The countries possessing Tailed Beasts reacted differently upon learning about the "Akatsuki" organization.
Having suffered a lesson from Naruto, the Hidden Cloud Village immediately confined Yugito Nii and Killer Bee within the village and dispatched personnel to search for the cat.
Matatabi (Two-Tails)
Recently, it had only been glimpsed fleetingly by curious ninja.
Now, it surprisingly didn't mind being called "small" anymore.Being small had its perks—freedom and inconspicuousness.
The Hidden Sand Village made no special arrangements.Being the farthest from the Hidden Rain Village, and with Gaara—the One-Tail Jinchuriki—serving as Kazekage, their village's security was already at the highest level.
What surprised Naruto was the Hidden Stone Village.
Despite having little direct interaction with him, the Tsuchikage Ōnoki actually sent a ninja personally to express thanks and provide some intelligence about the Akatsuki.
Although the intel was of little significance and did nothing to shift the situation.
Jiraiya only arrived after the Iwagakure ninja had left.
"Sorry I'm late, Naruto," he said as he stepped into the temporary residence, led by a shadow clone. His steps and words froze simultaneously upon entering.
The blond boy wore a white cloak, holding scalpels in his hands while examining a headless corpse.
For a moment, Jiraiya felt like he was looking through time.
If...
If the "blond" hair were changed to "black," the déjà vu would be even stronger.
"Naruto, are you... already at this point?" Jiraiya's tone grew heavy.
Though "human experimentation" sounded inherently "evil," which village didn't dabble in it secretly?
Whether for medical ninjutsu or other techniques...Progress always required such "sacrifices."
Jiraiya wasn't completely opposed to it—He just found it hard to accept, and worried Naruto would tread a dark path.
Now that Naruto was nearly as powerful as a god among shinobi, no one could restrain him.
And he seemed to have little attachment to this world—Besides Karin, and the already-deceased Minato and Kushina, there was little he truly cared for.
Orochimaru had once been the same.A recluse, indifferent to relationships—And once his research hit a wall, he had reached his hand toward his own village.
Naruto turned and smiled at him, "This is the corpse of Hidan from the Akatsuki."
Jiraiya's expression eased a little.
"He's immortal. Even if made into a Jinchuriki and the seal removed, he wouldn't die," Naruto continued. "That makes him a reusable material."
Jiraiya was shocked. "Immortal?"
Naruto nodded and didn't dwell on his research, changing the topic: "Why are you here, Jiraiya-sensei? Is Konoha planning to intervene?"
Jiraiya shook his head. "No."
"It's about the Rinnegan. And this place—Amegakure—reminded me of some old memories."
Naruto set his tools down and washed his hands clean, motioning for him to sit.
Jiraiya's expression turned nostalgic. "During the Second Great Ninja War, Konoha fought a major battle with Amegakure."
"I earned the title of 'Legendary Sannin' from that war."
"Though the world uses that title proudly, and even we've grown used to it..."
"It was actually a mark of shame for us from the very beginning."
Naruto quietly listened.
Realizing something, Jiraiya scratched his head awkwardly. "Guess I'm getting sentimental with age."
"Back to the point."
"After that war, three kids approached us, asking to be trained in ninjutsu."
"I took them in out of guilt—wanting to give something back to this war-torn nation."
"One of those children…"
"Was a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan. His name was Nagato. I personally witnessed him awaken the Rinnegan."
Naruto was stunned, frowning. "A descendant of the Uzumaki Clan?"
"Yes. Like Kushina and Karin, he had red hair," Jiraiya confirmed. "His chakra and vitality were also much stronger than normal."
Kurama had said the Rinnegan was the eye technique of the Sage of Six Paths, and the Uzumaki Clan were descendants of the Sage.So, it wasn't impossible for someone from that clan to awaken it.
But…
"The leader of Akatsuki is that Nagato guy," Naruto said softly, deep in thought. "Then what about Uchiha Madara?"
Jiraiya froze, expression clouding.
Right—If Nagato was the leader of Akatsuki, then what role did Madara play?
"Could it be that Madara is just a member of Akatsuki, acting under the Rinnegan's command?" Karin speculated. "Maybe it wasn't his organization like we thought."
