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

Nine-Tails' words caused Naruto to fall silent, and the atmosphere in the sealed space suddenly became strange. Only Three-Tails was yawning silently, with an expression that seemed to have seen through the ninja world.

Kurama frowned: "Don't you agree that I am the strongest tailed beast, or is my power too weak?"

Naruto sighed softly and said, "Kurama, that's your power, not mine. I don't want to lose your power and be unable to even defeat Shisui."

Nine-Tailed Fox snorted coldly and said with considerable dissatisfaction, "Isn't my power your power? Are you worried that I'll run away after the seal is completely broken?"

"If you're willing to humble yourself and beg me, I might consider staying."

What Kurama didn't know was that Naruto was actually thinking much more. While Kurama's power was indeed formidable, it was somewhat insufficient against an enemy of the Otsutsuki level.

In his memory, Naruto was the one who sacrificed himself because he neglected his training, which led to Kurama using Heavy Ion Mode.

After Kurama left, Naruto was left with only Sage Mode, which made him unable to participate in the battles of the new era, and he eventually became an old man abandoned by the times.

Moreover, he hasn't even mastered Sage Mode yet, and without the Nine-Tails, he'll only become more pathetic.

Therefore, only by acquiring sufficiently powerful strength can we maintain our current composure and confidence in a future where combat power is expanding ever more.

Thinking of this, Naruto changed his expression and said seriously:

"Kurama, haven't you ever thought about becoming stronger? Humans and summoned beasts can cultivate Sage Mode, and as a Tailed Beast, you can too. I'm not searching for Sage Mode for myself, but for us."

"You also said that the Ten-Tails and the Rinnegan are our enemies, and we should become stronger to defeat them."

Kurama's eyes lit up. Naruto was right. It could also cultivate Sage Mode. Once it mastered Sage Mode, it could easily defeat Shukaku even in the desert and solidify its position as the leader of the tailed beasts.

"Then I will not object to you cultivating Sage Mode, but you must make contact with the other Tailed Beasts as soon as possible. Obtaining their chakra is of utmost importance, lest they are unaware of the existence of this threat."

……

Minato Namikaze, watching from afar, felt somewhat helpless.

He knew that the leader of Akatsuki was Pain, and that the masked man was his student Obito, but he was just a chakra clone and could do nothing. He wished he could be resurrected through the Impure World Reincarnation technique.

But the resurrection of the dead would overturn the order of the ninja world, and he was both powerless and extremely conflicted.

Chapter 156 Akatsuki's Next Plan

After being away for two months, Nagato returned to Amegakure.

The sky over Amegakure remained overcast, and the cold rain splashed onto Nagato's calves, but he didn't feel cold; instead, he felt a sense of peace.

No matter how wonderful the outside world is, it belongs to others; only this place is his hometown.

Just as he abandoned the surname "Uzumaki," he was simply Nagato of the Land of Rain.

Several tens of minutes later, Konan found Nagato and asked with concern, "Nagato, you fought a battle with the leader of Uzushio Village this time. How are you feeling?"

Seeing that Konan cares about him is not part of the Akatsuki's strategy.

Nagato felt a warmth in his heart and said with a smile, "Don't worry, Menma and I were just sparring. Neither of us used our trump cards. However, I'm still a little annoyed that I was tricked."

Konan's expression was somewhat strange. Nagato's evaluation of Ma was puzzling to her, so she asked, "Nagato, what kind of person is this member of your clan? What exactly happened between you two?"

"It's just some minor friction, but our plan to collect the tailed beasts will probably have to be postponed indefinitely..."

Nagato spoke casually, uttering words that shocked Konan. Then, before Konan could ask a question, he said in a tone reminiscing about an old friend:

"As for what kind of person Mianma is?"

"His style of doing things has elements of Yahiko and also the shadow of Payne. I learned a lot from him. It's just a pity that we are destined not to cooperate with him and can only become enemies. It's a regrettable thing."

Xiao Nan looked extremely solemn, gazing into the distance and lost in thought.

