Sixth Hokage returned to his home after a tiring day.
This Mansion was built by Naruto himself using Wood Release Ninjutsu.
It is extremely strong and durable, resistant to earthquakes and winds, and is extremely easy to expand or modify. Just inject Chakra to guide the growth.
Wires must be added later, but Naruto has spare space, so you don't have to worry about adding wires.
Pushing open the courtyard door, Mansion warm light and the aroma of food hit his face, which slightly dissipated Naruto's fatigue from the day and the mental sting accumulated due to Shadow Clone's failed practice.
Walking into the restaurant, Karin is placing the last dish on the table.
She took off her apron and Long Hair Red Eyes simply tied it behind her head. Her eyes behind her glasses were smiling, "Naruto-kun, you're back! The meal is just right, eat it while it's hot."
The dishes on the table are rich and delicious, and it is obvious that Karin put a lot of thought into them.
Naruto glanced and found that Hinata and Hanabi were not there.
Karin seemed to see his confusion and explained, "Sisters Hinata and Hanabi went back to the Hyuga Clan, saying they were embarrassed to stay here for a long time.
There are only three of us at home today."
She pointed to Uchiha Hikari, who was sitting quietly next to her. Guang nodded to Naruto as a greeting.
The girl was planning to just nod, but she somehow didn't move her eyes away.
Naruto smiled at her, the corners of the girl's mouth raised slightly.
Then the three of them sat down and prepared to eat.
At this moment, slight footsteps came from the porch.
Naruto turned around and saw two figures that surprised him.
Konan and Nagato.
The changes in Konan are quite obvious.
Compared with the gloomy, vigilant, and somewhat repulsive indifference she had when she was first "invited" to Konoha, now her expression is much calmer, the haze between her brows has faded, and her clothes are more elegant and simple, no longer wearing the iconic Akatsuki red cloud black robe.
The most striking thing is that the Lip Piercing under her lips, which once added a bit of glamour, has disappeared.
Although Nagato's face still looks sickly and pale, his overall energy is much better than that of Nagato in the plot.
It's just not as good as Naruto was when I saw him last time.
Judging from the current Nagato's own strength, Elite Jonin should be the most powerful. Rinnegan is his usual method but not the only method.
He is proficient in Five Nature Transformations, so logically speaking, he is the best successor to Third.
Nagato's eyes are no longer the Rinnegan full of paranoia and pain, but have restored the tired but clear Red Eyes.
The deep Red Eyes Long Hair seems to have been taken care of. Although it is a bit boring, it still looks pleasing to the eye.
"Actually, I've wanted to have a good talk with you for a long time, Sixth Hokage."
Nagato's voice was a little hoarse, but his tone was calm, with a kind of indifference after experiencing vicissitudes of life.
Naruto looked at them, thoughts racing in his mind.
The "placement" of Konan and Nagato in Konoha has always been rather special, somewhere between house arrest, observation and limited freedom.
They live in Jiraiya's home and are subject to certain surveillance, but they are also allowed to move around in specific areas of the village.
Naruto has been busy with various matters and really did not take out time to communicate with them in depth.
"Welcome."
Naruto nodded, with his usual relaxing smile on his face, "Where is Miwakan? You two are here, why didn't I see the child?"
He remembered that the child who was "created" by Orochimaru and had Jiraiya and Orochimaru cells usually lived with Nagato and Konan.
When Miwakan was mentioned, Nagato's expression became a little subtle, seeming a little helpless.
"Miwakan He... um... was picked up by someone sent by his 'Mother'."
Nagato thought about the words, obviously not comfortable with this title.
After learning that Miwakan was a life "created" by Orochimaru by combining Jiraiya with her own cells, both Nagato and Konan were shocked for a long time.
From a biological point of view, there seems to be nothing wrong with calling Orochimaru, who is now a female, "Mother" from Miwakan?
Orochimaru had previously coveted Rinnegan from Pain, and the three of them had been colleagues, but later Orochimaru betrayed Akatsuki.
Now Orochimaru has transformed into a woman and has a child with Nagato's teacher...
Just mentioning it makes Nagato feel a chill.
Konan added, "The one who picked up the child was Tayuya."
Naruto Clearly.
There are many people under Orochimaru, and Kabuto is usually the busiest. As her loyal subordinate, it is normal for Tayuya to come and pick up Miwakan.
Mainly because apart from Kabuto and Tayuya, Orochimaru now has Kidomaru, Jirobo and Sakon and Ukon under his hands, which are too ugly.
Zaku, Dosu and Jin Chui are all on Otogakure's side. Land of Rice Fields has been secretly protected by Konoha for a long time.
"That's it."
Naruto asked no more questions, stepped aside to get out of the way, and made an invitation gesture.
"Since we're here, it's time for dinner. Let's chat while eating?
Karin's craftsmanship is very good."
Nagato and Konan looked at each other without rejecting them.
Karin also added two pairs of bowls and chopsticks.
Five people sat around the dining table.
The lighting is soft, the food is steaming hot, and although the atmosphere is a bit subtle, it is at least harmonious on the surface.
Naruto moved his chopsticks first, picked up a piece of braised pork carefully cooked by Karin, and put it into his mouth.
The meat is crispy and tasty, with moderate salty and sweet taste, and the heat is well controlled.
He nodded approvingly and cast a complimentary look at Karin. Karin's cheeks turned slightly red and he lowered his head happily.
After briefly tasting the dishes, Naruto put down his chopsticks and looked calmly at Nagato and Konan who were sitting opposite. Gate of Opening asked straightforwardly, "So, what do you want to talk to me about when you came here today?"
He knew very well that this meal would probably not be just a simple reminiscence of old times or a meal.
These two former core members of the "Akatsuki" organization and the actual leaders of Amegakure once harbored the dream of bringing Shinobi World into peace in an alternative way.
After they spent this relatively peaceful observation period at Konoha, they must have had a lot of observations, thoughts, and even questions about the "new Shinobi World" that was driven by them and was undergoing drastic changes.
Their experience and perspective may have unique value that is difficult to replace for Naruto.
Nagato did not beat around the bush, he coughed slightly, tapped the armrest of the chair with his pale fingers, and looked directly at Naruto with his Red Eyes eyes, going straight to the topic.
"Sixth Hokage, you unified Shinobi World with thunderous means, brought Five Great Nations and its Shinobi Village under the management of Konoha, and initially achieved the 'unification' of force.
However, peace achieved through force of arms is often the most fragile and least durable.
Because people from the old country will constantly fight back, trying to take back their homeland.
This is also one of the important reasons why Shinobi World still has so many countries over the years."