Naruto: After Seclusion Becoming Naruto Grandfather

"Hahaha-hahaha-ha!!"

"It's here, it's finally here! God has heard my call, and he's summoned me!"

"Nagato, stop with the speeches! I can't wait to offer my pain and blood to God's glorious world!"

"Hahahaha!"

Hidan interrupted Nagato mid-sentence, roaring with wild excitement upon hearing that Uzumaki Chito had summoned them to the capital of the Land of Fire for war.

Nagato's expression darkened as he glared at Hidan, who had rudely cut him off. His fury flared—Hidan's blatant disrespect and disregard were infuriating.

In the past, Nagato wouldn't have hesitated. Immortal or not, Hidan would have felt the crushing power of the Shinra Tensei, shattering his body to pieces.

But now—

Nagato let out a frustrated sigh as he observed Hidan, whose body exuded a faint, ominous black aura born from his frenzied excitement.

This black aura was Hidan's newfound power after converting to Uzumaki Chito's teachings. It was a manifestation of the evil god's might—a convergence of the world's darkest thoughts and malevolent energy.

Anyone who came into contact with this power would fall into a horrifying illusion, comparable in potency to the Infinite Tsukuyomi. Victims would descend into madness, ultimately drained of their life force.

Moreover, this malevolent energy granted Hidan complete immunity to genjutsu. Even Uchiha Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan and its Tsukuyomi could not penetrate the black aura protecting his mind.

Combined with Hidan's immortal body, bolstered by Uzumaki Chito's blessings, he had transformed from one of the weakest members of the Akatsuki into a formidable combatant—able to hold his own against Nagato and, to some extent, even restrain Uchiha Itachi.

After all, Itachi's strength lay primarily in his mastery of genjutsu, a tool rendered useless against Hidan's cursed protection.

Nagato knew better than to underestimate him. The humiliation of being interrupted was one thing, but being defeated in battle after making a move would be far worse.

And—

Nagato glanced at Hidan, who now looked utterly unhinged, with madness gleaming in his eyes. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

The fearless fear the crazed, and the crazed fear those who court death.

Guided by his grandpa's teachings, Nagato had glimpsed the dawn of peace. To risk everything by confronting Hidan now would be a waste of effort and time.

After a tense silence, Nagato finally relented. With a cold snort, he said, "Move out."

The impatient Hidan immediately erupted into action. A whirlwind of black energy surrounded him as he took off like a demon from ancient mythology, charging toward the Land of Fire's capital with unstoppable momentum.

Behind him, Nagato, Konan, Sasori, Deidara, Kisame, and Uchiha Itachi followed using their own unique methods of travel.

The seven Akatsuki members moved openly, leaving the hidden confines of the Rain Country and stepping boldly into the light of day.

It didn't take long for intelligence networks in neighboring nations to detect their movements.

"Sunagakure's S-Class rogue ninja—Sasori!"

"Iwagakure's S-Class rogue ninja—Deidara!"

"The infamous wielder of the Samehada from Kirigakure—the rogue ninja Kisame Hoshigaki!"

"Konohagakure's S-Class rogue ninja—Uchiha Itachi!"

"How could a small country like the Amegakure harbor so many dangerous traitors? What are they planning?"

Leaders of the major ninja villages reacted with alarm and unease upon receiving the reports.

Analyzing the group's unhidden trail, intelligence teams quickly pieced together their destination.

"They're converging on the Land of Fire's capital!"

When Jiraiya of Konoha learned of this, an ominous feeling crept over him.

These were the very individuals he had been investigating—a shadowy organization of powerful shinobi who had claimed control of the Amegakure, defeating even the demigod Hanzō of the Salamander.

Moreover, there were long-standing rumors linking the Amegakure to Shin-Konoha. From the start, the first settlers of Shin-Konoha had been transported through Amegakure territory.

Back then, under the leadership of the Third Hokage, Konoha had sent numerous ninja teams—along with those from other villages—to intercept and sabotage these efforts.

While the Amegakure and Shin-Konoha publicly maintained that their relationship was merely contractual, no one believed such an obvious lie.

To the rest of the world, the Amegakure was an ally of Shin-Konoha.

Ordinarily, this would have been inconsequential. Even at its height, the Amegakure was little more than a border country reliant on Hanzō's leadership to hold its ground.

But now, the world was faced with something far more terrifying:

The Akatsuki—a gathering of S-Class rogue shinobi, each more dangerous than the last.

Their strength was immeasurable. If there were ranks beyond S-Class, each of these individuals would qualify. In terms of raw power, any one of them was comparable to a Kage.

And seven such individuals moving together?

It was a force unparalleled—a threat no one could ignore.

Panic spread like wildfire among the five great nations.

At the same time, all their leaders reached the same grim conclusion.

"We need an emergency Five Kage Summit. Immediately."