The person Nagato respected most was Yahiko, and such an evaluation is enough to prove how much influence Menma had on Nagato. Moreover, judging from recent rumors, Menma's strength is comparable to Pain.

It's important to understand that even demigods back then were no match for Nagato, and what Nagato feared was never an individual, but rather the ninja village.

Doesn't this mean that Menma also possesses strength close to Nagato's?

However, why did Uzumaki Menma want to stop the Akatsuki's plan to collect the Tailed Beasts? Wouldn't the Akatsuki's collection of the Tailed Beasts be a way to weaken the Five Great Nations and allow Uzumaki Village to benefit from it?

Seemingly guessing Konan's thoughts, Nagato said with a wry smile, "Uzumaki Menma is the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, which is why I said the plan to collect the Tailed Beasts would be delayed indefinitely."

"Can't Akatsuki handle Uzumaki Menma?"

"If we all attack together, we can definitely kill Uzumaki Menma, but capturing him alive is too difficult. The other Jinchuriki will also be on guard. Unless there are any special circumstances, the plan to collect the Tailed Beasts will definitely fail."

"So, Nagato, what are your next plans?"

Konan wasn't really concerned about the Tailed Beasts Project; she cared more about her only friend, Nagato, and firmly supported his plan.

After a moment's thought, Nagato asked in return, "How is the organization's recruitment of new members going?"

Konan thought for a moment, then said, "Kakuzu and I went to the Land of Hot Springs to recruit a member of the Jashin cult named Hidan. He is not particularly strong, but he can kill enemies by cursing them with their blood."

"In addition, Itachi Uchiha and Kisame recruited Onoki's apprentice, Deidara."

"How could Onoki's apprentice become a rogue ninja?"

"It seems he was confined by Onoki, which is why he secretly ran away. However, he is still very strong, and his Explosion Release technique is extremely powerful."

"That's quite a talent, and he's ready to be put to good use."

Upon hearing this, Konan looked at Nagato, who quickly explained, "Since the plan to collect the tailed beasts has stalled, my next step is to influence the surrounding small countries to prepare for the next step of opening up trade."

Konan looked at Nagato in shock: "Nagato, you wouldn't be imitating Hanzo of the Salamander, would you?"

Nagato shook his head slightly: "I will not act recklessly like the Salamander, but will use the methods of Onoki to slowly erode the surrounding small countries. After returning from the Land of Waves, I realized something."

"Even if our plan succeeds, the people of small countries will still live in misery. We must take care of our own people first before thinking about other countries."

"Otherwise, if our plan fails, Amegakure will be doomed."

"Moreover, if even the people of Amegakure don't agree with our ideals, how can we get everyone in the ninja world to agree with them?"

Konan remained silent for a long time before saying in a low voice, "Nagato, you've changed since this trip."

Nagato nodded, and said somewhat forlornly, "I have indeed changed. After the battle with Menma, I realized that I am not a unique god, or rather, merely the god of Amegakure."

Nagato no longer proclaims himself a god, which is a good thing for Konan, but she doesn't know whether this change is good or bad.

"It's Amegakure's job to influence the surrounding area, but what are your plans for Akatsuki?"

Nagato frowned. The masked man's attitude was indeed a problem that had to be considered. After all, the first generation of Akatsuki was founded by Yahiko, Konan, and him, but the new generation of Akatsuki's founders included the masked man.

The enigmatic masked man will not give up his plan to collect the tailed beasts, nor will he allow the Akatsuki organization to be exploited.

After a moment's thought, Nagato said, "For now, let's continue with the Akatsuki as mercenaries to collect money. As for Menma Uzumaki, let the masked man deal with that himself. He killed the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki before, so he can kill him again."

"However, I will warn him not to use Akatsuki's name in his actions."

……

Somewhere in the ninja world.

Black Zetsu found Obito Uchiha, who was acting alone. Obito was on a bounty mission to assassinate a nobleman. He never refused any mission that could create chaos.

However, while playing the role of Ah Fei, he also transforms into a friend of the elderly, helping lonely seniors.