Jiraiya looked contemplative, then shook his head. "Madara wouldn't recognize even the First Hokage. There's no way he'd serve someone like Nagato."
"That child wasn't cut out to be a leader."
"Among those three children, another one might've been more suitable."
He sighed, visibly disheartened. "Nagato was very gentle. After killing an enemy ninja to protect his comrades, he couldn't sleep the whole night out of guilt."
"Akatsuki is a ruthless, evil group."
"Those three kids once dreamed of peace. I don't believe they were the ones who created this organization."
Naruto tilted his head, gazing outside. "Time has a way of changing people."
"And we still don't know what role Uchiha Madara truly played in all this."
Jiraiya didn't respond.
After a long pause, he clenched his fist. "That's why I came here—to sneak into the Land of Rain and uncover the truth."
Naruto shook his head. "I don't approve of you going."
"Thanks for your concern," Jiraiya smiled warmly. "But if it really is them…"
"As their teacher, I have a responsibility."
Naruto stood. "This isn't about responsibility."
"It's because you simply can't get in."
Jiraiya grinned. "Don't underestimate me, Naruto. You may be stronger now, but I'm still one of the Legendary Sannin. Espionage is standard ninja—"
He didn't finish.
Naruto raised a finger, pointing toward the distance. "See that rain?"
"The weather in the Land of Rain is always like that," Jiraiya nodded. "It rains most of the year—hence the name."
"That's not normal rain," Naruto said softly.
Jiraiya blinked.
"It's a technique."
"Every raindrop is infused with chakra. The person who cast the jutsu can sense anyone who touches it."
"As for other effects…"
"I'm not sure. But what do you think, Jiraiya-sensei?"
Jiraiya's face darkened. "So that whole field of rain… is a jutsu?"
The first rule of intelligence gathering was: don't let the enemy detect you.
If your location is known—
You're already in a trap.
"Just wait here," Naruto shook his head. "I've cornered them. They won't last long."
Jiraiya nodded.
Suddenly, Naruto turned his head in a specific direction.
A sensory signal from a shadow clone—two chakra signatures were stirring near the Land of Rain's border.
Inside the Land of Rain
Two men wearing black cloaks with red clouds walked through the downpour.
One had blond hair tied in a high ponytail.The other was hunched over, with five tufted spikes on his head like a turtle shell.
"This is so annoying!" the blond one groaned. "The weather in this place sucks!"
"Even my clay's turning into mush!"
The other replied calmly, "Compared to such trivial matters, we should focus on our task."
"If it were the real Naruto Uzumaki, fine—but just a shadow clone? Isn't this a bit much?"
"How much power can a shadow clone really have?"
"Why are both of us needed?"
"I could blow them all up myself."
"Oh really?" the hunched man spoke. "Then I won't lift a finger, Deidara."
The blond man clenched his fists and cheered, "Watch me, Sasori-sama!"
At the border
A shadow clone flash-stepped to block their path.
So fast!
Their eyes widened.
"You're Naruto Uzumaki?" Deidara grinned and raised a hand. "Trying to stop us with a mere clone? Isn't that a bit delusional?"
As he spoke, his other hand dropped—In the rain, tiny white substances began to fall.
The shadow clone said nothing, only raised a hand—
"Binding Spell No. 4: This Rope!"
Golden threads shot out, capturing the falling white specks—tiny clay spiders no larger than fingernails.
"Sharp senses…" Deidara clicked his tongue and formed a seal.
Boom!
Explosions rang out.
The Shadow Clone Technique was a famed jutsu of the Hidden Leaf—Capable of creating clones nearly indistinguishable from the original,Even deceiving the Byakugan and Sharingan.
Of course, it had weaknesses—They lacked durability. One hit could dispel them.
That's why Deidara didn't take them seriously at first.
But—
He soon realized Naruto's clones were different from anyone else's.
They could fly!Their instant movement far exceeded his.Their sensing abilities were top-tier.No matter what jutsu he used, he couldn't catch up.
On the contrary, the clone kept controlling the distance—Constantly bombarding them with relentless techniques like a storm.
Sure, the clone's chakra was only a fraction of the original's—But the overwhelming barrage still left Deidara in a wretched state.
(End of Chapter)