A week later, outside the Hidden Grass Village.
At the end of the rolling grasslands, more than a dozen figures in black robes stood silently.
Their black robes were embroidered with silver-white stars and crimson flames. The patterns gleamed coldly beneath the sunlight, carrying even more mystery and sharpness than Akatsuki's cloud designs.
"Who are you people? Sneaking around like this? Dressed like that, you don't look like ninja from any country. Are you mercenary ninja?"
The Hidden Grass Village sentry gripped his kunai and shouted warily, his hand already forming a ninjutsu seal.
Naruto walked up with a smile and proactively held out his hand. He grabbed the sentry's hand and shook it vigorously, his expression as sincere as a fresh graduate attending a job interview. "Hello, hello. I'm here to apply for the position of Grass Shadow of the Hidden Grass Village! No need to look at my résumé. I've got the strength part covered. Just pay my benefits and housing fund at the highest standard."
The Hidden Grass Village ninja: "?"
He froze for three seconds, then burst into deafening laughter. Several Hidden Grass Village ninja beside him laughed so hard they doubled over, even dropping their kunai onto the ground.
"Hahaha! Bastard, so you're here to pick a fight!"
"Just the dozen of you? Isn't that pathetically few? Are you even enough to fill the gaps in our teeth?"
"Did you get caught in a genjutsu and start hallucinating? You dare provoke the Land of Grass with so few people?"
"I think you're here to deliver yourselves to us! Perfect, we haven't eaten lunch yet!"
Naruto picked at his ear, looking utterly innocent. "No food delivery, but I can certainly deliver funerals. Also, let me correct you. This isn't a provocation, it's a takeover. Don't worry,