Plan

The pharmacist adjusted his glasses.

They were not alarmed by being discovered by Naruto.

Instead, he leaned casually against a vermilion pillar, as if visiting an old friend.

"Although the barrier here is ancient, the Dark Guard is still quite troublesome."

Dou chuckled softly, his tone carrying a hint of admiration that was hard to discern as genuine:

"It took me a lot of effort to sneak in, but I was discovered as soon as I showed my face."

Naruto remained expressionless and spoke calmly:

"You killed those three grass ninja, didn't you?"

Although it was a question, his tone was as certain as if he were stating a fact.

"The timing, the manner of death, and the perfectly timed framing..."

Naruto slowly opened his eyes, his blue pupils appearing exceptionally deep in the dim light.

"Besides Orochimaru's methods, I can't think of anyone else."

"Heh, you figured it out?"

Kabuto didn't deny it; instead, he readily admitted it:

"Those three trash are too much of an eyesore. Not only did they speak rudely to Naruto, they even tried to take over your property."

"As a senior colleague, I was just helping you clean up the trash."

"and……"

The smile at the corners of his mouth deepened:

"If we don't make a big fuss and instill fear in the village's leadership,

How could Naruto-kun possibly have the opportunity to live in such a quiet place?

How about we think about some...deeper questions?

Should I also express my gratitude to you?

"I can't afford it."

Naruto was not angry because he had been tricked.

He stood up and walked to the window.

Through the gaps in the wooden lattice window, I looked at the brightly lit Muye in the distance.

"Senior Dou, I've been thinking about something these past few days."

Naruto's voice was very calm:

Why is this world always filled with so much injustice and absurdity?

"In the Land of Waves, I witnessed a nation that could be easily destroyed and rebuilt by money and violence, where the so-called daimyo and rules were meaningless."

In Karin, I saw how so-called allies can be exploited like objects, and how the Will of Fire is worthless in the face of real interests.

As for myself, from birth I was defined as a vessel and a weapon, and all my hatred and fear stem from this.

He turned around, his gaze sharp as he looked at Dou:

These are not coincidences.

Everything, everything, points to one source—

The "one country, one village" system.

Dou's eyes flickered slightly, and he continued:

"This is the reality of the world: the strong prey on the weak, and might makes right."

Those who lack power are destined to be sacrificed as expendable resources; that's fair.

"No, that's not fair, and it's not right."

Naruto held up one finger and gently shook it:

"The one-country-one-village system forcibly binds ninjas, a weapon of slaughter, to national politics."

"In order to compete for limited resources and mission quotas, people kill each other, hatred is institutionalized and glorified as a matter of course."

"Everyone is only focused on seizing others' share of resources, instead of thinking about how to expand production."

"In the end, in this corrupt system, everyone, from the high-ranking Shadows to the common people, became tragic victims."

"The real beneficiaries are only the rulers who have passed down their lineage through bloodlines from generation to generation."

"This is problematic, this is very problematic."

The smile on his face slowly faded.

He originally thought Naruto would say something about revenge or power.

Unexpectedly, this twelve-year-old boy's gaze had already penetrated the surface and pointed directly to the root of the ninja world's structure.

Many of the things he said were things even he himself hadn't thought of.

"A very interesting point of view."

Kabuto's gaze turned serious:

"Since you believe it's fundamentally wrong, the system itself is flawed."

So, Naruto-kun, what do you want to do? Destroy it?

"Destruction is merely a means, not an end."

Naruto sat down in the chair and looked at Kabuto:

"Senior Kabuto, you risked coming here tonight not just to discuss philosophy with me, right?"

"certainly."

Dou shrugged, his expression turning somewhat strange, as if he found it difficult to speak:

"Actually, it was Lord Orochimaru who sent me."

Dou sighed inwardly.

Since the battle in the Death Forest, Lord Orochimaru's condition has become extremely...strange.

If we consider his past personality, someone like Naruto...

The options are either to destroy it, brainwash it and then incorporate it, or simply ignore it.

And these past two days, Lord Orochimaru, although physically weak,

But whenever Naruto is mentioned, a hint of... fanaticism always shines through his eyes.

It could even be said that he talks about Naruto almost every other sentence.

This feeling sent chills down Dou's spine.

Why would the arrogant Orochimaru value a mere genin so much?

Even Kabuto only valued Naruto's personality and status, believing he had more potential.

And why would Lord Orochimaru...?

"Lord Orochimaru asked me to tell you..."

"If you wish to explore the ultimate truth, he is willing to be your guide, or... your stepping stone."

After saying that, Dou himself felt it was absurd.

However, Naruto was not surprised at all.

Instead, a predictable smile curved at the corners of his lips.

The effect of controlling the chains was even better than expected.

Although there is currently no way to completely control a soul of Orochimaru's caliber.

But a seed called "obedience" had already been planted, taking root and sprouting in Orochimaru's soul and mind.

"A stepping stone? Very self-aware."

"In that case, tell me your plans and purpose for coming to Konoha."

Kabuto quickly adjusted his state.

He revealed his entire plan to unite with Sunagakure, assassinate the Kazekage, launch a surprise attack on Konoha, create panic, and incite war.

"The Konoha Crush Plan?"

After listening, Naruto did not show the slightest shock or appreciation.

That's too petty.

Orochimaru still couldn't escape the limitations of the "ninja" as a tool.

"Kill the Kazekage, then kill the Hokage... and then what?"

Aside from replacing two new shadows to continue clinging to life within this corrupt system, what fundamental changes can be made?

"As long as those high and mighty 'masters' are still around, ninjas will always just be dogs tearing each other apart."

"Owner?"

Dou paused for a moment, then his pupils contracted slightly.

You mean...

Naruto casually picked up a blank scroll from the table and began to write.

His brushstrokes were powerful, and his expression was focused.

He then threw it to Kabuto.

"Since he's so kind, let him set up a stage for me."

Kabuto took the scroll and, by the moonlight, quickly scanned its contents.

At first, his expression seemed normal.

But as he read on, his pupils began to contract sharply, and cold sweat even broke out on his forehead.

"This...this!"

Dou suddenly looked up, staring intently at the seemingly harmless boy in front of him, his voice trembling slightly:

"Naruto-kun... are you serious?"

"If this plan were implemented, it would likely alter the entire world order..."

"Everything will be reshuffled."

Naruto picked up where he left off, adjusting his glasses, a chilling glint flashing in the lenses:

"Since the existing order is full of loopholes and corruption, it has no reason to exist."

"Then I'll personally crush it and throw it into the dustbin of history."

Dou gripped the scroll tightly in his hand.

He originally thought that Lord Orochimaru's "Konoha Crush Plan" was crazy enough.

Kill the Kazekage first, then the Hokage, stir up a conflict between the two countries, and then fish in troubled waters.

But compared to the boy's plan in front of him,

Orochimaru's plan was as trivial as a child's prank.

"Bring the scroll to Orochimaru."

Naruto's voice echoed in the empty shrine:

"Tell him to do as I say."

"When the old order collapses, I will stand on the ruins and establish new rules."

Kabuto took a deep breath and put away the scroll.

He bowed deeply to Naruto for the first time.

"I understand... Lord Naruto."

"I will convey this truthfully."

Kabuto's figure slowly retreated, disappearing back into the darkness.

The ancestral hall fell silent once more.