Naruto hadn't expected Tsunade to take such an interest in the aircraft his Umbrella Organization had developed.
But she wasn't the only one. Many within Umbrella were fascinated by the idea. After all, for humans to soar through the skies—until now—that was something only sages and immortals could do.
The success of the project made people look at science differently. The status of Umbrella's scientists rose sharply, and many finally understood why the organization valued those seemingly defenseless men and women so highly.
Naruto himself, however, didn't have the time—or interest—to dwell on it. Orochimaru's Konoha Crush Plan was fast approaching, and preparations were underway.
Once that chaos ended, Naruto's gaze was already set on the Land of Wind. The country was barren and poor, but its endless deserts concealed something he wanted: oil.
In the shinobi world, oil had little value. A handful of ninja used it to boost the flames of Fire Release, but its pungent smell often gave away their position before the attack even began. No one saw its true worth. Cars had not yet been invented, and no one could imagine oil powering such things.
Umbrella had already built a few cars, but without paved roads, they were slower than a trained shinobi. Still, nobles bought them up as novelties. With their limited numbers, each one sold for an impressive sum.
And thus, business boomed.
With his knowledge from another world, Naruto's Seven Colors Trading Company was raking in fortunes. But Hidden Mist Village had also profited heavily from these ventures. Sooner or later, Naruto intended to reclaim what was his.
…
Meanwhile, in the Land of Wind, Gaara's reputation was undergoing a dramatic shift. Through deliberate efforts to reshape his image—and with Shukaku's surprising cooperation—the once-feared jinchūriki was now admired.
Rasa was delighted, believing Gaara had finally mastered the One-Tail. He poured resources into his son's training, grooming him as the next Kazekage. With Gaara's strength, Rasa had even more faith in Orochimaru's promised Konoha Crush Plan.
…
Back in Konoha, Naruto's team had finally graduated from low-level D-rank missions and begun taking on C-rank ones. At last, Naruto had the chance to leave the village and venture out with his real body.
The mission: eliminate a group of bandits.
Such missions had grown scarce in the Land of Fire—Konoha's patrols had nearly wiped out the problem—so this was a rare opportunity. Kakashi intended for his team to see blood for the first time.
It was a necessary step. Only a shinobi who had faced death and spilled blood could truly be called a ninja.
At the village gates, Naruto was practically bouncing with excitement. "Kurama, we finally get to explore outside! Aren't you excited?"
Inside the seal, the Nine-Tails cracked open a crimson eye and grumbled. "Everywhere is the same."
"It's not the same at all!" Naruto shot back eagerly.
"Tch. Don't bother me. This old man is trying to sleep."
With that, Kurama shoved Naruto out of the seal space. Left alone, he muttered bitterly, "How would it be any different? It's not like I can go out there…" His eyes slid shut again as he returned to slumber.
At the gates, Kakashi was waiting—on time, for once.
"Kakashi-sensei, you're early? That's rare!" Naruto grinned.
Missions were taken seriously, so even the famously tardy Kakashi arrived punctually.
"Let's move," Kakashi said after a glance at the sun.
Sakura's spirits lifted. She stole a glance at Sasuke, who had been training relentlessly. She hadn't seen much of him lately, but she was determined to catch up.
In recent weeks, she had devoted herself to chakra control exercises and had even learned a genjutsu from Kakashi.
Genjutsu—techniques that used chakra to disrupt the opponent's five senses, trapping them in illusions.
The one Sakura learned was the Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique, a D-rank close-range genjutsu that forced the target to witness their greatest fears.
She had also practiced the Mist Servant Technique, another D-rank, which conjured eerie, shadowy figures out of trees and rocks. Attacking them only made them multiply, making it perfect for unsettling cowards.
Compared to ninjutsu, A-rank genjutsu were already extremely rare. Most genjutsu fell into the C or B-rank category—and even B-rank techniques were uncommon in practice.
At Konoha's main gate, the group was stopped briefly as the two gatekeepers carried out their routine check.
They were none other than Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane.
Where one appeared, the other was always close by. Whether serving as guards, patrolling the streets, or handling odd jobs, the two were an inseparable pair. Ordinary in strength, loyal to the core—classic examples of dependable chunin.
Naruto stared at them curiously. So these are the famous gatekeepers?
After Kakashi gave a nod of acknowledgment, the pair let them through. Kakashi, as usual, kept an aloof air as he led his team beyond the gates.
Not long after, Naruto made an excuse about needing the restroom. While the others waited, he quietly left behind a special shadow clone—one so perfectly made that not even Sasuke suspected the difference.
With that done, the real Naruto slipped away and set out for the Land of Wind.
…
Taking to the skies, Naruto raced forward at incredible speed. He had already traveled this route once before, so the way was familiar. Within a few short hours, he had reached the borderlands near Sunagakure.
Along the way, he picked up news about Gaara. Apparently, Gaara's prestige had risen sharply—largely because he was frequently helping ordinary villagers.
For a shinobi, such actions were rare. Ninja in the Land of Wind seldom concerned themselves with commoners. The class divide in this world was obvious: shinobi often carried themselves with pride and superiority, aloof from the people they were meant to protect.
That was why Gaara's change stood out so starkly.
…
Night fell. Under the pale light of the moon and the rustling whisper of desert sands, two figures finally met in the vast emptiness.
"Naruto, you came!" Gaara greeted him with genuine excitement.
Naruto laughed heartily. "Hahaha, Gaara, I heard you've been doing great things here. I'm impressed!"
Gaara smiled faintly. Compared to his past as a feared killer, the respect he now received from the people warmed him far more.
Still, he asked cautiously, "I wonder… what brings you here this time, Naruto?"
Though happy to see him, Gaara wasn't naive. He understood Naruto's position in Konoha. As fellow jinchūriki, Shukaku had already sensed Kurama's chakra—Naruto wouldn't have left the village so easily unless there was something important.
Naruto's tone grew serious. "Gaara, this time Orochimaru plans to ally with Sunagakure. He's calling it… the Konoha Crush Plan."
"Konoha Crush Plan?!" Gaara's eyes widened in shock.
Naruto paused, frowning. From Gaara's expression, it was clear he had no idea. Hasn't Rasa told him yet?
That was troubling. The plan was still some time away, but the Kazekage's preparations were far too lax. No wonder he would later fall so easily to Orochimaru's schemes—even his own people had been kept in the dark.
...
TN:
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