Changes

"Leave Mount Baiyue as soon as possible to avoid further misunderstandings. Of course, if you plan to visit Kumogakure, I will certainly treat you well."

The Third Raikage gave Katsuki a deep look, uttered those words, and then a burst of lightning exploded. His tall figure tore through the wind and snow and disappeared into the pine forest, leaving only a deep furrow carved out by the wind.

The fierce battle in the snowstorm thus came to an end.

Watching the figure disappear into the depths of the pine forest, Katsuki stood there for a while, his Mind's Eye observing the Third Raikage's Chakra travel north. Only after confirming that the Third Raikage had left did he touch his bare upper body and curse.

"Damn it, I have no clothes to wear."

The clothes they had taken off during training had long since turned to ashes during their fight.

They could only rush back to Baiyue Town with their upper bodies bare. A while had passed, and if they didn't get back soon, Kushina would probably lose her temper. Fortunately, her older sister didn't seem to have noticed the battle taking place here. As long as Kushina used Mind's Eye of the Kagura to take a look, everything here would be impossible to hide.

"What reason should I give...? Should I tell the truth, or just make up some excuse...?"

Katsuki racked her brains trying to figure out how to explain her late return.

The dark clouds in the sky dissipated, and rays of brilliant sunlight tore through the clouds, shining on the snow-covered mountains, forests, and towns.

The journey to the Land of Hot Springs eventually came to an end. After spending two days exploring the area around Mount Baiyue, the three of them left and returned to their village, much to the relief of the tense Cloud Ninja scouts.

He watched as the three left Baiyue Town, heading south, as if they were being sent away as a plague.

"Finally left?" Kuroe looked at the report and breathed a sigh of relief. "They really just went to soak in the hot springs... These kids aren't cute at all these days!"

Listening to his subordinates' complaints, the Third Raikage remained silent, simply tossing the report back onto the table, turning around, and gazing out the window at the mountains and sky.

The battle at the foot of Mount Baiyue, which had seemed like a mere game, replayed in his mind. He couldn't help but wonder what changes would occur in the Shinobi World if that red-haired brat were to truly grow up.

Perhaps it will be another time to redefine the power structure, just like when the First Hokage and Madara Uchiha ended the Warring States period and ushered in an era of Five Great Nations standing side by side. Although he was young at the time, he was already old enough to remember things and had witnessed the unparalleled prowess of the Ninja God.

For some reason, that red-haired brat felt as if he saw the shadow of the First Hokage sweeping across the chaotic world.

"Kuroe, move Uzumaki Katsuki's file to Level 1 surveillance; intelligence about him is the highest priority for gathering."

"Lord Raikage, rest assured, he's already been promoted to the top tier, a calamity child, even ranking ahead of Konoha's White Fang!" Kuroe replied quickly.

The Third Raikage glanced back at his intelligent subordinate, knowing that the man hadn't understood him. However, he didn't want to explain further; some things, if not witnessed firsthand, would only cause unnecessary trouble if spoken of.

"Let's wait and see. The future is uncertain..."

The murmured whispers were only audible to the Third Raikage. Kuroe tidying up the documents piled on the table and didn't notice the Lord Raikage's mutterings.

The Land of Rain.

In the drizzling rain, three figures chased and fought each other.

Nagato easily neutralized Yahiko and Konan's attacks, fighting them both single-handedly. His effortless demeanor contrasted sharply with Yahiko's exhausted and panting state.

"Haa! Haa! Nagato, you're getting stronger and stronger. The two of us... the two of us are no match for you." Yahiko braced himself on his knees, panting heavily, sweat and rain mingling together.

"You're still far from it. Putting everything else aside, Uzumaki Katsuki is much better than me."

Nagato shook his head honestly, making Yahiko roll his eyes. If even Nagato was far inferior, then wouldn't he be a complete waste?

"Take a break, Yahiko. You should train within your limits." Konan's face was also a little pale, but she looked better than Yahiko was panting heavily.

"Take a break, take a break, I can't go on anymore."

Yahiko forced himself back under the eaves and immediately sprawled out on the corridor, too exhausted to even move a finger.

"Nagato, when do you think we'll have the power to defy the guy behind this?" After resting for a while, Yahiko couldn't help but ask his companion who was sitting next to him drinking tea in a soft voice.

"I don't know!" Nagato answered honestly.

"I don't know... That makes sense... Forget it, our first target is that old bastard Hanzō. Let's take down that old geezer first!" Yahiko sat up, waving his arms, his spirits high again.

Hanzō, the strongest leader in the history of Amegakure, who enjoys the supreme glory of being called a 'demigod' in the Shinobi World, is now listed by the boys as a target to be defeated.

Underground.

Before the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, the elderly Madara Uchiha, who relied on the power of the mazo to sustain his life, surveyed the creation before him with his crimson eyes.

A pure black humanoid form, identical in shape to the White Zetsu, the only difference being its color.

"You shall be called Black Zetsu!"

A simple name was bestowed upon him. The Black Zetsu humanoid figure obediently bowed his head in respect, accepting the name given by his creator. However... even Madara could not see the mockery in Black Zetsu's eyes as he bowed his head.

"Black Zetsu, go and keep an eye on Nagato with White Zetsu. That brat's been acting strangely lately, and I don't want the plan to go wrong."

"Yes, sir!"

Black Zetsu agreed quickly, a smile of excitement on his face, and slowly left the spacious room.

Konoha.

"Haha! Even that invincible freak A has met his end!!" The Third Hokage's tone held a subtle hint of schadenfreude, clearly pleased with the Third Raikage's predicament.

Most of Mount Baiyue is still within the territory of the Land of Hot Springs. With spies from the Cloud Ninja Village keeping an eye on the area, how could the ninjas of Konoha possibly ignore it? Not to mention that Kushina was wandering around the Land of Hot Springs at the time, and Konoha's Anbu sent out nearly thirty squads to secretly protect her.

The battle between Katsuki and the Third Raikage did not escape their surveillance. Although they dared not approach, they generally knew that the Third Raikage had appeared. For more details, they only needed to ask the person involved.

The Third Hokage held his pipe contentedly, puffing away with relish, a smile seemingly etched onto his face.

He was in an indescribably good mood. Thinking of Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade, and now with the addition of Katsuki, Minato, and other little ones, the feeling of having successors made him so happy that he couldn't hide the smile on his face.