Naruto: I, who fooled the ninja world, was hailed as a savior.

Chapter 308 Nagato, Let Me Tell You Some Things from the Heart

Konan and Hanzo's cold words finally pierced through the last layer of pretense.

Xiao Nan's gaze toward 'Shadow' held no surprise, only a chilling sense of 'just as I thought' and a long-suppressed question that finally erupted.

In fact, from the moment the mysterious 'Shadow' first came into contact with the Akatsuki, Konan never truly trusted him deep down.

Even when Nagato, for some reason or need, showed acceptance or even cooperation with the 'Kage', Konan always maintained the highest level of vigilance.

The only person she trusted without reservation was Nagato.

In addition, anyone who tries to get close to Nagato is considered suspicious in her eyes, especially someone like the 'Kage' who stays on the fringes of the organization and refuses to truly integrate.

Even though 'Shadow' adopted an attitude of wanting nothing and saying, "Do whatever you want, I won't interfere," Xiao Nan still felt that he must have something to do with it.

However, for a long time, neither she nor Nagato could see through the true purpose of the 'Shadow'.

It wasn't until the appearance of "Hollow" and "Espada" and the repeated coincidences of turning the souls of the dead into her own forces that Konan gradually realized a terrifying possibility.

Perhaps the peace that Akatsuki pursues, the means it employs in the process, and the inevitable wars and deaths that accompany it are precisely the nourishment that the 'Shadow' needs!

War and death are the breeding ground for "illusion" and the cornerstone for the growth of the "illusion realm".

Whether it was the war against Sunagakure and Konoha in the past, or the war now waged to capture the Tailed Beasts...

The more active the Akatsuki organization is, the more turbulent the ninja world becomes, and the stronger the Hollow World becomes.

This surprise attack on the major ninja villages resulted in heavy losses, but it also added three Espada-level subordinates to the 'Kage' out of thin air, further confirming Konan's suspicions.

This seemingly selfless "ally" is actually using the Akatsuki organization as a pawn to disrupt the ninja world.

Lying on the wounds of the Akatsuki, the Land of Rain, and even the entire ninja world, it greedily sucks the souls of death and despair!

This guy's hidden cunning is several times greater than that of Obito Uchiha back then!
Faced with Xiao Nan's almost explicit accusation and the instantly wary looks from the other members around her, 'Shadow' let out a sigh that seemed both real and fake.

"Sigh, so I've been found out after all?" His tone didn't show any panic at being exposed; instead, it carried a hint of amusement.

"I thought that this tacit, mutually beneficial relationship between us could at least last for a while longer. It's such a pity."

At this point, he turned his gaze to Hanzo, who had just spoken up in agreement, and laughed, "However, what surprised me was that you, Hanzo, also took that side and criticized me."

"It seems you've found a new reliance that gives you the confidence to break free from 'My Lord's' control?" 'Shadow's' tone carried a hint of deeper meaning.

This guy is pitifully naive; he has no idea what a 'wedge' means.

After a moment of silence, Hanzo slowly said, "I am very grateful to you and the 'master' behind you for giving me new life and strength to this crippled body, allowing me to eke out a living."

"But, I'm sorry, I am ultimately a ninja from the Land of Rain."

"I can no longer stand by and watch you and your 'virtual world' grow stronger by clinging to the bodies of Akatsuki, the Land of Rain, and even the entire ninja world like parasites."

"The existence of 'Void' can only bring death and chaos. I have no doubt that if you could, you would kill all humans and turn them into 'Void'."

His statement undoubtedly meant that he had completely aligned himself with Akatsuki's camp, distancing himself from the 'Shadows' and the Void Realm.

"Really? That's a real shame."

The 'Shadow' let out a very soft laugh, yet it carried a chilling indifference: "I was originally thinking that after you died, I would also transform you into 'Void'..."

"After all, it's a kind of recycling, isn't it?" He spoke as casually as if he were talking about a discarded item.

"you!"

Even though Hanzo felt ashamed of his status as a 'Shadow,' hearing such blunt and contemptuous words, especially being regarded as a recyclable 'trash,' made his face turn ashen, his chest heaving violently, and anger rising within him.

The atmosphere has now reached freezing point.

The fragile partnership has been completely shattered at this moment.

The members of Akatsuki subconsciously tensed their bodies, subtly forming a confrontational stance against 'Shadow'.

They haven't actually seen 'Shadow' in action yet, but as the leader of the 'Virtual Realm,' his power is definitely not to be underestimated.

But 'Shadow' seemed to remain calm and composed in the face of the crowd's hostility.

Nagato did not immediately order an attack. Instead, he calmly stared at the blurry shadow and said, "You can choose to leave."

Upon hearing this, Konan immediately frowned, instinctively looking at Nagato with a puzzled expression: "Nagato..."

But Nagato shook his head, interrupting her, and said calmly, "Even if he did use us, it is undeniable that he did give us a lot of help in the beginning."

"Without the intelligence he provided, our plans would have been much more difficult to advance."

Hearing this, Konan's expression remained grave, and she lowered her voice, saying, "But, Nagato, he knows a lot of information about the Akatsuki. If we let him leave like this, what if..."

"Even without him," Nagato's voice held a hint of weariness and resolve, "how long do you think we can remain hidden in the shadows?"

“The village of Sunagakure, the village of Iwagakure, the village of Kirigakure, and the village of Sunagakure will never let this go easily after losing their tailed beasts.”

"The Hidden Cloud Village and the Hidden Leaf Village have also forged a deadly enmity with us. The joint investigation and retaliation by the five great ninja villages is inevitable."

"And we also need to capture the remaining two-tailed, three-tailed, five-tailed, eight-tailed, and nine-tailed creatures. It is no longer possible for us to operate completely in the shadows as we have in the past."

From the moment they decided to capture the Tailed Beasts on a large scale, the Akatsuki organization was destined to stand on the opposite side of the entire ninja world.

The presence or absence of a 'shadow' merely accelerates or slows down the exposure process.

Of course, in fact, Nagato was also unwilling to have a direct conflict with the unfathomable 'Kage' at this moment.

At least for now, the existence of the "Virtual Realm" might be able to alleviate some of the hostility and pressure from the five great nations for the Akatsuki organization.

However, the moment he finished speaking, the shadow that should have left after being exposed emitted a low, amused laugh.

"Leave?" 'Shadow' laughed. "Of course, of course I will leave. This place is never my home."

"However, before I leave, I want to take one small 'souvenir' with me."

"Varied……"

The moment the words "souvenir" left his lips, a sense of unease arose in Nagato's heart.

A bone-chilling cold, seemingly emanating from the depths of his soul, instantly swept over his entire body, causing every hair on his body to stand on end!

That's the most instinctive reaction when faced with the threat of death.

Nagato only managed to instinctively shift his body to the side and rear.

puff!

A muffled thud, like flesh being forcibly pierced, suddenly exploded, sending chills down one's spine.

An arm, seemingly formed from the purest darkness, emerged from the shadows behind Nagato and pierced through Nagato's right chest!

The position narrowly avoided his heart, but that cold, deathly power instantly eroded his body!
(End of this chapter)