"You dare insult the will of Grass?!"
Ryūzetsu was fuming. Even after their leader had been blown to pieces, they still hadn't managed to harm Naruto. Her anger erupted like a volcano, but just as she was about to launch another attack, a voice stopped her.
"Ryūzetsu, that's enough! The leader is dead. How much more are you willing to make the Grass Village pay?"
A burly man with a thick beard strode over, his voice booming as he scolded her.
"But…" Ryūzetsu bit her lip, clearly reluctant to back down.
"Stand down!"
The bearded man shot her a stern glare, and although Ryūzetsu stepped back, she continued to glare at Naruto with seething hostility.
Naruto, however, didn't seem bothered. He turned his attention to the bearded man, silently waiting for him to speak. After all, if the man had stepped forward, he surely had something to say.
Without beating around the bush, the man bowed deeply to Naruto. "My name is Muchō. I hold some sway in the Grass Village."
"The recent events… we can chalk them up to misunderstandings. The matter involving the red-haired mother and daughter—you're right, the Grass Village owes them a great deal. I opposed the actions taken, but our leader, Wada, was determined. For the sake of war, we had to compromise."
"I'm not here to dodge responsibility. The one who caused their suffering is now dead, and the hospital where they were wronged is destroyed. The Grass Village has paid a heavy price. I beg of you, would you now show mercy and let this matter rest?"
"If you do, the entire Grass Village will be forever in your debt."
Naruto studied Muchō. He seemed like a reasonable man, much more composed than Wada had been earlier. After a moment, Naruto recalled who he was—Muchō had once been the successor to Mui, the warden of Hozuki Castle, and had even appeared in Boruto. They had developed a decent relationship back then, and he had helped Naruto's team during their undercover mission.
Perhaps it was because of the Blood Prison incident?
Whatever the reason, Muchō was right. Naruto's anger had subsided, and he hadn't planned on completely wiping out the Grass Village anyway. Doing so would cause too much of an uproar—it wasn't necessary.
But still, Naruto wasn't about to let them off that easily.
"Two conditions."
Naruto raised two fingers and spoke directly. "First, that Grass ninja over there must die. If he wants a dignified death, he can commit suicide right now. If not, I'll do it myself—and trust me, it won't be pretty."
"Second, she comes with me."
The first condition referred to the Grass ninja who had brought Karin to the hospital, likely the one who had also forced her mother into the same situation. The second condition clearly referred to Ryūzetsu.
Among the remaining Grass Village shinobi, aside from the kidnapped Karin and her mother, Ryūzetsu was the only one of value.
"What? You—"
Before Ryūzetsu could react, the targeted Grass ninja flew into a rage.
"Why should I be the one to die? Everything I did was for the village! I followed orders!"
An outsider had barged into their village, and now he was being asked to take his own life? If word got out, the Grass Village would be a laughingstock!
But before he could finish, Muchō slapped him hard across the face. The sharp sound echoed through the tense air.
"Lord Muchō…" The ninja was stunned, holding his cheek in disbelief.
"I'll make sure you have a hero's funeral, with the highest honors. Your family will receive the best compensation possible," Muchō said, his voice stern and resolute.
"But…" The Grass ninja wasn't ready to die. He had been on the verge of reaching the upper ranks of the village.
"Or would you prefer I deal with you myself? Then you'll be branded a traitor to the village." Muchō's eyes glinted with a deadly intent.
The threat was clear—any further resistance would result in Muchō taking his life personally. Faced with that cold reality, the ninja's face turned pale. Trembling, he finally muttered, "I'll do as you say, Lord Muchō…"
There was no real choice.
With the entire village watching, and knowing there was no escape, the ninja ultimately took his own life, leaving behind a quiet, somber crowd.
Once Naruto sensed that the man's life force had truly faded, he turned his attention to Ryūzetsu.
"I'll go with you," Ryūzetsu said, her expression complicated.
Without waiting for anyone else to speak, she made her decision.
"I'm sorry, Ryūzetsu," Muchō sighed deeply.
He could sacrifice the other ninja without a second thought, but losing Ryūzetsu was like cutting off a limb. She was one of the most promising shinobi in the village and could have become a pillar for the Grass Village.
Letting her go was like tearing his own flesh.
But the situation left him no choice. If there had been even a sliver of hope, Muchō would have fought Naruto to the bitter end.
Yet there was no hope. None at all.
Ryūzetsu removed her mask and even took off her Grass Village forehead protector. From this moment on, she had no ties to the village.
Naruto didn't waste any time. In a flash, he wrapped his arm around Ryūzetsu's waist and disappeared, vanishing from everyone's sight.
"Body Flicker? No… something more advanced… a space-time ninjutsu!"
Muchō's pupils shrank in shock, and he couldn't help but draw in a sharp breath.
Naruto had mastered space-time ninjutsu too? This enemy was far too terrifying. He made a silent vow never to cross Naruto again.
Meanwhile, Naruto appeared on the mountaintop where Karin and her mother were waiting, using his Flying Thunder God Technique.
Naruto's hand reached around Ryūzetsu's waist, giving her a quick squeeze. He confirmed his suspicion—completely flat.
"You—" Ryūzetsu's face turned bright red, glaring at him with fury.
"I was just confirming your gender, nothing else," Naruto shrugged nonchalantly as he released the shadow clone he had left behind to guard Karin.
But his carefree attitude only made Ryūzetsu feel even more humiliated.
What could she do? Even if she wanted to get mad, it wouldn't change anything.
Ryūzetsu could only sigh inwardly, accepting her fate.
She was a rational person and disliked unnecessary conflict. Maybe, if an opportunity arose, she would quietly escape. But she wouldn't openly defy Naruto—not if it would drag the Grass Village into further trouble.
"Lord Naruto!" Karin ran over, full of excitement, wrapping herself around his arm.
"Karin!" Her mother, Kana, was visibly alarmed. It wasn't Karin's rudeness that shocked her, but the fact that she had exposed Naruto's identity in front of an outsider. Hadn't she noticed that Naruto had kept his mask on this whole time?
Was his name really Naruto?
Ryūzetsu glanced at him and made a mental note of the name.
"No need to worry," Naruto said, waving his hand dismissively as he removed his mask.
So young?!
Ryūzetsu's eyes widened in surprise. While she didn't appear much older than Naruto, she was actually twenty years old, though her baby-faced appearance made her seem younger.
But no matter how long she lived, she knew she could never surpass Naruto's power. His talent was truly frightening.
Who exactly was he?