Chapter 264: The Spy Within Konan's heart.

She, Yahiko, and Nagato, the trio that could have been together forever, creating the Akatsuki to lay down a path to peace for the ninja world.

But Madara, Obito, and Dan, these members of the Uchiha clan, they destroyed everything Konan held dear.

In retaliation, she vowed to obliterate all that belonged to the Uchiha.

Whoosh.

Taking a deep breath, Konan suppressed the fury within, reminding herself to avoid impulsiveness.

The more critical the moment, the more necessary the calm.

After settling her emotions, she inquired of Naruto, "What about the vessel you dealt with?"

"My clone... was killed."

Naruto rose to his feet, spreading his hands in a gesture of helplessness as he spoke.

"By whom?"

Konan was immediately alarmed and pressed, "Were you discovered by Uchiha Dan?"

The mention of Dan's name involuntarily etched anxiety across her features.

In her view, although Naruto's Kage Bunshin held only a fraction of his original chakra, only one person in Konoha could match it in battle.

Uchiha Dan.

However, Naruto's response took her by surprise.

"No, it was Uchiha Itachi."

Naruto narrowed his eyes, recalling, "He came at me with his strongest technique, catching me off guard and sealing the Kage Bunshin.

Luckily it wasn't my true body, or Itachi might have actually killed me. But now that I know his capabilities, with a bit of caution, he'll pose no threat to me."

"Has your identity been exposed?" Konan asked further.

"Yeah, Itachi recognized me. Not just me, Karen might be compromised too. Better get her out quickly."

Naruto decided after a moment's thought.

If it were just a matter of romantic feelings, Karen might not be in danger. But with Naruto's identity revealed, Sasuke would surely suspect the relationship between Karen, Naruto, and the Akatsuki.

Should Karen fall into the hands of the Uchiha, the torture would make her wish for death.

"Alright, I'll notify her immediately."

Without hesitation, Konan waved her hand, and a paper crane flew from her sleeve, passing through the paper tree toward Konoha.

"There's one more thing."

Naruto took a deep breath, voicing his greatest concern, "Uchiha Dan has likely awakened the Rinnegan."

He was coming to a realization.

The stone tablet left by the Sage of Six Paths suggested that the 'Muscle God' would save the world. In Naruto's view, this prophecy seemed utterly false.

But most of the information on the tablet was true, decipherable only with the power of the Rinnegan.

After some thought, Naruto concluded that—

Uchiha Dan must have also awakened the Rinnegan, then used it to alter the content on the stone tablet.

Hearing about Dan's Rinnegan awakening.

"What?! How did you know that?"

Konan was shocked, her composure shattered.

Because she was acutely aware of what those eyes entailed.

"It's my intuition."

Naruto didn't divulge the truth, feeling it unnecessary to burden Konan with the prophecy of the 'Muscle God' and its implications.

"I should've realized this earlier."

Konan's voice trembled, not doubting Naruto's 'intuition', but realizing that the situation she feared the most had come to pass.

To awaken the Rinnegan, one needed the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and Hashirama's cells.

Among these.

Uchiha Dan had long since transplanted Hashirama's cells, and the Eternal Mangekyō, requiring the fusion of two sets of Sharingan, was not a difficult feat for him.

He held at least Shisui and Obito's Sharingan. Although not from direct kin, such obstacles were trivial for someone like Uchiha Dan.

Thus, Dan possessed both the powers of the Uchiha and the Senju, like Madara before him, awakening his own Rinnegan.

With this thought.

"Over these eight years, it wasn't just you growing, Naruto. Your adversaries have also become stronger."

Konan mused with a grave expression.

Eight years ago, Dan was undisputedly the strongest in the ninja world, single-handedly slaughtering through a hundred thousand ninja alliance, forcing the four Kages to surrender.

If he were to obtain the Rinnegan, it was unimaginable how terrifying his strength would become.

Moreover.

Even with the Rinnegan, there are differences.

Nagato and Naruto's Rinnegan, transplanted from Madara's eyes, could never unleash the full potential of those eyes.

After all, they were not their own.

Dan was different; he had awakened the Rinnegan on his own, wielding its power with reckless abandon, fully at his command.

If the Rinnegan were to clash head-on, Naruto... would be sure to lose.

At present.

