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An Invitation from the Kazekage
Gaara, the Kazekage, had sent an invitation, requesting Naruto Uzumaki to visit Sunagakure (Hidden Sand Village) for a meeting.
Konan, however, expressed her concern: "Could this be a trap? The Kazekage must have heard about your visits to Kumogakure (Hidden Cloud Village), Iwagakure (Hidden Stone Village), and Kirigakure (Hidden Mist Village). It's only natural that Sunagakure would be next. Perhaps he's trying to strike first and eliminate you."
Naruto chuckled. "No, I know Gaara. He wouldn't do something like that."
If the invitation had come from Ōnoki, Naruto might have been more cautious. But Gaara was one of the few people Naruto trusted unconditionally.
Konan remained uneasy. "What if, like the Mizukage before, the Kazekage has been manipulated by someone? They could be using your relationship to lure you into a trap."
Naruto scratched his head. "Konan-nee, have you been a bit too suspicious lately?"
Konan explained, "It's not suspicion; it's caution. You've become too prominent in the ninja world. There are undoubtedly many eyes watching you, and we cannot afford to let our guard down."
Naruto's expression turned serious. "I understand the possibility you mentioned. But if that's the case, I have even more reason to go—because Gaara is my friend."
Konan sighed. "Then let me accompany you this time."
Naruto shook his head. "Pervy Sage has just been resurrected and is still adjusting to life here. He needs someone to look after him. With Orochimaru away and Kisame recovering, it's best if you stay here to take care of him."
Konan lowered her gaze.
Naruto stepped forward and patted her shoulder. "This is a great opportunity to atone for the past, for both your sins and those of your senior brother."
"...I understand." Konan nodded and then suggested, "But for safety's sake, you should take someone with you."
Naruto agreed. "Are the Sanin around? They can come along. It'll be a good opportunity for me to personally guide them."
Konan shook her head. "Both Ryūkō and Setsuna are out on missions. Only Violet is currently in the village."
"Then she'll come with me," Naruto decided.
Konan hesitated briefly before relenting. "Alright, I'll go call her."
Preparation for the Journey
"Wait a moment," Naruto called after Konan. "Can you help me find a few books?"
Konan turned back. "Books? What kind of books?"
"Books on mechanical engineering," Naruto replied. "Does the bookstore in Amegakure carry such titles?"
Konan was surprised. "Mechanical engineering? Does that mean you've already...?"
Naruto grinned. "Exactly. But I don't want to stop at just summoning things. I want to explore more advanced applications, and for that, I'll need some knowledge. This trip to Sunagakure will give me time to study on the way!"
"Leave it to me."
Konan returned shortly afterward, carrying a large stack of books on mechanical engineering, along with enough ninja rations, soldier pills, and a new pair of shoes to last seven days.
Handing him the shoes, Konan said, "I noticed your current pair is nearly worn out. Here, take these."
"Thanks." Naruto sat down and began changing his shoes.
"Violet is already waiting for you outside the tower," Konan informed him.
Naruto nodded. Before departing, he began forming hand seals to leave behind a shadow clone, as he had done previously.
But Konan stopped him. "Shadow clones will divide your chakra. Since you're heading out, it's best to preserve your chakra as much as possible. The village has me and Kisame here. We'll be fine."
Seeing Naruto's lingering hesitation, Konan added, "If there's any trouble, I'll infuse chakra into the Flying Thunder God Kunai."
Naruto nodded, reassured. "Alright, I'll leave it to you."
He walked over to the wall and took down the Uchiha fan hanging there.
Previously, Obito had either left in a hurry or for some other reason had not taken the fan with him. Naruto had found it floating on the sea, confirmed it was untouched, and claimed it as a trophy.
Crackle!
Purple lightning chakra coursed from Naruto's hand onto the fan, which remained undamaged.
"I've been looking for a weapon that can withstand the power of Purple Lightning. For now, this fan will have to do."
