What's wrong with having a large harem if you're the emperor of the ninja world?

A highly rotating, buzzing blue chakra sphere hovered steadily above his palm.

It radiates an astonishing energy fluctuation... Rasengan!

His face beamed with immense satisfaction and boundless anticipation.

He slammed down on the big tree next to him!

boom!

The tree trunk was instantly blasted open with a huge spiral-shaped gap, and wood chips flew everywhere.

"You lecherous immortal! Did you see that? I've really mastered it!"

Naruto danced with excitement, his azure eyes sparkling with joy.

"When I return to Konoha, I'll definitely give Kakashi-sensei, Iruka-sensei, and everyone else a huge surprise!"

"Hehe, most importantly... Sakura!"

"She'll definitely fall completely in love with me this time! Hahaha!"

He was lost in his own beautiful fantasy.

Completely oblivious.

Jiraiya, who would usually jump out to criticize him or laugh along with him.

But at this moment, there was unusual silence.

Naruto finally realized that something was wrong.

He stopped smiling and looked at Jiraiya, who was leaning against the other tree trunk, his face so gloomy it was almost dripping with water.

"You lecherous immortal? What's wrong? Why do you look so pale?"

"Did he get chased and beaten again for peeping into the women's bathhouse?"

Naruto scratched his head, trying to lighten the mood in his usual way.

Jiraiya suddenly snapped back to reality.

He forced a smile that looked worse than crying.

He vigorously rubbed Naruto's head, his voice a little hoarse:

"Idiot! What could possibly be wrong with me?"

"Stop talking nonsense, your Rasengan is still far from good enough!"

"The form is there, but the speed and stability of chakra gathering are still lacking! Keep practicing!"

Normally, Naruto would definitely jump up and argue back.

But at that moment, seeing the undisguised heaviness in Jiraiya's eyes, his heart skipped a beat.

He is very easygoing.

However, they are unusually sensitive to the emotions of those close to them.

"No! Something's definitely wrong with you!"

Naruto persisted, his playful smile vanishing. "Perverted Sage, what happened? Is it Konoha...?"

"I told you it's okay!"

Jiraiya suddenly interrupted him rather rudely.

He even habitually punched Naruto on the head.

But the force was far less effortless than usual, instead carrying a sense of restlessness and unease.

"Just practice when I tell you to! Stop talking nonsense!"

"You want to catch up with Sasuke? With your current mediocre skills, you're a hundred years away!"

Naruto covered his head, looking at Jiraiya who was clearly acting strangely.

He curled his lips.

But they still honestly continued to condense the Rasengan.

However, he would occasionally glance at Jiraiya with worry.

.......

86. Nagato's confidence; Obito's response.

Jiraiya looked at his disciple, who was still full of energy and hope for the future.

My heart felt like it was being weighed down by a huge boulder, a mix of emotions swirling within me.

Just a while ago.

He used the excuse of going to the hot springs in town to "gather material".

However, it was on the bulletin board outside the hot spring.

I saw the document signed by Emperor Di Yan of the Land of Fire, declaring that the Land of Fire would be renamed the Empire of Fire.

And a proclamation to completely abolish the ninja mission system and reorganize Konoha!

When I first saw it.

Jiraiya completely thought it was some kind of prank!

How could anything happen to Konoha?

Although Tsunade is unreliable at times, her strength and courage are top-notch.

There are also elite Jonin like Kakashi and Guy.

How could we allow a random emperor to overthrow the village like this?

He instinctively refused to believe it.

They almost tore the notice down on the spot.

but……

That official seal, that special channel for transmitting intelligence.

And the details that the townspeople were talking about, with all sorts of vivid and detailed accounts...

All signs indicate so.

This is probably true...

A chilling sensation instantly shot up his spine and up to the top of his head.

Konoha...

There may really be a dramatic change that has changed everything!

His first thought was to immediately take Naruto back to Konoha at full speed.

Look what happened.

We must help Tsunade no matter what.

But a second thought immediately came to mind.

Like being doused with ice water, it instantly calmed him down...

If all this is true.

That Konoha is now undoubtedly a den of dragons and tigers!

That emperor who could force Tsunade and the entire Hidden Leaf Village to submit.

Their power and methods are absolutely beyond imagination!

And Naruto...

Naruto has the Nine-Tails sealed inside him!

He is one of the most important strategic forces in Konoha, and even in the entire ninja world.

They are also the easiest targets to covet and attack!

In this situation where the situation is unclear and the disparity in strength between the enemy and ourselves is significant.

They rashly brought Naruto back to Konoha.

It's tantamount to walking into a trap.

He personally delivered the Nine-Tails and its Jinchuriki to that unknown and dangerous emperor!

"No... absolutely not..."

Jiraiya was torn between two conflicting emotions, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked. "No matter what, I must ensure Naruto's safety!"

"We must not go back until we understand the situation!"

He looked at Naruto, who was still diligently practicing the Rasengan and full of expectations for the future.

My heart is filled with immense guilt and heaviness.

This child dreams of returning to Konoha.

It may no longer be the home he knew and that could accept him.

And the road ahead.

It is already filled with unknown thorns and darkness.

Jiraiya took a deep breath.

I forcibly suppressed the turmoil in my heart.

His face once again wore that nonchalant smile, and he walked over, loudly instructing:

"Idiot! Your chakra output is unstable again!"

"Concentrate! Imagine if Sakura were watching from the side."

"Do you really intend to show off with such half-baked ninjutsu?"

But what lies behind that smile?

Hidden within are worries and decisions that no one can know.

He must return to Konoha alone to find out what's going on.

Naruto, on the other hand, must remain here in a relatively safe place.

At least, until we have enough power.

……

The cold rain pattered against the rusted metal exterior of the tower, producing a monotonous and oppressive sound.

Amegakure is forever shrouded in this gray, rainy curtain.

It was as if even the sky was weeping for this wounded nation.

Inside the tower, the light was dim.

Xiao Nan stood quietly by the window, the cold rain sliding down the tower wall, reflecting her expressionless profile.

She held in her hand an intelligence scroll that had just been delivered by a White Zetsu clone.

Even with her composure, she had to process the above information carefully.

“According to reliable intelligence,” Konan’s voice was as cold and clear as the rain outside the window, without a trace of emotion, “Konoha Village has been completely controlled by that Emperor of the Land of Fire.”

"The Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, and her superiors seem to have all submitted."

Standing by the window, letting the wind and rain lash his body, Pain slowly turned his head.

A faint purple light shone in his Rinnegan, carrying a hint of barely perceptible doubt:

"Emperor? What's that?"