Naruto: Naruto Hosted by the System

“The real culprit behind this is controlling the Fourth Mizukage. Perhaps their goal is the same as ours: to become the behind-the-scenes ruler of the Land of Water,” Naruto couldn’t help but think.

[But this doesn't explain why he would strengthen the Blood Mist policy, as this would further reduce the resources the Land of Water can provide.]

Unless his goal is to weaken the Land of Water.

"Weaken the Land of Water? What good would that do him? Even I didn't say I would weaken the Land of Wind or the Land of Lightning. On the contrary, I helped them, since they'll be mine sooner or later anyway."

[Perhaps it's as revenge against the Land of Water?]

"That's certainly possible."

Naruto didn't waste too much time on this matter, since the Fourth Mizukage's genjutsu had long been dispelled and he was dead.

Whatever the mastermind's plans were, they've all fallen through now, unless he intends to visit the Land of Water again.

"My lord, what should we do next? Should we attack Mei Terumi's stronghold directly?" Zabuza asked excitedly.

In his view, he had already secured the position of Mizukage.

After all, Naruto in front of them is a legendary figure who defeated the Land of Lightning single-handedly, and might even be able to seize the position of Mizukage by force.

But Naruto shook his head: "Konoha cannot interfere in this matter openly."

"Huh? Is that so?" Zabuza's enthusiasm was dampened.

Haku, however, had anticipated this and said, "The key to the competition for the position of Mizukage now lies in three points: 1. Finding back Utakata, the Six-Tails Jinchuriki who defected; 2. Finding a suitable Jinchuriki for the Three-Tails; 3. Winning over those ninja clans that are currently observing."

"Lord Uzumaki, where do you think we should begin?"

Naruto couldn't help but roll his eyes a few more times.

Haku has a keen understanding of the situation in the Land of Water, and he probably deserves a lot of credit for Zabuza not falling from power yet.

"Let's try the second point first. If that doesn't work, then we can talk to those ninja clans."

Utakata, the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, is elusive. The Hidden Mist Anbu has been searching for him for years without success. To find him now, Naruto would have to become a Six Paths level ninja, with Kagura's Mind's Eye covering the entire ninja world.

The reason for seeking out the Three-Tails first is that Naruto needs its chakra to complete the Three-Tails part of the Demon Sprout Technique.

As for the ninja clans, there aren't many powerful ninja clans left in Kirigakure these days.

The Kaguya clan, the Hozuki clan, and the Yuki clan were all persecuted and wiped out; the number of remaining members could be counted on one hand.

Oh, the last member of the Snow Clan is right before their eyes.

In fact, if it weren't for Zabuza's unexpected role, Mei Terumi would definitely have become the Mizukage within three years, because Kirigakure needs to recuperate and needs a powerful leader with moderate policies.

Mei Terumi, who possesses both Lava Release and Boil Release bloodlines, is perfectly qualified.

"Lord Uzumaki, shall we go find the Three-Tails now?"

“No, before that, I need to confirm that you all have the potential to become Kage.” Naruto said with a half-smile.

While he can support anyone to take the position, if the other party is weak enough, Naruto will have to put in a lot of effort.

Zabuza and Haku exchanged a glance and nodded in unison.

The three arrived at a deserted island in the Misty Sea.

Before the battle began, Zabuza chuckled, "Be careful. Haku is stronger than me now. You'll suffer if you underestimate him."

Bai replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Lord Uzumaki, please enlighten me."

Naruto stood there without replying, but instead beckoned with his finger in a provocative gesture.

Zabuza struck first, using his familiar "Hidden Mist Technique" to obscure his vision, and then stealthily closed the distance between himself and Naruto.

"The Hidden Mist Technique can only block vision. Haven't you thought about what to do if the enemy has other sensory ninjutsu?"

As he said those words, Naruto punched Zabuza behind him without even looking, sending him flying into the water.

Ice Release: Demonic Mirror Ice Crystal!

Several mirror-like surfaces formed from ice-style chakra appeared around Naruto's body, while Haku, hiding within them, continued to hurl poisoned projectiles.

“If you haven’t made any progress over the past few years, I’ll have to consider finding a new partner.”

A terrifying burst of chakra erupted from Naruto's body, shattering all the ice crystals of the Demon Mirror.

The two have indeed improved since their time in the Land of Waves, but this level is not enough to gain Naruto's approval.

After being repelled, Haku came to Zabuza's side, and the two took a deep breath.

"Lord Uzumaki, we're about to get serious."

"If this move doesn't bring me any surprises, then it's all over."

Upon hearing this, Haku and Zabuza immediately became extremely alert.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

Zabuza swiftly formed hand seals. He had now greatly simplified the hand seals for the Water Dragon Bullet Technique, and within seconds he used the surrounding seawater to condense several water dragons.