Whether in terms of individual strength or when comparing the might of the Akatsuki to the Uchiha clan, their side was at a disadvantage.

The situation was dire.

"Naruto, what's our next move? Have you thought of a strategy?" Konan asked, her gaze heavy with concern.

Naruto had grown up, and as the leader of the Akatsuki, it was his duty to shoulder the responsibility and chart a course for the organization's future.

After a period of serious contemplation, Naruto slowly spoke:

"The only good news is that I'm well-acquainted with the abilities of the Rinnegan.

Our immediate priority is to be on guard against Uchiha Dan summoning the Gedo Statue with the Rinnegan. If that happens, he'll be just three Tailed Beasts away from reviving the Ten-Tails, and then he could become its Jinchuriki.

If the Gedo Statue is taken, Dan will inevitably lead the Uchiha and perhaps even the entire forces of Konoha to besiege the Akatsuki, aiming to snatch the One-Tail, Seven-Tail, and Nine-Tails. However..."

Here, Naruto paused, then continued his analysis:

"I can still sense the presence of the Gedo Statue, which means Dan hasn't mastered the method to summon it.

Therefore, I need to find an absolutely safe place to summon the statue immediately and temporarily seal it, rendering it undetectable to Uchiha Dan.

As the vessel for the Ten-Tails, the Gedo Statue must remain in the hands of the Akatsuki; it is our ultimate trump card."

Konan's eyes lit up at his words, nodding in agreement, appreciating his tactical acumen.

Naruto might be young and impulsive, but he didn't rush into a reckless confrontation with Uchiha Dan. Instead, he demonstrated flexibility and wisdom, opting for the most prudent tactic.

Defense.

Of course, this passive defense wasn't a long-term solution. Uchiha Dan would eventually come knocking.

Fortunately.

"We may not be a match for the Uchiha, but the Uchiha's enemies aren't limited to just the Akatsuki," Naruto's eyes flashed with resolve.

According to the intel gathered by Karen from Tsunade.

The former Third Hokage of Konoha, turned rogue ninja, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had mastered the forbidden reanimation jutsu, Edo Tensei, and could potentially revive all previous Hokage to turn against Konoha.

Moreover, Orochimaru was not dead and had joined forces with Madara's sentient incarnation—Zetsu, possibly plotting to resurrect Madara.

None of these figures were pushovers.

"So, we wait patiently. Once either Hiruzen Sarutobi or Orochimaru starts a war with the Uchiha, I'll take the opportunity to infiltrate Konoha and seize the six Tailed Beasts held by the Uchiha."

Naruto declared, his eyes burning with determination.

His strategy was to avoid a direct confrontation with Uchiha Dan, focusing instead on capturing the six Tailed Beasts with ease, then becoming the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, reaching the legendary level of the Sage of the Six Paths.

Then, he wouldn't need to fear Dan any longer.

Naruto's thought process was crystal clear.

"Alright, that's the plan," Konan nodded in agreement.

After finalizing their strategy, the two left the paper tree and quickly departed from Konoha.

In the Hidden Leaf Village, within the Hokage's residence.

Kakashi hurried to the eighth floor's training area.

"Is the Hokage inside?" he inquired of the guard before pushing the door open, only to find the Sixth Hokage, wearing a tank top, working out in the equipment area.

Bench pressing ten tons.

Yes, ten tons.

The barbell Dan was using for his bench presses was custom-made, composed of hundreds of plates, resembling a mountain crushing down upon his chest.

One, two, three...

Dan's every movement was terrifyingly stable, without a hint of strain, his upper body muscles engorged and swollen, highlighting a shocking display of raw power.

Kakashi paused, standing by patiently.

When the Sixth Hokage was working out, one shouldn't interrupt unless the sky was falling—unless they wished to hasten their demise.

Ten, eleven, twelve...

Finally, after completing an entire set, Dan released his grip, letting the barbell crash onto the rack.

A muffled thud echoed.

The ten-ton barbell hitting the rack made the entire tower shake violently, as if an earthquake had struck.

This intense tremor, originating from the eighth floor's armory, reverberated down to the mission hall on the first floor.

Hmm?

The Leaf ninjas bustling in and out of the hall on the first floor halted, their expressions filled with surprise as they looked up.