Although Obito always claimed that this was just Tobi's persona, Black Zetsu understood that Obito was simply reminiscing about his past in Konoha. It was precisely because of this contradictory and sensitive personality that Madara chose him to be a pawn.

Upon noticing Black Zetsu's movement, Obito instantly switched his voice, saying in a low tone, "Black Zetsu, what intelligence report do you have this time?"

"It's about the Land of Waves and Uzumaki Menma."

"I already know about the battle between Nagato and Menma... Nagato's exposure is very disadvantageous for us. We must adjust our subsequent strategy and speed up the collection of tailed beasts."

Obito sat on the tree trunk, one leg crossed, and said.

Black Zetsu narrowed his eyes and said, "Obito, you probably don't know Menma's true identity. He is the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki of Konoha. It's quite interesting that a Konoha Jinchuriki has defected."

Obito looked unsurprised: "You mean this? I knew it all along. If Menma Uzumaki wasn't the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki, he wouldn't be this strong."

"You knew all along?" Black Zetsu was taken aback.

Chapter 157 Konoha High-Level Meeting

Obito snorted coldly, his gaze turning sinister as he said, "Rasengan, a superb sealing technique—who else could it be but my beloved teacher, the Fourth Hokage?"

"I just never expected that my cheerful and optimistic teacher would be willing to see Naruto suffer in order to seek revenge."

"It seems that after losing his wife and Konoha, he no longer arrives late, and he no longer trusts Konoha! It's quite ironic, isn't it!"

"Is the leader of the Whirlpool Tide the Fourth Hokage?"

Black Zetsu also found it somewhat unbelievable, but upon closer examination, Obito's speculation made a lot of sense.

It's impossible for a mysterious powerful figure to appear in the ninja world without a reason. The Fourth Hokage appeared to have sacrificed himself on the night of the Nine-Tails' death, but the ninja world can't trust the dead the most. Whether it was Madara or Obito, they both hid their true identities through death.

However, if the leader of Uzushio Village is the Fourth Hokage, then this would be a very difficult situation.

The Fourth Hokage is famous not for his Rasengan and superb taijutsu, but for his unparalleled Flying Thunder God Technique. With this space-time ninjutsu, he can remain invincible at any time.

In addition, given his status as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, he would be virtually invincible in the ninja world unless Obito and Nagato joined forces.

However, it is almost impossible to get Obito and Nagato, who are wary of each other, to join forces.

Was he destined to remain in hiding until the leader of Wochao Village died of old age? But this was almost his last chance; the time he had agreed to meet his mother would arrive soon.

At this moment, Black Zetsu seemed to remember something and asked, "That's not right. Naruto is the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, so why did you say that the Fourth Hokage was also the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?"

Obito squinted slightly and said, "I heard from Kushina that sealing techniques can divide tailed beasts."

After a moment of contemplation, Black Zetsu asked Obito, "What are you planning to do next?"

Obito narrowed his eyes and said in a low voice, "Of course we need to find Naruto. Naruto is also the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Capturing him will force the Fourth Hokage to submit. According to my speculation, Naruto should have been sent to the Anbu for training by the Third Hokage."

……

The war in the Land of Waves, which was widely publicized outside, was hardly mentioned in Konoha.

On the one hand, most villagers had little impression of the Land of Waves and the Land of Whirlpools, and on the other hand, it was also due to the deliberate sealing off by the Konoha leadership.

If the lower-ranking ninjas knew that the fleeing Uchiha were not only not hunted down, but had also successfully joined Uzushio Village.

This will have a negative impact, and the ninja clan's attitude towards the Hokage Building will become even more wavering.

Inside the Hokage Building's conference room, the Third Hokage encountered trouble. Danzo, the leader of the Root organization, arrived with his two advisors, Koharu and Yan, to demand an explanation from the Third Hokage: why did he stand idly by while Uzushio Village was inactive, and why did he allow the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to defect?

The Third Hokage glanced at his aggressive old friend and said with a hint of helplessness:

"I can't exactly declare the Jinchuriki a defector. Who would have thought that Naruto not only established a village but also occupied the Land of Waves and fought a battle with those Akatsuki mercenaries..."