Reaction from all parties

The combination of two elite shinobi, one being the Uchiha prodigy skilled in ninjutsu and the other being the versatile and perceptive Jinchuriki, encountered a major setback within the village.

Despite appearing more reliable than Deidara and Sasori, this duo faced defeat as well.

Nagato believed in their abilities and trusted that they could easily obtain information about the Nine-Tails.

However, their failure surprised him.

"At this stage, Konoha has Jiraiya and Tsunade overseeing it. I never expected the legendary Three Legendary Shinobi of Konoha to detect and repel you," Nagato said, looking at the somewhat dejected Itachi.

He had once received teachings from Jiraiya, during which Jiraiya had showcased some of his own abilities. Though his memories were hazy after more than a decade, Nagato vaguely remembered that Jiraiya had a repertoire of S-rank ninjutsu.

With such a solid foundation in ninjutsu, Jiraiya's strength could not be underestimated.

In Nagato's plan, he also included an investigation into Jiraiya's abilities because they were destined to clash in the future. It would be a showdown between master and student.

"If it was Jiraiya, then your defeat is understandable," muttered Nagato.

However, the next words from Itachi and Kisame left him stunned.

"Jiraiya and Tsunade did not intervene."

"Then who in Konoha could have injured you?!" exclaimed Pain, controlled by Nagato.

His eyes flickered with fear and unease.

Konoha truly deserved its reputation as the strongest village, boasting numerous hidden cards.

The Third Hokage had lost an arm and would not have the power to injure Itachi, so who else could it be?

Wait a moment, Itachi was a rogue shinobi from Konoha. Could he have gone easy on them because of lingering emotions?

As if sensing Pain's suspicions, Kisame added, "Itachi's Tsukuyomi was also broken!"

"Tsukuyomi was ineffective?!" Nagato's expression froze.

Tsukuyomi was the most powerful genjutsu of the Mangekyou Sharingan. In its grasp, the user could manipulate time and space, controlling everything within the illusion.

Itachi had once used Tsukuyomi to effortlessly defeat Orochimaru, one of Konoha's renowned Sannin.

Although the Sharingan was not as powerful as the Rinnegan, it was still considered one of the top-tier Kekkei Genkai in the ninja world. Not to mention the Mangekyou Sharingan.

A shinobi capable of breaking Tsukuyomi was definitely not an ordinary person.

Nagato's expression turned solemn.

"Who was it?" he asked in a low voice.

"It was..." However, Kisame's expression became peculiar, and he muttered something silently. "It was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."

"????" Nagato was dumbfounded.

This was a completely unexpected answer.

How could the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki break Tsukuyomi?

At most, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was a teenager without any remarkable Kekkei Genkais. Yet, he could injure Itachi?

Nagato's expression became serious.

He felt a sense of crisis.

Such a talented individual was actually a Jinchuriki.

This was not good news.

"I want to know the details," he said.

Itachi and Kisame then explained the entire encounter with Naruto to Nagato.

Nagato's expression grew increasingly rigid.

He realized that he had underestimated Naruto.

Throughout the battle, Naruto appeared incredibly relaxed and carefree. Itachi didn't even manage to injure him.

Naruto's chakra and the mysterious power within him could instantly break Tsukuyomi and even manipulate it.

"Naruto, the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, is extraordinary." Nagato murmured, looking at Itachi, and asked, "Itachi, did the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki already demonstrate such talent before you left Konoha?" 

"His talent was indeed impressive. However, his Kekkei Genkai is extremely peculiar," Itachi pondered.

"The blade that manipulates vision, with an energy system different from chakra... I never expected him to develop his Kekkei Genkai to such an extent in just a few years. Even my eyes are powerless against him. His Kekkei Genkai is no less than the Sharingan."

Itachi already regarded Naruto as an equal opponent and spoke seriously.

"I believe that if I were to fight him to the death, the outcome would be uncertain. Although Tsukuyomi didn't work, I believe my ninjutsu and taijutsu are stronger than his," Itachi thought for a moment, providing a conservative estimate.

"With such talent, the growth of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is too fast. In another year or two, he may easily defeat you. It seems our plan to capture the Nine-Tails needs to be slightly expedited," Nagato's eyes flickered as he sank into contemplation.

After a Nagato silence, he finally said, "Continue gathering information on the tailed beasts from other villages. Let's temporarily halt our plans for the Nine-Tails."

Inside the Root organization:

The Root intelligence organization, entrenched deep within Konoha, quickly gathered relevant information and relayed it to Danzo.

Even the ANBU Black Ops of Konoha were unaware that Naruto had effortlessly defeated Itachi, but the Root spies had witnessed the scene.

"To be able to break Tsukuyomi so easily, it seems that my precious disciple's strength is extraordinary. His Kekkei Genkai appears to be even better than I anticipated," murmured Danzo, his eyes cold and filled with greed.

"This might be a Kekkei Genkai no less than the Sharingan. It's truly intriguing," Danzo's gaze fell upon his bandaged arm, his eyes filled with avarice.

He gently touched his arm, and beneath the bandages were all Sharingan eyes.

When it came to things he cherished, he would stop at nothing to obtain them.

Whether it was the Sharingan or Wood Release, he was willing to take action.

And now, this hidden greed resurfaced once again.

Danzo had a premonition that Naruto's Kekkei Genkai might be one of the cornerstones for him to become Hokage.

What did it matter to sacrifice his own disciple to become Hokage?

Disciples were abundant and could be cultivated at any time.

But opportunities to satisfy one's desires were precious.

"It seems that I must initiate research on Naruto's Kekkei Genkai," Danzo muttered, a twisted smile forming on his lips.

"My dear disciple will surely be willing to contribute to Root's research. As Nagato as his performance is satisfactory, the position of Root's leader will still be his."

He laughed coldly, his eyes overflowing with greed.

...

Inside the Hokage's office:

After receiving the information from Itachi, both Tsunade and Jiraiya wore solemn expressions.

The Akatsuki organization, comprised of elite shinobi, targeting Naruto meant danger.

"Naruto has just left the village for a mission. When he returns, we need to protect him," Tsunade said gravely. "We need to find a way to help Naruto improve his strength."

"How do we do that? We can't really teach him anymore," Jiraiya lamented with a sorrowful face.

Having a disciple who was too much of a prodigy also posed its own set of problems.

"If all else fails, we can let Naruto enter the spiritual realm and learn from the Sage," Tsunade suggested.

...

Unbeknownst to Naruto, his casual actions had attracted the attention of multiple parties.

At this moment, he was heading towards the Oni no Kuni, while his two clones were heading towards Otogakure and Sunagakure.

He needed to make the most of every moment.

For some reason, a sense of crisis emerged within him.

It was the same sense of alertness he had acquired after becoming a Shinigami and mastering his Hollowfication.

It felt like being targeted by some organization.

He wanted to return to the Oni no Kuni as soon as possible, enter the Pure Land, and continue his training. He needed to devour more souls and reach the level of a Super Kage in order to fully implement his plan.

In Konoha, the person he feared the most was Jiraiya.

He had a clear understanding of Jiraiya's strength.

Proficient in all ninjutsu and taijutsu, not to mention his mastery of Senjutsu.

Jiraiya was likely the strongest in the ninja world at the moment, a bona fide Super Kage.

If Naruto wanted to defect, he had to match Jiraiya's strength.

The Oni no Kuni was a must-go destination.