Konoha: Naruto of Sekiro

The Uzumaki clan, capable of establishing an entire nation through their strength alone, relied not only on their sealing jutsu, which were unparalleled in the shinobi world, but also on their chakra reserves, far exceeding those of ordinary people.

Aside from Jinchuriki, members of the Senju clan, and a few exceptionally powerful individuals, the Uzumaki clan boasted the largest chakra pools.

Consequently, during the First and Second Great Shinobi Wars, when Uzumaki ninja clashed with others of comparable skill, it was often the Uzumaki who emerged victorious.

They owed this to their almost unfairly vast chakra reserves.

As the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Naruto had never been lacking in chakra since he first began training.

In past battles, he had never been stingy with his chakra and rarely felt the need for precise control. However, since sparring with Nagato, Naruto had come to deeply understand the importance of meticulous chakra manipulation.

Although Nagato's chakra reserves couldn't match Naruto's, who was augmented by Kurama, his Uzumaki heritage ensured his own pool was far from small.

Coupled with his innate sensitivity to the five elemental natures and Yin-Yang Release, as well as the Rinnegan's pinpoint observation, every jutsu Nagato cast consumed the perfect amount of chakra.

This contrast between fine control and liberal usage meant that their chakra attrition battles were always protracted wars of endurance.

A particularly frustrating point was that Naruto found it difficult to get close to Nagato, while most of Nagato's ninjutsu attacks struggled to land on the rapidly moving Naruto.

Therefore, when they sparred without intent to kill, the outcome was often—

"Still want to go?" Naruto glanced at the sky and asked.

"Let's call it a day. We have a mission tomorrow," Nagato said, shaking his head as he looked towards his friends in the distance.

Having spent more time together, Naruto discovered that beneath the shy boy's exterior was a kind and approachable individual.

"I won't be joining you tomorrow," Naruto said, sheathing Kusabimaru at his waist.

Nagato paused for a moment, then quickly understood. "You're going to Takumi Village?"

"Yeah." Naruto sighed in resignation. "Although Kusabimaru was forged by a master craftsman, it lacks chakra metal. In high-level combat, the drain it puts on me is becoming increasingly severe."

Over the past month, he had sparred with Nagato and the others. Yahiko and Konan were one thing; using his Wind Release nature transformation didn't consume an excessive amount of chakra.

But when facing a ninja of Nagato's caliber, Kusabimaru, being forged from ordinary metal, caused a critically high rate of chakra consumption.

Upgrading Kusabimaru with chakra metal had thus been added to his agenda.

Takumi Village, the Village of Artisans—its name spoke for itself. Its skill in forging ninja tools was undeniable.

Even the Five Great Shinobi Villages procured a significant portion of their ninja tools from Takumi, a testament to their high level of craftsmanship.

Furthermore, Takumi Village served not just a single nation but the entire shinobi world, including the Five Great Shinobi Countries. This neutrality was a necessity.

What benefit did this offer Naruto?

In this world, although he had shed the status of a rogue ninja, without affiliation to any hidden village, he was merely a wandering shinobi in the eyes of others.

To ordinary people, wandering ninja might seem like one thing or another. But in the eyes of village shinobi, they were no different from bandits and thugs.

The artisan ninja of most hidden villages wouldn't even consider a forging request from a wandering ninja like him; he might not even get a chance to meet them.

Takumi Village, however, was different. They didn't care if you were from a hidden village or a wanderer; their service depended entirely on the amount of money you were willing to pay.

"Have you prepared the chakra metal?" Nagato, naturally aware of Naruto's purpose for visiting Takumi Village, inquired.

Chakra metal was not cheap. Even for a Jonin, forging a single ninja tool from chakra metal required a significant financial sacrifice.

"Yahiko gave me some information a couple of days ago," Naruto said with a slight smile.

Due to their overly idealistic beliefs, Akatsuki was largely self-sufficient in its operations. It was a testament to the resourcefulness of Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan that they could keep the 'perpetually loss-making' Akatsuki running.

Although such a sanctified, idealistic organization struggled to operate, Akatsuki's popularity among the common people of Amegakure was directly proportional to these operational difficulties.

During several missions with Yahiko and the others, Naruto had been surprised to find that some residents of the Land of Rain had subconsciously placed Akatsuki on equal footing with Amegakure itself.

And the information regarding 'chakra metal' had been a friendly offering from a certain 'ordinary' citizen of the Land of Rain.

Yahiko had shared it with him, firstly, due to his own warm and generous nature, and secondly, because Naruto had done a fair bit for Akatsuki while running around with them during this period.

Although he hadn't officially joined Akatsuki, in Yahiko's eyes, Naruto was already one of them.

Yahiko had always been generous with his own people.

Ninjutsu, training experience—he never held anything back. If an Akatsuki member asked for guidance, he would teach them everything he knew.

As for money…

That was a topic best left undiscussed.

Amegakure.

"That old diehard from Iwagakure can't hold back any longer; he's been frequently dispatching ninja to the Land of Rain. We in Konoha, and even Sunagakure, must respond…"

Shimura Danzo stared at Hanzo of the Salamander before him, delivering his final ultimatum.

The Land of Rain needed to quickly provide a suitable battlefield for the three powers.

And Akatsuki, the most active organization within it, was highly likely to adversely affect Konoha's arrangements in the Land of Rain. They had to be eliminated swiftly.

"I understand." Hanzo of the Salamander nodded slightly, saying nothing more.

In truth, it wasn't just Konoha. Pakura of Sunagakure's Scorch Release and Kitsuchi, the son of Iwagakure's Third Tsuchikage, had both delivered ultimatums to him not long ago.

Evidently, the unresolved issues of the Second Great Shinobi War were about to be dragged back onto the battlefield.

"Lord Hanzo, I hope you understand that every choice you make will determine the future course of the Land of Rain." Shimura Danzo's eyes narrowed slightly. After speaking, he left the room directly.

He didn't push too hard, nor did he dare to.

After all, the man before him was Hanzo of the Salamander, hailed as a demigod.

"Naomori, Yamauchi!" After a long silence, Hanzo of the Salamander opened his eyes. The moment he spoke, a faint killing intent permeated the dim room.

Since a choice had been made, any lingering regret for Akatsuki was no longer necessary.

Despite genuinely respecting those youths for their dedication to their ideals and their efforts for the future of the Land of Rain…

It was a pity they had appeared in an era where they shouldn't have.

This was a filthy era, a despicable era, an era ruled by the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

Two Amegakure Jonin suddenly appeared in the center of the room, kneeling on one knee, their heads bowed. "Yes, sir!"

"Implement that plan!" Hanzo of the Salamander commanded in a grim tone.

For the future of the Land of Rain, Akatsuki's sacrifice was worth it!

"Yes!"

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