One day later, explosive news erupted from Konoha camp and spread across the entire world.
An organization known as Akatsuki had set its sights on capturing all the tailed beasts housed across nations.
Eyewitness accounts reported that Akatsuki agents appeared in Konoha the day after the Raikage's death. They offered cooperation, promising Konoha assistance to completely defeat the Hidden Cloud. Konoha, its forces still reeling from recent battles, accepted the offer—even if Akatsuki was seen as only a tool to finish off a wounded enemy.
But Akatsuki's ambition turned out to be far greater.
After assassinating the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki of the Hidden Cloud Village, they proceeded to target Konoha's own Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. Fortunately, Konoha's Jinchūriki was extremely powerful: not only did he survive the attack, but he captured and killed one of the intruders. Extracting secrets from the dead ninja's memories, Konoha's leadership learned that the attacker was Hoshigaki Kisame, a traitor from Kirigakure and one of the legendary "Seven Demon Swordsmen"—also a core Akatsuki member.
From Kisame's memories, it was revealed that Akatsuki aimed to gather all nine tailed beasts, revive the Ten-Tails, and ultimately destroy the ninja world.
In response, Hokage Tsunade declared Akatsuki an enemy of the state and placed Konoha in a state of open hostility against the group.
The announcement sent shockwaves through the ninja nations.
While some doubted the story, Konoha's recent victory over Kumogakure had restored its status as the world's dominant power. When Konoha took a firm stand, the rest of the world took notice—especially once the threat to their own Jinchūriki became clear.
Soon, every major ninja nation initiated investigations into this mysterious Akatsuki. With the world's eyes now directed at them, Akatsuki could no longer operate in secrecy. They faced a choice: retreat into the shadows as rats or emerge boldly as the world's declared enemy.
Rain Country – Akatsuki Hideout
In the Rain Village, a woman with white paper wings silently entered the base through a barrier and landed inside a colossal tree. Its interior was filled with rooms and equipment, clearly a hidden fortress.
As she emerged into the cavernous chamber, her paper wings dissolved into her body.
Inside, four of Akatsuki's core members had gathered: the masked Uchiha claiming to be Madara (Obito), the plant-like Zetsu, a weary red-haired man bound and slumped in a chair (Nagato), and the white-winged kunoichi (Konan).
"Konan, you're here," Nagato greeted, his ripple-patterned eyes heavy with fatigue.
Konan glanced at Nagato, her expression pained. Then she turned to Obito and Zetsu.
"Madara," she said slowly, "you tried to start the tailed-beasts operation—but you failed. You lost Itachi and Kisame."
No one here knew that "Madara" was actually Obito. They trusted him for his strength and mystery, believing he was the legendary Uchiha who had fallen decades earlier. But after this setback, doubt filled the ranks.
Obito's expression hardened. "Our intel was wrong. We didn't expect Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchūriki to align with Orochimaru—or that the Two-Tails might have similar support."
Konan frowned.
Obito continued coldly, "This failure is on me. But next time, that brat Naruto—and Orochimaru—won't get off so easily."
He paused. "My main target now is the Nine-Tails and the traitors Zabuza and Haku."
Konan raised her brows.
Obito explained: from Naruto's history, he noted every encounter with Zabuza and Haku—during the Land of Waves incident, the Chūnin Exams, and the Land of Rice and Snow. Furthermore, Naruto's alliance with Orochimaru hinted at something deeper.
"Zabuza and Haku have ties to Orochimaru—and Naruto seems to be the bridge," Obito concluded. Naruto had a dangerous influence.
"Whoever disrespects Rin, no matter how talented, I will kill them."
Konan fell silent.
Obito commanded: "First, we must capture Zabuza and Haku in the Land of Snow. Let's use them to bait Naruto."
Land of the Moon
With Kumogakure pulling back, Konoha's influence now fully extended across the Moon Country—formerly under Cloud's dominion. The Daimyō, terrified of Konoha, became a sycophant, sending tribute and even offering concubines to Konoha's jōnin—trying to appease them. But when one of the jōnin who succumbed to temptation turned out to be Naruto, Hokage Tsunade was furious. Not only did she fine the Daimyō double, but the entire Konoha force paid the price for Naruto's indiscretions.
Late at night, the camp was dark.
Naruto lay in bed beside Uchiha Izumi, who had quietly remained close for days. She slept in Naruto's pocket dimension during the day, only coming out at night to rest beside him.
"I've never seen anyone be so lustful," Izumi chided softly, looping her wrist around Naruto's neck and resting on his chest. In the dim light, Naruto could make out her white tank top, her black hair spread across the pillow, and white stockings peeking out from beneath the sheets.
"I like leaving passion everywhere—but that doesn't mean connections run deeper." Naruto murmured, nuzzling into Izumi.
The sincerity in his words calmed her. She exhaled quietly.
Just then, hurried footsteps echoed. Clatter, clatter, clatter.
Naruto tensed. Clatter—another set of heels. Only one person wears heels in this force.
"Izumi, master Naruto, Lady Tsunade is here—quick, into the pocket dimension," Izumi whispered, growing tense.
Naruto pulled Izumi into the space and shut the hidden door behind her. Moments later, Tsunade entered their room wearing a white corset dress, damp blonde hair falling to her shoulders. Her neck and legs were pink from a recent bath.
"Why do I smell another woman in here?" Tsunade narrowed her eyes, fury appearing behind her calm.
Naruto scrambled to explain. "Lady Tsunade, really—no one's been here but me. If you doubt it, ask the patrol!"
Tsunade sniffed again, expression cooling. "Then what's that scent?" She pointed to a pair of white panties neatly folded on Naruto's bed—clearly large.
Naruto couldn't lie even if he wanted to. "I messed up."
Tsunade whipped to him. "Naruto Uzumaki! I've told you—control yourself. You're still young—but you don't listen."
Naruto pleaded, "Please have mercy—"
She pinched him. "You deserve punishment."
He cried out, laughing in embarrassment as Tsunade spanked him. Naruto's anxious moment turned suddenly when he hooked a leg around her and flipped them so that he was pinning her.
Tsunade froze, winded under him. There was no retort—just silence.
Afterword
The world is heating up. Akatsuki has declared war on the great nations, and Konoha has stood firmly against them. Meanwhile, Naruto grows not only in skill but in influence, forging connections with allies new and old. In Konoha's darkest hours, unexpected bonds are being cast—some forging loyalty, others brewing rivalry.
This is just the beginning.