"Yes, that's what he said," Kurotsuchi confirmed.
"And Grandfather thinks this sentence was a demonstration?"
Ōnoki nodded slowly, his weathered features settling into grim lines. "Too early to say definitively. If he said this to every ninja village before departing, then yes—it's both demonstration and reminder. We need to verify with the other villages. Tomorrow we'll know for certain."
"But what if Uzumaki Naruto did say the same thing to everyone?" Kurotsuchi pressed.
Ōnoki stood, moving to the window. The village spread below, peaceful in the fading light. He turned back to face his granddaughter.
"If that's the case, then the situation is more serious than I initially thought. Uzumaki Naruto is giving us the right to choose."
He returned to his cushion on the tatami, sinking down with a heavy sigh. "What a frightening level of planning."
Kurotsuchi's eyes widened as understanding clicked. "I didn't expect someone so young to hide such deep intentions. First, he defeats everyone through 'friendly exchanges.' Then he leaves an ambiguous statement for us to interpret. Finally..." She paused, working through the logic. "Finally, he gives us the choice of how to respond."
Her voice hardened slightly. "But Grandfather, isn't he afraid we'll choose resistance? No matter how powerful he is, he's still one person. He can't destroy all of Iwagakure single-handedly."
"One person, you say..." Ōnoki picked up a document from beside him. "Read this intelligence."
Kurotsuchi took the papers, scanning quickly. Her face went pale. Her eyes snapped up to meet her grandfather's gaze. "Is this accurate? He really... by himself, he killed Yagura and defeated three thousand Mist ninja?"
"It's verified. Too many witnesses for fabrication. Kirigakure had countless eyes watching that battle." Ōnoki's voice carried absolute certainty. "So yes, he genuinely possesses the strength to oppose an entire nation alone. Why else would someone so calculating, so strategic, travel alone to make friends? Wouldn't he fear for his safety?"
The implication settled like lead.
"Grandfather..." Kurotsuchi's voice softened. "You're getting old. This shinobi world belongs to the young now. I heard Gaara of Sand is also quite young. After this matter concludes, maybe you should pass the Tsuchikage position to me."
"Didn't you say Uzumaki Naruto wants to unify the shinobi world?" Ōnoki's smile turned bitter. "How can we keep our Kage positions if that happens?"
Kurotsuchi had no response.
"Regardless," Ōnoki continued, "I'll do everything possible to preserve the Tsuchikage position. Tomorrow, the Kazekage, Mizukage, and Raikage will all arrive. Only then will we know the final outcome."
He dismissed her with a wave, needing solitude to think.
The next day, three delegations entered Iwagakure. Ninja guides escorted them to the Tsuchikage Tower, leading them to a large conference room.
Ōnoki surveyed those who'd answered his summons.
Fifth Kazekage Gaara of the Hidden Sand Village, flanked by his bodyguards Temari and Kankuro.
Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei of the Hidden Mist Village, accompanied by bodyguards Ao and Chōjūrō.
Fourth Raikage A of the Hidden Cloud Village, with his adopted brother Killer B at his side.
The most powerful leaders of three great shinobi nations, all gathered in one room.
"I trust you all understand why I called you here?" Ōnoki began.
Terumi Mei's delicate brow furrowed. She genuinely had no idea what prompted this urgent meeting. She glanced at Gaara, but the young Kazekage's expression revealed nothing.
Raikage, true to his explosive temperament, slammed a hand on the table. "Tsuchikage, just tell us directly! Why this summons?"
Ōnoki ignored the outburst, instead observing Gaara and Terumi Mei's reactions carefully. Both remained silent, faces neutral.
Interesting. Kazekage and Mizukage already know about Uzumaki Naruto's plan. Only Raikage remains ignorant.
"Raikage," Ōnoki said slowly, "I called you here to save your life. Yet instead of gratitude, you shout at me."
"Save me?" Raikage scoffed. "With my strength, who in the shinobi world could possibly kill me?"
"The person who will kill you is Konoha's Fifth Hokage, Uzumaki Naruto."
"That's nonsense!" Raikage's voice rose. "Uzumaki Naruto and I just became good friends! Why would he harm me?"