But for Naruto, that was clearly not enough.

Just as he was feeling disappointed and about to end things with the two of them...

Haku suddenly used Ice Release on the Water Dragon Bullets, transforming them into even more destructive Ice Dragon Bullets!

"Oh?"

Although even this wouldn't break through Naruto's defenses, one can't help but admire their thinking.

Because he used the surrounding seawater, Zabuza did not consume much chakra, and he continued to use water-style ninjutsu.

Haku consumed even less chakra; he was simply cooperating with Zabuza to enhance the power of his ninjutsu.

Then dozens of ice dragon bullets appeared in front of Naruto!

Both Haku and Zabuza now possess the strength of elite Jonin. When they join forces, coupled with the presence of water, they are even stronger than a typical Kage.

Naruto smiled slightly, activated Sage Fox Mode, forming a giant fox head around his body, and shattered all the Ice Dragon Bullets with a roar.

"You've passed."

Chapter 87 The Masked Men Attack (3000 words, please subscribe!)

The Three-Tails is located in a large lake outside Kirigakure (Hidden Mist Village).

Naruto, Zabuza, and Haku secretly arrived at this place and gazed at the lake that stretched as far as the eye could see.

Given the size of a three-tailed creature, it certainly needs to be at least this size.

Among the tailed beasts, the three-tailed one is actually considered relatively docile.

If it were one-tailed, eight-tailed, or nine-tailed creatures that escaped, then a large number of people would have to be urgently dispatched to seal them.

Because other tailed beasts, once freed, often wreak havoc due to their hatred of humans or other reasons.

Perhaps because of its good relationship with its former Jinchūriki, the Fourth Mizukage, the Three-Tails did not have any intention of taking revenge on humans.

Wuyin was unable to deal with the matter for the time being, so it was temporarily delayed.

"Lord Uzumaki, should we try to lure out the Three-Tails so that you can capture and seal it?" Zabuza asked.

"Why don't you seal him away yourself? If you can become a Jinchuriki, your strength alone is enough to qualify you as a Kage," Naruto said with a half-smile.

Seeing that Zabuza seemed to be seriously considering this matter, Naruto interrupted his thoughts and said, "I don't intend to seal the Three-Tails, and there may not even be a battle."

"Huh? Why?"

Naruto patted his stomach. "Because I have a friend who is the same kind as the Three-Tails."

The Nine-Tailed Fox inside him gave a haughty snort, muttering things like "Who's your friend?" and "Who's his kind?" while its nine tails wagged happily.

Zabuza shook his head: "That's a really...unique idea."

Bai chuckled lightly, "I can understand that."

Ignoring their bickering, Naruto went to the lakeside.

He activated Kagura's Mind's Eye and could indeed sense a massive amount of chakra swimming underwater. Moreover, it seemed to have noticed Naruto's presence and warily distanced itself from him.

"Kurama, could you call out the Three-Tails and have him talk to me? Tell him I have no ill intentions, I just want to make a deal."

Kurama scratched his head in confusion and asked, puzzled, "Didn't you just steal the chakra from the Eight-Tails and Two-Tails before? Why not this time?"

“Because the Eight-Tails and the Two-Tails chose to oppose me on their own. If their chakra had been stolen by a Jinchuriki, I might have helped them,” Naruto replied earnestly.

“I have no conflict with the Three-Tails, nor did it attack me on its own initiative, so I don’t mind making a deal with it.”

Nine-Lama scratched his head: "I really don't understand your human thoughts, they're always so complicated."

"By the way, Kurama, what's the name of the Three-Tails?"

"Isobu".

"Okay, I've got it."

Then, Nine Lama allowed his consciousness to enter a space.

This space allows the Tailed Beasts to communicate, and Kurama greeted Isobu here.

"Hey, Isogai, it's been a while."

Isobu quickly replied, "Kurama? What are you doing here? Could that powerful chakra I sensed be you? No, it doesn't seem like it."

“He’s my jinchūriki. He’s an interesting guy. He wants to make a deal with you. He doesn’t mean any harm.”

"A trade? For such a powerful being, isn't a trade just another form of command?"

"No, Naruto's words are absolutely trustworthy."

Isobu stared intently at Kurama, but found that the other man's gaze did not waver even slightly, despite his guilty conscience.

"Kurama, it seems your Jinchūriki is quite a character. I once encountered someone like that myself." Isobu sighed softly, his gaze filled with nostalgia.

"Alright, just one question: are you coming or not?"

"Alright, for your sake."

Kurama's consciousness then returned to Naruto's body, giving him a "okay" gesture.

Outside, the lake water suddenly surged, whipping up towering waves.

A three-tailed giant turtle then appeared before Naruto.