, "Naruto, the threat of Madara Uchiha is imminent. When do you plan to attack Madara Uchiha? Once they collect the other tailed beasts, the power of the Gedo Mazo will become stronger and stronger."

When the Gedo Mazo was mentioned, Naruto's expression didn't change much; instead, he asked about the masked man.

"By the way, is there any news about Obito Uchiha, the masked man? I'm more interested in his whereabouts than the Gedo Mazo; I'd like to catch up with him..."

Nagato and Konan sensed the murderous intent in Naruto's tone and immediately said, "In the past few days, the masked... Obito has been tracking our whereabouts. He has been trying to wipe us out."

After a pause, Konan said, "Naruto, are you planning to kill Obito? I have a lot of explosive tags that I can use."

"Thank you for your kindness, Konan-nee... I'd rather kill Obito Uchiha myself. That's my own happiness, and it's best if others don't interfere."

After saying that, Naruto walked out of the second floor of the izakaya and headed towards Orochimaru, Kakashi, and the others.

Orochimaru immediately leaned over and said in a sinister tone, "Lord Naruto, how did your conversation with Nagato and Konan go? Did they reveal the current situation of the Akatsuki?"

Naruto nodded slightly. Half-jokingly, he said, "They've already agreed to join Uzushio Village. Now you're the only one here who isn't a Uzushio Village ninja. Orochimaru-senpai, why don't you join Uzushio Village too?"

Chapter 277 Luring Obito

Inside the Rain Village stronghold.

The Rain Ninja, covered in blood, stared intently at Obito, who was wearing a fiery robe, with an extremely grim expression.

He couldn't understand why Akatsuki members, who were clearly part of Amegakure's special department, would attack his base. Did these unruly rogue ninjas want to betray Nagato and Konan and start a rebellion in the Land of Rain?

Obito glanced expressionlessly at the highest-ranking Rain Ninja, his Sharingan emitting an eerie red light.

A few breaths later, Obito, his face grim, snapped the neck of a Rain Ninja, looked at the gray sky outside the base, his eyes filled with gloom.

After defeating Nagato Uzumaki a few days ago, he should have taken over the position of leader of Akatsuki.

However, those rogue ninjas clearly trusted Madara Uchiha more, as he was the mastermind behind the creation of the Akatsuki organization. He had also considered using Command Seals to control Madara Uchiha, but he also had the cursed seal left by the Uchiha clan within him.

They have a system of checks and balances; if a conflict were to occur, Black Zetsu would side with Madara.

However, he is not without a chance to turn things around. For Madara Uchiha to be completely resurrected, someone must use the Rinnegan's innate power on him, and there are very few ninjas in the ninja world who can bear the power of the Rinnegan.

Aside from Nagato, whose whereabouts are currently unknown, he is the only one left.

If Nagato is eliminated beforehand, Madara Uchiha will need to transplant the Rinnegan into him in order to carry out the Eye of the Moon Plan, at which point the entire ninja world will be under his control.

Therefore, after taking control of the Akatsuki organization and Amegakure, Obito had been searching for Nagato and Konan's whereabouts.

Unfortunately, even after visiting all the major and minor strongholds in Amegakure and Kusagakure, he was still unable to catch up with Nagato and Konan, always a few steps behind.

Just then, White Zetsu emerged from the ground and walked up to Obito.

Obito glanced suspiciously at White Zetsu, then cast a genjutsu to begin reading White Zetsu's memories. Ever since Madara Uchiha was resurrected, he had begun to distrust White Zetsu.

Are Nagato and Konan hiding within the Land of Fire?

Obito stopped reading the memories, narrowed his eyes, and said, "You actually managed to get into the Land of Fire. No wonder we couldn't find you. But could this be a trap?"

Ever since he suffered a setback at the hands of Naruto and Kakashi, Obito has become much more cautious.

After all, while his divine power makes him invincible, it is not without ways to counter it.

Just to be on the safe side, Obito contacted Itachi and Kisame, staying put to wait for their arrival. Only by calling in other helpers could he avoid any unexpected situations.

Half a day later, Itachi Uchiha and Kisame, who had been traveling together, appeared in front of Obito.

Looking at Obito, who was wearing a spiral mask and leaning against a large tree, Itachi felt a bit conflicted. He reached out his hand to greet him and said, "Should I call you Lord Madara or Senior Obito?"

If Madara Uchiha hadn't been resurrected and personally revealed Obito's true identity...

Itachi would never believe that the ninja who caused the Nine-Tails' rampage and created a rift between Konoha and the Uchiha clan was actually Obito Uchiha, who was 'quite famous' within the clan.

In the mouths of his clansmen, Obito was an outlier in the Uchiha clan, a good boy who would rather help old ladies cross the road sooner or later.

The fact that such a child, who sacrificed himself as a hero on the battlefield of the Ninja World War, could turn into such a demon made him sigh at the impermanence of life, wondering whether the world or the Uchiha were at fault.