Chapter 2: Open and Honest  

Naruto's outrageous words left Konan doubting whether she had heard correctly. "Say that again? You want to inherit what?"

But Naruto emphasized once more, "I want to inherit Nagato's Rinnegan!"

She hadn't misheard him.

Konan's gaze grew somber as she reassessed Naruto. The person standing before her didn't seem like someone who would say such things.

However, she still remained calm. "Naruto, Nagato entrusted his will to you, but a will does not mean the eyes."

Naruto reasoned, "Brother Nagato may be gone, but the power of the Rinnegan shouldn't just fade away. Furthermore, there are others who covet these eyes. If they fall into the wrong hands, it would bring disastrous consequences to the Ninja World. So, it's safest if I guard them!"

He was talking about Madara. He knew of Madara's existence. He was no longer the innocent child that Nagato and I knew.

Konan's face hardened. "The Rinnegan is Nagato's creation, a treasure of this country, this village. Naruto, even if this is your request, I cannot agree to it. Please, do not speak such unreasonable words. Nagato has already resurrected the Leaf ninjas. I, too, will be leaving the Akatsuki and will not act against Konoha. Now, I must take Nagato's and Pain's bodies back to Amegakure!"

"I see." Naruto slowly closed his eyes. From the beginning of their conversation, he had been gathering natural energy. Now, he had absorbed enough.

Zzz!

Orange pupils and a frog-like slit appeared!

Sage Mode activated!

Naruto opened his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Konan-sensei, you misunderstand. This isn't a request. It's a demand!"

Whoosh!

In the blink of an eye, with the speed of Sage Mode's teleportation, he appeared before Konan and delivered a well-placed punch to her abdomen.

Thud!

"Ugh..." Konan's orange eyes widened, and her body collapsed in weakness.

Naruto withdrew his fist, looking down at Konan as he murmured, "Sorry, Sensei. To avoid unnecessary conflict, this is the fastest way. I'll explain everything to you later."

Then, Naruto turned his gaze toward the direction of Konoha ninjas, his eyes filled with urgency.

Everything he had once lost—he could retrieve it simply by turning back.

But the things he must do from now on would go against the Will of Fire that Konoha upheld.

Would people believe him if he told them everything?

That seemed absurd—Naruto believed even he wouldn't believe it if he were in their shoes!

He averted his gaze and forced himself to suppress the urgency he felt.

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

That day, the people of Konoha, waiting at the village gates, did not welcome their hero.

The Konoha ninjas who went to search found a book titled The Strength of Perseverance—with finger impressions—and a Leaf Village headband marked with the sign of a rogue ninja at Nagato's former hiding place!

At that moment, Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage, had used too much of her Byakugou chakra and had fallen into a deep coma.

An emergency meeting was held with elite Jonin led by Nara Shikaku.

Shikaku spoke, "Earlier, we encountered Naruto on the mountain. He said he would deal with the enemy, and asked us to leave the negotiations to him."

He glanced at the resurrected Kakashi, who was staring blankly at The Strength of Perseverance that had been brought back.

Shikaku continued, "Afterward, everyone who had died in the village was revived. So, Naruto's negotiations should have succeeded. But then he suddenly struck down the slug's clone, leaving behind the book and headband. What happened during this time, we don't know!"

He paused and added, "But based on my analysis, there are two possibilities."

"First, Naruto might have been manipulated by some kind of enemy jutsu and had no choice but to act."

"Second, Naruto might have had something else to discuss with the enemy, something he didn't want us to know."

He paused again. "As for the book and headband Naruto left behind, without personal emotions influencing my judgment, the most straightforward interpretation is that Naruto has abandoned Jiraiya's teachings and has decided to become a rogue ninja from Konoha!"

Gasp!

At this revelation, the Jonin present took a sharp breath!

The Naruto who had always been unyielding, who had firmly followed his ninja way—had betrayed the village!?

At that moment, Kakashi spoke up. "Naruto is my student, and based on my many years of understanding him, I know he wouldn't betray the village. So, I believe Naruto must have had his own reasons for doing this."

He held up the book's cover for everyone to see. "The finger marks on this book—this shows that he was gripping it tightly. His heart was in turmoil."

Shikaku sighed deeply and said, "Until we clarify the facts, we cannot jump to conclusions. One thing is certain: Naruto defeated Pain Nagato and saved the village. I propose we keep Naruto's departure a secret for now. We'll say that he's resting due to exhaustion from the battle."

The Hyuga clan agreed!

The Yamanaka clan had no objections!

The Oil Woman clan had no issues!

The leaders of the major clans all expressed their agreement.

Shikaku nodded. "But secrecy cannot last forever. We need to expand the search range of the Anbu and find Naruto as soon as possible!"

"Moreover, the village has just endured such a catastrophe. The most important thing now is to stabilize the hearts of the people. With the Fifth Hokage unconscious and Naruto missing, the village cannot be without a Hokage. I recommend Kakashi Hatake as the Sixth Hokage!"

Kakashi placed the book on the table and said seriously, "Ah, I've already come to terms with it."

Rustle rustle From the trees near the ruins of Konoha, Black Zetsu and White Zetsu emerged.

White Zetsu said, "I never thought Pain would be killed. I didn't even imagine it! And that kid, Naruto Uzumaki, actually took Nagato's body with him. That's outrageous!"

Black Zetsu responded, "Hurry and report this to Tobi!"

Meanwhile, within a dark cave in the Land of Fire, Naruto sat on a stone chair, his left eye bandaged. He propped his chin with one hand, staring deeply at the flickering candlelight before him, lost in thought.

"You're awake," he muttered.

His gaze drifted toward Konan, who was bound in the corner with ropes.

Konan struggled to break free, but the ropes held her tight.

Naruto said, "To make it easier to communicate, I tied you up. Also, to prevent you from escaping as a paper clone, I sealed your chakra."

His voice, deep and calm, seemed far beyond that of a 16-year-old boy.

The contrast was so stark that Konan could only think of one thing: "Naruto Uzumaki, your acting is truly impressive. Both Nagato and I were deceived by you."

Naruto merely smiled, noncommittal.

Konan asked, "Where did you take Nagato's body? You've already taken his Rinnegan. Your goal is complete. If you don't plan on killing me, then return his body to me, so I can take it back to Amegakure!"

The Rinnegan? Naruto slowly turned around. "It seems I should adjust the order of my explanation. First, the Rinnegan was not created by Nagato of Amegakure. The true owner of these eyes is Uchiha Madara, the ancestor of the Uchiha clan from Konoha!"