Naruto: I Quit

Four years prior, Naruto, on a whim, accepted Konan's invitation to join the ranks of The Village Hidden by Rain, forsaking his potential as a ninja of Konoha Village to become a registered Rain Shinobi.

Little did he anticipate that this newfound identity would still afford him the opportunity for excitement.

It was something Naruto hadn't foreseen.

As soon as Nagato and Konan caught wind of his desire to partake in the Chūnin exams, they readily assented.

"Isn't this a bit too accommodating?" Naruto chuckled wryly, sensing that what he once overlooked in his youth might now be esteemed by them.

In hindsight, his decision to depart from Konoha Village seemed vindicated.

With the envoy from Konoha Village awaiting The Village Hidden by Rain's response, Naruto couldn't help but pause.

In the distance stood a figure, lean and tall, with distinctive white hair that stood out even in the rainy night.

"Hatake Kakashi? Is that him?" Naruto called out.

Indeed, it was Hatake Kakashi who had delivered the missive to The Village Hidden by Rain.

As a Jōnin, esteemed within Konoha Village's ranks, and a former Anbu operative, his involvement seemed more than just a simple courier task.

Konan approached Naruto upon his return, noticing his contemplation, and remarked, "This might be a ploy by Konoha Village to gather intelligence from other villages."

"Oh, by the way, Konan, who've you lined up as my teammates?" Naruto's curiosity was piqued. He's never really played the part of a The Village Hidden by Rain ninja, and he's a stranger to most folks in the village.

Despite living here for over four years, he's spent most of that time off the grid, focused on his training.

Konan flashed a charming smile and replied casually, "I've got three teams for you. Your other two teammates are Ajisai and a girl named Furong. Both are adorable, especially Ajisai. I see a lot of potential in her."

"Ajisai? It rings a bell." Naruto furrowed his brows, crossed his arms, and pondered. That name sounds familiar, but it's just out of reach.

He exchanged a silent glance with Nagato.

Naruto slouched, feeling like a scolded child. Why is Konan meddling in this stuff?

He's only twelve, for crying out loud! Sure, he might look like he's 18 or 20, but he's just a kid.

But then...

He couldn't help blurting out, "Oh, so Naruto's growing up, huh? Starting to think about girls?"

Naruto smirked in response.

"Well, you know, I've always been into older girls."

With his sights set on taking the Chunin exam in Konoha Village, Naruto didn't bother asking about the other teams or their news. They were just a bunch of Genin, and he wasn't interested.

Sensing a shift in the atmosphere, Nagato and Konan also grew serious, as if on cue.

"So, how's the Akatsuki organization been lately?" Naruto finally asked, adopting a serious tone. He hadn't forgotten that he was the mastermind behind Akatsuki.

This time, the usually reserved Nagato spoke up, saying, "Following your orders, we've kept a low profile until the Three Tails resurrection. Information about us remains scarce, and few know who's in Akatsuki. Plus, we've been saving up funds."

Suddenly, Naruto shot Konan a glance, silently reminding her not to splurge on those expensive detonating talismans.

600 billion for detonating talismans? How much were they thinking?

Konan blinked, puzzled by his look.

Clearing his throat awkwardly, Naruto continued, "Some of the funds are for Akatsuki's operations, and the rest is for future development of the The Village Hidden by Rain."

"Is that alright?" he asked.

"What's wrong? They're not exactly saints. It's fine to discard them after we're done. After all, our ultimate goal is what matters," Naruto said with a dark smile.

Konan and Nagato exchanged knowing glances, smiling wryly. Naruto had recruited most of these people himself, yet he spoke ill of them behind their backs.

"Besides, once people find out the leader of The Village Hidden by Rain is also the leader of Akatsuki, things won't be easy for the village at first. It's sort of a trade-off," Naruto added, making a solemn promise to them.

Naruto was the kind of guy who, if treated well and not betrayed, would never turn on anyone. Kurama could attest to that.

After all, Kurama had seen firsthand Naruto's incredible rise over the past four years. Naruto had the power to abandon Kurama or even destroy it, yet he never would.

Because who else would he have to talk to when the time came?

.....

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