"It's nothing, just the Hokage exercising," someone remarked casually, and everyone resumed their hurried pace.

Scenes like these were almost a daily occurrence, and many had grown accustomed to them.

The eighth floor.

"What's the matter, Kakashi?"

Dan rose from the dumbbell bench, asking casually.

Normally, as the leader of the Anbu, Kakashi wouldn't seek out Dan unless it was a matter beyond his authority and required consultation.

"Lord Hokage."

Kakashi approached swiftly, presenting a list and getting straight to the point, "The Anbu have recently re-investigated and compiled a list of spies from various villages. Please review it."

It was inevitable for the Leaf to have spies from other villages, especially now that the Leaf had become a village of immigrants.

Every day, talented individuals from various countries and ninja villages would travel great distances to learn and work in the Leaf, contributing their skills and youth to the village's development.

This phenomenon was the "Will of Fire" of the new era.

However, among those who came to the Leaf were individuals with mixed motives and varied intentions, including many spies who took the opportunity to blend in.

They stole Leaf's intelligence by various means, creating certain security risks.

Thus, periodically, the Anbu and Police Force would join hands to thoroughly investigate spies within the village, and after consulting with the Sixth Hokage, take appropriate actions.

Dan took the list, glanced over it nonchalantly, and said indifferently:

"You handle it. Except for this one named Kabuto, leave him be for now, just have someone watch him secretly."

Kabuto's name was conspicuously on the list.

"Yes."

Kakashi acknowledged.

The fact that Kabuto was a spy had been astutely discovered by the Hokage himself, and Dan had determined that this man was a spy sent by Orochimaru.

However, Dan hadn't alarmed him but had instructed Kakashi to have Kabuto secretly monitored to indirectly keep tabs on Orochimaru's group.

Currently, Kabuto had become a Jonin and was even teaching at the Ninja Academy.

Among his students was the Hokage's daughter—Marissa, which is why Kabuto had never suspected that his cover had been blown.

After receiving Dan's instructions, Kakashi was about to leave when he saw Itachi rush in.

"Lord Hokage, something has happened. Uzumaki Naruto has just appeared in the Leaf."

Itachi cut to the chase, reporting a significant piece of news to Dan without any preamble.

Uzumaki Naruto?!

Kakashi was startled by the news, his body tensing and pupils dilating.

Was it the Uzumaki Naruto he remembered?

Not just Kakashi, even the usually unflappable Dan showed a flicker of surprise and said:

"Continue."

And so.

Itachi recounted the whole incident, from Sasuke being lured into the forest by Naruto, Sasuke's defeat, Dan's timely arrival at the scene, the battle with Naruto, and the sealing of Naruto's clone, from start to finish.

Itachi also specifically mentioned Naruto possessing the Rinnegan.

Kakashi was increasingly shocked.

Naruto was the son of his teacher, the Fourth Hokage.

During the Third Hokage's tenure, the Third had ordered no one—especially Kakashi—to approach Naruto, let alone tell him the truth about his lineage.

Back then, Kakashi was a cold and ruthless guy, considering himself a tool for the village and obedient to the Third.

Later, having come to his senses, he felt a great deal of regret.

And guilt towards Naruto.

So over the years, Kakashi had never given up on searching for Naruto, sparing no effort in investigating the remnants of the Akatsuki organization, but to no avail.

Now hearing the news from Itachi.

He was glad that Naruto was still alive.

But he was worried that Naruto had joined the Akatsuki, positioning himself against the Uchiha and the Leaf.

For a moment, Kakashi was in turmoil, struggling to stay calm.

"It seems the Akatsuki can no longer sit still."

Dan was somewhat surprised but not unexpected, for he had long anticipated this day's arrival.

Itachi said that Naruto had encountered Sasuke at the Nanga Shrine, which meant that Naruto might have already seen the Six Path Stone Monument and knew how to become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki.

With this thought.

Dan looked at Kakashi and asked, "How are the Tailed Beasts?"

Kakashi snapped back to reality, promptly answering, "There are no anomalies at present, I will immediately send people to reinforce the guard."

"Hmm."

Dan nodded, regaining his composed demeanor, seemingly not overly concerned.

Itachi hesitated for a moment, then suddenly said:

"There's one more thing. The arrival of Naruto has inadvertently exposed a spy, and her identity... is very special."