Naruto placed his hand on the fan's surface, where the three tomoe were engraved, and marked it with his Flying Thunder God seal, perfectly overlaying the tomoe.
Incidentally, Naruto's Flying Thunder God seal was shaped like the Uzumaki clan crest.
Strapping the fan to his back, Naruto donned his mask, putting on his public persona. "I'm heading out, Konan-nee."
Konan stepped forward, adjusting his collar. "Safe travels. Come back soon."
Departure with Violet
Outside the tower, Violet, wearing an ANBU mask, knelt on one knee. "Lord Pain!"
Naruto spoke in a deep voice, "This time, you are not acting as the captain of an ANBU squad. You are Violet, a shinobi of Amegakure. Remove your mask."
"Understood!" Violet replied respectfully, removing her mask.
Violet was the elder sister of Ziyanghua, who had served as Nagato's Animal Path. Her appearance resembled her sister's, but her demeanor was colder and more mature, with a strikingly alluring figure.
Naruto gave a slight nod. With a flourish of his cloak, he began running through the rain. "Let's go!"
"Yes, Lord Pain!" Violet glanced briefly at Konan before quickly following Naruto.
On the Road
As they left Amegakure and traversed the Land of Rain, Violet asked, "Lord Pain, you possess the ability to teleport. Why not use it to travel directly to Sunagakure?"
Naruto replied without turning back, "That ability requires a marker to teleport to. I haven't left any markers in the Land of Wind, so I can't jump directly there."
"I see," Violet said. "But you've left markers in the Land of Fire, haven't you? Why not teleport there and take a shortcut?"
Naruto glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. "You seem to know a lot about my abilities."
Violet maintained her composure. "As an ANBU captain, such observational skills are essential."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Is that so?"
Whoosh! He suddenly accelerated, widening the gap between them.
Violet frowned and quickened her pace to catch up.
Swish!
Naruto casually tossed a kunai behind him.
Violet's eyes narrowed as she drew her blade.
Clang! With a precise strike, she split the kunai in two.
Naruto smirked. "Your swordsmanship has improved, but…"
Swish! Swish!
Two shadow clones suddenly emerged from the split kunai.
This was the unique property of the Flying Thunder God Kunai—even if the kunai was divided, the seal on it would remain effective.
Violet was caught off guard. "Shadow clones? When did he...?!"
Splat! She stumbled and fell onto the water's surface.
Before disappearing, one of Naruto's shadow clones said, "Catch up to me. Consider this your training."
Splash! Violet slammed her fist into the water, her cold and determined expression revealing her frustration.
Elsewhere: A Brewing Storm
In Kumogakure, the Raikage received confirmed reports that Naruto had left Amegakure and was heading toward Sunagakure.
"Finally, the chance I've been waiting for!" The Raikage slammed his fist on the table, his voice thunderous. "Relay my orders: split our forces into two groups! One will attack Amegakure and raze his home base. The other will follow me to hunt down and eliminate Naruto Uzumaki!"
Nightfall in the Land of Fire's Northwest Forest
After running for hours, Naruto stopped and said calmly, "You've arrived. We'll camp here for the night."
Panting heavily, Violet bent over, hands on her knees. "After running at high speed for so long, don't you ever feel tired?"
"This is the result of consistent training." Naruto sat down, opened a bento box, and began eating while flipping through a book.
A gentle breeze rustled the leaves as the night deepened.
For reasons unknown—perhaps curiosity or something else—Violet silently rose and approached Naruto from behind.
Tap!
Naruto closed his book and shut his eyes.
Step!
Violet stopped in her tracks, holding her breath.
Click, click!
What happened next was beyond belief.
Two mechanical heads sprouted from Naruto's shoulders, one on each side.
From beneath his arms, four mechanical limbs—two on each side—extended outward.
Three heads, six arms.
Zzz!
Beneath his mask, Naruto's tightly closed left eye opened.
Asura Path!
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