Naruto's outrageous words made Konan doubt her ears. "Say that again, what do you want to inherit?"

But Naruto repeated, "I want to inherit Nagato's Rinnegan!"

I didn't hear it wrong...

Konan looked at Naruto again, seeing him in a new light. He didn't seem like the type to say such things!

But she kept her composure. "Naruto, Nagato entrusted his will to you, but a will doesn't mean his eyes."

Naruto explained, "Nagato is gone, but the power of the Rinnegan should not be lost. Besides, there are others who covet these eyes. If they fall into the wrong hands, it could bring disaster to the Ninja World. So, having me guard them is the safest option!"

He's talking about Madara. He knows about Madara. He's not the naive kid I thought he was.

Konan's expression turned cold. "The Rinnegan is the eye opened by Nagato of Amegakure. His eyes are the treasure of this country, this village. Even if it's your request, Naruto, I can't agree. Please don't ask for something unreasonable! Nagato has already revived the Leaf's ninja, and I will leave the Akatsuki and not attack the Leaf. I will now take Nagato and the Deva Path back to Amegakure!"

"I see..." Naruto slowly closed his eyes. From the beginning of the conversation, he had been absorbing natural energy, and now he was fully charged!

Zing!

Orange eye shadow and toad-like pupils appeared!

Sage Mode, activated!

Naruto opened his eyes and said in a low voice, "Konan, you misunderstood. This is not a request, but a demand!"

Whoosh!

Using Sage Mode, he moved with lightning speed, appearing in front of Konan and landing a precisely measured punch to her abdomen!

Thud!

"Ah..." Konan's orange pupils widened in shock as she collapsed, powerless.

Naruto withdrew his fist and murmured, "Sorry, Konan, to avoid unnecessary conflict, this was the quickest way. I'll explain everything to you later!"

Then, Naruto glanced back in the direction of the Leaf ninja, his eyes filled with urgency!

Everything he once lost was now within reach, just a turn away.

However, what he planned to do next would go against the Will of Fire that Konoha believed in.

Even if he explained everything to them, would they believe him?

It's too outrageous... Even I wouldn't believe it!

He turned his gaze away, suppressing his urgency.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

"Sorry, everyone. I love the village, and I love all of you. So, until the time is right, let me bear all of this alone..."

On that day, the villagers of Konoha waiting at the gate did not welcome their hero.

The Leaf ninja sent out to search found a copy of "The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi" with finger indentations and a Leaf headband marked with the symbol of a rogue ninja at the place where Nagato was hiding.

At that moment, in Konoha Village, the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, fell into a deep coma after using too much chakra from her Yin Seal.

Elite Jōnin, led by Shikaku Nara, held an emergency meeting.

Shikaku said, "We encountered Naruto on the mountain earlier. He said he would settle things with the enemy and asked us to leave the negotiations to him."

He glanced at Kakashi, who was looking intently at the book the search team brought back.

Turning back, Shikaku continued, "After that, the people who died in the village were revived, so Naruto's negotiation was undoubtedly successful. But he suddenly attacked the Slug Great Sage's clone and left behind a book and a headband. We don't know what happened during that time!"

Shikaku pondered for a moment. "But based on my analysis, there are two possibilities."

"First, Naruto was controlled by some kind of enemy technique and had no choice."

"Second, Naruto had other things he wanted to discuss with the enemy, things he didn't want us to know about..."

He paused. "As for the two items Naruto left behind, if I set aside my personal feelings, the most straightforward interpretation is that Naruto has abandoned the ninja way he learned from Jiraiya and is determined to become a rogue ninja of the Leaf!"

Gasp!

This statement made the Jōnin present take a sharp breath!

That Naruto, who persevered and upheld his ninja way, has betrayed the village!?

At this point, Kakashi said, "Naruto is my student. Based on my years of understanding him, he would not betray the village, so I believe that Naruto must have his reasons..."

He showed the book's cover to everyone. "This fingerprint proves it. He must have been clutching this book tightly. He was struggling inside..."

Shikaku sighed softly and said seriously, "We can't jump to conclusions before we know the facts. Anyway, Naruto defeated Pain Nagato and saved the village. That's undeniable! I propose we temporarily hide Naruto's departure from everyone and say he is resting after the battle."

"The Hyuga clan agrees!"

"The Yamanaka clan agrees!"

"The Aburame clan has no objections!"

The heads of the major clans expressed their agreement.

Shikaku nodded, "But hiding it is not a long-term solution. Have the Anbu expand their search area and find Naruto as soon as possible!"

"Also, the village has just gone through such a calamity. The most important thing is to stabilize people's hearts. Now that the Fifth Hokage is in a coma and Naruto is in trouble, the village cannot be without a Hokage. I nominate Kakashi Hatake as the Sixth Hokage!"

Kakashi put the book down on the table and said seriously, "I am prepared..."

...

Rustle... In the forest behind the ruins of Konoha, Zetsu emerged from a tree trunk.

White Zetsu: "I never imagined Pain could be defeated! And that brat Naruto Uzumaki actually took Nagato's body. That's crazy!"

Black Zetsu: "Go report this to Tobi!"

...

Within the borders of the Land of Fire, in a dark cave.

Naruto sat on a stone chair, his left eye wrapped in bandages. He propped his head up with one arm, staring at the flickering candlelight, deep in thought.

"You're awake..."

He glanced at Konan, tied up in the corner.

"..." Konan struggled, unable to break free from the ropes.

Naruto said, "To facilitate our conversation, I tied you up. Also, to prevent you from turning into paper and escaping, I sealed your chakra..."

Naruto's deep tone was not something a 16-year-old should have.

Such a drastic change could only mean one thing to Konan. "Naruto Uzumaki, you're quite the actor. You fooled both me and Nagato..."

Naruto just smiled ambiguously.

Konan demanded, "Where did you take Nagato's body? You've already taken his Rinnegan. You've achieved your goal. If you don't plan to kill me, return his body so I can take it back to Amegakure!"

"The Rinnegan of Nagato..." Naruto turned slowly. "I think I should adjust the order of my explanation. First, the Rinnegan is not the eye opened by Nagato of Amegakure. The true owner of these eyes is the ancestor of the Uchiha clan of the Leaf... Uchiha Madara!"