"Jugo, Jugo...!"

Team Taka found Jugo unconscious by the river, his body shrunken to the size of a child.

"Ugh..." Jugo clutched his throbbing head as he got up.

Sasuke asked, "What happened?"

Jugo looked confused, unable to remember. Naruto had tampered with Jugo's memory before leaving, not wanting to reveal himself to Sasuke too soon.

Though Jugo had been ambushed, Sasuke decided not to investigate further, as he was more concerned with finding his enemies.

Sasuke said, "Never mind, it's good that you're alive. We'll investigate this later. Right now, we have more important matters to attend to!"

Jugo asked, "More important matters?"

Sasuke's Mangekyo Sharingan glowed fiercely, "Our target has changed. We're heading to the Land of Iron, to the Five Kage Summit. There, we will hunt down Danzo, the villain of Konoha!"

With that, Team Taka set off for the Land of Iron.

Meanwhile, Tobi and White Zetsu observed from the trees.

White Zetsu asked, "Why not tell Sasuke about Naruto's actions and use him against Naruto? Wouldn't that be better?"

Tobi replied thoughtfully, "Naruto took Nagato's body, which involves the Rinnegan and the Gedo Statue, two of our highest secrets. It's best not to involve Sasuke... Besides, Naruto now is likely beyond Sasuke's ability to handle."

White Zetsu agreed, "That's true..."

Tobi continued, "By having Sasuke fight the Five Kage, we can further develop his Mangekyo Sharingan as our backup plan. Speaking of which, have you found Naruto's whereabouts?"

White Zetsu reported, "No, but one of my clones recently went missing, likely killed by someone..."

"Oh?" Tobi's eyebrow raised under his mask, "To eliminate a Zetsu clone before it could relay information... interesting. Show me the location where it went missing!"

*Swish!*

Seconds later, Tobi appeared at the site of Naruto and Orochimaru's battle, using Kamui.

Kamui's teleportation also required spatial markers.

Tobi had been lurking for over a decade, marking key locations within the Land of Fire, including Konoha and its surroundings, allowing him to move freely within this range.

A minute later, White Zetsu arrived.

Tobi surveyed the ruins and said in a low voice, "No doubt about it, only the Rinnegan could cause such destruction. Naruto has mastered its power!"

White Zetsu remarked, "Incredible. It took Nagato years after Akatsuki's formation to reach this level..."

Tobi replied, "Not surprising. Naruto is a late bloomer. His potential now likely surpasses Nagato's."

White Zetsu asked, "What do we do now? We're at a disadvantage."

Tobi's gaze darkened, "No need to worry... As long as I have the Gedo Statue and the Tailed Beasts, Naruto can't gain the upper hand. And even if things go south, I have a trump card that can turn the tide!"

Even if that trump card... is something I've avoided using for years!

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

...

In Konoha.

Apart from the Jonin led by Shikaku, the villagers had fully accepted Danzo's leadership, thanks to his smear campaign against Naruto.

It was quite successful.

Now, they awaited the conclusion of the Five Kage Summit and the defeat of the rogue ninja Sasuke. Only then would the Jonin have to acknowledge Danzo as Hokage.

In the temporary Hokage tent.

Danzo sat upright, with three white-robed Root members kneeling before him.

Danzo said, "This way, I can attend the Five Kage Summit with peace of mind."

"These are extraordinary times. To ensure nothing goes wrong, send more people to capture Kabuto. He might know about my connection with Orochimaru..."

It was easy to understand. Orochimaru had executed the previous plan to destroy Konoha. Any association with him could destabilize Danzo's newly secured position as Hokage.

"And the data on Orochimaru's human experiments should also be with Kabuto. We must get it..."

*Click!*

Danzo revealed his iron-clad right arm, pressing his bandaged right eye, his expression dark, "For my right eye and right hand, that information might still be useful..."

After giving these instructions, he looked at the three before him.

"Fū and Torune, stay. Terai, you handle Kabuto. Go."

"Yes!"

Terai disappeared, leaving Fū and Torune.