"Yeah!" Killer B chimed in, still bobbing to some internal rhythm. "Lord Hokage is our friend, fool! He wouldn't hurt us! Plus he's a good guy—he even praised my rap, yeah!"
Terumi Mei and Gaara exchanged surprised glances. They didn't understand Ōnoki's reasoning, but decided to observe quietly.
Ōnoki watched them from the corner of his eye. Their lack of reaction to his bold claim confirmed his theory—both already suspected Naruto's true intentions.
"Truly ignorant," Ōnoki said, turning back to Raikage with a sneer. "Let me ask you something simple. What did Naruto say when he left the Hidden Cloud?"
Raikage frowned, thinking back. "He said... 'See you next time.'"
There it is.
Ōnoki's gaze swept to Terumi Mei and Gaara. Both nodded confirmation—Naruto had said the same to them.
Despite expecting this answer, hearing it confirmed from all three leaders still sent a chill through Ōnoki's chest.
Uzumaki Naruto... you're truly formidable.
With Raikage's temperament, he'd never analyze the deeper meaning. Which made him the perfect example when Naruto returned—kill the chicken to frighten the monkeys. Cloud would be the chicken. Everyone else, the monkeys.
What terrifying calculation.
"What's wrong with that sentence?" Raikage demanded.
"You still don't believe Uzumaki Naruto intends to kill you. So let me ask—why did he insist on 'friendly exchanges' to make friends? He's Konoha's Hokage. Every action represents his village. Why not pursue friendship through normal diplomatic channels?"
Ōnoki leaned forward. "Instead, he personally defeated each of you one by one. This is his strategy. Let me explain, and you'll understand."
He laid out his entire analysis—the demonstration of force, the binding through gratitude, the inevitable demand for submission disguised as friendship.
"So tell me, Raikage," Ōnoki concluded, "didn't I save your life? Where's your gratitude?"
Raikage sat stunned, struggling to process. "There are really so many layers to this? You're not lying?"
Gaara and Terumi Mei listened to Ōnoki's theory with growing concern. Is this really Naruto's plan?
But both immediately dismissed the thought. Naruto wasn't that kind of person. If he wanted to unify the shinobi world, he'd simply say so. They'd support him.
Terumi Mei was essentially Naruto's ally already.
Besides, based on their understanding, Naruto had zero interest in political power.
"Raikage, if you think I'm lying, leave now," Ōnoki challenged. "But ask yourself—do you dare gamble? You might risk your own pride, but do you dare risk every life in the Hidden Cloud?"
Raikage's eyes flickered. Ōnoki was right. He couldn't bet his entire village on this.
But Cloud had its own will, its own pride. He wouldn't surrender so easily.
"Tsuchikage," Raikage said carefully, "our four great nations combined—are we really afraid of Konoha? No matter how strong Uzumaki Naruto is, can he truly surpass our united strength?"
That thinking again...
Ōnoki's eyes narrowed. He turned to Terumi Mei. "Mizukage, isn't it true that Fourth Mizukage Yagura and three thousand subordinates were all defeated by Uzumaki Naruto alone?"
Terumi Mei sighed. "That's correct. Uzumaki Naruto is powerful enough to defeat an entire nation single-handedly. Perhaps even stronger."
Raikage's confidence visibly deflated.
"With Uzumaki Naruto's strength, resistance means death," Ōnoki continued. "But simply handing over power—none of us are willing to do that. So I propose a compromise in disguise."
He paused for effect. "We maintain our original status. Keep our political autonomy. But we form a Ninja Confederation, with Naruto as its leader. This arrangement is... acceptable."
"In a few days, we should travel to Konoha together. Otherwise, when Uzumaki Naruto returns, negotiations won't be so pleasant."
"As for the smaller ninja villages..." Ōnoki waved dismissively. "We'll simply inform them of the new arrangement."
This was always the attitude of great nations toward small countries. Arbitrary. Dismissive.
In Konoha's back mountains, Naruto had no idea that his simple friendly departure—See you next time—had spawned such elaborate conspiracy theories.
He was currently examining Nagato's legs for the final time.
After the inspection, Naruto looked up to meet Nagato's expectant eyes. He smiled. "Senior Brother Nagato, stand up. Take a few steps."
"Naruto..." Nagato's voice trembled with emotion.
