Chapter Eleven: Persuading Nagato, The Plan Begins!

As expected, Iruka’s probing left him battered and bruised, yet he hadn’t managed to so much as touch a hair on Sasuke or the others. The Seventh Squad, the Eighth Squad, and their companions were all confirmed participants in the Chunin Exams!

On the day of the Chunin Exams, Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura set out from home under Kakashi’s escort, while Haoyun deftly evaded the surveillance of both the Anbu and Root operatives, slipping out of the Leaf Village and heading for the Land of Rain.

With the aid of the steel armor constructed from nanobots, Haoyun reached the border of the Land of Rain in less than three hours. As soon as he entered the country, he noticed the fields along the roadside—crops so different from those of the Fire Country: high-yield rice, sweet potatoes, corn, and sorghum, all thriving. A faint smile curled at the corners of his lips.

A gentle rain fell as Haoyun arrived, and from the tower above, Nagato had already detected his presence, sending Konan to greet him in person.

“Mr. Hao, it’s been a while.”

The angelic Konan descended, wings of paper fluttering gracefully from her back, her exquisite face radiant with a beautiful smile, as if a celestial being had come down to earth.

“Miss Konan, it’s been a while.” Haoyun smiled, exchanging a cordial embrace with her to show his pleasure.

“Nagato already knows you’ve arrived. He’s waiting for you in the tower. Please, this way.”

“After you.”

Side by side, they walked toward the central tower at a leisurely pace, as if the time apart—barely a month—had changed everything. In fact, the Land of Rain had transformed dramatically. One could even say that, with the technological advancements from Haoyun’s previous world, the country now rivaled the Republic of China era in scientific capability.

The rice introduced from a technological age suited the Land of Rain’s climate perfectly, promising abundant harvests. Coupled with sweet potatoes, potatoes, sorghum, and corn, this year not a single person in the Land of Rain would go hungry.

Basic science texts had also enabled Nagato to produce many useful devices. Bicycles and tricycles now traversed the main streets, while ploughs and hand-harvesters had already been manufactured. The Land of Rain no longer needed a large ninja population to handle the everyday tasks of its citizens.

Once the poorest country, always at the heart of conflict, the Land of Rain, thanks to Haoyun’s foundational science books, had begun to show signs of a burgeoning new era in just one month.

Seeing Haoyun’s awe as he took in the newly opened shops and bustling crowds, Konan’s smile grew even brighter.

“It’s all thanks to you, Mr. Hao. The Land of Rain has changed so much! People no longer live in fear. Happiness has slowly returned to their faces.”

“No, the credit isn’t mine. The true heroes are you and Nagato.”

Haoyun stopped to look earnestly at Konan. “The ninja world is not lacking in technology. What’s missing is the attention to it, the willingness to open minds, and compassion for the common people. In that, you three are the true heroes.”

Haoyun did not hesitate to give Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan the highest praise. Throughout the history of the ninja world, whether hero or villain, everyone’s vision had always been limited to their own clan or village. Only the interests of ninjas themselves mattered.

Only the three from the Land of Rain, even after founding the Akatsuki and seeking to rule the world—despite their many blunders—had always kept the well-being of the common people at heart. This was a perspective that no other ninja village had ever possessed, nor even considered.

“You flatter us, sir. We simply extend empathy for ourselves to others,” Konan replied, her smile blooming even more radiantly. Even Jiraiya had never praised them so highly, and Mr. Hao was a man of such lofty ideals!

Indeed, Konan had made it her mission to read every book Haoyun had sent.

No matter how long the road, it eventually comes to an end. Soon, the two arrived at the central tower in the Land of Rain and met Nagato, the true mastermind behind the scenes.

“Mr. Hao!”

Nagato, upon seeing him, nearly rushed forward in excitement.

Konan hurriedly went over to calm him. “Sir is here now, there’s no need to be so excited.”

“Nagato, it’s been a while!”

With Konan’s gentle reassurance, Nagato managed to compose himself somewhat. As soon as Haoyun sat down, Nagato could hardly wait to ask, “Sir, what must I do to save the ninja world? How can I fulfill Yahiko’s dream?”

“Don’t you already know?” Haoyun smiled. “Return power to the people. Overthrow the feudal lords and the ninja system, let the common folk possess the means to defend themselves. Enlighten the people, change their minds, develop technology, ensure food and warmth for all… When the majority can live comfortably, anyone who tries to disrupt their peace will be met with the resistance of the people—a people’s war!”

“I know that, but on my own… the Land of Rain simply cannot achieve this.”

Nagato hesitated, then lowered his head in frustration. The Land of Rain was simply too small, its population too sparse, and far too poor. Even if they developed weapons, without enough ninjas, the designs would be stolen and used against them.

If only he’d started in one of the Five Great Nations, Nagato would have had the power to develop and suppress the entire ninja world!

“That’s why I’ve come bearing gifts,” Haoyun said, revealing his plan. “The Land of Fire. The Hidden Leaf Village. How about it?”

“What?” Nagato’s eyes widened in disbelief. The Leaf… Was that even possible?

Konan, too, was stunned, covering her mouth. Using the Leaf Village as a foundation to expand their influence and eventually overturn the entire ninja world—such a thing was beyond even her wildest dreams.

“According to my information, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, was assassinated by Orochimaru long ago. Now, Orochimaru plans to kill the Third Hokage during the upcoming Chunin Exams.”

Haoyun outlined his plan. “Once the Third is dead, we can strike at Root, expose Danzo’s crimes over the years, and thoroughly dismantle the old guard’s rule!”

“Overthrowing the Third isn’t the hard part,” Konan observed thoughtfully. “The real challenge is securing the support of the other clans.”

“That’s the easy part,” Haoyun replied with a shrug. “I’ve already persuaded Kakashi to take Jinchuriki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke as his apprentices. During the Chunin Exams, I also plan to take Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka, Choji Akimichi, Hinata Hyuga, and others as my students. With the support of so many clans, do you really think placing one of our own as Hokage and enacting new policies will be difficult?”

“Are you serious?” Nagato’s excitement was palpable. If they could gain the support of the Leaf—the strongest village—their plan to overthrow the world’s existing order would be firmly rooted at last.

“Of course! But we’ll still need strength to back it up. So, Nagato, it’s time for you to inject the genetic serum and fully integrate with the Rinnegan!”

Haoyun produced a vial of deep blue serum...