Chapter 452

The significance of popularization... this is something these stupid and wicked old rentier classes will never understand.

"I let you go back then..."

You, all of you.

Jiraiya, Orochihime, Tsunade.

Hanzō spoke slowly.

At that moment, Jiraiya recognized the young man behind him who looked to be in his early twenties as Hanzo of the Salamander.

Looking at Pakura, Ringo Ameyuri, Hanzō, Amakawa Akito, Asuka...

These are all young faces, faces that haven't changed in ten, twenty, or even decades.

Jiraiya felt a wave of terror wash over him.

"But you failed to understand the kindness of others."

Hanzō shook his head.

Then, he looked at the Akito, awaiting the emperor's command.

Surrounded by numerous powerful fighters, Jiraiya knew he could no longer leave.

"Boss, Eldest Sister, please go back and... inform Tsunade and the others..."

Jiraiya can do now is to have the two great sages relay what he has seen and the information he has gathered.

After the contract was Contract Seal was removed.

Jiraiya knew that he could no longer escape.

"I will destroy Konoha soon."

Surrounded by the crowd, Akito spoke.

These words were not only spoken to Jiraiya, but also to Sage Shima and Sage Fukasaku, who served as his mouthpieces.

"And you... Jiraiya, I will have the television station broadcast this live, and then relay it to the Five Great Nations, so that your past crimes will be judged in front of everyone in the ninja world, and you will be executed in public!"

With a wave of his hand, the Akito...

Hanzō and the others immediately took action.

"Boss, Big Sister!"

With Jiraiya's low shout, Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima could only dispel the Sage Art: Reincarnation Technique.

With a puff of smoke rising, the two immortals returned to Mount Myōboku.

Jiraiya naturally exited Sage Mode.

Before he closed his eyes, all he saw was Amakawa Akito's still indifferent face...

Then.

Everything fell into darkness...

At the same time.

In a forest within the Land of Fire.

Naruto Uzumaki stood behind a tree, gazing intently at the surroundings.

A dark figure stood there, his Sharingan strikingly prominent.

"Uchiha... Itachi!"

Naruto recognized the older face that resembled Sasuke's.

The Konoha Forehead Protector with a mark on his forehead served as further proof of his identity.

"Uzumaki... Naruto." Itachi looked calmly at the target who had appeared before him.

"Are you here to arrest me?" Naruto asked.

"No, there are some things I want to talk to you about."

As Itachi said this, several of Naruto's Shadow Clone jumped down from the trees behind him and launched a surprise attack.

Without turning his head, Itachi finished them off with a kunai he threw.

Naruto was currently thinking about strategies to deal with the Sharingan.

Sweat beaded on his forehead.

Because... they witnessed Itachi Uchiha's power firsthand.

"So you already know the power of the Sharingan... then why don't you run away?" Itachi asked.

"I can go from 1 person to 1000 people!!"

Naruto Uzumaki is no longer pretending.

When I get really angry, I can create 1,000 Shadow Clone.

This is my true strength.

As for showing weakness in the past, creating several or even a dozen Shadow Clone when facing others, it was simply because they weren't worth it.

"Why are you so fixated on my younger brother?" Itachi asked.

"I only consider him a brother because I value him more than you!" Naruto Uzumaki shouted.

"..."

Itachi smiled almost imperceptibly.

I already understand.

"So..."

As Itachi Hand Seals, a flock of crows swept past Naruto Uzumaki.

"Whoosh~!"

Naruto Uzumaki flapped his wings and finally managed to scare away the crows.

At this point...

Itachi placed Shisui Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan into his body.

"I'm leaving," Itachi said.

"What do you mean?! Didn't you come to arrest me?!" Naruto Uzumaki shouted.

"Otoha, I have important matters to attend to... The people who are to arrest you will be here soon."

After Itachi finished speaking, he dispelled his clones, transforming into a flock of scattered crows...

Naruto Uzumaki was left with a completely bewildered expression.

Then, Naruto Uzumaki realized what Itachi had said at the end...

"The people who are arresting me will be here soon?"

Thinking about this...

He did not hesitate.

Just in case, Naruto Uzumaki immediately rushed back to the starting point.

They planned to meet up with their companions to discuss countermeasures.

And not long after he disappeared.

Obito Uchiha and Pain appeared here.

"I need to leave for a while," Obito Uchiha said.

He trusted Pain's abilities.

Dealing with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki would be a piece of cake.

So...

Next, let's watch the duel between Itachi and Sasuke.

Only when Itachi Uchiha dies can I find peace of mind.

"I will catch the Nine-Tails."

Pain said expressionlessly.

"Peace... is just around the corner!"

373. Six Paths of Pain, 300,000 kilometers per second.

Not long after...

Naruto his teammates.

Kakashi, Yamato, Sai, and Sakura were all present.

Hinata, Kiba, Akamaru, Shino also just came back.

"I encountered Itachi Uchiha," Naruto told everyone what he had seen.

"No more reckless actions, Naruto, you've matured a lot," Kakashi praised, his eyes narrowing into crescents.

"What's next, Kakashi- sensei?"

Sakura asked.

Kakashi thought for a moment and came up with a suitable strategy, "Since the Akatsuki Organization is coming to capture Naruto, and not Itachi... it means they will send even stronger personnel."

He could even be the leader of Akatsuki, and the possessor of the Rinnegan.

If that's the case, then we should return to the village for now and plan our actions carefully.

"Go back?! But... we still need to find Sasuke!"

Naruto was puzzled.

If I give up, when will I ever find him again?

"We've been out for several days now..."

Yamato raised his hand.

"Since we haven't found anything in the past few days, we should definitely go back and report."

Just as everyone was about to return to the village...

Several figures emerged silently from the forest.

"Um?!"

Kakashi looked over.

The Six Paths figures, clad in red cloud-patterned black robes, were clearly members of the Akatsuki Organization.

And the Rinnegan in their eye sockets was so obvious.

"..."

Kakashi's eyes widened, and he immediately realized.

The leader of the Akatsuki Organization personally launched the attack.

But... why are there 6 people?!

Why do all six of them have the Rinnegan in their eye sockets?!

"Nine-Tails..."

Deva Path Pain stared intently at Naruto, locking his gaze on him.

Everyone else was ignored, just as humans ignore ants on the roadside.

"Contribute your strength."

Konoha members. "!"