"It's fine, Senior Brother. Stand up and walk." Naruto's encouragement was gentle.
"Yes, Nagato-senpai!" Sasuke added from the side, his face radiating excessive happiness. "Don't you trust Naruto's medical skills?"
Nine-Tails also vibrated with barely contained excitement.
Encouraged by everyone, Nagato nodded heavily. His hands gripped the wheelchair's armrests. Before today, he could only manage short distances with difficulty. Today, he should move like a normal person again.
Slowly, Nagato rose. His feet touched the ground.
The sensation nearly overwhelmed him—the feeling of proper weight distribution, of muscles responding correctly, of normalcy he'd lost years ago.
Without thinking, purely from joy, Nagato ran. A full lap around the courtyard at speed he hadn't achieved since before Hanzō's attack.
When he returned, slightly out of breath but grinning, he noticed Sasuke and Nine-Tails holding sunflower seeds and drinks.
A terrible premonition seized him.
"Senior Brother Nagato!" Naruto's voice rang with excitement. "Your legs are healed! So... want to be friends?"
Nagato's neck turned mechanically, meeting Naruto's eager expression. "Naruto, this..."
He'd witnessed how Naruto made friends throughout their journey. Every single person ended with swollen faces. He'd planned to visit Konan tomorrow during her day off.
Can't meet her with a bruised face. Completely ruins the image.
Also, in this moment, Nagato understood why Sasuke had shown such excessive concern about his leg recovery. Looking at the prepared snacks, both had clearly been waiting for this.
Sasuke manipulated my emotions.
There are no friends Naruto can't make.
Without exception, Naruto successfully became friends with Senior Brother Nagato.
Which meant that in the entire shinobi world, only Hyūga Hiashi hadn't become Naruto's friend yet.
Jiraiya-sensei, Konan, and the remaining Konoha ninja clan members also eventually found time to become Naruto's friends.
Three days later, Shikamaru located Naruto in the back mountains.
"Naruto, we have visitors. Kazekage Gaara from Sand, Raikage A from Cloud, Mizukage Terumi Mei from Mist, and Tsuchikage Ōnoki from Stone—all of them are waiting in the Hokage Building's reception room."
"Oh! My friends are here!" Naruto's face lit up. "Let's go meet them!"
The two quickly made their way to the reception room.
"Everyone!" Naruto entered beaming. "I've been looking forward to seeing you!"
Ōnoki's heart skipped. He's been waiting for us. If we hadn't come, the consequences would have been dire.
Cold sweat formed on his back.
He stepped forward. "Lord Hokage, we've come for world peace."
"World peace?" Naruto looked genuinely confused. "Lord Tsuchikage, I've never thought about world peace."
Reverse psychology. He's testing me.
Ōnoki launched into his proposal—the Ninja Confederation, maintaining autonomy while uniting under one banner, Naruto as the natural leader given their mutual friendships.
Shikamaru stood to the side, completely dumbfounded. Naruto just went on a trip. How did the world suddenly achieve peace?
Naruto looked at Ōnoki, Raikage, Gaara, and Terumi Mei's expectant faces. Generally, he didn't refuse friends' enthusiasm.
"Alright then," he agreed.
Ōnoki and Raikage nearly sagged with relief. Our lives are secure.
"However," Naruto continued, thinking aloud, "unifying ninja makes the daimyō positions obsolete. And just calling myself 'leader' sounds boring."
"Then what should your title be, Lord Naruto?" Ōnoki asked respectfully.
Naruto recalled words from the system. Remembered the invincible bearing of legendary emperors from stories.
"The rulers of allied nations are called Kage—shadows. So I'll be called the Shadow Emperor."
"Shadow Emperor?" Ōnoki tested the words. "Lord Naruto, what does 'Emperor' mean exactly?"
A distant look entered Naruto's eyes, voice taking on an almost reverent quality.
"One who asserts eternity is Emperor. One who endures through all space and time is Emperor. One undisturbed by the flow of existence itself is Emperor."
He met their gazes directly.
"This is what Emperor means."
Ōnoki felt his entire body tremble. Almost involuntarily, his head bowed.
Shadow Emperor.
The one who stands eternal above all shadows.
In the corner, Shikamaru made a mental note to dramatically increase his salary demands.
This was way above his pay grade.