Naruto and Konan had been exploring the Realm of Reincarnation for two hours. They had already contracted several of Pain's former summoning beasts: the Panda Statue, the Mighty Rhino, the Flying Monster Bird, and the Three-Headed Hellhound.

A shadow clone grabbed the crab's two antennae, while Naruto used Frog Kata to forcefully insert a black rod into its forehead.

"Phew." Naruto landed and exited Sage Mode, catching his breath. "This is tougher than fighting Danzo..."

Poof!

The crab disappeared, signaling a successful contract.

Konan remarked, "We've made quite a haul tonight—eighteen so far."

Naruto asked, "Konan-nee, is there a limit to the number of Animal Path summons?"

Konan explained, "There's no limit to the number of summoning contracts you can sign, but the Rinnegan's summoning beasts require the user's chakra to act. In battle, there's a practical limit. Nagato's maximum was 27."

Naruto mused, "Twenty-seven, huh? I've contracted eighteen so far, six of which are marine creatures. There's still room..."

Konan asked, "Aren't you going to rest?"

Naruto smiled, "Dreams end when you wake up. It's not easy to get here, so let's make the most of it!"

Konan nodded, "Alright, I'll stay with you."

Naruto re-entered Sage Mode. After advancing ten kilometers, he suddenly stopped, staring at a familiar beast with a look of surprise. "I can't believe it..."

Konan was puzzled, "What is that? I've never seen it before."

Naruto said, "If I'm not mistaken, that's Danzo's summoning beast, the Baku!"

Konan looked at Naruto, "Did Danzo's summoning beast die?"

Naruto replied, "Yes, Konan-nee, you weren't there. Danzo sacrificed the Baku to block my Sage Art: Fire Release."

Konan looked at the Baku again, "Summoning beasts that enter the Realm of Reincarnation after death are extraordinary. Do you want it?"

Naruto smiled, "Meeting is fate. How could I pass it up?"

"Roar...!" The Baku recognized Naruto and, recalling its trauma, turned to flee.

Naruto laughed, "For such a sturdy beast, it sure runs fast..."

Boom!

Realizing it couldn't escape, the Baku turned and opened its mouth wide, trying to swallow Naruto.

"Trying that again? You never learn..."

Naruto calmly threw a black rod into the Baku's throat!!

"Roar...!!"

With a scream, the Baku disappeared in white smoke, becoming Naruto's possession!

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Naruto landed and muttered, "Strong, but not very smart, just like its master..."

If the Baku was here, then the other one should be too...

Naruto thought.

"Too slow. We need to speed up the search!"

—Ninja Art: Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!

"Everyone, handle what you can on your own! If you can't, team up. If that still doesn't work, leave a mark and dispel the clone. I'll use Flying Raijin to get there immediately!"

"Got it!!"

"Leave it to me!!!"

"Are there any other types of crabs? I want to catch them all!!"

The shadow clones scattered, while Naruto sat down.

First, he used the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu to trigger the Realm of Reincarnation. Now, within the realm, he used it again!

Konan was secretly amazed: When he fought Nagato, his chakra was strong but not to this extent. Since obtaining the Rinnegan, his chakra had grown exponentially. He might not be far from Nagato's level...

The shadow clones engaged in fierce battles with the summoning beasts. With many clones surrounding each beast, the process went smoothly. The number of contracted summoning beasts quickly surpassed a hundred and continued to grow.

Konan said with mixed feelings, "Nagato spent over a decade entering the Realm of Reincarnation more than ten times, contracting around 150 summoning beasts. You might reach that in one night..."

Naruto smiled, "Quantity doesn't equal quality. Nagato liked to be selective, but my mom taught me not to be picky..."

Konan shook her head with a wry smile.

"Oh?"

Suddenly, Naruto's eyes lit up, and he stood.

Konan asked, "A surprise?"

"Sort of."

Naruto placed his hand on Konan's shoulder and used Flying Raijin to teleport to a location.

A shadow clone had left a Flying Raijin mark on the ground before disappearing.

Naruto looked at the towering purple serpent before him and said solemnly, "So you're here too, Manda!"

Manda's vertical pupils fixed on Naruto. "The blond brat who was with that toad. Seeing you here is the real surprise!!"

Naruto smiled, "We know each other well enough to skip the formalities, right?"

Manda's eyes narrowed. "It's not impossible for me to cooperate with you, but only if you kill that Uchiha Sasuke for me when you return!"

"Oh?" Naruto's eyes gleamed. "May I ask why?"

Manda snarled, "He used me with his Sharingan. I'd rather die than let him have his way!!!"

Naruto's eyes darkened. "Manda, can you swim?"

Manda: "?"

Naruto said seriously, "Answer me. It's important."

Manda replied, "I can do everything but fly. I just don't like being with that toad, so I rarely go underwater!"

Naruto said, "Oh, then you might be useful..."

Manda: "What did you say?"

Sizzle!

Naruto's right eye, the Three Tomoe Sharingan!

"That eye...!?"

Manda was shocked as his vertical pupils mirrored the Three Tomoe!

Swish! Naruto leaped up, gripping a sharpened black rod, and thrust it into Manda's eye!

Slash!

The pain woke Manda, who roared, "I've been controlled by that damned Sharingan again!!!!"

Naruto said, "Do your job well. If you find Pervy Sage, I'll spare you. Otherwise, I'll send you back to the Realm of Reincarnation to wander forever..."

"I never want to return here. There's a monster here!!!"

Poof!

With a terrified scream, Manda disappeared in white smoke, becoming Naruto's possession!

Poof, poof, poof...!

The scattered shadow clones finished their battles and disappeared.

Naruto had ventured deep into the Realm of Reincarnation, staring intently at the thick fog ahead.

"I can sense many terrifying chakras ahead, even more than the Tailed Beasts..."

Konan asked, "Do you want to keep going?"

Naruto said, "We've come this far. How can we not see it through? Don't worry, Konan-nee, I know my limits..."

Konan said, "Alright, then."

They headed towards the fog, the forbidden zone of the Realm of Reincarnation.

To be cautious, Naruto asked, "Konan-nee, you mentioned beings here that even Nagato at his peak couldn't contract. Can you tell me about them?"

Konan said, "When I ventured into the Realm of Reincarnation with him, we encountered a giant ape with an incredibly hard body. Nagato's black rods couldn't penetrate it. The ape's name seemed to be 'Ape Demon King.'"

Naruto's eyes gleamed, "Ape Demon King? The Third Hokage's summoning beast was called Enma..."

"Nagato speculated that it might be Enma's ancestor."

Konan paused, then revealed another shocking fact. "Before that, Nagato entered alone and nearly lost his life. When I asked what he encountered, he wouldn't say a word!"

"After that, I insisted on accompanying him. I'm sure it was something even Nagato couldn't handle. If we encounter it..."

Tap!

Suddenly, Naruto stopped, his expression becoming extremely serious.

Konan frowned, "What's wrong..."

Naruto clenched his fist. "I sense an incredibly evil and terrifying chakra, and it shares the same Sage power as me..."