Danzo said, "Alright, it's time for me to attend the Five Kage Summit. As agreed, only two guards are allowed during the summit, except in special cases. As top Root members, you will accompany me. But no masks, remove them."

The two removed their masks, revealing Yamanaka Fū and Aburame Torune.

Yamanaka Fū asked, "What weapon configuration do we need as guards?"

Danzo replied, "That's up to you."

Yamanaka Fū said, "Understood."

Danzo continued, "Torune, have your people search for Uzumaki's whereabouts. We can't let the Nine-Tails slip from our control. Also, keep an eye on 'Sai.' He might betray Root. Be cautious..."

...

"Eliminate the rogue ninja Naruto Uzumaki!!!"

"Eliminate the Nine-Tails demon fox Naruto!!!"

"Give us back our home!!!"

The villagers of Konoha, enraged, marched and protested against Naruto Uzumaki.

They even set fire to Naruto's house in the village, burning it to the ground.

The situation was completely out of control.

Led by Kakashi, the group was deeply troubled.

But with nearly irrefutable evidence, they couldn't defend Naruto.

Danzo, now Hokage, issued a kill order for the rogue ninja Sasuke.

The once-honorable Naruto was now disgraced.

The appearance of two rogue ninjas was a heavy blow to their peers.

They gathered near the temporary benches in Konoha, discussing the matter.

Neji Hyuga and Shino Aburame were silent, their expressions heavy.

After all, the deceased related to Naruto included members of the Hyuga and Aburame clans...

Ino Yamanaka sat on the bench, crying. After all, Sasuke was her prince during her youth.

Sakura's face was also pale... Her village was destroyed, her mentor was in a coma, and her two classmates had become traitors.

Those two, one was her long-time support, the other... her deepest affection.

Without Naruto and Sasuke, could Team 7 still be called Team 7?

But the most pained was Hinata... Everyone said the boy she loved most had killed her clan's elder.

Shikamaru Nara, the most clear-headed, seeing the oppressive atmosphere, stood up despite his usual aversion to trouble, "It's too early to convict Naruto. The bodies of those three were brought back by Root members. Given Root's methods, there might be something fishy!"

Everyone fell silent in thought.

After a long pause, Sakura asked hesitantly, "What about Sasuke?"

Shikamaru sighed, "Sasuke... his crimes are undeniable. No one can defend him. His situation is more dangerous than Naruto's. No matter what, Naruto only threatens Konoha for now. Sasuke is already a public enemy of the entire ninja world. The Five Kage Summit in the Land of Iron was initiated to deal with Sasuke."

Sakura bit her lip, her heart aching: Naruto, why, as a hero, did you do something so outrageous at this critical moment? Only you can save Sasuke...

Shikamaru sighed again, about to say more when a soft yet firm voice interrupted, "I'm going to find Naruto-kun!"

Everyone looked at her in shock, "Hinata...!?"

Hinata declared resolutely, "Naruto must have had no choice but to leave the village. Tokuma's death can't be Naruto-kun's doing. There must be more to this!"

Neji tried to comfort her, "Lady Hinata, I understand your feelings, but we are ninja. We can't let personal emotions cloud our judgment..."

But Sakura said, "Hinata has a point!"

"Sakura...?"

Sakura thought: Naruto... if you've lost your way, I'll bring you back! In my own way!

Rock Lee said, "It seems there's no other way. Youth means moving forward with determination!!"

Kiba Inuzuka added, "Finding someone is our specialty. Right, Akamaru?"

Akamaru barked, "Woof woof!"

Neji said, "I don't believe Naruto would do such a thing either. Let's find out the truth..."

Shino said, "I'm going too. If you ask why... I was excluded from the mission to find Sasuke. This time, I won't be left out in searching for Naruto... Besides, I want to know the truth about Tokuma's death!"

Shikamaru reluctantly stood up, "What a hassle. One after another, all of us... including me."

Hinata was deeply grateful, "Shino, Kiba, everyone... thank you."

And so, with various forces in motion, the Five Kage Summit commenced as scheduled.